Project on addiction part of our MD

Thanks Sam. Looking up how to manage an addiction too

TW: Self harm mention

Its interesting that the article talks about substitute addictions. I don't know if I've really experienced that with my daydreaming, but I know that when I stopped self harming 5 years ago, that addictive behavior was quickly replaced by my compulsive skin picking. I don't pick at my skin to hurt myself, which is why I don't consider it to be self harm (even though it does hurt me), but that addictive behavior definitely replaced the old addictive behavior. 

I've noticed that most of my compulsive behaviors (daydreaming, picking at my skin, social media use, etc) feel the same. I mean, the mechanisms behind them feel the same. Obviously, physically they're all very different, but what triggers them, what occurs while I'm engaging in them, and how I feel afterward is incredibly similar. That's why I created that habit reversal document back in January. The one that I was basing it on was originally for helping with compulsive skin picking. 

I'm getting off topic, sorry. Anyways, this article has some very good information. There was actually a book mentioned in the daydream less Instagram challenge that specifically dealt with addiction. Now, I think it was focused on alcohol addiction, but as I've seen, addictive behaviors are often incredibly similar to each other and I think that we would likely find some very good information in it. I'll go see if I can find what book it is. 

Okay, its called "Rational Recovery: The New Cure for Substance Addiction" by Jack Trimpey. Supposedly its very good, though I haven't read it myself. I suppose I probably should if I'm recommending that others read it...

I have a better addiction website hope this makes more sence. www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Addiction
There are tips at the end which are good 

Overcoming an addiction takes time, it is war within ourselves, and we have to be brave.

Think of all the troubles your addictions have/will cause you!

Talk to someone who can help you, also, there are professionals out there who can help you deal with your addiction.

Before the temptation hits you, there is usually a triggering event, we experience something uncomfortable. The mind then seeks to escape that discomfort by resorting to the relief brought upon by the addictive behavior. Take a moment to think and write down what your trigger(s) are, and the next time you find yourself in a trigger situation, be alert and face it courageously.

Believe in yourself. You can do it.

Do not obsess over it.

Every addiction has a root cause, take a moment to think what yours could be.

Additionally, I've been looking up twelve step programs for addictions to get some sort of a roadmap of steps, which would be great, if I could actually find a version that isn't heavily religious. As someone who isn't, and has never been, religious, its hard for me to really get into religious stuff. Not to mention, some of the steps are so heavily religious that I literally can't figure out how to remove the religious aspect without getting rid of the step altogether.

I'll keep looking.

heyy heyy i am more than happy to try and help you out. the first thing you need to recognise is that md is an addiction, you are addicted to daydreaming. its not that daydreaming wants you but you want to daydream this is a very important thing to keep in mind if you want to reduce the daydreaming. when you daydream your brain makes more dopamin. but like you can get clean from any other addiction you can reduce this to (this is my strategie to stop daydreaming unhealthy amounts of time). first step is what i mentioned in the beginning so recognise its an addiction second step is recognizing you dont need a save space anymore and that its oke to face reality (this one can be difficult if your md was caused by a trauma but less difficult if it wasnt) then comes something that not many want to do but you need to make your daydream world less fun, kill off characters, start sabotaging your own mind. than try and reduce daydreaming itself, by now its easier for your mind to do so but you still need to take babysteps and change the source of the dopamine slowly by doing other stuff that are fun (see in the end why this is important). and if this all doesnt help you than there is plan b. learn to be usefull while daydreaming. thats what i do now cause i cant face reality sadly enough. i just cant pass that step.please do this slowly, stopping with an addiction to fast may cause you to fall in another addiction to replace the source of dopamine as fast as possible. and ohww yeah one thing you need to know daydreaming isnt your enemy its your addiction to it that is so daydreaming a few times a week isnt bad

So a update on how things are going I have been distraction myself away from too much daydreaming but now my eating is bad again and I am too restless lately. Going to try and work on me eating and hopefully it will ease as well. As for the restless I am looking into it too sometimes I give into my daydreaming when its bad but then a while after I stop it starts again like I can't stay still. A lot of work going into controlling it. Getting out with my friends any chance I get so thats good.