Addiction is in our minds.

We just give “the addiction” power by thinking or saying it is stronger than us.

Sure, you might “feel the addiction” as in lacking nicotine, caffeine, alcohol or any other substance but it’s really the same, it’s all about controlling your mind.

Convince yourself you are not addicted.

Convince yourself you are stronger than this substance that is calling you. Decide to stop it (for me it’s always easier to stop it entirely for a while than reduce it, I’m working on it). When it calls you tell yourself you are stronger than whatever this is.

Because in fact, you are stronger.

Replace it with something else. Go do some sports (you might get addicted too!) or anything strong or hard enough that takes all your attention. Notice when you don’t even think about what’s calling you anymore.

I got rid of all my addictions in the forest but came back with one, the “rapé” of Nicotiana rustica or “strong tobacco” in pure form.

I learned how to make it and made it many times with my indigenous friends. Learning to use it is not only recommended in dietas there, it is actually a requirement. I have not seen any indigenous sick from using it (as we get cancer from cigarettes) but I have seen many indigenous doing it very often, like every hour or so.

I came back and was doing it too much, so I simply left it away and I am applying to myself what I wrote above.

It has been “calling me” but I convinced myself I am stronger and I do not need it.

The less I pay attention to the call, the more I am telling myself I do not need it, the more I know I am stronger than this.

I see it as mind training. I went kite-surfing for 5 hours yesterday and did not think about it at all. It comes back sometimes.

Sure, I will take some again one day and if I do it too much again, I will stop again. They say “it is a sacred medicine” and can’t be taken often and it needs to be like a small ceremony, focusing, consciously, singing, praying… or needed for a cleanse (it’s amazing for that).