Addictive behaviors come in all shapes and sizes and can be challenging to overcome. This can be caused by unhealthy thoughts, behaviors and comparisons to our peers, which become obstacles in breaking an addiction. The following barriers, provided by eMindful, will help you identify what may be holding you or your loved ones back on the road to recovery:

1. Lack of Awareness. Being unaware of the thoughts, feelings and impulses that tend to lead to cravings can be a big reason why an addiction may linger. Mindfulness amplifies self-awareness and can empower people to focus on their actions in order to overcome an addiction.
2. Defense Mechanisms of Denial, Projection and Rationalization. People cannot recover from an addiction if they deny having a problem and blame others for their actions. Rationalization attempts to hide the problem of addiction, but never solves it. The first step to recovery is to accept responsibility.
3. Low Expectations for Recovery. Having a low expectation of recovery can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Holding such a self-defeating belief reduces the effort expended on recovery.
4. Reliance on Quick Fixes. Passive, quick fixes are like candy – they satisfy the senses, but they supply little or no nourishment. Individuals that break the chains of addiction commit to learning, self-development and self-awareness.
5. Unhealthy Relationships. It’s important for those in recovery to surround themselves with cooperative and supportive people. An unhealthy relationship can prohibit someone from having and maintaining a successful recovery.