Statistics show that more than one in three Americans report making New Year’s resolutions. Many of which focus on breaking bad habits.
Whether it is smoking overeating Drinking too much alcohol or “watching your fate” on social media instead of sleeping. 72% of U.S. adults report engaging in at least one unhealthy behavior, according to the United Health Foundation.
Dr. Adi Jaffe, psychologist from California Know the dangers of unhealthy habits As he once battled drug addiction himself.
CDC warns of deadly drug 100 times more potent than FENTANYL overdoses in past years
“I was stuck in a world of drugs and alcohol. From high school to a few years after college,” he told Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview.
Dr. Adi Jaffe, a psychologist from California, struggled with drug addiction as a child. And now helps others overcome their unhealthy habits. (Adi Jaffe, PhD)
“Addiction does not discriminate based on gender, age, race or income. People from all walks of life are affected.”
Jaffe eventually spent time in jail before getting clean and returning to school. He earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate in psychology.
“I want to understand what happened to me. And I hope that what I’ve done over the past 15 years will carry those lessons to others. who are struggling.”
“Addiction is not differentiated by gender, age, race or income. People from all walks of life are affected.”
Today, Jaffe focuses on helping people overcome addiction and improve their mental health. In his new book, Unhooked: Free Yourself from Addiction Forever, he shares a step-by-step program to help people break free from harmful habits.
Jaffe shares his tips and insights with Fox News Digital.
Behavioral awareness
While many people think of addiction as something related to drugs or alcohol, Jaffe notes that it can take many forms.
The psychologist said Many people think that behavior is a problem. But there is almost always a reason behind those unhealthy or dangerous choices. (Istock)
“If you have any behavior For so long, you lose the ability to live your life to the fullest — and it bothers you. But you can’t find yourself stopping it. Even though you tried Over and over again — to me, that qualifies,” he said.
in drug addiction Addictive behaviors may include “Magic” on the phone for several hours a day, binge eating, gambling, or other unhealthy activities
Experts say there are serious health risks of vaping and e-cigarettes. Especially for youth
People can also become addicted to work and success, Jaffe said.
“When things difficult and difficult They want to go to work,” he said. “They believe success or performance will make them feel better. But it can be just as damaging as any other addiction.”
Psychologists noted that “Death scrolling” on social media is a potentially addictive behavior. (Istock)
social media Experts say it’s another form of addiction.
“When your phone beeps or makes a popping sound. You won’t know what’s in there. So it’s an interesting novelty. And it releases dopamine,” he said. “You can hardly help yourself.”
Specifying ‘hook’
Many people think that behavior is a problem, Jaffe said, but there’s almost always an underlying reason for those unhealthy or dangerous choices.
“This behavior is a real cure for problematic underwater currents.”
“The reason you do this is that, early in life, there is pain or struggle or emotional discomfort,” he said.
“And you find that when you have that behavior. The discomfort disappears, so such behavior is actually a cure for problematic undercurrents.”
Statistics show that more than one in three Americans report making New Year’s resolutions. Many of which focus on breaking bad habits. (Istock)
For Jaffe, when he was 14 or 15, his “hook” was social anxiety.
“And when someone handed me a bottle of vodka at the slumber camp. I drank it because I didn’t want to look uncomfortable,” he told Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“When I started drinking I wasn’t worried and felt like I belonged. I feel like I can talk to people. And I realized that alcohol had ‘fixed’ this problem.”
“When I started drinking I wasn’t worried and felt like I belonged. I feel like I can talk to people. And I realized that alcohol had ‘fixed’ this problem.” (Istock)
Everyone has a different hook, Jaffe said, but there are similarities and patterns.
“We begin our lives trying to escape discomfort.”
replace habits
Once people identify an unhealthy behavior, One of the biggest mistakes they make is trying to stop the behavior without a plan, according to Jaffe.
Click here to subscribe to our health newsletter.
“We try to stop ourselves from doing things we don’t like,” he said, “especially around New Year’s. People may say ‘I will stop eating bad food. Or am I going to stop being lazy?’” he said.
However, research has shown that the most important aspect of breaking bad habits is replacing negative behaviors with positive ones. Psychologist noted
The most important thing in breaking a bad habit is replacing negative behavior with positive behavior. (Istock)
“We have to stop trying to get rid of bad habits. It doesn’t work,” Jaffe said. “We have to replace them with something else.”
For example, if someone wants to quit smoking. They might keep chewing gum or sunflower seeds in their bags, he said.
“You just have to keep going.”
Or if someone is too focused on their work. That might mean abandoning certain tasks and delegating them to others.
Jaffe also emphasizes that the process of breaking bad habits isn’t always perfect or smooth. And slipping away from time to time is not the same as failure.
See more health articles at www.foxnews.com/health
“It’s normal for you to put your head down a lot while you’re trying to change this,” he said.
“You just have to keep going.”
Jaffe’s book Unhooked: Free Yourself from Addiction Forever will be released on January 1, 7.
