Guest Writer, Donna Gregory—yoga teacher and holistic therapist at Donna Crystal Holistics 

Addictions are easy to develop but a tremendous struggle to overcome. People typically do not realize they are becoming addicted until after the addiction has already secured a strong grip on their lives. Trying to beat the addiction causes a high level of stress. Willpower alone may not be enough, and sometimes, attempts to quit can lead the individual to form another addiction as a substitute. Here—at a point where a recovering addict is at his or her weakest—the practice of spirituality can help.

There are no hard, fast rules with spirituality: it comes in many forms, depending on an individual’s lifestyle, beliefs, and interests. Understand that only your thoughts can prevent you from achieving your dreams, and recognize that a particular thought can be changed. To begin, increase your willpower by remembering a time when you were happy, before the days of your addiction. Although it may seem illogical to some, practicing positive affirmations on a daily basis is an excellent way to help you achieve your goals. It is both simple and free! Rather than dwelling on self-destructive thoughts, you could say, “I am happy being my best self and do not need this addiction,” “I am strong and I am free,” or, “I am proud of my inner strength”. Start consciously controlling your thoughts and immediately replacing negative ones with positive affirmations.

Even if you continue to slip and give into your addiction, you are not a failure. Do not let your thoughts torture you. Feel kindness and empathy towards yourself. Tomorrow is a new day and provides you with the opportunity to seek a return to a full, happy, and healthy life.

Although it is human nature to be wary of putting one’s faith in something we cannot actually see or touch, I personally believe in the power of angel therapy and crystals to help overcome addictions. Calling on specific angels or your own guardian angel can help to focus your mind and strengthen you to achieve your goals. For instance, you could ask Michael to give you strength and protection and to cut away your ties to the addiction. You could ask Ariel for release, Uriel for transformation and freedom, Raphael for healing and willpower, or Haniel to feel compassion and love for yourself. It is not necessary to sit in long silences or practice complicated rituals to ask for angelic help—a sincere, loving thought sent out for help is sufficient.

Believing in the healing power of stones may be difficult, too, but even if you do not have faith, they will still work! Crystals can help to calm you down and refocus your mind. All that is necessary is to choose the appropriate crystal, think of what it represents, determine what you need to nurture in yourself, and then carry the crystal or be in physical contact with it. For defeating addiction, I would recommend Barite, Lepidolite, Tiger’s Eye, or Orange Phantom Quartz. For greater willpower, choose Calcite, Haematite, Marcasite, or Sardonyx.

While skeptics may scoff, the use of crystals for healing dates back to ancient times. Having worked with them for a long time now, I believe in the very real health and spiritual benefits that can be achieved by using them the right way. Because crystals are fairly inexpensive, they provide you with the option of a cost-effective method to overcoming addiction!

Believe in yourself, care for yourself, and respect yourself: you are stronger than your addiction.

Nu