Each one of us has a guilty pleasure. Admit that you are either a chocolate addict, a chain smoker, a junkie, a couch potato or an alcoholic. Whichever you are, you are in grave danger – a danger to yourself because of your inability to discipline yourself. Your big problem can be blamed to a small part of you which is your dopamine. Dopamine is that one chemical in your brain which is responsible for handling (and therefore mishandling) your addictions.

Whatever addiction you have, it starts with a craving then snowballs into an intense drive so that you end up emptying that ice cream pint all by yourself or feeding on fries the whole day.

It’s difficult to drop a bad habit. As long as we can’t fight off those dopamine surges, we will be held captive to our very own addictions. But it is possible; as evidenced by those people who are actually craving a salad at noontime or those who can’t last a day without a cup of herbal green tea.

One smart thing to fool yourself into adapting a new and good habit while dropping the not-so-productive addiction, give yourself rewards for your milestones. Smokers who try to quit instantly usually fidget because their fingers long for the touch and feel of a cigarette. But isn’t the knowledge that smoking is unmistakably harmful to your systems should be enough to take steps towards breaking a bad habit?

Try this: treat yourself to a relaxing spa experience after a successful non-smoking week. You will have more motivation for your efforts.

If you feel that your addiction is starting to become really unhealthy, don’t think twice about seeking professional help. Intervention could pretty much save your life. You can always visit a shrink.

Another alternative that’s becoming a bit more popular is to visit a hypnotist. Many claim it works to curb their urges and has quite the good record with anxiety issues. The power of suggestion does seem to work.