This article will focus on the attitudinal change needed to release addictions. So what is involved in the "gotta have it" syndrome? The two most obvious factors which motivate most addictive behavior are the desire for sensory pleasure and the avoidance of pain. Behind that, though, is a deeper desire for love and acceptance which, when unsatisfied, leads to a wide variety of addictive behaviors. Desire is necessary but dangerous. It motivates you to pursue what you want, but, without awareness, you can be trapped into repetitive patterns which are beyond your control. Pleasure and the avoidance of pain , when carried to the extreme, can result in illness and pain . For example, pleasure in the form of alcohol or drugs can result ultimately in brain and liver damage, mental and emotional disturbance, and distruction of career and relationships. The desire to be successful, powerful and have money can be tremendously creative and productive, but, if overdone, may result in anxiety, insomnia and exhaustion. The desire for a loving partner can result in obsessive attachment to another person, ending in disappointment and grief if they should leave you or die.

Desire is a two-edged sword, and it is necessary to be aware of when you have desire and when desire has you. When you are no longer in control of desire, and when your happiness depends on something outside yourself, you are addicted. It is not possible to live in a desire-free state, but it is possible to derive your happiness mostly from internally-generated states of love, good feeling, excitement and happiness, rather than depending on the external world to make you happy. You can always change your mind and your feelings inside (though it's not necessarily a piece of cake, so to speak), but you can't always changes the circumstances in the outer world. If you have to have alcohol to feel relaxed and happy, you will be miserable when you don't have it. If you are hungry, you will be upset until you are fed. If you are a smoker, two hours without a cigarette may throw you into a panic. When you don't have a lover, you can feel very alone and frustrated until you are with someone again.

What is the way out? You have to take control of your own body, mind and emotions and realize the most amazing power which you have to feel whatever way you want to, regardless of the external circumstances. You happiness is really manufactured by your own mind and depends very little on your outside circumstances. You can feel good, no matter what you have or don't have, if you train yourself to do that. It may seem too simple, but just try this exercise.