TFM can be combined with EasyPeasy and AVRT?
I asked GPT (IA) the same question and he told me the following:
- Shared Principles
Personal Responsibility: All these methods emphasize that you have complete control over your choices. You don’t need external support or to blame addiction as something beyond your power.
Perspective Shift: They all aim to dismantle false beliefs that perpetuate addiction (e.g., "I need this to feel good or cope with life").
Immediate Freedom: None of these methods rely on long, drawn-out processes or inevitable relapses. Instead, they provide tools to free yourself the moment you decide to quit.
- How to Combine Them
a) Start with EasyPeasy
Read the book and adopt the mindset that addiction brings no real benefits.
Understand and internalize these key points:
Addiction doesn’t provide pleasure; it’s just solving the problem it creates.
Quitting doesn’t require willpower when you realize you’re not giving up anything.
Celebrate your liberation—it’s something to be happy about, not feared.
b) Incorporate Principles from The Freedom Model
Examine your beliefs about why you were addicted. For example:
"It relaxes me."
"It helps me handle stress."
Challenge these beliefs by asking:
Is this true?
Can I achieve these things without the addiction?
Replace those false beliefs with empowering truths:
"I don’t need this to relax or cope; I am capable on my own."
c) Apply AVRT’s Practical Techniques
Identify the “addictive voice” (the thoughts that tempt you to relapse, such as "just one more time").
Separate this voice from yourself. Remind yourself:
"That’s not me; it’s the addiction talking."
Use AVRT’s "Big Plan" technique:
Make a firm commitment to never use again, without negotiation or doubt.
Practical Steps to Combine Them
Dismantle Desire (EasyPeasy + The Freedom Model):
Reflect on how addiction didn’t truly make you happy—it just perpetuated its own cycle.
Replace false beliefs with clarity: addiction isn’t a solution; it’s a trap.
- Act Immediately (AVRT):
When you feel an urge, recognize it as the “addictive voice.”
Respond: "That’s not me, and I won’t follow it."
Make a clear, definitive decision to stop, without overthinking.
- Celebrate Your Freedom (EasyPeasy):
Every time you resist an urge, remind yourself:
"I’m free, and I don’t miss this at all."
Focus on the positive changes in your life since quitting.
- Final Considerations
Avoid Overloading Yourself: While these methods are compatible, focus on the aspects that resonate most with you. Leave aside anything that feels contradictory or unnecessary.
Trust the Process: Don’t overanalyze or try to perfect the combination. The goal is to free yourself, not complicate things.
Customize It: Use the parts of each method that work best for you and adapt them to your needs.