Jan. 19th, 2026 - How to End "Addiction Stops".

For the longest time I struggled with "Addiction Stops". It wasn't my fault. I had to stop for gas. I had to stop at the drug store. I ran out of time for a real lunch. There were so many convenient, delicious options to choose from. I didn't get caught up in all that though, I usually went directly to my favorite items, made the purchase and went on my way.

You know exactly what I'm talking about! The Big Gulp, the doughnuts, the hot dog and pizza slice, the cupcakes, the chocolate bar. (Sometimes it's the cigarettes and the one beer to go.) Whatever I loved, I knew exactly where it was and it was always along my route.

Plus, I was never alone. The stops were full of people making similar choices so, it couldn't be that bad, right?

One day I woke up and realized this behavior was not serving me well. The food I was choosing felt misaligned with my body's true needs, with my own value system, with who I wanted to be. Ending the "Addiction Stops" was much harder than I expected it would be.

For starters, I still needed to stop at these places. I wasn't strong enough to just willpower myself to stop making these purchases. Believe me, I tried! I needed a better solution.

The same way I now work with my clients, I decided to break this Addiction Stop behavior into pieces and see what I had to work with. I had to really look at myself and it was a sad state of affairs. Here's what I realized;

1. I secretly enjoyed the stop. Yep! Just taking a break from my work, my drive or my life in general felt good.

2. I enjoyed getting out of the car and walking around. A pitiful walk I know but, nonetheless, a little bit of sunshine and a little bit of body movement.

3. I enjoyed seeing other people, all the bright colors and wonderful smells of fried food.

4. Of course I enjoyed eating the ultra-processed junk food, who wouldn't?!

It was interesting to reflect though, that the actual eating of the food was the bittersweet part of this entire Addiction Stop. The first three steps were perhaps humiliating to recognize but, not terrible. The actual consuming of the food was truly enjoyable for the first couple bites and then I just ate the rest out of habit, feeling guilty with every bite. Afterwards I felt annoyed at myself. I felt worse for the stop both physically and mentally.

Now I have to pause here for a moment to reflect and share that addictions to substances are real. For example, addictions to sugar, fried foods, alcohol and cigarettes. These addictions definitely contribute to "Addiction Stops" but, for today I'm just talking about the addiction to the stop itself.

I had to brainstorm how to get myself out of this messy Addiction Stop. Here are some of the solutions that worked for me.

1. Giving myself permission to take a break from my drive, my work or my life in general is OK to do. (It doesn't have to involve consuming lousy food.)

2. Understanding that even micro moments of body movement make me feel better.

3. Giving myself permission to enjoy new sights, sounds and people watching.

4. Understanding that addiction is often linked with routines and triggers so, changing my behavior meant changing my stops.

5. I needed to honor my real hunger and thirst by providing well thought out nourishing options.

I began by giving myself permission to take a break and walk around whenever feasible. Perhaps a quick stop at a public park for a light jog, some people watching and fresh air. Sometimes I would park in an open shopping plaza and just take 10 minutes to window shop along the sidewalk. I had to change my stops. New gas stations, new drug store and a new route that included skipping the junk food. I brought a cooler in my car or sometimes planned for a proper purchase of real food and water along the way.

Every Addiction Stop did not end overnight. It took personal work, deep insight and willingness to focus on my desire to be well and grow into the healthier person I wanted to be. With time and focus I have outgrown my Addiction Stops.

Have you outgrown yours? I would love to hear your success story! Share with others your best tips for ending the Addiction Stops.