According to the American Addiction Center, over 40 percent of Americans are hooked on something. Current dogma is that they can never be cured. The reason addictions don't lend themselves to complete elimination is because the real problem is not the substance or the behavior, but rather addictive drivers in the addict that compel him or her to indulge.

One of the most powerful of these drivers is our identity. If we believe we're an addict and identify as such, it's gonna be difficult to quit. We may be able to muscle through, but the risk of relapse will always be there. That's why many professionals believe that addictions are permanent and incurable.

If you're hooked on something and you really want to quit, try identifying as someone who is not an addict. Say it! Affirm that I'm just not the kind of person who smokes, drinks or whatever. Really believe and really feel like you're just not that kind of person. To the extent that you take on this new identity, you'll find yourself compelled to have your behavior match your new self-image and it'll be much easier to not only quit but to really quit for good.