Addicted to driving help?

[Glitch 73]

So I'm from the UK where car insurance for young drivers is high enough. On top of that I put way too much money into my car in terms of fuel and upgrades. I'm almost 19 but have spent thousands on my car. I have very strong urges to just go out and drive, but often get into street races. I want to be able to cut down and drive sensibly but every time I try I just get urges again. Has anyone got any advice? Thanks

[Chapter 55]

Don't drive. 

[Dreamlicker 750]

Once you get your first ticket/arrested for street racing, I think that'll fix it

[Prison Break 85]

i'm also 19 and I havent spend more money on my car then I initially bought it for

 

just don't invest that much money on your first car

 

[Dogerina 330]

wanna race me?

[you jason 0]

why u come to runescape bot forums for advice on driving ur car... its not bad u like that and if u think its bad then just dont do it.. be strong man deal with ur shit

[Glitch 73]

why u come to runescape bot forums for advice on driving ur car... its not bad u like that and if u think its bad then just dont do it.. be strong man deal with ur shit

 

Its a community here, and its like smoking, you cant just wake up and be like oh I dont wanna do it anymore.

[Prison Break 85]

Its a community here, and its like smoking, you cant just wake up and be like oh I dont wanna do it anymore.

actually yes you can

 

requires a strong mind though.

 

just ask yourself: what else can I do with my money instead of wasting it on pointless stuff

[Volta 183]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXOPqRYtjkA

[Mog 15]

Wether its video games, pornography, drugs, or street racing. Anything that we find pleasing to us can be addictive. A lot of it has to do with how the brain reacts to pleasure, I'm sure we all remember High School health class where they talk about dopamine bursts in the brain and such... and while this is true, theres a ton more to it than this. I would invite you to do some research on why we have urges, that lead to habits and addictions, which we just can't seem to control. I can post some great articles for you to read if you'd like. 

 

Anyways, there is a cycle and steps that really do help in solving addictions. One of the first steps is recognizing you have a problem and you seem to have acknowledged that.

 

I can link you some stuff I've read that helped me overcome addictions, if you really are serious about knocking this addiction consider selling or giving away the stuff that triggers you. Consider selling your car, finding new friends, or a new hobby that has nothing to do with car racing, or even makes you think about it, but still gives you a healthier adrenaline boost. Maybe bicycling? Or marathon racing? speed climbing etc.

 

Thats one of the struggles with addiction, not just fighting off the urges, but fighting off the time and social void it leaves when you quit. You all of a sudden have more time on your hands and nothing to do. 

 

Good luck on battling this one man. Message me if you want any material to read, or talk about more strategies to fight this. Please don't let this effect your life catastrophically before you make serious plans to stop. Although its hard its much better to deal with this now. Also don't decide one day you're gonna stop and go cold turkey, this will set you up for failure. Plan it out, take your time, do your research, and then go cold turkey.