Wanting to make changes in 2026? Here's some good advice.

[Por_sha911]

As Americans look for a fresh start in 2026, Dr. Drew Pinsky says the country’s approach to addiction is drifting further from what actually works.

Every January, many Americans look to reset their lives with enough discipline and a plan. For people who repeatedly promise themselves this will be the year they quit whatever they might be addicted to — and keep falling short — Dr. Drew said during an interview with Fox News Digital that the issue is often the belief that willpower alone is enough.

"With addiction, you have to surrender," he explained. "If you actually have addiction, you have to be sure you're ready, and then you have to surrender to some process."

"There are free programs out there… mutual-aid societies, or 12-step programs," Dr. Drew said. "If you merely surrender to that process and do what people tell you, follow direction, you will get better."

For many people, that foundation is essential. However, Dr. Drew suggested that others may also need additional help — and may lean toward therapy, medication or a medical evaluation.

The common thread, he said, is accepting help instead of trying to manage everything alone.

Meanwhile, at a time when Americans are encouraged to "reset" everything from their diets to their dopamine, Dr. Drew shared a warning: addiction doesn’t reset on a calendar.

With trendy resets like "Dry January" or "dopamine detoxes," the celebrity physician told Fox News Digital that although some Americans may see these practices as a responsible first step, they can also mask a much bigger problem.

"I want to point out that people have grave misconceptions about dopamine. You don't feel anything when your dopamine system is activated, except the desire to do that again," Dr. Drew explained to Fox News Digital. "It’s the ‘do that again’ system."

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/dr-drew-addicts-surrender-trendy-resets-mask-bigger-addiction-problems

[wdfifteen]

Nope. No changes.
You know when you’re on a plane and there is this engine noise and roaring and commotion for hours and you finally get close to your destination and they pull back the throttles and it all calms down and it gets quieter? That’s me. I’m committed to the glide path that either ends in a smooth landing or a ball of fire.

[herr_oberst]

Pinsky.

Nothing to see here.

[oldE]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Nope. No changes.
You know when you’re on a plane and there is this engine noise and roaring and commotion for hours and you finally get close to your destination and they pull back the throttles and it all calms down and it gets quieter? That’s me. I’m committed to the glide path that either ends in a smooth landing or a ball of fire.

I think I know exactly what you mean. I feel like I am on the same part of my flight.
Happy landings!

[LWJ]

"glide path or ball of fire." I agree. I am pretty darn satisfied with how I do things. Not planning any big changes.

I think resolutions are stupid and get broken approximately by January 4 or so. Go count cars in the local gym for the first week of the year.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by LWJ

"glide path or ball of fire." I agree. I am pretty darn satisfied with how I do things. Not planning any big changes.

I think resolutions are stupid and get broken approximately by January 4 or so. Go count cars in the local gym for the first week of the year.

Exactly. Or look at the exponential increase in gym ads the last few weeks of December. It’s not real, these are people making “resolutions” for their instagram followers.

[Zeke]

I quit drinking some time in Spring of 2023. I don't know the exact date and I don't care. No anniversary this last March or thereabouts. One evening I just skipped it and said F this. I'm a construction worker and all that implies. We are drinkers.

No program, screw the dopamine siht, you gonna do something, jack, do it and don't call attention to it. Don't even bring it up as I just did.

Glide slope? NFW, there is a siht ton of things to learn. You know that I just recently bought a milling machine to go with my lathe I restored after work died in the pandemic. I'm a carpenter for CS so I have a long way to go to be a machinist. I'm doing a shop makeover now to better serve my needs. Added more tool chests so now at 26' end to end if not stacked. If I could get one more in there I'd do it.

I've got things to do, buddy. Need to go get some welding gasses refills It's been too long since I ran some beads.

[Rot 911]

I’m cutting back on everything except drugs and whores.

[vash]

changes just kinda happen. kinda nice deciding on a few of my own..without life making the choices for me.

[rwest]

I’m super stubborn, so once I talk myself into something that is within my power, I can do it without outside help or programs.

The hard part is making that final decision to do something. Currently I need to drop 15-25lbs. I am making progress on my diet and upping my running mileage. I’m not fat or noticeably heavy, but I need to get faster and less weight can help that.

I did better before I retired, because I don’t like to leave to get food once I am at someplace. So I brought healthy food to work each day and that is what I had.

[Zeke]

^^^ You speak the truth. I want to go sugar free. Well, at least sucrose. And if I'm going to do that I will cut out white flour but I'm not going to become a monk. Sugar is everywhere. Much easier to stop something more finitely categorized.

I started once last year and messed up withing a day. I did cut back a lot but that's not the same. Eating fish on Friday is not anywhere near giving up meat, which I did instantly at a restaurant in 1985. I can't believe the crap some people eat in the name of meat.

But I can't believe when I'm eating a donut. I know I'm just plain stupid doing something like that. Fortunately I only eat about 4 donuts a month. Now if where they have good coffee had a healthy snack I'd be on it. But I haven't scoured around.

[HobieMarty]

Well, not really making any changes other than enjoying life more. I have plenty of projects to keep me busy that's for sure and I want to complete them all but not in one year, that would be nearly impossible. My old Redcoat being back in my life has really kind of jump started things and has awakened this sleeper once again. Happy New Year y'all!!!

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[Bill Douglas]

I'm not saying my addiction is spiralling out of control, but I did eat the whole packet of chocolate biscuits.

I think stress and over thinking things will get me so I intend to focus on the good and great things going on in my life in 2026.

[oldE]

I hope no one took my "glide path' post as meaning I wasn't planning on interesting stuff to do. That would be impossible around a hobby farm with 4 equines. My reference was to "self improvement ". I have learned enough over the past 7 decades to know I have a lot to learn and the trouble with going "full throttle" can be you are so focused on achieving one goal you might lose sight of other lessons and experiences.
Life is still an adventure. Sometimes it's good to turn off the engine and see if you can soar!

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Zeke

^^^ You speak the truth. I want to go sugar free. Well, at least sucrose. And if I'm going to do that I will cut out white flour but I'm not going to become a monk. Sugar is everywhere. Much easier to stop something more finitely categorized.

I started once last year and messed up withing a day. I did cut back a lot but that's not the same. Eating fish on Friday is not anywhere near giving up meat, which I did instantly at a restaurant in 1985. I can't believe the crap some people eat in the name of meat.

But I can't believe when I'm eating a donut. I know I'm just plain stupid doing something like that. Fortunately I only eat about 4 donuts a month. Now if where they have good coffee had a healthy snack I'd be on it. But I haven't scoured around.

In all my times of deciding to eat healthy, I have found that if I try to go full on healthy, I fail and fail hard back to junk. I now realize that I should just limit my intake of junk, but not completely cut it out.

I also did a “very scientific study” involving one participant and no control subject several years ago... and discovered that if you stop eating junk food at around 10 am and just ate healthy the rest of the day, you could keep your weight down and still want to live!

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by rwest

In all my times of deciding to eat healthy, I have found that if I try to go full on healthy, I fail and fail hard back to junk. I now realize that I should just limit my intake of junk, but not completely cut it out.

I also did a “very scientific study” involving one participant and no control subject several years ago... and discovered that if you stop eating junk food at around 10 am and just ate healthy the rest of the day, you could keep your weight down and still want to live!

That is the key...I try and eat healthy 6 days a week. Little to zero sugar, no processed foods ect. Basically all I eat are eggs, meat, beans and veggies. Super boring but effective, you will drop weight fast. One day a week I do whatever I want. Eat pizza, cake, many beers, whatever. Keeps you sane and eliminates the cravings, plus gives you something to look forward to while you are having chicken for the 5th day in a row, lol.

All that said, this plan has been out the window the last couple of weeks, lol, but I plan to get back to it tomorrow.