Ramadan is a time that many Muslims look forward to. However, the prospect of fasting for a month can also be frightening for some – especially those with addictions.

For many people, the prospect of lasting an entire day without food or drink can seem daunting, but possible.

However, for people with addictions, the thought of going through more than a few hours of the day without being able to feed their craving may seem impossible or even terrifying.

Many people associate the word “addiction” with alcohol and drugs. However, the word “addiction” is simply defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming.”

Alcohol and drugs are the most common of these substances. However, coffee, tea, sugar, sodas, candies, chocolate, and even food itself can become addicting.

In fact, coffee has a long history of being banned in various cultures because of its stimulant and addictive properties.

It was banned in 1611 in Germany, and in 1511 by the governor of Mecca. It was also banned in Russia where the Czarist police considered it the cause of insanity. (Talk About Coffee, The Fabulous World of Coffee)

The stress of fasting and overcoming an addiction at the same time can be overwhelming.

However, some of the following tips and ideas can help a person get through Ramadan if they are also struggling with an addiction:

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