It may sound cliché, but it is a new year and it is time to develop new habits get rid of addictive behaviors.

Whether you consider an addiction to be a disease, a learned pattern of behavior, or something based on genetics, if you or someone you love has a problem, it is time to get help.

Drugs and alcohol are common addictions, but addictive behavior goes beyond substance abuse. Some people are addicted to shopping. Others can’t stop gambling. There are people who cannot keep themselves away from MySpace, Facebook or Xbox. Addiction can creep into someone’s life wearing many disguises.

When someone has an addiction, they obsess over it, become compulsive about it, and will often hid evidence of the activity from family and friends. Once they start getting a kind of “high” from the activity, it is very hard to stop. Ending an addiction may be difficult, but it is not impossible, and it is much easier if you have some assistance.

To help area residents get the new year off to a good start, the Oakhurst Seventh Day Adventist Church is sponsoring “Kick the habit and live!” Overcome addictions. This free program runs from January 6-10. The church is located at 50690 Crane Valley Road (426) in Oakhurst. To learn more, contact Jacob Gibbs at 559-760-8117.