Your question is 'the big one' to me. If anyone could figure out how addicts could 'just let go' of their addiction, they would be a millionaire!!

I don't think it just happens for anyone. I think that even those who 'just put it down' had some sort of mental process going on until they did it.

I think that what our Vet Member, Willcat said in the previous post is the most important step in recovery. "The more I practice recovery skills the less I respond to picking up and using drugs/alcohol." Key word 'practice'. Start implementing skills and practice using them today. I think recovery is a process and that we need to be prepared or at least aware that it will be.
And...as Willcat said...
"Every day is a new day to practice positive change in life."