Some of us think the best way to break a bad habit is to taper it off.  Our mistaken idea is not to subject ourselves to the shock and strain of breaking off a habit sharply.  We think we can do better by letting go gradually.  But the real fact is that to taper off means merely to stall around with the habit until we get to going on it strong again.  Tapering off is a poor method.  It usually [...]