How to Stop Addiction Cravings 

Successfully completing drug or alcohol addiction treatment is a huge accomplishment that all recovering addicts should take pride in. While many assume that recovery ends when treatment does, recovery is an ongoing process that takes strength and readiness for what’s to come. A common and difficult aspect of addiction recovery is drug cravings. The addiction craving definition refers to urges to use drugs or alcohol, which may reemerge in people who are recovering from long-term substance use disorders. At times, sober individuals may want to give in to their cravings, but our Chicago rehab center is offering tips that can prevent relapse. Below are tips on how to stop addiction cravings and stay on track.  

How to Cope With Addiction Cravings  

Dealing with addiction cravings in recovery is a challenge for many people. Cravings can occur days, weeks, months, or even years into a person’s sobriety, which can complicate things significantly. Cravings can be not only distressing but also confusing. They may cause an individual to doubt their efforts and question the progress they’ve made.  

We’re here to tell you that cravings are perfectly natural. Even so, they can increase the risk of relapse, which is the number one thing that recovering addicts need to avoid. Below are some tips on how to stop addiction cravings and alternatives to coping with stress and other craving-causing factors. 

Healthy Distractions 

If you are having trouble managing cravings during addiction recovery, we suggest that you redirect your attention to something more healthy and positive. These distractions will allow you to stop focusing on negative thoughts and to stay away from potentially dangerous situations.  

If you feel a sudden urge to use again, you can walk away from the current situation and engage in a different activity, such as a bike ride or a walk to collect your thoughts. Changing up the scenery will make for a healthy distraction and pull you away from the negative craving. Another healthy distraction is to call a loved one, your sponsor, or your therapist to talk it out, and explain your thoughts and feelings. 

Meditation 

Stress and anxiety are huge triggers for addiction cravings during recovery. It is important to step back from the situation and take a moment to breathe. When you start to feel overwhelmed, you should utilize relaxation techniques you learned during your addiction therapy program, such as meditation, to avoid going down the wrong path. We suggest taking a few minutes before you start your day to meditate and take time for yourself. These exercises will alleviate stress and ultimately help to diminish cravings. 

Journal Your Thoughts 

Writing down your thoughts and emotions on paper is extremely therapeutic and helpful during the recovery process. You will be able to look back and examine your journey with the high and low times, and see the progress you were able to make thus far. Taking the time to journal as often as you can is an effective way to manage your addiction cravings, take note of what triggers them, and be able to effectively come up with a plan to avoid giving into them.  

Escape   

If you’re in a situation that’s triggering the desire to use drugs or drink, there’s no shame in hightailing out of there. You’re near a spot where you used to drink with your buddies? Turn the other way and walk. An alcohol ad popped out on the TV? Change the channel.  

Addiction recovery is not a battle of will but rather one of wisdom. Don’t test your strengths. Instead, look out for yourself enough to escape a situation when you have to. 

Identify Your Triggers 

What are some things that trigger your drug cravings? Is it a song you always listened to when you’d drink or get high? Is it the smell of beer? Is it driving down a certain road? 

Our minds store more memories than we think, and even a smell can trigger a powerful thought. Identifying your triggers helps you conceptualize your cravings and set realistic boundaries for avoiding them. 

Substitute  

Another great way to cope with cravings is to quickly substitute a craving with another thought or activity. For instance, if you're bored at home and you start feeling the urge to use or drink, get up and go for a walk or do some chores. The possibilities for substitutes are endless. You can even write them down so you can have them on hand if you do experience cravings again.  

Eating a Balanced Diet   

There are certain foods that help with alcohol cravings and urges to use drugs, including fruits and dairy products. However, it’s important to avoid replacing drugs or alcohol with food. This can lead to a pattern of disordered eating and other health problems. 

Addiction Recovery Help 

Experiencing triggers and cravings in addiction recovery is normal, which is why recovery doesn’t just end with treatment. Your sobriety is an ongoing process that must be managed daily. Our Chicago IOP rehab is here to help you fight the battle not only while you are going through addiction treatment, but also throughout addiction recovery long after you leave our facility.   

To learn how our addiction recovery groups work or how to get started with our Illinois addiction treatment, call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763.  

Related Reading:  

How to Fight Heroin Cravings 

Why People Get Sugar Cravings After Quitting Alcohol