What are Drug Cravings and How Do You Cope With Them?

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Medically Verified: October 10, 2024

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What are Drug Cravings

What are Drug Cravings and How Do You Cope With Them?

Drug addiction is a complex condition that affects your body, mind, and other aspects of your life. Using drugs or alcohol for a long time can change the physical and chemical makeup of your brain and body. These changes make it very hard for people to stop using addictive substances when they choose. 

If you live with drug addiction, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them. Cravings are one of the most common symptoms of withdrawal. Living with persistent or intense cravings can make addiction recovery very challenging.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to manage cravings. Reducing the frequency or intensity of cravings and learning how to manage them can help you achieve your recovery goals. 

This article will explore drug cravings and what to do about them. You will learn:

  • What drug cravings are
  • Why cravings occur
  • How cravings can impact your recovery
  • How to effectively cope with drug cravings
  • Where to find addiction treatment or support in recovery

If you or someone you love struggle with drug abuse or need support during the recovery process, you are not alone. Reach out to The Living Room specialists to explore our comprehensive treatment and support programs. Contact us with questions or to set up an intake appointment. 

What are Drug Cravings?

Drug cravings are strong urges or desire to use drugs. They are one of the most common symptoms of addiction. Cravings can occur during active addiction to drugs or throughout a person’s long-term recovery journey. 

Some common symptoms of cravings include:

  • Intense desire to use drugs or alcohol
  • Ongoing thoughts about using addictive drugs
  • Mood changes, including irritability, depression, or anxiety
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like muscle aches, agitation, sweating, tremors, and insomnia after quitting drugs
  • Having trouble focusing on tasks

Many things can trigger a craving. Stress, intense emotions, environmental triggers, and other situations can lead to an intense desire to use drugs. 

Recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) can be challenging. Cravings and other withdrawal symptoms can strain your physical and mental health. Many people relapse if they do not have support during recovery. 

Comprehensive treatment programs and recovery support can help people reduce risk factors for relapse. Learning healthy coping strategies and participating in behavioral therapies can help people manage their cravings and stay focused on a healthier future.

How to Cope with Cravings: 10 Helpful Tips

Making a plan to cope with cravings can help you manage them more effectively. Don’t just “wait and see” if cravings will occur. Expect them and be ready. 

Here are ten helpful tips to cope with your cravings. 

1. Find a distraction

Make a list of distractions to use when a craving strikes. These could include exercising, calling a friend or family member, playing an instrument, watching a movie, or anything else you enjoy doing. 

2. Practice “urge surfing”

Urge surfing is a coping tool that can help you “ride out” a craving instead of giving in to it. Imagine your craving as a wave. It may start small, build, crest, and then begin to dissolve. If you can ride out the peak without giving in, you will come out on the other side of the “wave.”

3. Make a switch

When you experience an urge to use drugs, find something else that can take its place. Chew gum, have a snack, have a soda–anything else that can take the place of using drugs.

4. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of staying grounded in the present moment. Using tools like deep breathing, stillness, and focused attention can help you ride out a craving. It can also help you reduce stress and manage other emotions, like anger and anxiety. 

5. Set a timer

When you’re having a craving, it can feel as though it will last forever. In reality, most cravings last 45 minutes or less. Knowing this can help you manage the craving. 

When a craving strikes, set a timer for an hour. Find a distraction as the minutes go by. As you watch the time tick down, you may begin to feel more proud and confident in not giving in.

6. Get curious

Cravings can feel like a significant setback. Instead of feeling out of control or anxious about a craving, get curious. Ask yourself where this craving might have come from. Take time to think about the hours or days leading up to it. Turn into a detective and look at your craving with curiosity. 

7. Get to know your cravings

A craving can feel intense or out of control. You can find calm in the craving chaos by getting familiar with them. Think about how your cravings feel. Are there any physical sensations you’re experiencing? Are your thoughts racing or your heart pounding? Take the time to check in with what is happening in your body and mind during your craving. 

8. Find support

Many people feel frustrated by their cravings. They may feel like cravings are preventing them from moving forward. It can feel isolating or lonely to live with constant or intense drug cravings. 

Finding support can help you feel more connected to others and less isolated in recovery. Attend individual and group therapy, connect with sober networks, or attend recovery support groups. Find people who can offer non-judgmental support as you navigate recovery. 

9. Practice makes perfect

Practice refusing drugs or alcohol in a public setting. It may feel awkward at first, but the more you practice saying “no,” the more confident you can feel doing it in real life. This can help you maintain your sobriety when triggered or experiencing a craving. 

10. Write it down

Keeping track of your cravings can help take away some of their power. Write down when a craving happens, how strong it is, and how long it lasts. Having a record of your cravings can help you recognize that you are not powerless against them. 

Find Treatment and Support Now

Treatment and support can help people in recovery manage cravings and stay on track. If you or someone you love needs support in recovery, contact The Living Room specialists. Explore our programs or schedule an appointment by reaching out today.

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More than anybody, we understand that reaching out for help can be difficult. If you have any questions about our programs, services or the recovery process itself; please connect with us now. We are here to provide guidance and support… every step of the way.

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