Dealing with cravings

Cravings can occur when you try to reduce or stop using drugs or alcohol or even when you haven’t used for a while.

Learning to deal with cravings can be an important part of making changes to your drug or alcohol use.

The more you understand about your own use the more predictable cravings will become. Cravings always pass so if you can learn ways of dealing with them it can make trying to reduce or quit much more manageable.

Try these strategies:

• Create a distraction box.
• Notice when the craving begins so you do something about it.
• Change the situation you are in. Go for a walk or run, get out of the house for a bit.
• Delay using or scoring for a few minutes. You might find the craving will change. When the time is up, delay using for few more minutes, and then another, and so on. It is easier to resist cravings bit by bit rather than saying you’ll never ever use again!
• Remind yourself that cravings are a normal they’ll pass. The more you can get through the weaker the craving becomes and the less often they will come back.
• Distract yourself- even if just to delay scoring or using
• Talk to or visit someone supportive when you start to get cravings.
• Do something relaxing and enjoyable instead.
• Have a bath or shower. Or a massage.
• Go for a walk or run or do other physical exercise.
• Listen to a motivational song or two
• Watch a video or go to the movies.

Ever tried mindfulness meditation? Check out the Smiling Mind website!

Maintaining your physical health gives you once less thing to worry about, as well as helping you to be strong enough to manage the worries you already do have. 

Cravings always pass eventually

Remember if you use or can’t get through a craving you haven’t failed and you are not weak. Like anything it can take practice. Chances are you know more about how to achieve your goals or manage cravings than you did before. If you do use after going without for a bit, remember to be as safe as you can, there are a few extra risks involved.