10 Ways to Break Drug Cravings

Drug free

Imagine yourself walking down the sidewalk. Maybe you’re texting on your phone or maybe you’re smoking a cigarette and just casually whistling the tune from Kill Bill. Maybe you’re lost and just walked into a yoga studio in session and made a bunch of noise rather rudely as you were caught off guard realizing it was not the restaurant you were 20 minutes late to meeting friends at. Either way, at some point or another it will likely hit you- the drug cravings. They’ll catch you off guard and you will need to have some tools in place to distract yourself from trouble brewing.

Don’t Give Up the Fight

Upon getting clean and sober, the idea is to return our sanity and have the weight of addiction or alcoholism lifted. Mind you that it is never cured, but more so the obsession is vanquished. Even somebody with ten plus years clean will still reminisce of various substances from their past life, but the difference being is they can rationally separate it into good and bad ideas. That rational mindset can think about it and leave it and be all the same. For a lot of people in recovery, drug cravings happen regularly. It can be an old song we used to use to, a specific smell, a familiar place or sense of déjà vu, or even just a bad day. In the end, it doesn’t matter what it is because as addicts and alcoholics, we usually take any excuse we can get to numb away from reality. Fortunately, there are tons of ways to combat these drug cravings and this longing for something we really don’t want. One way is to have a cigarette. Now I’m not condoning cigarette smoking, for that is at the reader’s discretion. However, studies do show that those who have quit smoking end up going for a cigarette first when they’ve had a bad day and start turning to that alcoholic thinking. Sometimes it’s all about finding away to relieve stress. The cigarette is the first vice to alleviate tension and release those endorphins that we are so prone to wanting, but it isn’t the only way. It can be as simple as getting a massage or taking a bath. If the shoe fits then wear it, if not- then throw it away.

Moving onto the next is the idea of just walking away. It’s that simple. Wherever you are or whatever it is that is providing this drug addled discomfort, remove yourself from the situation. Use the power or choice to leave the discomfort behind. It isn’t a matter of “just say no” like Nancy Reagan would’ve liked us to believe- I get that. But it’s more so a matter of not entertaining such notions as they appear into the thought bubbles circulating our dome piece.  This also brings us to the next tool which is one that is similar and regularly practiced in the world of Anonymous programs anyway. Meditation is a form of removing yourself from a situation but not in the physical sense. Using the power of meditation can bring about an acceptance and serenity in you that will help to push the chemical hunger back to rest. Give this method a good chance for it is one that has saved myself numerous times. Another tidbit and wonderful thing about taking yourself somewhere else mentally is that you can do it anywhere in the world. Practice and you will see progress. Another key idea behind meditation is that it relaxes you. Sometimes soothing the body physically and mentally in a bath tub or shower will work. Some people like to lie in the sun and let the natural sun rays cook away the drug hankerings. Whatever your pleasure, relax the mind and body and the thoughts will follow.

man having drug cravings

The next method is maybe taking a look at the specific drug craving and trying to play it out without justifying– which we all do so well. Think about what it is that getting high or drunk would do. What would happen? The ramifications are usually pretty dramatic, not always at first, but if you believe yourself to be a pure drug addict/alcoholic- you know how that story will turn out. Play the tape over and over because the drug cravings are playing tricks on you and the ending never changes. Think about it because this correlates with the next solution which is remembering thoroughly of the pain and torment that our addiction brings us when we are active. We start thinking of all the great moments we had and are quick to forget about the countless immeasurable misery that was laid upon our own doings. We mustn’t forget where we were at the beginning of our journey into recovery. Another method to go hand and hand with these two is to talk to somebody about your thoughts. You just played the tape out, remembered the awful times, and so now it’s for somebody else to confirm your insanity and remind you why you are where you are.

These last couple processes kind of link up together as well. One of my all time favorite techniques to rid the pesky drug cravings is exercise. Any form of it will release endorphins in the right way, get the blood pumping, and quickly take your head space elsewhere. Exercise in itself is of course good for the mind and body. Then there’s its counter cousin which would be eating/treating yourself to some sinfully delicious goodness. Eating sweets and carbs, although not very healthy, they do make us feel wonderful- no denying that.

If these things aren’t enough of a disruption, try to find something else equally distracting. A large percentage of the time, we find ourselves entertaining these and having this brutal arm wrestle with our addictions. Turning on some music, making a phone call, going for a hike- these are all productive things one can do to take the focus off the bombarding drug cravings. Just remember, addiction and alcoholism may never go away, but they don’t have to win.

Crave Something Good for You

Sometimes when we’re deep in the thick of addiction and alcoholism, we get attached to the chaos and drama that unfolds everywhere. We start getting to a point of pitying ourselves and thinking we deserve to be a slave to the drugs and alcohol as if we crave the negativity. Nobody deserves to be slaved underneath chemical dependency. If you or a loved one is struggling with chemical dependency and are ready for help, call 1-866-433-1992 or visit www.anylength.net. We are ready to give you any suggestions possible and set you or your loved one on a path that we can all be proud of.

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