6 Tips to Deal With Cravings During Drug Rehab
Experiencing a wide range of cravings during the early stages of recovery is sometimes the most difficult part of the process. It’s normal to experience relapse-inducing drug urges while pursuing sobriety. But the more solid your foundation for healing, the easier it will be.
Anyone who decides to abstain from an addictive substance will likely experience cravings. Cravings might sometimes feel overwhelming, but recognizing and overcoming them is an important part of the recovery process.
Here are some suggestions for dealing with and getting beyond cravings as they arise throughout recovery:
Reduce Stress
Generally, substance abuse increases as a response to emotional distress. To curb appetites, it’s helpful to lessen stress. Reducing your life’s stress can help you feel less of a want to snack. Courses and activities like yoga and meditation that help people deal with stress are typically available at rehabilitation and recovery facilities. Learning to deal with stress more effectively is a good idea.
Exercise
Regular exercise can boost your mood, alleviate stress, and ease melancholy and anxiety, which contribute to lessening your appetite. Working on one’s fitness level can aid in the battle against cravings. You shouldn’t feel pressured to perform the extreme exercise. Something as simple as brisk walking, gardening, biking, or dancing could do the trick.
Get A Hobby
If that’s the case, write it down and rediscover your enthusiasm for it. Discovering a new interest not only provides an outlet for your energy and enthusiasm but also serves as a welcome diversion from cravings. Boredom is a common trigger for cravings, so finding ways to occupy your time may be helpful. Having something to keep your mind busy during the early stages of recovery might be very helpful.
Surf The Urge
Recognizing a desire or impulse might be the first step toward overcoming it. It’s a mindfulness practice called “surfing the urge” to give in and ride out an impulse. Imagine a tidal wave that crests high above the ocean and slowly disappears below. That’s pretty much how cravings hit you. Try closing your eyes and focusing on how you’re thinking or feeling the next time a craving strikes. Envision yourself catching a wave and riding it all the way to shore. The desire to do so will eventually fade. An effective strategy for dealing with cravings is to “surf the desire” or ride the wave until it subsides.
Know Your Triggers
Some people, places, and things could trigger cravings or impulses when you’re in recovery. Recognizing and avoiding potential desire triggers will help you feel less need to overindulge. Certain stressors, like an irritating family member or boss, may be impossible to avoid. You’ll need to figure out what works best for you when you’re experiencing triggered emotions in response to these situations.
Express Your Feelings
Many people use drugs or alcohol to dull their emotional experiences. Recognizing and processing these feelings might help curb cravings. If you discover healthy methods of expressing your feelings, this might be useful long after treating your addiction. Dancing, singing, making art, writing poetry, or keeping a journal are just a few of the various outlets available for voicing one’s emotions.
Conclusion
At Seven Arrows Recovery Arizona, we are dedicated to assisting those who wish to conquer their addictions and move forward to a more fulfilling existence. Here at our culturally sensitive institution, we provide Native Americans with a proven healing method and freedom.
Please get help right away if you have a drug or alcohol problem. If we can assist you in your quest for sobriety and fulfilling your aspirations, we will do so gladly. Just give them a ring right now.
