Addiction cravings affect everyone differently but the common thread running through all these individualized responses is time. Not just the time between cravings but also the time of day. Some people do not even think of going back to using until a specific hour of the day arrives and then that is all they can think about. This is true not only for those recovering from substance abuse addiction but for overeaters and endurance athletes, too. In the case of endurance athletes, people may think I wish I had that addiction, but how many people really want to crawl out of bed at 4:30 in the morning and ride a bicycle for 3 hours before heading for work and then come home and run for 2 hours before dinner. Many recovering from substance abuse have replaced one addiction with another one.
At Sunstone Recovery in Bend, Oregon, we have a proven track record of helping those recovering from substance abuse to make smart and healthy choices in redirecting their lives in a positive direction. Getting sober is not the only goal. This can be done over a several-month period. It is staying sober that takes the rest of your life and knowing when and where those addiction cravings are prone to rise up and how to combat them is the key to living your best, most successful life.
How to Deal with Addiction Cravings
One of the more sinister effects of drug use is that it reworks how the brain functions. Repeated use of a substance changes the brain significantly. This causes the brain to become conditioned to associate drug use with a feeling of reward. This is true not only for illicit substances but also for food cravings. Many people who have never used drugs are chasing that sugar high. But instead of finding a lasting reward, they find themselves staring at the bottom of a tub of ice cream, wondering why they just ate an entire half-gallon. Cravings and the rewards associated with them are extremely powerful.
5 Ways to Combat Cravings
- Put some distance between you and whatever is triggering your cravings
- Give it some time
- Substitute another activity like exercise to take your mind off of the cravings
- Talk to someone about your feelings
- Surround yourself with positive people
If you are in the supermarket and the alcohol section is triggering your desire to have a drink, either avoid that section of the store or leave and come back when you feel more in control of your cravings. Return after time has allowed you to deal with these feelings to have better control over your desire. It may simply be that it is the time of day that you are most vulnerable. Do your shopping when you are in a positive frame of mind. Substitute an affirmative activity like going for a walk or playing an instrument for the cravings. You will discover that anything is a preferable alternative to allowing the cravings to hijack your mind. We are excited to offer the following telehealth addiction treatment programs:
- Intensive outpatient treatment program
- Partial hospitalization treatment program
- Extended addiction treatment
Reach Out to Sunstone Recovery Today to Start the Process
Sunstone Recovery is located in Bend, Oregon, but we are currently offering all of our services online via telemedicine due to COVID-19. This allows us to serve people throughout the entire state of Oregon. Your sobriety is important to us, and we look forward to serving you in any way we can. We can be reached online or at 855.833.9199 for you to take the first step on your journey to recovery.
