Managing cravings
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Cravings, or strong urges to use substances, are a normal part of recovery for most people. They tend to be strongest and most frequent in the weeks and months after you last used, and they can make it hard to avoid using again. The good news is that there are ways to make them easier to handle, and your care team can help.
What can set off a craving
Cravings can often come from triggers, which are people, places, feelings, or situations that remind you of using. Common triggers include:
- Stress, anger, or sadness
- Being around people or places tied to using
- Feeling hungry, tired, lonely, or bored
- Celebrations or big life changes
Noticing your triggers can help you plan ahead or avoid them when you can.
What to do when a craving hits
Cravings feel intense, but they don't last forever. Most rise, peak, and fade on their own. A few things that can help you get through it:
- Wait it out. Tell yourself you'll wait a little while before deciding anything.
- Change what you're doing. Take a walk, take a shower, or go somewhere else.
- Reach out. Call or text someone you trust, or message your care team.
- Notice it without acting on it. Remind yourself, "This is a craving. It will pass."
Build a toolkit
If reducing or stopping substance use is one of your goals, having a plan can help you feel more prepared when challenges arise.
Your Peer Recovery Specialist can help you put together a set of things to try when a craving hits, like keeping busy, journaling, or calling someone you trust. See reducing risk of returning to use for more information and guidance.
Medicines that can help
For opioid cravings, buprenorphine (including Suboxone) can help a lot. If buprenorphine isn't right for you, other medicines can also help, and your care team can help you find the right options.
If you're taking buprenorphine and still having strong cravings, let your clinician know. It may mean your dose needs to be adjusted.
For alcohol cravings, acamprosate (Campral) can help. Naltrexone can also help if you're not taking buprenorphine.
Talk with your clinician about the appropriate medicine for your cravings, and with your Peer Recovery Specialist about skills that can help in the moment.
If you do use
Having a craving or using substances doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. If you do use, try not to use alone, keep naloxone (Narcan) nearby, and remember your tolerance may be lower than before. Reach out to your care team when you're ready. They're here to help, not judge.