Addiction can fill your life with a wide range of complications that make it harder to reach your goals. Cravings are one of the most common problems that arise as a result of addiction and can be one of the most challenging to overcome. Some people go the rest of their lives grappling with cravings, even after being in recovery for decades. However, by taking the appropriate steps and putting in the time, you can come out from under the weight of your cravings. Begin by gaining an understanding of what addiction cravings are, what role they play in the process of your recovery, and how they can affect your life and personal development.
What Are Cravings?
Cravings are the urges or desires to use a particular substance that come from past use. Depending on the person, the substance in question, and the relationship the two share, these urges can vary in intensity from subtle to debilitatingly strong. Some cravings can be difficult to control, while some are merely mosquitos in the ear of a person in recovery. If you are experiencing cravings due to addiction, it’s of utmost importance that you find a solution to help you manage them so that you can begin to regain control over your life.
When Do Cravings Occur and How Long Do They Last?
Addiction can have unpredictable effects on your mind and body, which can make it tricky to pinpoint exactly a drug- or alcohol-related craving will occur. How long the cravings last will also differ depending on the situation. While some people experience cravings that last for minutes, others may last much longer. The onset and duration of your cravings can be influenced by your environmental influences; it stands to reason that you’re less likely to experience intense urges to use a substance when surrounded by positive stimuli than if you go out and spend time with people who are all using it in front of you. Try to understand how addiction affects you so that you can get the help that you need.
How Can Cravings Negatively Impact My Life?
Addiction can give rise to a multitude of problems. Some people find that cravings interfere with their physical health by causing them to feel nauseous, get migraines, or experience other forms of bodily discomfort. You may find that cravings disrupt your mental health by affecting your focus, judgment, and cognitive clarity. Cravings can lead to challenges at work, school, and within your interpersonal relationships, making it harder to carry out important tasks and communicate effectively. The accumulation of these difficulties can also give rise to negative emotions like depression, stress, and anxiety, or worsen those that are already present.
What Factors Can Make My Cravings Worse?
Like every other wave in the ocean of your mind, your cravings can be made easier to handle by certain factors and made worse by others. Being in the presence of drugs or alcohol can make it more difficult for you to ride out your cravings without breaking your commitment to sobriety. Even if nobody around you is using them, having easy access to the substances that tempt you can worsen your cravings and make them harder to control. External factors which evoke negative emotions within you can also contribute to stronger cravings, as they may give rise to the urge to use substances as a reaction to destructive feelings.
What’s the First Step to Overcoming My Cravings?
While controlling your addiction won’t always be a walk in the park, it is a challenge that you can manage and overcome with the right outlook, motivation, and resources. One of the first things that you will need is a plan. Forming a plan can help you to identify the details of each step you have to take and determine exactly how to go about addressing your problems. Once you have a plan, you can hold yourself accountable for following it towards your goals. Figure out the result you’re seeking to achieve and plan accordingly.
How Can I Get Help With Addiction?
Working through cravings and the other challenges that addiction brings can be hard enough to handle successfully – don’t make it harder on yourself by thinking that you need to go through it alone. If you find that you could use help, consider talking with a friend or family member about your problems or concerns. For a spectacular resource that can change your entire outlook on recovery, connect with health specialists, counselors, and rehab centers whose staff are professional and experienced in treating addiction. Reaching out for guidance and care can help you begin the process of creating a better life.
Finding your way to a better life on the other side of your challenges can be a challenge. Give yourself every opportunity to succeed by remembering that you do not have to go through it alone. There are powerful resources available to you to get help and achieve your goals. Promising Outlook is a rehab facility located in Riverside, California. We offer effective services and treatments for issues including addiction, substance abuse, relapse prevention, detox, stress, and anger management. Promising Outlook believes in helping you to become a better version of yourself by equipping you with the knowledge and tools needed to change your lives, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), problem-solving, and valuable, life-changing information. We provide a safe and supportive environment for recovery and encourage positive changes for people who are ready to make a real difference in their lives. To learn more about our services, reach out to us at (951) 783-2487.
