Cravings, what do you do to fight them off?

We all have them, and maybe sharing or method of fighting them off will help someone in their moment of weakness. There is strength in numbers, lets help each other.

[Kendraerika]

I think about this: my addict mind says well one is ok. I take that one. It starts wearing off, and I panic. Well, one day couldn't hurt, I wil take another, but tomorrow I won't take anything. Tomorrow comes and I'm tired, have little energy, and so I take another. Pretty soon im back to square one, day one. I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO DAY ONE! One is too many, snd a thousand isn't enough.
I hope I help at least one person out there to not take that first one. Love you all!

[justsaynotodrugs]

What are you taking anything that will get you high dont take the drug find something to keep your mind off the drugs go to 12 step meetings they will help you a lot pray to God to help you with your addiction just for today let go let God hang in there mike.

[Innerstrength67]

I wish I had the answer. Some don't crave at all. Not my story. I still crave so much at day 64.
The cravings come when I don't want to feel emotional pain.
I go to NA everyday. It really helps. But it's still such an internal conflict.
Like you said Kendra, 1 is too many and 1000 is never enough. There will never be enough pills to heal my deep wounds. The disease wants us to use!!!!
I think about using and try and visualize how good it will feel. Then I remember the destructive path using leads too.
We must be brutally honest about how we feel.
Thank you for your post.
This disease cannot be cured but it can be arrested. The only way to heal is through the pain.

[Ann2497]

I eat something when I crave, then I feel better or I have something that I really love to drink like a diet soda or a cup of coffee.  I distract myself with the TV.

[Bkitty]

~Ive tried to identify the times when I crave the most; like first thing in the morning is one as Im used to popping 2-3 perks to get me going. I recognize the feeling,,feel it and what Ive had to do is change my behavior in the morning when I get up I get straight in the shower now,,no time to sit and wait anymore for the pills to kick in. I also pray and read my NA book and the book The Language of Letting Go. I try not to dwell on the craving and feed it too much,. I also (this is embarrassing) picture the pills (like and army of them) sitting in horses (grey ones in my head) and coming at me I have a sword and Im choping them to piece and as I do I scream ^&% YOU! Of course Im on a beautiful white horse with long flowing hair,,oh nevermind.~

[Bkitty]

~I also come here and see if someone needs some suppor and try and offer some comfort,,that has helped a lot too.~

[ImDONENoMore]

You get BUSY.  Clean your house, run some errands, cook a delicious dinner (your partner's favorite will make you feel great) - you go for a walk, watch a movie, light a fire, read a book.

Distractions are KEY during this time.  You're not only getting over not taking the pills, you're finding a new way to live.  Then when the next day arrives, and see the results of whatever project you tackled the day before, that motivates you for another day.  Get MOVING.

[luciddreamrgrl]

I take a nap if I have a craving and am not at work. If I crave at work, I get up and go for a walk. The more I dwell the more I crave. The cravings have subsided a great deal. What I find myself craving is the energy it used to give me, but not the actual high. So it helps me to remember that it would only really give me temporary energy. It would wear off quickly anyways. So there's no point in setting myself back to day one for an hour of energy.

[dominosarah]

I get up, get busy and crank up the music.  I call my sponsor if they are too bad or hit up a meeting.  Just for today i am clean and sober and for that i am grateful~~sara

[Kendraerika]

Thank you all for posting, my hopes are that this will help give someone ideas, our just get through a strong craving.

[ricart70]

I get cravings  sometimes but I have depression so there are alot of times when I just feel that all is lost and nothing is worth anything and why amI here and I am just existing.These are the times when I just go run 3 or 5 miles or exercise.When I get done things are tolerable enough to go on by myself.

[snakejones]

Thank you for your great post, and everyone's answers. The answers are great! When people are craving the most is when they are alone with their thoughts. Not even necessarily alone physically, but alone with themselves. This is dangerous. Me, I actually talk to myself and say things like, "Let's go shopping for a treat!" Even if the "treat" is at Dollar Tree, it gets me out of the house. I also like to go to thrift stores or antique stores---there's something about the humanity of old or unusual objects that's comforting and makes me not feel so all alone. It's fun to imagine what the owners long ago were like. I also like to walk at the mall, and then reward myself with a little something. And then there's lunch with a friend or a visit. The object is to establish a healthy reward system that's meaningful to you, whatever that might be. And you SHOULD reward yourself---staying clean/sober is a huge thing!

[Kendradawn88]

For me, even though I get craving often and frequently, im on day 8. Today has been pretty rough as far as cravings go. Here are some things that help me: ill probably repeat what others have said...distractions are BIG for me so I need to be keeping busy, even if it is just for my mind. I get on here alot, all the stories and people and support, encouragment really help me through the day. I play with my little girl, she's 2. We pretend and go outside and have adventures, we sit in the floor and play dollhouse, I read to her. She is my number one reason for quitting, along with the baby im carrying so she helps tons. I play games on the laptop, surf online, Call my Mom or a friend. Kendraerika will never ever know how much she has helped me, even if she's just textin me thru a bad moment. The big thing for me is nit letting myself overthink things. My own mind is my worst enemy because it tells me too, "One wont hurt you Kendra, come on' it'll make you geel better and all this will go away" but I know it is complete BS. It isn't worth it to feel good for an hour or so, then it wear off and me sit there and be dying for another one. Its my mind lying to me, the addict in me. I do NOT want to start all over. But this is really hard. Im just taking it one day at a time. I hope my suggestions help.

[abinator]

I canter find the strength to quit thinking about that one little pill. Im attempting detox and failing epically. As soon as i wake up that feeling that i need a pill gets into my head. I procrastiate any other option to distance myself from getting high. I dont know what to do anymore.

[Kendraerika]

Abinator- never give up. It took me 6 times to do it. Im now 17 days clean.make a post if you haven't already, and keep posting. We will help you throu hj h.

[abinator]

Thank u i appreciate it. Go you congratulations on being clean. Today i quartered my dose. I know thats a big step.