72 hours C/T physical easing but craving has reached an all time high

[iwannabefree]

Ok I have just passed the 72 hour mark so officially going into day 4. I spent the day today walking as much as possible to get my endorphins up. I was just thinking how most of the physical part was starting to ease a bit more. Still anxious,stressed,and headaches but manageable. I can actually see the difference between the first couple of days and today which gives me great hope for how much better Im hoping to feel in another couple of days, but I wasnt expecting this giant wave of craving going through me tonight. Its like I dont need it, but WANT it. Im not sure what to do for this, and its scaring me now that night is coming on(Im in OZ a day ahead of most of you in the US). The physical I can deal with. Ive had to be strong with physical pain many times and the last few days Ive taken so many hot baths that my skin must be the cleanest in Australia, and I have herbal medicines piled up high beside my bed for the headaches, and aches pain and depression and anxiety, But what on earth do I do about this huge wave of craving Im am experiencing, and why is it starting in such a big way now when Im getting to the other end of this thing?

[iwannabefree]

Laurel I guess I dont have much choice now since that goon smashed into my parked car. I guess I'll be walking everywhere for a while.
Thanks sky_is_the_limit for the encouragment to go on through adversity. As if its not hard enough without other outside influeneces. But hey thats life, and I guess if I am to join the land of the living again Id better get used to it. Yes I am stronger than a pill, as are we all or we wouldnt be here. Good luck on your journey. I know what its like having to get clean again after being clean for so long and then lapsing. In my case a 3 year lapse is enough thank you very much

Thanks for the advise and encouragement. What doesnt kill us us only makes us stronger.......cheers Christine

[sky_is_the_limit]

You are doing great! Hang in there. What I use to do for cravings is find something fun to do. Some times I would get on my motorcycle and just go. Endorphins releasing in your brain will make the cravings calm down. Try to find something to occupy your time. I have faith in you. I know you can beat this. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN A PILL!!!!!! Good luck and I am here if you need to talk.

[laurel453]

can you go for walks ? this is the most therapeutic thing .... endorphines up , calming the mind, toning your body

[iwannabefree]

Thanks bmdad. It never rains but it pours! An hour after doing this post a drunk driver crashed into my parked car out the front of my apartment, and then sped off going through a red light at the end of the street. Well I certainly didnt have to look for things to focus on, as my next few hours were taken up with police reports etc. They found the guy as my neighbor was on the street and took down the registration number of his car, but unfortunately I dont have insurance, and I have just found out from the police that he doesnt have any either and hes at present in the lockup. Now I have no car. Im so upset that I dont think a dozen hot baths would help me sleep right now. My car has been my salvation through these last few miserable days. When I cant sleep I would hop in my car and just drive around . Through the day I would get out to the shopping centres and malls just to keep moving. Now Im trapped at home..just me and my mind.I tell you if I can get through this I can get through anything, but Im getting so tired of having to struggle with everything. Im still not going to use though. I am determined.To be honest right now I think my current depression is actually worse than getting off the pills.........Christine

[bmdad]

It's just part of the process. I think once we realize we are gonna make it through the physical withdrawals we stop worrying about the pain we are in and start thinking about what lies ahead. We wonder what it's gonna be like living everyday life without having to rely on a pill. We may not be directly thinking about it but I think it hovers around in the back of our head.
Now's a good time to figure out how to distract yourself when you are having a craving. Lay down in the dark and listen to a favorite song. Pick up a good book. Go for a jog. Get on here and post that you are craving. Just try different things until you find out what works for you. It's tough, but the cravings is one of the main things we have to work on. That's why many say that getting clean is the easy part, staying clean is the hard part. Once we start feeling better we tend to forget how painful the withdrawals are. If we get cravings and do not learn how to deal with them we will somehow talk our self into using. That's why aftercare is so important. It helps us deal with situations like this. Once we learn how to deal with cravings they will become further and further apart.
Congrats on your day four. Keep fighting and never give up. This is a fight for you life so you have treat it as so.
Best of luck to you!

Brian