When do mental withdrawals get better?

[Gettingcleanagain1221]

As I mentioned before, I have taken tramadol and other opiates. I'm past the physical withdrawals but wondered when the cravings get better?  That is always my problem and causes relapse. Any idea when it gets better?  I've been clean for periods of 3 months or more but some how always end up on the train again. Please advise.

[twolve]

I just wanted to say congrats on 25 days..that is truly awesome and you should be so proud..i totally know what you mean about the rainy day..i went to see an addiction specialist for the first time this monday and it was pouring all day...it really was bothering me that it was such a gloomy day on the first day of the rest of my life..i started on suboxone treatment so i dont really feel like i can call myself "clean", but for me it was just something that i needed to give me a certain amount of time to focus on improving my life without dealing with the depression and physical withdrawals from the oxys..didnt mean to start rambling about myself..i just wanted to let you know that 25 days clean is AWESOME

[losfeliz1970]

i'm on day 25 os so of being clean and have to say the mental cravings are next to gone.  the only time i really get them is after i check this website :-)  because i sit here and read about pills for hours!!  but more seriously i get them when i am doing something clean for the first time....like i rained the other day so it was my first time experiencing a rainy day without being high.  the old me would have cozied into my studio with some vicodin and coffee. anyway... my point is they go away for sure, it just might take some time.  i would suggest working out, it helps a lot!

[Gettingcleanagain1221]

That's a great idea with the gum or eat sunflower seeds and keep in mind what terrible things the drugs have doneto my relationships, moods, etc. It's always easy to stop but the hard part is the time after. My little bro who was banging oxys says that he thinks that my using patterns would be harder to quit. I disagree bc his withdrawals had tohave been horrendous. He claims that he gets sick thinking about that stuff and the time in his life. I think that my wife telling me to leave her and my child behind this time to withdrawal has left me with a feeling that makes me sick bc I  could lose my whole life to the damn pills. The cravings still suck!!!!   Thank you SO much for your comments and support so that I can keep on doing this and think of my little daughter not growing up with a drug addict as a father.

[carr]

I'd like to be able to tell you that you will never have another craving, but that just isnt so. I can tell you that they do get less often over time. Knowing what triggers the cravings is a big help and staying away from those triggers. As you implement new things and change the cravings wont happen as often. When the cravings start chew a piece of gum, suck on a piece of candy, call another addict and talk to them. Write down how you feel and why you want to use.  I'm 15 months clean and I still have cravings, I know its a feeling and impulsive, I just dont act on them. Think about where the using took you and think about why you stopped. Think about how you're glad you're not dope sick. I do that and it seems to help me. Good luck.

just keep doing the next right thing,
peace and love,
Carrie