Aa
cravings
What are some of the things u guys do when u crave? personally I hit the gym...if i am somewhere where i can not hit the gym then i post....if i cant post i get up and move..cleaning out a drawer and the craving is gone..plus i got that drawer cleaned out...was just asking..corey is craving and she needs support
I was taught that the first thing I should do when hit with cravings was to pray. I tried to explain that praying wouldn't work for me because I didn't believe in anything that anybody could call any kind of "Higher Power."
Checkmate - I "won," right?
Wrong. I was told it didn't matter what I believed, it mattered what I DID and what I needed to do was ask for help via prayer.
Well, that was just DUMB. But, having finally reached the point where I was willing to go to any length to get/stay clean, I did it anyway. Turns out "they" were right - it didn't matter - it worked despite my lack of belief.
Addiction is primarily a spiritual problem and it requires a spiritual solution.
Over time, I did change the prayer I used when hit with cravings. Initially I had been taught to pray something like "please remove the obsession and compulsion to use," and to keep praying that as long as necessary. So there I'd be: "please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use . . . . . . . ." And it helped.
At around six months it was pointed out to me that the human mind, and perhaps prayer, didn't do very well with a negative-instruction like this. That it was a bit like praying "please don't let me think about the monkey on the couch - please don't let me think about the monkey on the couch . . . ." With every repetition I was reinforcing the very thing that I wanted to avoid.
It was suggested that I come up with my own prayer that asked for what I wanted instead of what I wanted to avoid. What I wanted was peace and serenity in my recovery. So, since then that's exactly what I pray: "please grant me peace and serenity in my recovery." It does work better for me.
The other thing I always do for cravings is to "tell on myself." Cravings are simply a part of my disease. Since I have the disease of addiction, I'm going to suffer from cravings. They don't mean that I'm bad or that I'm not serious about my recovery.
But that's exactly what it felt like in early recovery. I was past the acute withdrawal and had experienced good days when I felt good and KNEW that I was done with using FOREVER. So when the strong desire to use hit I'd also be thinking "what in the H is WRONG with me? How could I possibly be wanting to use, and considering using, after my using a) almost killed me and b) did in fact destroy what I thought of as my life."
The answer seemed obvious - I was a worthless, no good piece of $hit. My gut instinct was to deny the cravings, to keep them completely to myself, to tell no one, because I didn't want anyone to know how bad and worthless I was. Like a lot of things in recovery, I found out that my gut instinct was exactly wrong.
It was dead wrong for a number of reasons. Perhaps most important was that I needed to avoid the secrecy and shame in which active addiction lives and thrives. I needed to do what I had tried so hard to avoid when I was using (and long before, actually), which was letting people see who I really was. Continuing to hide and present lies of omission, if not actual lies, was continuing my active behavior.
That part was hard to see at the time and was perhaps of more long-term, rather than immediate, importance. What was immediate, however, was the way I felt as soon as I talked about my continuing "secret shame." I immediately felt much better - it was like the cravings were cut in half just because I talked about them.
Plus, especially in the very early days, I felt better about myself with the reactions I got from those more seasoned in recovery. Instead of looking at me like I had three eyes, like I expected, they acted like I was GOOD because I was being honest, open and willing to share the truth about what was going on with me.
They reacted that way because they knew that being Honest, Open and Willing is H.O.W. we get (and stay) clean and sober. Positive feedback like that was the beginning of my coming to believe what the said about me - that I wasn't a bad person who needed to become good again, I was a sick person who needed to become well again.
Cravings are no big deal these days. I don't get 'em too often and when I do they don't bother me as much. I tend to view them simply as a reminder of the disease I will always have and the fact that it will stay in remission only if I work, day-by-day, to keep it there. As they say, I have been granted a daily reprieve that is contingent on the maintenance of my spiritual condition.
One of the things I must do to maintain my spiritual condition is to maintain my physical condition. I have to pay attention to diet, sleep and exercise and I have to do it on a daily basis. If I don't, I'm headed closer to trouble.
In early recovery I was taught something very useful, which only seemed painfully dumb at the time. That is the instruction to H.A.L.T. If I'm having a bad day recovery-wise (i.e. constant craving or just feeling restless, irritable and discontent) I need to stop immediately and assess whether or not I'm HUNGRY, ANGRY, LONELY or TIRED (HALT). If I am any of these I need to HALT and do something about it before I do anything else. Existing in any of these states might be the dubious luxury of "normal" people, but it is life threatening to me. When I get in one of these states my brain says "YOU NEED TO USE -- NOW!!"
Another useful suggestion is to "play the tape all the way through." I know from repeated experience what happens every time I use. I never stop with that "just once" or "just a little," which seemed like it wouldn't hurt anything and which promised to fix everything. Every single time it ended up not just as bad as it was before, but worse. I need to see that part of the tape and not allow myself to focus on the lie of limited use or engage in euphoric recall.
I think craving, like addiction itself, is one of those you can't beat by fighting. As the Buddha said, "whatever we resist will persist." My cravings didn't get to be "not a problem" until I got to the point that I simply accepted that they were, but understood that they were nothing more. I wish that were something I only needed to do once and then it was a done deal. But I have to accept them, and avoid fighting them, every time they appear.
It appears that I'm done talking about this.
CATUF
1446
Checkmate - I "won," right?
Wrong. I was told it didn't matter what I believed, it mattered what I DID and what I needed to do was ask for help via prayer.
Well, that was just DUMB. But, having finally reached the point where I was willing to go to any length to get/stay clean, I did it anyway. Turns out "they" were right - it didn't matter - it worked despite my lack of belief.
Addiction is primarily a spiritual problem and it requires a spiritual solution.
Over time, I did change the prayer I used when hit with cravings. Initially I had been taught to pray something like "please remove the obsession and compulsion to use," and to keep praying that as long as necessary. So there I'd be: "please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use - please remove the obsession and compulsion to use . . . . . . . ." And it helped.
At around six months it was pointed out to me that the human mind, and perhaps prayer, didn't do very well with a negative-instruction like this. That it was a bit like praying "please don't let me think about the monkey on the couch - please don't let me think about the monkey on the couch . . . ." With every repetition I was reinforcing the very thing that I wanted to avoid.
It was suggested that I come up with my own prayer that asked for what I wanted instead of what I wanted to avoid. What I wanted was peace and serenity in my recovery. So, since then that's exactly what I pray: "please grant me peace and serenity in my recovery." It does work better for me.
The other thing I always do for cravings is to "tell on myself." Cravings are simply a part of my disease. Since I have the disease of addiction, I'm going to suffer from cravings. They don't mean that I'm bad or that I'm not serious about my recovery.
But that's exactly what it felt like in early recovery. I was past the acute withdrawal and had experienced good days when I felt good and KNEW that I was done with using FOREVER. So when the strong desire to use hit I'd also be thinking "what in the H is WRONG with me? How could I possibly be wanting to use, and considering using, after my using a) almost killed me and b) did in fact destroy what I thought of as my life."
The answer seemed obvious - I was a worthless, no good piece of $hit. My gut instinct was to deny the cravings, to keep them completely to myself, to tell no one, because I didn't want anyone to know how bad and worthless I was. Like a lot of things in recovery, I found out that my gut instinct was exactly wrong.
It was dead wrong for a number of reasons. Perhaps most important was that I needed to avoid the secrecy and shame in which active addiction lives and thrives. I needed to do what I had tried so hard to avoid when I was using (and long before, actually), which was letting people see who I really was. Continuing to hide and present lies of omission, if not actual lies, was continuing my active behavior.
That part was hard to see at the time and was perhaps of more long-term, rather than immediate, importance. What was immediate, however, was the way I felt as soon as I talked about my continuing "secret shame." I immediately felt much better - it was like the cravings were cut in half just because I talked about them.
Plus, especially in the very early days, I felt better about myself with the reactions I got from those more seasoned in recovery. Instead of looking at me like I had three eyes, like I expected, they acted like I was GOOD because I was being honest, open and willing to share the truth about what was going on with me.
They reacted that way because they knew that being Honest, Open and Willing is H.O.W. we get (and stay) clean and sober. Positive feedback like that was the beginning of my coming to believe what the said about me - that I wasn't a bad person who needed to become good again, I was a sick person who needed to become well again.
Cravings are no big deal these days. I don't get 'em too often and when I do they don't bother me as much. I tend to view them simply as a reminder of the disease I will always have and the fact that it will stay in remission only if I work, day-by-day, to keep it there. As they say, I have been granted a daily reprieve that is contingent on the maintenance of my spiritual condition.
One of the things I must do to maintain my spiritual condition is to maintain my physical condition. I have to pay attention to diet, sleep and exercise and I have to do it on a daily basis. If I don't, I'm headed closer to trouble.
In early recovery I was taught something very useful, which only seemed painfully dumb at the time. That is the instruction to H.A.L.T. If I'm having a bad day recovery-wise (i.e. constant craving or just feeling restless, irritable and discontent) I need to stop immediately and assess whether or not I'm HUNGRY, ANGRY, LONELY or TIRED (HALT). If I am any of these I need to HALT and do something about it before I do anything else. Existing in any of these states might be the dubious luxury of "normal" people, but it is life threatening to me. When I get in one of these states my brain says "YOU NEED TO USE -- NOW!!"
Another useful suggestion is to "play the tape all the way through." I know from repeated experience what happens every time I use. I never stop with that "just once" or "just a little," which seemed like it wouldn't hurt anything and which promised to fix everything. Every single time it ended up not just as bad as it was before, but worse. I need to see that part of the tape and not allow myself to focus on the lie of limited use or engage in euphoric recall.
I think craving, like addiction itself, is one of those you can't beat by fighting. As the Buddha said, "whatever we resist will persist." My cravings didn't get to be "not a problem" until I got to the point that I simply accepted that they were, but understood that they were nothing more. I wish that were something I only needed to do once and then it was a done deal. But I have to accept them, and avoid fighting them, every time they appear.
It appears that I'm done talking about this.
CATUF
1446
Mine is right now! I just flooded the whole basement. Stress is a big trigger for me.
Terry
Terry
u r so very lucky! But I guess many do have them and they really suk! having a long term game plan helps tho..it really does
It might be hard to understand but I have never had any cravings...over 8 months and it's like I closed the door on that part of my life and wish not to look back.
COMMUNITY LEADER
My last craving came when i was vacuuming!!! I got on here and posted and then turned up the music and danced my little butt off. Music is my saving grace~~~~~nothing like Judas Priest singing Turbo Lover to me!!!!!! sara
I call it therapy shopping! Nothing like something new to make you feel better about yourself.
Terry
Terry
I answered as a combination of everything - - lucky today I guess because I dont really have cravings any longer. If one comes around I will intentionally fill up an old drawer to the top and post about it after I buy something for myself while listening to music and dancing.............
cathy.;.i forgot about shop til u drop! LOL for me that can be trouble..but it helps..buying sumpin new always makes me feel new...at times i have even gone on a diet so i feel better about myself when i am feeling down..just the fact that i am doing sumpin positive and healthy can help me immensely..i have also gone and got a peel or a pedicure...silly girly stuff but makes u feel good...yall know what I mean (:
I go out too. Dosen't matter where I just go. Antique hunting, new summer stuff, maybe nothing at all. Just being out helps me.
Walk with ipod and make a complete fool out of myself singing lol
Terry
Walk with ipod and make a complete fool out of myself singing lol
Terry
For me it was Music, Music and more music!! Also, like you worried, cleaning out a closet, organzing...Then second would be going for a walk....
Great post
r2r
Great post
r2r
thankfully my cravings are very seldom....when they did hit they were awful....usually i was stressed, bored, or just feeling yucky. i voted number 1...i try to do something... anything even drive around and listen to music. going outside and playing with the dogs helps....walking...anything physical helps. i also think about why i quit...do i want pills to control me or do i want me to control me. i think you know the answer...how could a blow almost a year....these are the things i think of....maria
danceing like i am the only person in the world lol, i stick on my ipod and dance around my living room like i am so big rockestar (actually the nickalback song rockstar is the best song to listen to and rock it round the room!!
i also find time out on my own, with my dog off we go to the beach or up the forest, just the two of us.
cravings are awful, my mum in law hurt her back recently and was given my doc by her doc, what an awful person i am... i was acutally jealous of her for getting them, the cravings kicked in so bad then, so i did exactly what i said above and soon for got about it.
i also find time out on my own, with my dog off we go to the beach or up the forest, just the two of us.
cravings are awful, my mum in law hurt her back recently and was given my doc by her doc, what an awful person i am... i was acutally jealous of her for getting them, the cravings kicked in so bad then, so i did exactly what i said above and soon for got about it.
If I am craving, then the first the i do is tell someone that understands. I will make that phone call and that helps me the most because I feel like I am holding myself accountable and reaching out for help. Support is so important as an addict, we all have weak moments even after considerable clean time. I will also get on here and post and talk to friends. Also taking the dogs for a walk to the beach helps too. I am so glad I don't have to battle cravings very often now, they were really tough for awhile.
I stay on here and help as much as i can, when im craving I reply to alot of post, when im not craving i just shoot the breeze on here. or im outside in town or whatever when im craving you know i think i crave alot Hummmmmm!!!!! well at least im clean
Hey Cory
I find posting or the gym a great help
The gym has actually changed my life
I hope this helps
Regards Rello xx
I find posting or the gym a great help
The gym has actually changed my life
I hope this helps
Regards Rello xx
LOL..worried you left out shop..shop...shop...so i chose option 1...it was the closest...
Def move around or try do just do anything to take my mind off of it. Boredom is my #1 trigger. If I have plans, or things to do I dont even think about it. But whenever I have down time, or even if I know Im going to have down time where I am home alone with nothing to do, then the cravings come. I've been keeping super busy at home to avoid this..sleep is suffering but its better than the cravings.
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