Conquering Cravings: Practical Tips for Recovery
When struggling with addiction, cravings are part of this struggle too. They come and go throughout your struggles, making recovery seem further away.
A craving is considered to be when you have a strong desire to use a substance that, if not fulfilled, can produce a powerful degree of mental and/or physical suffering. When in the grips of addiction, finding ways to manage these can be a vital part of your recovery.
At New Leaf Recovery in Birmingham, we aim to help you find methods and techniques for conquering your cravings in addiction and overcoming them along your recovery journey.
Understanding Your Cravings in Addiction
When struggling with addiction, the side effects on your body can be physical, mental and emotional. With a range of internal and external triggers surrounding you, it can be difficult to find a coping mechanism for these cravings, leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
When cravings hit, this can produce a strong desire for substance. The brain believes that the use of this will give relief to the craving, but this is often not the case. It is important therefore to understand that often, when you have a craving, this prompted by something. As part of recovery, it is key to understand these triggers in order to conquer the cravings and find ways to manage them throughout your recovery journey.
Triggers are often internal or external but are completely unique to each individual. They could include:
- Social triggers: These depend on the people and places around you. If you are reminded of times when you used to abuse substances, or spend time with people who have done, this can become a social trigger.
- Emotional triggers: When facing a challenging emotion, this can be difficult to cope with sometimes, leading to that craving trigger. Emotions such as grief, anxiety and boredom are strong emotional examples of this.
- Withdrawal triggers: Early in recovery, your body craves substance. This fades throughout the course of your recovery as your body restores a balance.
- Habitual triggers: These revolve around your personal habits. These may cause you to struggle with cravings until your pattern and habits change throughout your recovery.
At New Leaf Recovery, we aim to help you understand more about your triggers and cravings, finding the root of them in order to overcome them. With a range of therapies available, we can help you to find ways to manage your cravings in recovery, leading to a brighter future.
Conquering These Cravings
Cravings don’t last forever; they can be overcome! It is important to remember this when in recovery in order to help you find the right coping techniques and support.
There are a range of practical tips that New Leaf can help you with in order to overcome your cravings during recovery.
- Set Boundaries: Be sure to set yourself achievable boundaries that can start in your recovery and follow you afterwards into your daily life.
- Recognise Triggers: Take time to learn more about your triggers and cravings with our team at New Leaf.
- Keep a Journal: Start writing down when you encounter your cravings and journal about how these have been overcome each time.
- Get a Hobby: Find a hobby that you enjoy. This can be something you take into your daily life that engages your mind and takes your mind away from the cravings.
- Healthy Eating & Drinking: Work on healthy eating and staying hydrated in order to foster a healthier lifestyle and mindset. This can help build your resilience and strength.
- Have a Sponsor: Having a sponsor that can be your go to in times of need can be a vital part of your support network. They are a trusted individual that can help you foster positivity and guide you with helpful advice during your times of struggle.
- Reach Out to Your Support: Build a support network that can encourage you to continue your recovery and overcome cravings in addiction.
The Importance of Support Systems in Recovery
In any kind of recovery, it is important to find a support system that works for you. This can include loved ones, counsellors, and others that you trust to help you in times of need.
The aim of a support system is to ensure that you don’t feel alone, and you can cope with negative feelings when they arise. They can help to encourage you with your boundaries, hobbies or methods of coping with cravings in addiction.
At New Leaf Recovery, we encourage you to find a support system that works for you. You don’t have to be alone in your long term recovery and sobriety.
We offer a range of therapies at New Leaf that can support your recovery, helping you to find coping mechanisms for your triggers. We also start you on the 12 steps programme, designed to help clients continue their recovery in their own homes. Find out more about our therapies and the 12 steps programme online today or speak to our team to discuss how we can help you.
Reach Out To New Leaf Today
New Leaf Recovery in Birmingham is here to support everyone!
Our range of therapies include art therapy, meditation, counselling, EFT, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and more. This diverse range of therapies helps our clients to engage with a range of activities that give them ways to conquer their cravings and create brighter habits for themselves.
With flexible lengths of stay ranging from 7 days to 28 days, we are here to give you the support that you or a loved one needs in their recovery. Reach out to our compassionate team today and let us help you start recovery.