When someone who’s in recovery from addiction feels a craving coming on, triggered by something in their environment or something they feel, realizing that they’re craving using drugs or alcohol again can be devastating, especially if it’s been years. It can feel as if the time and resources you used to go to treatment for your addiction were just a waste. After all, if you were truly in recovery, you wouldn’t be craving that hit or that drink, right? That kind of thinking is setting you up to start reacting more and more negatively to these cravings. While they can feel extremely overwhelming, it’s important that you keep things in perspective. Even if you’ve been sober for decades, and you suddenly are triggered by passing a bar you used to drink heavily at, it doesn’t mean your recovery is ruined and that you have to relapse.
Cravings are unpleasant, there’s no getting around that, and they can happen at some really inconvenient times and places. Because of the way addiction to drugs and alcohol affects the chemistry of our brains, there’s a good chance a person may deal with cravings the rest of his life. However, instead of thinking of this as a downside, make yourself think positive: This craving I’m dealing with is another opportunity for me to prove to myself that I am in control of my life, not addiction. By choosing to make it a chance to use what you learned in treatment and really apply the changes you’ve made to your life, you’re reiterating to yourself that while addiction may always lurk around, you’ve got this.
And this doesn’t mean you can’t reach out for help. If you’re struggling with a craving and you need to call your sponsor or someone in your support system for help, that’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. It’s important to develop routines and habits for when these cravings arise early on in treatment and recovery, so that when they do, it’ll just feel natural to do whatever it is that helps you overcome them.
Craving the use of drugs or alcohol after recovery is, unfortunately, extremely common. It doesn’t mean that you’re failing at sobriety, and it doesn’t mean that you’re destined to relapse. At The Springboard Center, the inpatient and outpatient treatment programs are tailored to fit your needs, meaning when you’re finished with treatment, you’re prepared with habits and life changes that really work for you and set you up for success. Don’t wait another day if you’re struggling with addiction. Make the call today: 432-620-0255.
