Crystal meth is a highly addictive drug that can be difficult to overcome, especially when dealing with crystal meth cravings. It can often take professional help at a crystal meth rehab center to fully manage and avoid crystal meth cravings.
Cravings come and go in recovery. Maintaining sobriety begins with remembering this fact. It starts with being prepared to crush cravings when they arrive. It continues with being aware of risk factors even after they go. Cravings may leave you alone for days, weeks, or even months. Make the most of this time, and live your new, sober life. However, be aware that cravings will come again, and have tools and tricks ready for when they do. Reach out to Michael’s House at 760.548.4032 to learn more about managing cravings and how a crystal meth rehab center can help your recovery goals.
5 Ways to Managing Crystal Meth Cravings
When it comes to managing crystal meth cravings, a few key strategies can help you stay strong and focused on your recovery.
1. Remembering What You Have to Lose
It can be hard to remember just how good your sober life is when cravings hit. Remind yourself of the facts of recovery. Consider making lists of the good things sobriety brings, such as:
- Feeling better physically and emotionally
- Being able to manage any co-occurring mental health issues
- You are a better parent, child, friend, or partner
- Having a good job or a promising new career
- You have money to start paying off debt or even save for a vacation or other treat.
There are an endless number of recovery benefits. Write down the ones that are true in your life. Look at these lists when cravings hit. Remember what you have to lose by using meth. Remember how much you’ve gained in recovery.
2. Managing Stress
Stress is a powerful trigger for cravings. It’s a risk factor in itself. It also complicates and exacerbates other relapse risk factors. Managing stress helps you crush cravings. Managing stress involves using tools and techniques you learn in treatment. Some of these tools and techniques include:
- Spending time with people who support your recovery
- Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or guided imagery
- Engaging in hobbies and activities that you enjoy
You may benefit from talking with your therapist, friends, family, and peers in recovery. Crush crystal meth cravings by recognizing the role stress plays. Use healthy coping mechanisms to move past stress and cravings without returning to your most significant stress source—meth.
3. Managing Emotions
Stress isn’t the only emotion related to cravings. Any emotion can trigger a desire to use meth, alcohol, and other addictive substances. This can lead to relapse. It doesn’t have to. You can crush emotion-related cravings by learning to recognize, experience, and process emotions properly. Your therapist and treatment team will help you do just this. Peers in recovery can also offer further advice and experience-based strategies for managing how you feel. As you practice emotion regulation, cravings become easier to crush.
4. Distract Yourself
Recovery often asks you to face stress, emotions, and other difficult situations. Addiction treatment gives you the tools and skills to do so. However, sometimes things are just too overwhelming in the moment. Rather than give in to cravings, distract yourself. Put time and distance between yourself and the moment or feeling that makes you want to use it.
The Association for Psychological Science shares, “Disengagement at an early stage can successfully modulate low- and high-intensity emotional information before it gathers force.” You don’t get to avoid feelings forever. However, temporary distraction takes power out of these feelings and helps you crush cravings. Consider going for walks, calling a friend, watching a show, or getting lost in your favorite hobby. Find the distractions that work for you that help you get your mind off your craving and on to something else. Keep a list of these distractions handy so that you can use them any time they are needed.
5. Remember that Crystal Meth Cravings Are Not Permanent
As hard as crystal meth cravings can be, it’s important to remember that they are not permanent. With the right tools and strategies, you can learn how to manage your cravings and avoid using meth again. Whether this means seeking additional treatment and support, engaging in physical exercise, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep, they will pass with time.
When crystal meth cravings hit, it can be easy to feel discouraged or hopeless. But remember that these feelings are temporary and that with time and effort, you can overcome them and maintain your sobriety. With the right tools and strategies, you can learn to manage crystal meth cravings effectively and live a happy, healthy life.
Get Help from Michael’s House with Avoiding Crystal Meth Cravings
You don’t have to recover alone. You need professional and personal support. Don’t be afraid to reach out to these resources when cravings hit. Talk with peers from treatment or your local support group. We offer comprehensive addiction treatment at Michael’s House for crystal meth, alcohol, and other substances. We provide care for the mind, body, and spirit to help you learn how to crush crystal meth cravings once and for all. Our treatment programs are personalized to meet your needs and goals in recovery. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 760.548.4032 today to learn more about how we can help you crush crystal meth cravings.
