When you are struggling with a substance use disorder, it can be difficult and tedious to handle the process of removing that substance from your life. If your body and mind adapt to the intake of the substance regularly, stopping it altogether at once can even be dangerous for your health. If you find yourself in this scenario, getting help from a medical professional when you stop using is crucial.

But what must you do to begin on the path of recovery and remove the addiction or substance from your life? How will the addiction eventually end? Moreover, it is essential to save yourself from the side effects of substance use for your health. Your mental, emotional, and physical health can be ignored, and in some cases, it may even be forgotten altogether. The vicious cycle of addiction and its associated health impacts must come to an end.

What Is Addiction?

Using drugs for recreational purposes can result in habitual usage. Once you have entered a state where you use the substance habitually and without regard for your health, it has moved from experimental substance use into a substance use disorder, also commonly called addiction.

Addiction involves a drastic change in how your body and mind crave a substance. This can also extend to the craving for a typical kind of behavior, especially if your substance use started from a habit. These behaviors can be both compulsive and obsessive.

What Can Be Done Once You Are Addicted?

Once you know that your substance use has become a substance use disorder, you should act carefully.  If you are on a consistent or high dosage of the substance, do not stop its consumption at once. Instead, you should remove the substance a little bit at a time to ensure that you do not see adverse side effects of withdrawal.

If you have not been using the substance for too long, you may be able to stop your consumption by curbing cravings. However, before taking action, it is important to note that if you are experiencing a substance use disorder, you should reach out to a medical professional who can help you figure out the right steps towards sobriety.

Curbing your cravings can be done effectively via useful tricks and tips. These include substituting for a healthier diet, staying fit and active, seeking medical intervention, contacting a rehab center, going in for a detox process, and more. These tips are helpful if you are experiencing any kind of craving, before or after treatment.

Curbing Your Drug Cravings

Below is a compilation of 12 great tips and tricks you can adopt for curbing your cravings for a substance:

#1. Spend more time in natural locations, such as the mountains, lakeside, valleys, resorts, or parks. This can help you calm your senses and give you time to spend with yourself.

#2. Watch out for strong feelings, such as anger, frustrations, sadness, or excitement. Strong feelings in any situation can cause you to react differently than you normally would, which may result in drinking and/or using substances to calm down.

#3. Keep a journal of your negative substance use experiences. This should include details like what made you feel cravings or what situations triggered your urges.

#4. Avoid going to social meetups or parties where you know there will be substance use. If you do find yourself at one of these meetups, make sure you have a good exit plan.

#5. Manage your stress with the help of different techniques such as meditation. Seek knowledge about various stress management treatment options.

#6. Engage in mindfulness techniques, such as yoga. These techniques can help you regain control over your body.

#7. Do what makes you feel happy and satisfied with your life achievements. Revive your long-lost hobbies and favorite activities, such as art, gardening, swimming, or playing sports.

#8. Indulge in regular physical exercise. This could be running, jogging, or brisk walking. Keeping yourself active can keep your mind from turning to cravings.

#9. Have a fixed routine. Following a fixed sleep cycle, exercise time, work hours, and eating routine can keep your mind and body busy.

#10. Have a relapse plan ready and handy. Relapse is a possibility, even while you are undergoing treatment or deep into your recovery journey.

#11. Keep in close contact with your family members and loved ones. Express your feelings and share your experiences daily. Family can be a great support system during such trying times.

#12. Seek external help from trained healthcare professionals. They understand substance use disorders, their health impacts, and the different treatment routes or medications available.

Substance misuse is harmful to the person’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Getting to a life free of substance use can feel tough, even insurmountable at times, but it is possible. Finding a customized treatment plan under trained supervision at a trustworthy treatment center is a great choice for your recovery journey. The Kimberly Center deals with diverse individual cases of addiction and its related health conditions. If you want to remove substance use from your life and avoid related health issues, get in touch with our team of experienced healthcare providers. Curbing your cravings is easier if you have dedicated help from trained professionals. You can reach our trained experts right away at (855) 452-3683. Our healthcare professionals can help you detox by teaching you strategies during treatment to motivate you and help you along on your recovery journey. Find yourself (or your loved one) a trusted treatment center today.