20 Ways to Conquer Stimulant Cravings
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine are designed to speed up your metabolism and increase most body functions. Unfortunately, they are also highly addictive. When you are addicted to something, this addiction produces cravings. These cravings are one of the leading causes of relapse. There are ways to conquer cravings that you can do to help to prevent this relapse.
1. Distract Yourself
If you feel a stimulant craving coming on, find something that distracts you. Change the T.V. channel or radio station. Switch websites. Anything that might cause a quick distraction.
2. Take up a Hobby
Find something that you enjoy, and devote some time and focus on it. It will not only help with cravings, but enrich your life.
3. Take a Class
Learn something new. Cooking techniques, sewing or knitting, painting or pottery. All of these things can be learned in classes offered to all ages.
4. Attend Lectures at Your Local College or University
Taking a class or attending college lectures can distract you from cravings.
This is a highly educational way to beat cravings. Even if you aren’t working on a degree, you can audit a class or sit in on lectures that interest you.
5. Go to a 12 Step Meeting
This allows you some support, as well as reinforcement of your recovery.
6. Get Together with Friends or Family
This also provides support, and gives you something enjoyable to do, as well.
7. Chew Sugarless Gum
This simple action can create enough of a distraction that you are able to beat your stimulant cravings. Just be sure to chew sugarless gum, so you don’t damage your teeth.
8. Learn to Meditate
Meditation is calming and helps you focus. These qualities are very helpful in stimulant recovery, and help reduce the likelihood of relapse.
9. Play a Game, Video or Otherwise
Playing a game is entertaining, and requires focus. This eradicates cravings from your mind.
10. Go for a Walk
Sometimes just getting out of the house and moving around is all it takes to eliminate stimulant cravings.
11. Volunteer at a Local Shelter or Rescue
Volunteering is very rewarding, and can take the place of stimulants in your life.
12. Go to a Community Event
This not only provides a distraction, but allows you to connect with your community and further your recovery.
13. Listen to Music
Music can be very soothing, so there is no reason it can’t help with your stimulant cravings.
14. Work Out
Exercise provides many of the same things stimulants do, but without the harmful side effects. So, working out is great way to beat cravings.
15. Take a Nap if you Can
Sleep is good for you, and can let you escape stimulants for a while.
16. Take up a Sport
This is a fun way to ease your stimulant cravings and improve your health.
17. Clean your House
This not only helps with cravings, but reduces germs and allergens, and makes your home more beautiful.
18. Read an Interesting Book
It is easy to escape to imaginary worlds in books. This escape helps you beat your drive to use stimulants.
19. Find a Part Time Job that Keeps you Busy
This will not only keep your cravings at bay, but increase your income as well.
20. Don’t do it Alone, Find a Treatment Center if you Fear Relapse
If you have a problem with stimulant cravings and you don’t feel you can do it alone, there is help available. All you have to do is call 800-605-6597 Who Answers?. We can help you find the program that you need to stop stimulant cravings in their tracks.
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