How to Overcome Triggers and Cravings in Drug Addiction
People struggling with drug addiction will often claim that they have to cope with constant cravings and triggers. However, when it comes to coping with drug cravings and triggers, it can be important to understand that a person’s cravings are only one part of the picture. The actual drug addiction itself is only the symptom of underlying problems. While there are many contributing factors to drug addiction, a person’s relationship to those triggers and cravings will ultimately determine whether or not they can successfully overcome their drug dependency.
Differences
Some of the major differences between coping with drug cravings and triggers include the fact that one has to consciously remember to relieve them. On the other hand, drug cravings are much easier to deal with. For example, a person may have to deal with a trigger every time they consume some type of drug, but once that trigger is experienced, then the person will find the need to consume that drug increases. Therefore, when you take into consideration that the actual drug itself does not have an addictive potential, you can understand why the cravings are much more difficult to deal with.
Another important difference between coping with drug cravings and triggers is that you can reduce or eliminate these triggers and cravings by simply eliminating the drug you are craving. This means that the drug is no longer a trigger or a source of your cravings. While this may sound as if it were easy, it is quite the opposite. Most people who suffer from drug addiction do not have a very good coping mechanism for dealing with their drug addictions.
As you can see, there are several important differences between coping with drug cravings and triggers. This is why it is important to understand and learn as many different effective ways of coping as possible. Therefore, to overcome your addiction, you must work on all aspects of your life. You must treat both issues as separate and treat them accordingly.
Emotional Components
Many people view their drug addictions as only a physical problem. However, this is untrue because you can view your addiction as a mental problem as well. This is because your emotional state will play a large role in whether you stay sober or relapse. Unfortunately, most addicts are unable to overcome their cravings because they are emotionally attached to the drug they are trying to control. Therefore, coping with drug addiction is not only a matter of getting the right amount of the drug but also coping with the emotional and psychological components of drug dependency.
Therefore, if you truly want to overcome your drug addiction and cravings, you must first work on reducing your emotional and psychological attachment to the drug you are attempting to control. While there are many different therapies and support groups available to help you with this task, your priority must be to cut off ties with people, activities and thoughts related to drug addiction. Once you have done this, you can then start focusing your attention on finding a drug-free environment that will work for you.
Treatment Options
One drug addiction treatment option that has shown good results in dealing with both the physical and emotional cravings is to undergo a hypnotherapy treatment program. During this program, you will learn about why you develop strong cravings and the physical symptoms that are associated with drug use. The program will also teach you how to begin to cope with these cravings without using drugs. During this stage, you will have an open mind so you can explore triggers that could be causing your cravings. You will be shown various situations that are similar to the drug use that you currently have. You will then be presented with words that you can use when talking to your friends, family or even yourself to describe the trigger that is creating a strong craving.
Another drug addiction treatment option to help deal with triggers is to participate in a behavioural modification or recovery program. These programs allow the person to face the triggers that are causing them to experience withdrawals and they are taught how to deal with it properly. These programs can take several months before they are completely effective. If you do not wish to participate in a traditional drug addiction treatment program, there are other options available that can help you get rid of the triggers and cravings for drug addiction without having to attend a treatment facility.