When recovering from substance abuse, many patients struggle with ongoing cravings. These are the urges to continue drug or alcohol use and they can be extremely powerful. Some substances such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and benzos may have more difficult cravings to overcome without medical intervention.
It’s helpful for patients in recovery to understand what drug cravings are, how they work, how long they last, and what to expect during the recovery process.
The Nature of Drug Cravings
Drug cravings are a key symptom of recovery from substance abuse. Some cravings are more psychological, while others are physical. Cravings are difficult to manage, especially without professional intervention. They don’t simply just go away after quitting drug or alcohol use.
For some patients, cravings may go away within 1-2 weeks after getting clean, while others may experience symptoms that continue to persist. Cravings can also re-emerge in times of stress, or moments where a patient feels triggered. It can be difficult to explain how strong cravings for substance abuse are. Users often want to quit but may lack the self-control to simply stop “cold turkey”.
Common feelings that accompany cravings include:
- Intrusive thoughts about the substance of choice
- Triggered to use substances when they see others using
- Triggered to use substances when they see or think of something that reminds them of substance abuse
- Wanting to connect with people from their past they used with
What Causes Drug Cravings?
Most people have experienced a “craving”, such as for their favorite food, snack, or dessert. These feelings are self-reported and can be described as an “intense desire” for something that brings pleasure. When it comes to substance abuse, these cravings go above and beyond what many of us have experienced. There is no one single cause of drug cravings, they can be influenced by biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
Drug cravings are highly influenced by the biology of the brain. Cravings activate specific brain regions that process emotions and manage impulse control such as the amygdala and pre-frontal cortex. These regions influence various neurotransmitters that can also play a role in cravings, such as dopamine & glutamate.
Factors such as emotional states, situations, or people may also trigger underlying cravings. Stress in particular is a powerful trigger of relapse. It can activate the CNS & brain circuits involved in reward processing, motivation, and impulsivity. This chronic relapse phenomenon is broadly recognized as one of the most challenging problems in fighting drug addiction.
How Long Do Drug Cravings Last?
There is no set timeline for how long drug cravings will last. Many find their symptoms of withdrawal begin to subside within 1-4 weeks after quitting use. However, this duration depends on the type of substance used, length of use, frequency of use, method of consumption, and whether the person has a history of relapse.
Underlying health problems, access to effective treatment, and a strong support system can also impact whether someone experiences cravings and the risk of relapse.
Drug Cravings and the Detox Process
Detox for substance abuse is the process of clearing the body of alcohol & drugs. It is usually the first stage of recovery. Many patients may require supervised detox to monitor their vitals, help alleviate withdrawal pain, and reduce cravings.
The withdrawal timeline and strength of cravings can look different for each person in recovery. It can be influenced by how long the drug was abused, the type of substance one is addicted to, and underlying mental or physical health problems. Medically-assisted detox combined with ongoing medication management and intense therapies can greatly support this process to reduce cravings and shorten the timeline of withdrawal.
12 Ways To Cope with Cravings During Detox
It’s important to keep in mind that stress, health problems, or certain situations can cause cravings to arise. Having a craving does not automatically mean a user will relapse. However, it is important to stay aware of cravings and develop positive coping skills to help manage them.
Some tips for coping with cravings during detox include:
- Accept the feeling and find something to distract you. This could include going on a walk or speaking with someone you trust.
- Focus on what you are feeling and be aware of sensations in your body (pain, hunger, fatigue, thirst, etc). Use those cues to help you make healthy choices.
- Change your environment if you are in a place or around people that are triggering you.
- Look for patterns around your cravings. Do they come on at certain times of the day? Around certain people? When you are experiencing a certain emotion?
- Get up and move. Exercise can lower stress, increase energy, and provide a healthy distraction until the craving wears off.
- Track the times of cravings, do they tend to be stronger when you wake up or before bed? Use this understanding to plan your day or set up a routine that is more helpful to your recovery.
- Observe your thought patterns. If your thoughts are telling you that “you can’t do this”, tell yourself out loud that you can.
- Take care of your mental health to reduce stress and increase mindfulness. Some activities may include meditation, breathing exercises, journaling, or yoga.
- Practice gratitude to reduce negative emotions and boost overall mental wellness.
- Rely on your support network such as family, friends, sponsors, peer specialists, or counselors that can talk you through episodes of cravings.
- Be kind to yourself and don’t feel ashamed for having cravings.
- Participate in support groups such as AA to connect with others who are experiencing similar struggles and remember you are not alone in your recovery.
Drug Cravings and Relapse
Drug cravings can signal a potential relapse, but are also a normal part of the recovery journey from substance abuse. Several thoughts, feelings, situations, or events can trigger the urge to use drugs & alcohol. If these are not adequately dealt with may result in relapsing.
Relapse can be physical, emotional, and psychological. Physical relapse is pretty straightforward and is defined as continued use of the substance. Patients may have physical pain or discomfort from withdrawal that makes them use again.
Emotional relapse occurs when someone gets caught up on their last relapse. They may not have an active craving for drugs or alcohol but are having uncontrollable negative emotions. These heavy emotions can lead to pain and may set the stage for future relapse. Signs of emotional relapse may include:
- Social isolation
- Not showing up or participating in meetings
- Focusing on other people’s problems
- Changes in sleep/appetite
- Sudden decline in self-esteem
Psychological relapse can go hand-in-hand with emotional. It is an internal battle between the desire to use substances or remain sober. Signs can include:
- Cravings
- Thinking about people/places/things associated with their past use
- Minimizing the consequences of past use
- Lying (to others and themself)
- Seeking out opportunities to relapse
How To Recover from Drug Addiction
Effective treatment programs typically draw on many components such as medication, individual, and group therapy. The first recommended step is usually detox, with transition to an inpatient rehab program. There are several evidence-based approaches to treating substance abuse disorders. The specifics will depend on each patient’s needs after their evaluation assessment.
Some common evidence-based therapies for treating drug & alcohol addiction during recovery include:
- CBT
- DBT
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Somatic Experiencing & Bodywork
- 12-Step Programs
- Music & Art Therapies
Safe Recovery in Los Angeles
If you or a loved one is seeking a way out of substance abuse, private, confidential help is just a call away. Reach out to our Admissions team at The Encino now.
At the Encino Recovery & Detox Center in Los Angeles, we don’t just treat addiction. We nurture the spirit, heal the mind, and help you to regain your life. We provide medically supervised detox with trained staff equipped to offer clinical care.
Sources
Sinha, R. The clinical neurobiology of drug craving, Current Opinion in Neurobiology,
Volume 23, Issue 4, 2013, Pages 649-654,
Guenzel N, McChargue D. Addiction Relapse Prevention. [Updated 2023 Jul 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL)
