Once you resolve to stop drinking or using drugs, your road to recovery is a lifelong process of saying no to your cravings. It can be challenging to figure out how to stop alcohol and drug cravings. Each person has a different set of physical and psychological triggers. With help from a drug and alcohol detox center, you can learn different strategies for reducing cravings and managing withdrawal symptoms.
It is difficult to stop your cravings on your own. It takes the help of a licensed therapist, a support group, and the support of family and friends. You also need to understand what conditions or environments can trigger a craving. If you are determined to get clean and stay clean, then there are ways to ensure that you never relapse again at Northern Illinois Recovery Center.
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Mindfulness
Our mindfulness-based sobriety program at Northern Illinois Recovery Center is designed to prevent relapse once you have gone through detox and rehab. Mindfulness gives you a heightened awareness of the negative thoughts or beliefs that fuel your addiction. The goal of mindfulness is not to combat this negativity. Instead, mindfulness helps you redirect your mind to positive and peaceful thoughts while creating a state of stillness. However, mindfulness is only one of the holistic therapies we offer. Individuals can also take advantage of holistic therapies like yoga therapy.
Although cravings start as physical symptoms when you are going through detox, eventually they become psychological. You make connections in your mind with thoughts or behaviors that lead you to drink or take drugs. Mindfulness gives you a clear insight into what is going on in your mind when your cravings take place. You can manage these thoughts and take control of your outlook.
Medication for Cravings
The medication-assisted treatment provides a short-term solution for helping you deal with your initial wave of cravings. The level of your cravings is at its highest during the first few days of detox. Medication can help curb your cravings and ease some of your withdrawal symptoms. Our medication-assisted treatment or MAT program can help individuals struggling with an alcohol use disorder or opioid addiction get the treatment they need to manage cravings and lessen withdrawal symptoms. By strictly administering medications like Vivitrol, Suboxone, or methadone, our MAT program helps individuals deal with the physical aspects of addiction so they can focus on therapy. Like every addiction treatment program, our MAT program offers extensive therapies, such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Trauma therapy
Research has shown that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat alcoholism or substance abuse. Medication can help normalize your brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of drugs or alcohol, and even create a powerful negative side effect if you consume a particular substance.
Extended Addiction Treatment
Once you complete rehab, aftercare is available to help you manage your triggers and cravings once you re-enter your normal life. Extended care may include:
- Sober living programs
- Support groups or 12-step programs
- Ongoing one-on-one therapy or counseling
- Holistic activities
- Mentoring
- Life skills coaching
You can continue to reach out for help and assistance as you maintain your recovery. Extended care can teach you how to function globally and live a healthier life free of alcohol and drugs.
Learn How to Stop Alcohol and Drug Cravings with Support from Northern Illinois Recovery Center
For many, the greatest challenge to overcoming a substance use disorder is getting past the cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It’s unlikely that someone can overcome cravings on their own and often individuals set themselves up for relapse when they attempt to manage their addiction without professional support. However, help is available. Northern Illinois Recovery Center can help you overcome your cravings through our extensive detox, rehab, and aftercare treatment. To find out more about stopping alcohol and drug cravings, call our substance abuse treatment center at 855.786.1978 to speak to a treatment specialist.
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
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