Tips for Fighting Cocaine Cravings While in Inpatient Care
Cravings for cocaine can be severe, even while in inpatient treatment. While there are certain medications that can treat these symptoms, below are some tips you can use to help fight these cravings even while you are in a controlled treatment environment. Call 800-934-3781(Who Answers?) to find safe, reliable rehab programs where you can end your cocaine abuse once and for all.
Using Behavioral Therapy
According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, “Anticraving agents with a fast onset of action may be helpful during the early withdrawal period,” but most of the time, cocaine cravings experienced in inpatient treatment are treated with behavioral therapy. This not only helps patients become more aware of their cravings and the triggers that cause them but also allows them to learn to control these issues better.
Behavioral therapists will often teach you a number of exercises that will help you cope more easily with your cravings, some of which may be found below.
But one of the most helpful things you can do is to just talk to your therapist about your cravings and describe how long they last and how intense they are so they can get a better idea of how to help you control them.
Distraction
You can distract yourself from cocaine cravings by reading a book.
You can distract yourself effectively in many ways from experiencing the full extent of your cravings while in addiction treatment or in your day-to-day life. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “It is useful to prepare a list of reliable distracting activities… in anticipation of future cravings.” Activities that can be practiced while in inpatient care include:
- Yoga/meditation
- Taking a walk
- Exercise
- Calling a friend or family member
- Writing in a journal
- Reading
Mindfulness
The concept of mindfulness is taught in many meditation and yoga practices, but it can be extremely beneficial to someone going through a severe craving.
Instead of trying to ignore this desire for the drug, one can accept that it is there, be aware of it as it progresses, and then notice it as it passes. For some individuals, this can be much healthier and more helpful than distracting one’s self.
How Cocaine Addiction Treatment Helps You Overcome Drug Cravings
Take Care of Yourself
You will be much more likely to avoid experiencing severe cravings if you take care of yourself while attending treatment. This means:
- Eating healthy meals
- Getting enough sleep
- Being open and honest with your caregivers
- Getting enough exercise
- Meditating, reading, or having another go-to, calming activity
If your body and mind is feeling healthier, you will experience a number of positive effects as well as fewer moments where you will crave the drug. Ask your doctor for other advice on how to be healthy while in treatment, and always make sure that you are honest with your healthcare providers, as they will need your forthrightness in order to help you recover fully from cocaine addiction.
Want to Find Safe, Reliable Cocaine Abuse Rehab?
Call 800-934-3781(Who Answers?) now. We can match you with the best inpatient rehab program for your needs as well as answer any questions you may have about treatment. Call today, and begin your journey of recovery.