How to Reduce Drug Use and Cravings

Reducing drug use and cravings involves both practical steps and personal commitment. Here are some ways to tackle it:

1.    Identify and Avoid Triggers

Drug cravings are a common part of substance dependency. These intense urges that are tough to resist can stick around even after you’ve been clean for a while. Recovery is often made harder by the presence of triggers in your environment. It’s crucial to identify what triggers your cravings and make sure to avoid them.

Common triggers include:

• • Certain situations, places, and people can trigger drug cravings. These are associated with previous substance misuse habits and can bring back a strong urge to use substances. Stop exposing yourself to things or situations that you associate with substance use.
  • High levels of stress can sway people to seek drugs as a coping mechanism. People may turn to drugs as a way to cope with and escape from difficult situations. This could be anything from personal conflicts to work pressure.
  • Strong and negative emotions like sadness and anger can trigger cravings. Recovering individuals who have used in the past to numb negative feelings are more prone to emotional triggers.
  • Social pressures and certain social interactions can trigger the urge to use. Being around people who use substances or normalize their use can trigger drug cravings. The pressure and desire to fit in may also be a contributing factor.
  • Direct exposure to drugs or drug paraphernalia can activate cravings. Seeing drug-related objects can bring back memories associated with drug use and trigger the urge to use again.

2.    Explore Therapy Options

Everyone’s needs are different. Some may require an extended stay in a rehab center while others, like professionals, may need an outpatient program. This is why it’s important to explore therapy options and treatment programs that suit your needs and situation. Widely used therapy approaches include:

• • Inpatient Treatment. This short-term clinical program is for those who are physically dependent on a drug and require help in managing withdrawal symptoms.
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Also called Day Treatment, this treatment program is for those who need ongoing medical monitoring but prefer to live at home. Recovering individuals under a PHP go to a treatment center for at least 20 hours a week.
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). IOPs don’t require recovering individuals to stay at a treatment center. Compared to PHPs, IOPs only require 9 to 19 hours of treatment each week. This program is ideal for those who need both structure and flexibility.
  • Residential Treatment. This intensive treatment involves living in a facility, away from triggers and stressors. This usually lasts from 30 days to several months.

SUD treatment plans can vary depending on the substance involved and an individual’s situation. Effective treatment plans do have some things in common such as:

• • Comprehensive assessment and in-depth psychiatric evaluation
  • Detoxification to clear drugs from your system and manage withdrawal symptoms
  • Counseling that may include individual and group therapy and evidenced-based counseling techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Medication that can help manage withdrawal symptoms and treat any co-occurring mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
  • A relapse prevention plan can include support groups, follow-ups and ongoing care to help maintain sobriety.