overcoming cravings

[clime]

ok 11 yrs sober ended up under drs. care for moderate to severe degenerative disk failure job requiring intense physical labor took hydrocodone 3 ys. think I may have had cravings when not taking it and this scaired the **** out of me I reserched allternative treatments for the last 5 months I refuse to discuss what I did so dont ask I am never going to introduce someone to something that might make there addiction worse I'm unsure yet if my conditions been more complicated now but do have a  question of craings and how long till cravings to vicodin last for most addicts I told my dr yesterday I no longer want perscriptions for vicodin and now that I've done this I'm scaired ******** of how log cravings for this drug usually go on and I can try to wean off this other treatment that hopefully didn't make my condition worse

[Nursey7]

This is all honestly very informative and interesting. I can only pray the cravings go away!

[ariley13]

I agree with Weaver's beautifully worded post. We as addicts have the opportunity to grow and be the best person that we can be. "Normal' people often don't take the time to self reflect and work on themselves. We constantly have to. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise for us. I wish you nothing but the best on your road to recovery. We are here for you if you need us. Please keep us updated. Take care of yourself!

[weaver71]

Though I believe cravings go away, addiction does not. You said you thought a slip and full blown physical dependence are different, they are. I think of them as different stages of relapse, just like there are different stages of addiction, but at any stage addiction is addiction. That doesn't really matter. I relate so much t what you said, "went to meetings more to tell rather than listen." I tried meetings back in the early 90's, it didn't stick. I read the whole big book, went to all the gatherings, and was a master of recovery in 3 months. I remember waiting, not really listening, but forming a masterly crafted response. I am an intense person by nature, my zeal often surpasses my experience. I'm working on that. Don't be to hard on yourself, explore that desire to place blame.  Practice listening at meetings. Maybe you needed this, maybe you would have never dug any deeper if you simply avoided drugs. Recovery is so much more than that. This round, I really focused on not thinking at all during someone's share. I really listened and blurted out the first thing that comes to mind. It was weird, because I trained myself to think before I speak. Meetings are a safe place to say the wrong thing, which is pretty hard in a meeting. I also found 12 step meetings and working the steps are much different in my 40 than it was in my 20's. I'm different and meetings have changed a lot, especially AA. You still have past knowledge, you aren't starting over. You are picking up where you left off. Smash that complacency, and continue to grow. I can tell you're ready.

[clime]

I have anger about having 11 yrs sober to now have a possible addiction to pain meds although in my heart I know this still was my choice I want to blame someone still like my dr.3 yrs. ao when I quit smoking I ended up 3wks later with this chronic pain I find now maybe complacency got the best of me by zoning in on the statistics I've beaten along the way all the hard wk that I didn't give back to the community enough  but went into meetings more to tell than to listen when all along I was given a gift to hare not to boast

[clean_in_ks]

Great thread!!!  I needed to read this tonight.  I am a little over a year off opiates.  I'm just 30 days off a 90 day walk down benzo lane.  

Yesterday, with all the family, all the hub bub, all the festivities that I so love about celebrating the 4th of July....I REALLY wanted to use.  Anything actually.....some kind of "chemical relief"....and I HATE that feeling....lol

It WAS my second 4th of July clean....but last year...I was SICK as a dog and weak as a noodle!!  I recognized and over analyzed...and talked about my "wished for" release that was going on inside of me....it's just damn uncomfortable to do NEW things I did while popping lortabs and somas!  Yep, I'm sure I'm currently having a lot these "unwanted desires for a chemical" BECAUSE I am only 30 days off the 90 day benzo trail.....cause before that stupid excursion....I didn't have this knot in my chest that I have had since eliminating the benzo.

Drenching myself in ALL THINGS RECOVERY is what I must do right now.
After all, how many of us have heard of peeps with 8 yrs or 15 yrs clean....and they relapsed.  I don't wanna be one of them....thanks for listening and for all of you that shared on this "much needed" thread~

[OpenMind24hours]

I don't get cravings, but sometimes my head tells my a-s that using would be a great idea during some type of scenario that's a trigger. It can be a simple thing like a beautiful evening such as last night, sitting out in the back yard. The thought of a drink came out of nowhere. The thought of opiates have mostly left me it seems. I've been to 3 meetings in a row along with a step study so far this week. If I didn't go I'd possibly have woken up with a hangover this morning.

When I got clean and sober in 1982 the thought of a drink had been lifted from me soon after. I mean GONE! Amazing. Alcohol is my main DOC. Everything else comes out on the coffee table after that first drink. So I was all set for over 27 years with the cravings. My main task was to continue dealing with my addict personality on a daily basis. Then I went back out when opiates were introduced to my pleasure center. Not soon after came the alcohol again. This time it's not been that easy folks. Being honest here. Not easy. I drank and drugged 2 years and gave it up for a white key tag of surrender shy of 9 months ago. Alcohol is a real dangerous drug for me. My dealer is a 6 minute walk from this house. It's everywhere. Cutting sources doesn't work for alcohol. It does work for Vicodin. Glad it's out of my life.

I always had that "meeting" ace in the hole back in the day and it keeps me clean and sober today. i surround myself in recovery with other addicts. Part of the program is to help others; be a part of the solution rather than the disease. This forum is a great outlet for doing just that. Most of all is the healthy feeling I am now blessed with. It's my reward for not using. I have my life back. I have no desire to go back to the way I was 9 months ago. When I think of a drink, I stop and count my present blessings.

[kyle505]

I quit drinking 28 years ago; in fact, July 1st is/would have been my sobriety anniversary day. I have not had a drink in all that time, but soon after I stopped booze I found pills, and off I went. And my addiction was worse than ever.
I'm only a year and a half clean; and maybe I will someday be like you guys, however, when I look back on my life I can see pretty clearly that I've always been addicted to something; always over-did things. When I was in my 20s my friends nick-named me OD for over dose.
Yes...The thought of using again scares me to death. I'm older; my body can't take much more abuse. During my detox 18 months ago my blood pressure got so high that I thought my head was going to explode; I couldn't see for a few minutes and couldn't stand. Called my doc; got help. BUT - my mind never stops. Mother in law got a hip replacement - my mind says Hey, that's a source. My daughter got major dental work, a source. Sister in law in for a broken nose, a source.  And if I hadn't told my secret to my wife, I don't think that I'd have been posting 18 months clean yesterday.
Anyway, you guys have given me something to hope for. I don't think that my cravings will ever stop, and I will have to manage them forever, but who knows what tomorrow may bring.  Thanks,
K

[weaver71]

I'm with ActingBrandNew on this one. I don't have cravings, really haven't had any. I thought it may have to do with how low my bottom was. Those near death experiences really keep me focused. I would have to feel suicidal to want drugs, because suicide is what it would be. Another friend died from morphine a couple days ago, he was 33. I see reminders all around me of how bad it was and still is for those still using and for those who love an addict. Since I was 10, I've always had this compulsive drive to escape, it never faded. I was just talking to my wife about this. I thought the cravings and compulsive thinking would never go away. It did though. I think before I act, that's new for me. I do think the cravings can be arrested, but I think it takes something different for each of us to reach that place of peace. I didn't get a pink cloud, but I don't wish to escape anymore. I'm more inspired by being good rather than feeling good, that's what I think keeps the cravings at bay. Luckily, there is no wrong answer here. All of us agree, cravings or not, it is worth it in the long run.

[ActingBrandNew]

"So, to be honest, if you are an addict the cravings will never go away. Yes - the longer we're clean, working our recovery, they get easier to manage, but "manage" is about all we really can do."

That's an interesting perspective you have. Id like to think Im doing more than just "managing" though. I mean, Im definitely an addict...full blown, however I haven't had a craving in over 2 years. Matter of fact....when I think about drugs I get disgusted because I associate using with losing all.

I guess its different with everyone though. I like to preach hope myself. I know a lot of people struggling with cravings have the question of "when will it stop" and speaking from my own personal experience, I tell people that eventually they do....because it did for me. Maybe they wont for you...maybe you will have to "manage" for the rest of your life...that's unfortunate. I know addicts that have 10+ years clean and have no cravings whatsoever...none.

I guess its different for everybody...guess I just wanted to give the original poster some hope.

[kyle505]

Although I'm working on it, at this point in time I have no idea why I'm an addict. Years ago I used to poo poo people when they'd call addiction a disease, but I don't anymore. My brain - my addict's brain - is wired differently than a normal person's; always has been.
So, to be honest, if you are an addict the cravings will never go away. Yes - the longer we're clean, working our recovery, they get easier to manage, but "manage" is about all we really can do. Sarah's line - keep your guard up - is something I follow everyday.
Anyway, that's my opinion. I will live with cravings forever. I've accepted that and it's ok.  
K

[ActingBrandNew]

I like what Weaver said

"The cravings are the mental part of addiction. I think the cravings fade as we deal with the real reasons we use."

Ive been clean 3 years 5 months and 2 days. I dont have cravings anymore and I believe its because I'm choosing to deal with stuff rather than use it as an excuse to get loaded.

[VICourageous]

Very Good My MH Friends!!!! Yes I did not crave for at least 6 months. But when we start to feel a bit better we forget how the w/d stages were.Now I am walking in 10 months and I have learned a lot of what can trigger me. I stay away from people, places and things. But we can not hide all the time. Life will be life and it must go on. If and when my Compulsive Behavior kicks and I want to get wired up so I can  get all my work done at once..I just walk away and come back another hour or a day. And guess what? My work gets done better then when I was all Buzzed up and Spinning like a Wheel.
Also I have not had a drink of booze in 8 years and I do not crave this at all. I have learned a lot about this disease and how Any mind altering substances can start the fire back up. Just make sure you do have some Support in many ways. I wish you the best.
Bless
vickie

[EvolverU]

I've got to agree with my friends above. It's different for everyone but one thing's for sure, they will come!

Personally, they hit me @ about 4.5 mos.  (I'm a little over 6, right now) I had to find knew ways to sit with uncomfortable feelings & to deal w/stress -- to sit in my own skin without running. My system of spirituality is extremely important to me & grounding as are sober friends & family. It's important to be able to reach out when you feel these emotional triggers coming on. They can be quite powerful & insistent. Just know that you don't HAVE to respond to them. That's your 'habit' talking. It Lies! I Try to do something positive for myself or someone else when this happens. Pick up the phone & call your sponsor, a clean friend, come to the forum, journal, exercise, look into your children's faces, meditate, go to church...Whatever does it. Know that you can live through these cravings/feelings without using. I've found that each time I'm successful this way, my self-worth increases & it makes me slightly stronger & more skillful. BUT! I know with certainty that they will always come. That I should always be on my guard. It's a learning curve. Whatever you do don't beat yourself up! Be compassionate to yourself & others.
All Good Things Your Way,
Annie

[ariley13]

I have only been clean for two and a half months but the cravings do get better. The more time that you put between you and the pills, the better you feel. They are fewer and farther between, but when they hit, you better watch out! They can be very intense and blindside you. This is why aftercare is so important. Whether it's NA/AA, addiction counseling, etc. you need to arm yourself with the tools to make it through these cravings without using. It is also very important to identify things that 'trigger' you to use. It helps to be cognizant of triggers and try to avoid them. I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your recovery!

[weaver71]

The cravings are the mental part of addiction. I think the cravings fade as we deal with the real reasons we use. I always believed it was for physical pain, but now I see the emotional pain I was medicating for. I found CBT form of counseling to work best for me. I don't thin anyone can give a definite answer to this question, I don't think there is one. What kind of aftercare are you in or interested in?