Tag Archives: Drug craving symptoms

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Drug cravings coping strategies

June 13, 2017
Drug cravings coping

Drug cravings coping strategies will help you say No when the persuasion from friends persist

Drug cravings coping strategies: A cognitive behavioral treatment approach

We have in the recent past been discussing a series of topics touching on the cognitive-behavioral approach to treating addiction and in particular cocaine addiction and techniques of coping with craving. We are not about to give it up because we understand the seriousness of the problem in our societies. This is a war we are determined to win and for that reason, we want to further the discussion by looking at the drug cravings coping strategies we can adopt in defeating this scourge. Doctor Dalal Akoury an addiction expert of several decades has been sharing with us very healthy information about a cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction as being one of the best strategies in finding the lasting solution to cocaine addiction. She is going to progress from where we left in the previous article for us to have a better understanding of what is before us. She says that in coping with a craving for cocaine or any other substance, there are several strategies for doing so and some of those strategies may include the following.

  • Distraction
  • Talking about craving
  • Going with the craving
  • Recalling the negative consequences of cocaine abuse
  • Using self-talk

We appreciate that different professionals may have different view about this like for instance some therapists may wish to point out that these strategies may not stop craving completely, however at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, we believe that with practice, recovering addicts will reduce the frequency and intensity of craving and make it less disturbing and frustrating when it occurs. It is therefore very prudent that we take a keen interest in adopting mechanisms that will enable us to cope successfully with a craving for cocaine and other drugs.

Drug cravings coping strategies: Entertainment and distractions

When under the influence of drugs, all that you will be thinking about is drugs because that is what keeps you going, without it, you will actually fall sick. In that case, it is only fair that you get distracted so that your mind can be engaged into other things.  Professionally doctor Akoury can now confirm that this has been tested and found to be very helpful. It is therefore very necessary that you prepare a list of reliable distracting activities and with the help of your doctor in anticipation of future craving. Such activities might include taking a walk, playing basketball, and doing relaxation exercises. Preparation of such a list may reduce the likelihood that patients will use substances, particularly alcohol and marijuana, in ill-fated attempts to deal with craving. Leaving the situation and going somewhere safe is one of the most effective ways of dealing with craving when it occurs.

Remember that drug cravings negativity is obstacles you will always meet along the way in your recovery process. How you conduct yourself under these circumstances will matter a lot in your recovery process. It is therefore important that you keep close touch with experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to help you professionally along the way.

Drug cravings coping strategies: A cognitive behavioral treatment approach

 

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Navigating drug cravings during treatment

June 9, 2017
Navigating drug cravings

Navigating drug cravings during treatment is essential for the good health of the brain

Navigating drug cravings during treatment: Sharing freely about craving

Drug addiction is not a taboo and issues relating to it can be discussed freely. Talking about is an effective way of navigating drug cravings especially during the recovery process. When patients have supportive friends and family members, talking freely about craving when it occurs, it gives the recovering addicts the confidence to pick up the pieces and move on. This is essential in reducing feelings of anxiety and vulnerability. Besides that, it can also help patients identify specific cues. It’s true that some family members may become distressed when they hear their loved ones (patients) sharing about craving because of the fear that this might ultimately lead to use of drugs, it is, however, important that therapists and other lined professionals to spend some time in identifying which patients would feel comfortable to talk with freely about craving, how that person would react, and whether it makes sense to ask that person in advance for support.

Navigating drug cravings during treatment: Going with the craving

Doctor Akoury says that the idea going with the craving technique is to let it (craving) occur, peak, and pass and that is to say experiencing them without either fighting or giving into them. Giving patients the imagery of a wave or walking over a hill may help convey this concept that is, gaining control by avoiding resistance.

From the various studies, experts have identified the steps involved which should be practiced within sessions before craving occurs. Besides, that patients should also be told that the purpose is not to make the cravings disappear, but to experience them in a different way that makes them feel less anxiety provoking and dangerous and thus easier to ride out. The steps are summarized below.

Pay attention to the craving – This usually involves, first, finding someplace safe to let oneself experience craving (e.g., a comfortable and quiet place at home). Next, relax and focus on the experience of craving itself – where it occurs in the body or mind and how intense it is.

Focus on the area where the craving occurs – This involves paying attention to all the somatic and affective signals and trying to put them into words. What is the feeling like? Where is it? How strong is it? Does it move or change? Where else does it occur? After concentrating in this way, many patients find the craving goes away entirely. In fact, the patient may find it useful to rate the intensity of craving before and after the exercise to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique.

Finally, understanding the negativity of drug cravings and coping strategies alone will not be helpful if you do not take the next step of seeking help. Yes, you now have the information, but if you don’t apply that information, it will not be helpful. That is the reason why doctor Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for every individual who is struggling with any form of addiction to seek help. You can reach out to her on telephone number 843 213 1480 so that you can have a one on one with her and you will have all your addiction related concerns addressed professionally.

Navigating drug cravings during treatment: Sharing freely about craving

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Unseen addiction craving challenges

June 6, 2017
Unseen addiction craving

Unseen addiction craving challenges can be avoided by engaging in meaningful activities

Unseen addiction craving challenges: Using self-talk

For many patients, a variety of automatic thoughts accompany craving but are so deeply established that patients are not aware of them. Automatic thoughts associated with all the hidden or unseen addiction craving challenges often have a sense of urgency and exaggerated dire consequences. Some of those automatic thoughts may include the following:

  • I have to use now
  • I’ll die if I don’t use or
  • I can’t do anything else until I use.

According to the expert opinion of doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in coping with craving, it is important that both the patient and the therapist should collectively recognize the automatic thoughts and take measures of encountering them effectively. To help patients recognize their automatic thoughts, therapists can point out cognitive distortions that occur during your sessions with the client. Like for instances, your therapist could point out that a few times today you’ve said you feel like you have to use the drug and then the question would follow that,  while you were having that feelings were you really aware of those thoughts when you mentioned them? That is just one strategy and the other strategy could be when you are using a tape recorder, you could help your patients by slowing down the tape to recognize cognitions.

Unseen addiction craving challenges: The benefits of recording therapy sessions

The good thing about recording the session is because it can be replayed over and over. Like for instance, the patient may have said something and so you could play it again saying “when you decided to go out last night, you said that you really weren’t aware of thinking about using cocaine.” That is when he/she said but in your own professional evaluation you think otherwise, in situations like that you could play the tape again and help the user to try to remember what the night was like, sort of play it back like a movie in slow motion, we could find a couple of examples of things you said to yourself, maybe without even realizing it, that led to cocaine use.

Finally, once automatic thoughts are identified, it then becomes much easier to counter or confront them using positive rather than negative self-talk which may include cognitions such as challenging the thought like “I won’t really die if I don’t have cocaine” and normalizing craving which can be very uncomfortable if not handled professionally. Remember that if you are having any concerns about craving for any drug and you are wondering where to begin from, you can call on doctor Dalal Akoury today for the commencement of your treatment today.

Unseen addiction craving challenges: Using self-talk

 

 

 

 

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Craving reduction to tame nicotine

May 30, 2017
Craving reduction

Craving reduction to tame nicotine addiction is a good working formula

Craving reduction to tame nicotine: Starting the day without smoking

Many smokers light up a cigarette right after they wake up because they are not able to do without the flow of this substance. After 6 to 8 hours of sleep, a smoker’s nicotine level drops and the smoker needs a boost of nicotine to start the day. However, after you quit, you must be ready to overcome the physical need and routine of waking up and smoking a cigarette by making a deliberate decision of ensuring craving reduction of nicotine is attained. It is only through this that nicotine power can be eliminated. According to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, it is possible to start your day without smoking. That is to say, instead of reaching out for your cigarettes in the morning, you could do things differently by adopting the following tips:

  • Be sure no cigarettes are available.
  • Before you go to sleep, make a list of things you need to avoid in the morning that will make you want to smoke. Place this list where you used to place your cigarettes.
  • Begin each day with a planned activity that will keep you busy for an hour or more. It will keep your mind and body busy so you don’t think about smoking.
  • Begin each day with deep breathing and by drinking one or more glasses of water.
  • The morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. Plan a different wake-up routine, and divert your attention from smoking.

Craving reduction to tame nicotine: Resisting smoking urge when stressed

Most smokers report that one reason they smoke is to handle stress. This happens because smoking cigarettes actually relieve some of your stress by releasing powerful chemicals in your brain. Temporary changes in the brain chemistry cause you to experience decreased anxiety, enhanced pleasure, and alert relaxation. Once you stop smoking, you may become more aware of stress.

Everyday worries, responsibilities, and hassles can all contribute to stress. As you go longer without smoking, you will get better at handling stress, especially if you learn stress reduction and relaxation techniques. Here are some tips:

  • Know the causes of stress in your life (your job, traffic, your children, money) and identify the stress signals (headaches, nervousness, or trouble sleeping). Once you pinpoint high-risk trigger situations, you can start to develop new ways to handle them.
  • Create peaceful times in your everyday schedule. For example, set aside an hour where you can get away from other people and your usual environment.
  • Try relaxation techniques, such as progressive relaxation or yoga, and stick with the one that works best for you.
  • Rehearse and visualize your relaxation plan. Put your plan into action. Change your plan as needed.
  • You may find it helpful to read a book about how to handle stress.

Finally, in your wise decision of quitting smoking, you must remember that this substance is very addictive and because of that, there will be moments when you will relapse and crave for the stick. But when that happens, pick up the pieces and remain focus on your quitting goals. You can always consult with doctor Akoury from time to time to keep on track.

Craving reduction to tame nicotine: Starting the day without smoking

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Controlling drug triggers and cravings

May 25, 2017
Controlling drug triggers

Controlling drug triggers and cravings will benefit the brain greatly

Controlling drug triggers and cravings: Finding addiction solution

From the several studies professionally done on the subject addiction, it has been established that in the quest of finding solutions to drug addiction, two problems are outstanding. The first obstacle is denial. Drug users are in denial and unwilling to acknowledge the problem. In the process the intensity of their addiction to the substances increases such that by the time treatment commences, it becomes difficult to help. Besides the hurdles faced at the initial stages, the other technicality comes at the end of the process when the patient is either progressing well with recovery program or are fully recovered from their addiction. That is why controlling drug triggers and cravings is very important and must be part of the treatment process.

Speaking to doctor Akoury it’s evident that while getting sober from drugs is an important first step, it’s only the beginning of the recovery process. And once sobriety is achieved, the next step is to allow the brain to recover and rebuild connections that have changed. This is likely to take some time. During this time, drug cravings can be intense and overwhelming. Individuals can take several measures to contain the situation. At this point you can support your sobriety by making a conscious effort of avoiding people, places, and situations that trigger the urge to drugs as follows:

Controlling drug triggers and cravings: Find new friends, break from old friends and shun clubs

For you to see the fruits of your recovery you mustn’t make a mistake of hanging out with old friends who are still doing drugs. They will trigger you back to your old habits. Therefore it is necessary that you surround yourself with people who support your sobriety, not those who tempt and tice you to slip back into old, destructive habits.

Alcohol is addictive and doesn’t pretend that you can resist the temptation to sip when meeting friends. Keep distance to social places like bars and clubs where alcoholic beverages are sold. Remember that drinking lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, which can easily lead to relapse.

Know your history of drug use when seeking medication

This is very important and when a medical or dental procedure is done on you, open up to your physician and disclose all you know about your history. Ensure you find a provider who will work with you in either prescribing alternatives or the absolute minimum medication necessary. Take note, this is not the time for you to be ashamed or feel humiliated about your previous drug use. The more you open up to your health provider the better help you will get from them. So don’t withhold open up and allow yourself to be helped.

Use caution with prescription drugs 

Finally, stay away from prescription drugs. And take extreme caution because drugs with a high abuse potential include painkillers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medication. For more information about containing triggers and cravings you can call doctor Akoury on telephone number 843 213 1480 today.

Controlling drug triggers and cravings: Finding addiction solution

 

 

 

 

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