Withdrawal from some drugs, such as heavy alcohol use, benzodiazepines and, in some cases, meth or opiates, can be risky without medical help. See your doctor or check into a detox facility if this applies to you. Getting outside and taking in some of the world around you, with no particular purpose other than to feel better, really works. The gentle, bilateral stimulation of walking is great for calming down an agitated mind. Don’t have anyone you can trust? There are plenty of places to turn for a sympathetic ear. Some outpatient drug treatment centers allow people to drop in, offer emergency appointments or have daily or weekly intake sessions. You might not be able to talk to someone immediately, but it is worth checking out. If you can afford to pay, many private counselors and psychologists will be able to see you at short notice. They are listed in the phone book or online. If you don’t want professional help but just want someone to talk to, there are plenty of options. Just look in your phone book or online and you’ll find a crisis line in your area, where people are trained to listen and help those in need of a kind and understanding human contact. Another option is to talk to your doctor, who might prescribe a non-addicting medication proven to help reduce or eliminate craving. Even if you aren’t religious, churches are often staffed by people who have a deep capacity for compassion and caring. It may be important for you to talk to someone who understands your particular situation. This is where self-help groups can help. But sometimes they can be quite triggering, especially if they like to share “war stories.” So, don’t go to an NA group when you are having cravings unless it’s a group you know well and you know it provides a safe space. While the use of sweets is popular lore for reducing alcohol cravings, a 2020 study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found no evidence that sweets reduced alcohol cravings. However, carbohydrates have been found to elevate mood, so it may be possible that eating high carbohydrate foods may improve mood when giving up alcohol. Eating a healthy diet can be very important. Supplements may also help some people. This can all be part of following a healthy lifestyle that may help people to overcome cravings.
