What are Cravings and Urges?
Cravings and urges cover all aspects of recovery, including the active phases of using and relapsing.
Cravings are a longing for your drug, because your drug usually makes everything all right,
(it doesn't but you think it does) and you think it would take away the pain and discomforts
of being clean and sober. Some have said that,
"cravings are just the romance with the drug that are continuing."
Envy, self-pity, fear, anger and resentments can trigger cravings.
If you continue with this form of high-risk thinking or feeling, it can
and does result in a driving urge to drink or use; or to act on impulse,
and to do something that you think offers instant relief from the real
world, and its problems.
A craving for a drink or drug, or unpredictable behaviour, or another person,
is a longing in the mind and not necessarily from the gut. It is an urge that
tells you that it's okay for you to have that drink, drug, flutter, sexual encounter
or whatever gives you the 'fix or hit you are looking for.
This intense state may even cause a certain taste in your mouth, a feeling in your
throat, or heightened energy caused by the bodily chemical reactions that are being
stirred within you.
An urge is more dramatic! It comes and goes much quicker than a craving.
When you act on an urge, you do so without regards for assessing the situation
or the results that you will get from drinking or using.
An urge is more dramatic! It comes and goes much quicker than a craving. When
you act on an urge, you do so without regards for assessing the situation or the
results that you will get from drinking or using.
To say this differently a craving is a longing for the drink, drug or behaviour.
It can last over time, sometimes days, weeks and even months. It captivates your
mind and occupies your thoughts. It's similar to being home-sick. There is always
that haunting voice calling you back. An urge is more like a wave. It comes up in
a hurry, its origin is unpredictable and the duration is short, usually a few
minutes or a little longer.
Preparation in advance must be made so that you can withstand the craving and
the urge when it hits. It's a given that cravings and urges cannot be avoided.
It is absolutely necessary to find ways in which to deal with the accompanying
feelings and compulsions.
The Relapse Vulnerabilities Program
will help you to identify your unresolved emotions, such as fear, anxiety, anger, frustration,
jealousy, envy and self-pity which act as invisible triggers that can lead to a relapse.
We want to work with you to help you identify your relapse risk situations, circumstances,
people, things and places. We want to help you identify and look for signs, signals and
symptoms in your physical, emotional, mental, behavioural or environmental condition, thus
reducing the risks of you having a relapse.
To prevent a relapse requires a recovery plan that embraces all aspects of your life and
life style. Let's work together to give you the best chance to remain clean and sober.
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| Why talk about relapse
| What are cravings & urges?
| This is the time to hang on |
