Name the cue and the promise
Notice what happened, what the craving promises, and what the full story includes. Common cues include conflict, loneliness, money, pain, fatigue, places, contacts, and familiar times of day.
Coping With Addiction Cravings
A craving can feel urgent without being an instruction. The goal is to create enough time, support, and distance to choose the next action.
Delay and change something
Set a short timer, move locations, reduce access, eat or hydrate if needed, and contact someone before attention narrows further.
Match coping to intensity
When risk is high, use simple actions and involve another person. When intensity is manageable, reflection and problem-solving may be more useful.
Respond quickly after a lapse
Prioritize overdose and medical safety, reconnect with support, and identify what changed before the event. Shame and secrecy can increase danger.
Take the next useful step.
Keep essential help free. Use a longer workbook only when more structure and repeated practice would be useful.
Preview the cravings workbook