7 Effective Ways to Handle Addiction Urges

7 Effective Ways to Handle Addiction Urges

Battling addiction urges is arguably the most challenging aspect of recovery. If not handled with extreme care and caution, these cravings will always haunt you.

Therefore, it’s crucial that you tactfully tackle them before they create an undefeatable grip on you. Several ways can help. Here, we share the seven most popular ones, so you can successfully beat your addiction and emerge a winner.

Practice self-talk


Every time you crave a drag, a drink, or a shot, give yourself a pep talk on why it is bad for you. Give yourself logical reasons that are easy for your brain to accept. Make a list detailing why you want to quit; look at it every time you feel the urge.

Try CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy)


Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a treatment method that uses various techniques like visualization, distraction, and redirection to focus your mind on something else till the urge to take the addictive substance passes. CBT helps identify and correct the cognitive distortions in your thought process that push you further into addiction.

Pursue a hobby


Taking up a hobby like painting, reading, playing a musical instrument, or building things is an excellent way to shift your focus and put it into something productive. It gives you a sense of achievement and is a wholesome alternative to addictive substances to fill the void or mitigate sorrows.

Try urge surfing


Urge surfing is a technique that asks you to accept your cravings instead of denying or suppressing them. It motivates you to accept the signs of distress and wait them out instead of distracting yourself from avoiding them and making the situation worse.

Focus on self-care


Taking care of your body and mind is crucial to fight addiction. It includes eating a balanced and nutritious diet, exercising regularly, walking, meditating, and doing things that make you happy. Practicing these daily will boost your overall health and wellbeing.

Acknowledge your triggers


Urges are stronger when they have specific triggers. It can be anything—a memory, a place, a particular time of the day, seeing others do it. Learn to identify your triggers and avoid them as much as possible. You must not visit the pub where you usually frequented. You should also avoid gatherings where you know people would drink, smoke, or take other addictive substances.


Ask for help


There are various support groups where people with similar addictions meet, talk, and share their experiences. Join such groups; they are great settings to find comfort, acceptance, and learn from other people’s journeys. They will provide you with a fantastic platform to talk your heart out. The camaraderie and acceptance will help you fight even the most stubborn urges.

There are several other ways to fight addictive urges. Different strategies work for different people. You need to find out what works for you and stick to it. But irrespective of the path you choose, the one thing that will help you succeed is not giving up.


About Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic



If you are looking for a rehab facility to get over substance abuse, please reach out to



Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic




at our 24×7 helpline number (844) 282-1306. We will help you on your journey to recovery in the best way possible.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on print