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Meditation to help with cravings?

ComfortablyNumb95

ComfortablyNumb95

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TOO MANY HOES IN MY MOTHAFUCKING MEAL
Hi everyone.
So I started taking opiates a year ago and begun "experimenting" with heroin 3 or 4 months ago I think. I'm not addicted yet, that's why I want to stop before shit hits the fan.
The problem is that Lately I've been using way more frequently, like once every two days, as the cravings are becoming strong. I last used it 4 days ago but I'm pretty sure tomorrow I'll use because I'm craving the stuff badly.

My question is, might meditation help with the cravings? I want to start meditating every day again like I did several months ago, and to work out more frequently, do you think that'll help? I know exercise will help since it releases endorphins/dopamine etc. But does have any of you have exp. With meditation? I think it could help ignoring the frequent thoughts/let them go or whatever, so I'm asking if any of you have tried and if it has helped.

Cheers folks :)
 
Well, in my somewhat limited experience ... meditation will not help you 'ignore' anything. Not trying to call you out or only focus on that one word. :)

Meditation helps you distance yourself from the 'cravings' of everyday life. My understanding of basic, *non guided*, meditation.

But, I'm in no position to offer advice. (Like thats ever stopped me before?) :)

I do know ... the more you focus on something the bigger it seems. Which is one reason I distance myself from 12 step programs.

Anyways, good luck with it. 'Howdy' ...from Texas.
 
I find the best way to deal with an unpleasant or insistent thought/craving is to let it present itself fully and to back up, as Engage said, as if you are simply observing it. What does it look like/feel like/taste like? What does it make your body do? What other thoughts do you immediately attach to it (this is the most powerful IME)?

When you start dissecting it loses power almost immediately because your brain doesn't get to run the same old film about the initial feeling. Then you can start inserting other healthier thoughts and throw a wrench in the old trajectory. Don't forget to examine triggers; was it boredom or anxiety or anger or loneliness or some combination? Cravings can actually be pretty instructional when you get deep into observation.
 
^yeah it sure is already forming. That's why I need to stop right away while I'm still in time and never look back :)
Yesterday night I had to take some clonazepam to fall asleep because I couldn't stop thinking about when I would get high today and had this tension in my legs and in my stomach... I can't even imagine how could it be to be fully addicted, fuck. I don't want that shit.
 
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herbavore said:
I find the best way to deal with an unpleasant or insistent thought/craving is to let it present itself fully and to back up, as Engage said, as if you are simply observing it. What does it look like/feel like/taste like? What does it make your body do? What other thoughts do you immediately attach to it (this is the most powerful IME)?
When you start dissecting it loses power almost immediately because your brain doesn't get to run the same old film about the initial feeling. Then you can start inserting other healthier thoughts and throw a wrench in the old trajectory. Don't forget to examine triggers; was it boredom or anxiety or anger or loneliness or some combination? Cravings can actually be pretty instructional when you get deep into observation.
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Wow thanks for that :) this will be useful
 
You have to be really good in meditation to have it working for you.
I would try for when I had infinite restlessness but it would only work for a couple of minutes.
 
Mindfullness would be a better option in my humble opinion, to actually meditate takes a lot of effort and can be very difficult in times of craving, the 'i dont want to crave' thought that can backfire making the craving even worse.

As mentioned above, accept and observe what you feel and think, don't fight it or approve it, just look at it and let it be.

Cravings come and go, when you fight it it will stay.
 
ComfortablyNumb95 said:
^yeah it sure is already forming. That's why I need to stop right away while I'm still in time and never look back :)
Yesterday night I had to take some clonazepam to fall asleep because I couldn't stop thinking about when I would get high today and had this tension in my legs and in my stomach... I can't even imagine how could it be to be fully addicted, fuck. I don't want that shit.
Click to expand...

Yes its quite the thing and successfully dealing with it requires some major effort. Its kinda creepy when we experience the unconscious power when we are driven at something we know we need to resist. Its wild because we realize that our conscious mind is not really in control and never has been. It just appeared that way due to grand illusion.

I would read through this thread when you get a chance. The Brain and Addiction Post two has a book mentioned and a chapter linked. Please consider reading through the chapter as it can be pretty enlightening to people struggling with aspects of addiction. You may also want to pick up the whole thing at the library as it is a great book.

Another great book is The Compass of Pleasure.

You may find you have a struggle before you, but its not going to get easier. This is the perfect time to address anything, before a physical dependence forms as that makes it so much harder and such a worse experience.
 
Meditation and dbt has great distracting tolerance techniques. Things to do when cravings come on, and or emotional pain that might be fueling them, as well as the cravings coming from the mere changes in the brain due to intermittent use

I couldn't do it and was using daily, rapidly. I just couldn't put myself through it again. The dbt techniques helped when I tapered down when I began using less daily, and not using in the day time at all. The brain will always want the substance if it is receiving it off and on regardless. The cravings will be more intense ime, using on and off then not using at all.
 
Yes it can help. Or being mindful when you get a craving like if you're in a place where people are drinking or using other drugs and you don't want to use helps a lot too.
 
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