Habits to Fight Opioid Cravings

When you’re in recovery, you face new possibilities and challenges every day. Good habits can help you adjust to your new life and commit to sobriety.

How Habits Can Help You During Recovery

During recovery, you’re focused on creating stability in your life. When you experience opioid cravings, it’s important to establish good habits to resist those urges. Healthy activities help you fight cravings in several ways:

• Relieve stress: If you used drugs to handle tension or anxiety in the past, dealing with stress while sober can be a challenge. An enjoyable hobby will help you redirect your frustration in a healthier way and reduce stress over time.
• Improve your mental health: Your mental well-being is another essential part of recovery. When you pick up a new hobby, it gives you something to look forward to and enjoy. You’ll be happier, busier and more engaged with normal activities.
• Provide a positive distraction: When you’re in recovery, you likely have more time on your hands. Finding a satisfying hobby allows you to fill that time positively. When you encounter a triggering situation or feeling, your new habit gives you a way to focus on a fulfilling distraction rather than your cravings.

Hobbies to Fight Opioid Cravings

Mindful activities keep you engaged throughout recovery. Explore your options to find a new favorite hobby or rediscover an old passion.

Exercising and Playing Sports

Physical activity is a great habit for anyone, including people in opioid addiction recovery. There’s a perfect workout for everyone. Yoga, walking, running and swimming are popular choices for individuals who want to exercise alone. You can also join a rec league for soccer, basketball or any other sport to find a community of fellow athletes.

In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, studies show physical activity is good for your mental health, too. Setting fitness goals or joining a team gives you motivation to stay healthy and committed to recovery.

Learning an Instrument

Music is a powerful tool. Many people listen to and create music to express their emotions, relieve stress and have a good time. Even if you’ve never played an instrument before, trying it out can be an excellent way to fight opioid cravings and redirect your energy to a positive habit. Pick up a guitar, sit down at a piano or warm up your vocal cords to get started and see how the music moves you.

Learning a new instrument requires focus and dedication. You can express your feelings in a healthy way while creating beautiful music.

Exploring the Arts

The arts offer a creative outlet for you to explore complicated emotions and resist cravings. Artistic endeavors like painting, writing and acting give you a new perspective. They’re fun, engaging and accessible. If you’re struggling with triggers, distract yourself with a relaxing hobby like drawing to refocus your mind. Creating art allows you to relieve stress and enjoy your sobriety.

Learn More From Health Care Resource Centers

If you’re looking for an activity to fight your opioid cravings, healthy possibilities are endless. At HCRC, our compassionate staff and medical providers will help you on your journey to recovery. Contact us today to learn more.

Medically Reviewed By:

Health Care Resource Centers Clinical Team

Health Care Resource Centers Clinical Team

The Clinical Team at Health Care Resource Centers is our team of physicians and medical directors within the organization. HCRC is a CARF accredited organization and has been providing addiction treatment services for over 32 years in the New England area.