MenuClose

NAD Blog

Where Do Drug Cravings Come From?

Attachment Large Size Large Wp Post Image

Drug cravings can happen to many people who are using drugs and alcohol consistently. When addiction cravings occur, that generally means a person is facing dependence on a drug. That’s a dangerous situation that requires treatment as soon as possible. Benzo addiction, illicit drug use, alcoholism, and others can cause these drug cravings. Let Springfield Wellness Center help you through this and other side effects of substance abuse through our drug addiction treatment program. Call 844.334.4727 today to learn about your treatment options.

What Is Behind Drug Cravings?

Why do you have drug cravings? You may want to stop using drugs or alcohol, but you think about using the substance all of the time. Sometimes the cravings are so intense that you don’t feel like you can avoid them even if you try your best. Sheer willpower is not always enough.

Addiction cravings occur as the brain desires something. When they happen, a person focuses on finding a way to acquire the drug. They will use it if they can find access to it. This desire stems from the psychological changes that drugs create in the brain.

How Do Addiction Cravings Occur?

Many drugs can cause cravings due to dependence. When a person is dependent on a drug, that means the drug has altered how the brain communicates. Every time a person uses the drug, it changes how the brain works, which occurs because the drugs trigger the pleasure center of the brain. As a result, the brain seeks out that repeated feeling by consuming more of the drug.

This reward center encourages a person to seek healthy behaviors, such as eating food, engaging in laughter, and fostering positive relationships. Yet, it mistakes the drug for a good, healthy thing, leading to the desire to continue to use it once more. When you do not use drugs or alcohol, you feel those intense cravings.

When Can Drug Cravings Like This Happen?

They can occur with a wide range of drugs. A person who develops alcoholism is likely to feel intense cravings when they try to stop drinking. The same happens for illicit drugs and benzo addiction. When a person is unable to access the drugs, the brain turns on cravings to seek out the substance.

More so, a person may experience withdrawal symptoms. While cravings may be a psychological force, withdrawal symptoms tend to be physically focused. They may include:

  • Pain in the muscles and bones
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping all of the time
  • Intense feelings of agitation and anxiety
  • Feeling sick to the stomach

How Do You Get Help for Addiction Cravings?

Whether it is benzo addiction, prescription drug use, alcoholism, or any other type of substance use, it is possible to get help for drug cravings. Doing so relies on getting help for the underlying addiction. If you face cravings like this, it’s time to find a way to work through your addiction.

At Springfield Wellness Center, we offer a range of tools and strategies that can help you. We encourage people to explore new ways of thinking about their addiction to find improved outcomes, which includes support through:

Call Springfield Wellness Center

It would be best if you did not ignore alcohol and drug cravings. They are a sign that you need help. Addiction cravings like this may be one of the first signs that treatment is beneficial to you. Whether it is alcoholism or a benzo addiction, finding treatment means breaking those cravings and achieving a healthy lifestyle. You may not be able to do that on your own. Our team at Springfield Wellness Center can help. To learn more, call 844.334.4727 or connect with our team online.