Cravings for alcohol or drugs are common among people who have been addicted, or even after a period of intense use. They are both physical and psychological in nature and are most intense during the acute withdrawal period, the day or two after you stop using the drug or alcohol. They can, however, also occur months or years after withdrawal.
There are many theories about what causes cravings, but the bottom line is that if you have been addicted, you will almost certainly experience cravings. Here are some key points you should understand if you’re coping with cravings after withdrawing from an addictive substance: