Purpose đ¯
Help patients practice responding to cravings without immediately acting on them.
Riding the Craving Wave đ
Invite the patient to rate craving intensity from 0â10 and notice where the craving is experienced in the body.
Explore:
- Where do you notice the craving physically?
- What thoughts come with the urge?
- What happens if you observe the urge without acting on it right away?
- What coping strategy could help you ride out this wave?
Practice observing the craving as a changing experience rather than a command that must be followed.
Coping Strategy Practice đĄ
Pair the activity with a chosen coping strategy such as breathing, grounding, distraction, movement, contacting support, urge surfing, or delaying use for a set amount of time.
Telehealth / Whiteboard Version đģ
Draw a wave and mark craving intensity at the beginning, middle, and end of the exercise. Track what helped the urge shift.
Why This Works đą
Cravings often rise, peak, and decrease over time. Learning to tolerate the urge can increase confidence and reduce automatic substance-use responses.
Clinical Pearl đ§
Start with mild or moderate cravings when possible. If cravings are severe or safety concerns are present, prioritize support, safety planning, and appropriate level-of-care assessment.
Documentation Language đ
Patient practiced a craving wave activity to observe craving intensity, identify physical and emotional cues, and use coping strategies to delay or reduce urge-driven behavior.
Clinical Focus: Craving Management, Distress Tolerance, Coping Skills