Cravings can come suddenly and unexpectedly. Sometimes they feel very strong, but they do pass. Having a few tools ready can make a huge difference in those moments.
I’d love to hear from everyone:
What do you do when a craving comes? What actually works for you?
A craving is a feeling, not a command. You don’t have to act on it.
Whatever it took to get out of my head. A quick 3 min walk, iron 5 shirts, a meeting, coming on here & reading.
Used to get busy take my mind off them i was coming off cigs aswell so a pack of chewing gum was handy and i had a good sponsor who i phoned when i could find a red phone box lol Love Dubai Sarath been there a few times regards from Scotland
Cook and eat while watching something on TV or listening to a podcast.
There are also some short documentaries about addiction on Youtube called: “Intervention” a little hard to watch, but for me it works to pass the craving
Also a good one: “My name was Bette”
Take a bath to relax and get tired
Have a read arround on this app 
Knowing that a craving won’t last was the best realization for me. I knew I just had to do whatever it took to not pick up and I’d be fine.
Sometimes that meant sleeping, exercising, cooking or working on crafting type stuff. Others it was deep meditation and prayers and coming here and getting fully immersed in the threads.
I am grateful that I was able to come here and learn about playing the tape forward and breathing techniques and H.A.L.T. the gratitude thread has also saved me many a times.
Although the cravings stop or become very low and infrequent I try to practice my coping mechanisms daily so that I hope to never be caught off guard or become complacent.
I like to walk in public parks or gardens, and be in social proximity to other people, nodding or saying hi as appropriate. If a craving is more severe, I leave my cash / credit card at home, and hit a meeting or call someone from my A.A. home group. Irl people help me to never crave alone.
If it’s just craving-lite, a hot bath or sauna, and a breathing meditation app are enough.