[thephysacist]

I've spent 2 years clean from my addiction to cocaine taking it fairly well.

Recently, though, I've been very very tempted. I don't understand what this is stemming from.

Does anyone find that years later sometimes it can just overwhelm you out of nowhere? Am I alone in this?

I do not know about cocaine. I do know that I still get a hankering for a cigarette now and then even after being smoke free for over 12 years.

[Plutarch]

I am 1 year clean, and although I am mostly free of temptation, I can be watching a television show that has drug use and get an overwhelming craving, or pass by a store, or be in a bar. Anywhere I once associated with the drug. Sometimes my mind just wanders.
You are not alone! It is especially difficult because with drug use we build strong associations, when we encounter these places or things, it often brings on a strong desire to use.
Over time the associations lessen, and as far as I am aware, the desire to use becomes much easier to control. Congrats on your 2 years!

[cocos421]

Originally Posted by thephysacist

I've spent 2 years clean from my addiction to cocaine taking it fairly well.

Recently, though, I've been very very tempted. I don't understand what this is stemming from.

Does anyone find that years later sometimes it can just overwhelm you out of nowhere? Am I alone in this?

Yes, I was clean for over 3 or 4 years. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I'm bipolar. When I got a little hypomanic, I would think about partying. I'd drink alot but couldn't achieve "that" high. I wouldn't get drunk or really happy no matter how much I drank. I was trying to fill the void with booze.
But yes, I craved it so much. I told my therapist about it and my pdoc.
I enrolled in an Alcohol and Addictions program for 12 weeks or something, three days a week.
We had to abstain from alcohol and drugs. I quit drinking for 2 years, until now, but I stopped thinking about the drugs.

[jacpeaceandlove]

Well im glad that you got sober, its a really hard thing to overcome and get clean. i wish i could make it, Your lucky. what ever happens dont let it win again

[Christina86]

Congratulations on two years!

Sometimes in our addictions the further we get away from the addictive behaviour the stronger it tries to pull us back. Have you recently dealt with something/someone that reminds you of the past? Dealing with any current stressors?

Whatever you do - use whatever tools you've collected that helped you quit to ride out this new bout of temptation. Good luck and congrats again

[DePressMe]

thephysacist, the other members have posted some really good thoughts, so I'll not repeat them. I want you to now that I have not had a drink in over 4 years but it still sometimes gives me cravings too. You're not alone.

[Evening]

I think you should be absolutely wrapped for lasting two years! I am not an addict, but I grew up with addicts all around me, addiction runs on both sides of my family. My mother lasted 3 months when she came out of rehab, and 5 hours after she she got out of detox, before she relapsed.
Sadly it's something you have to keep fighting, no matter how long it's been. While my mother was in rehab, and after she got out, I was doing some group therapy to deal with things, and one thing I remember being told is that there is apparently a pattern of when people seem to relapse most often and nobody really knows why. Don't quote me on it but I think one of those points was at 2 years. I wish I'd written it down.

Has anyone else heard of that? If I am correct in my facts (and again, don't quote me on this because I could be wrong), then it might explain why you are suddenly craving again after 2 years.

How are you doing, thephysacist?