Using with a full stomach is a good starting point. Without fuel in your system, you quickly become exhausted and fatigued, increasing the urge to keep using. Filling up the fridge before buying base coke is a related approach. Prioritising basic needs before using is a significant step towards self-control.

Many users postpone their first hit as long as possible because they know that the first pipe can set off a chain reaction. Delaying the first dose allows time for other activities. Delay your first portion as long as possible; delaying the second portion is much harder.

Context plays a significant role in base coke use. Seeing people use or being offered coke can make it hard to say ‘no’. Avoiding the scene, such as not hanging around methadone clinics, helps maintain control.

Additionally, set boundaries for situations where you won’t use, such as before and during family visits, in the presence of children, before appointments, or outside your home or designated use area.

Doing something useful first and then smoking is a constructive self-control strategy. For instance, attend an important appointment or complete paperwork for new ID before using. Smoking afterward can then be seen as a reward to be fully enjoyed.

With base coke, you ingest a large amount all at once. Opting for a milder variant, such as smoking on foil (also known as chasing the dragon), can extend the use of the same amount and result in less intense highs and lows. This can help manage use more calmly and with greater control.

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If your focus is constantly on base coke, it’s hard to stay away. Boredom and use are often closely linked. Find distractions by engaging in activities that you enjoy, such as creative pursuits, sports, or spending time in nature.

Engaging in activities with or for others can help maintain a rhythm of different activities. Social contacts can also stimulate positive feelings like belonging, usefulness, or appreciation.

Set a budget for yourself. Cover essential expenses like rent and groceries first. Determine how much money you want to spend and buy enough in one go. Stick to this limit and avoid going out with large amounts of cash.

Once you’re on the coke train, it’s harder to stop without a brake. Identify what works as a brake for you and ensure you have it available when using. Some might use heroin or hashish to curb coke cravings, while others might find listening to favourite music helpful.

If you only acknowledge cravings when they are intense, resisting can be difficult. Learning to recognise cravings early provides an opportunity to act and turn the tide.

Cravings are often seen as undesirable, automatically leading to intense use. This is not necessarily true. Embracing cravings as just a feeling associated with use, and recognising that you can control your behaviour, can aid in developing self-control.

Cravings can be triggered by environmental factors. Avoid places where your dealer lives or where you see people with whom you usually use. Distract yourself and move to a less triggering environment.

Discussing your cravings can shift your focus. Seek support from someone who can help distract you and talk about it when you first feel cravings.

Exercise stimulates the brain and releases substances that make you feel good, which can push cravings to the background

A nutritious meal can help balance brain chemistry. Meals rich in vitamins and carbohydrates are particularly beneficial.

Stress can intensify cravings. The better you manage to relax, the less intense the cravings will be. A shower, a warm bath, a walk in nature, or a pleasant conversation with a friend can help.

Engage in activities that require focus and attention. This keeps you occupied and less likely to give in to cravings.

Cravings usually decrease or even disappear entirely after two or three hours. Learning that cravings don’t automatically lead to use makes it easier to simply experience the craving and let it pass.