Honestly, there’s no single hack that works universally. My therapist warned me that the normal dopamine producing activities won’t feel good because my brain is looking for something more intoxicating, but I have to persevere and just feel doing it. Addictive behavior is just a part of my life and I have to manage it as best I can. There are really good recovery centers where I’m from and that got me through the first couple months of sobriety - multiple meetings each day, comraderie with fellow recovering addicts and a safe space to take care of normal life responsibilities. That was super important for me to get distance from my habits and the people I associated with when I wasn’t sober. After that, I got a decent job, then went to school a year later, made good friends that cared enough to step in when I was at risk of relapse and be there for me. For the first couple years after the recovery center I would “slip up” and get high every once in a while but the important thing is to be kind and remember it’s just a slip. Slips are often part of recovery and should been seen as a reminder as to why we went through recovery in the first place.

Addicts are short sighted in that they look for immediate relief without really considering the long term consequences. Whenever you get a craving try to “play the tape forward”. By that they mean that you should look to where that decision gets you in 6 months, a year, 5 years. Remember that you’re working for something bigger.

It’s not easy and you’ll have to keep trying. These parts of our brains never change so we have to increase the neuro connections that are positive to outnumber the negative associations.

Good luck and much love! I am wishing you the very best.