4 Ways to Stop Alcohol Cravings

Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and having a drink, remember that no one’s perfect. What matters most is your ability to maintain an open, curious outlook as you learn what does and doesn’t work for you. Maybe you don’t think you depend on alcohol exactly, but you still wonder whether you might be drinking too much. Remind yourself of why you want to cut back, talk to a friend about it and distract yourself with a hobby or exercise, the NIAAA suggests. Instead of aiming for complete abstinence, for instance, aim to drink fewer than seven days a week. “Try sober Mondays or sober Mondays through Wednesdays,” he says.

• It’s common to have a difficult time when making big changes, but good self-care practices can help you manage overwhelming feelings and take care of your mind and body.
• Nalmefene should only be taken if you’re receiving support to help you reduce your alcohol intake and continue treatment.
• You should also try to avoid substances that give off alcoholic fumes, such as paint thinners and solvents.
• The new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes cravings as part of the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay.

Staying Social When You Quit Drinking

How and where you attempt detoxification will be determined by your level of alcohol dependency. In mild cases, you should be able to detox at home without the use of medication as your withdrawal symptoms should also be mild. Always seek professional advice before attempting to give up alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent. Participation in one or more of these levels of care can help an individual access the care they need, allowing them the opportunity to develop a strong foundation for recovery. During that time, they can begin learning about relapse prevention strategies, such as how to manage alcohol cravings, and then expand upon it through additional programming. Cravings are response patterns that can be induced by these and other triggers.

Do a sobriety trial run, even if you’re in it for the long haul.

Ways you can try to relieve stress include reading, listening to music, going for a walk, and taking a bath. Cutting alcohol out completely will have a greater health benefit. However, moderation is often a more realistic goal, or at least a first step on the way to abstinence. Like the fly that was drawn to the pitcher plant by its sweet smell and vibrant color, our curiosity for alcohol begins with a harmless, even glamorous, impression of what the liquid in the bottle represents. One day, curiosity turns into the first sip—the harmless first taste.

Starting With a Primary Care Doctor

Learning to navigate drinking triggers in daily life can be difficult. A recovery coach can give you tools for dealing with strong alcohol cravings, help you set achievable goals, manage shame and stress, and track your progress accurately. Having an experienced person to talk to about your unique challenges can give you the confidence and the skills to keep moving forward when the going gets tough. It can take some time for a person’s brain chemistry to readjust after giving up alcohol. Many people also experience strong emotions they may have repressed while they were drinking, and experience stress when re-adjusting to daily life and building new routines that are alcohol-free.

Be prepared to discuss any problems that alcohol may be causing. You may want to take a family member or friend along, if possible. Understanding the available treatment options—from behavioral therapies and medications to mutual-support groups—is the first How to Stop Alcohol Cravings step. The important thing is to remain engaged in whatever method you choose. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications for treating alcohol dependence, and others are being tested to determine whether they are effective.

Where detox is carried out

In May, Bruce and other clients joined staffers in a birthday celebration for Lisa. At the time, Lisa said she was consuming more than a fifth of gin a day. Regular exercise can help reduce cravings by releasing endorphins and improving mood.

• Alcohol is one of the most common beverages consumed in today’s society.
• Understanding the available treatment options—from behavioral therapies and medications to mutual-support groups—is the first step.
• From month-long sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives.
• Over time, meditation can help you become more comfortable with the thoughts and feelings that arise in moments when you crave alcohol, which will help lessen cravings in that moment and in the future.
• You might eventually start craving that reward in new situations.