Alcohol cravings are very common in people who are trying to cut back on their drinking. Here, we explore what cravings are, why we get them, and how to manage alcohol cravings.

Page medically reviewed by Claire Rimmer BA Hons , Dip. Psychology, FDAD NCAC , Lead Addiction Therapist at Priory Hospital Altrincham , in June Making the decision to cut back on your drinking , or stop drinking entirely, is a really positive step towards a much healthier lifestyle.

However, reducing your alcohol intake can lead you to experience cravings for alcohol. These can be quite intense and powerful, especially if you are in the early days of your recovery from addiction.

Alcohol cravings feel like an overwhelming urge to drink alcohol. Your cravings might be so strong that you find it hard to concentrate or think about anything else until the craving has passed. You might also experience other difficult or unpleasant symptoms alongside your cravings.

These can include anxiety, sleep problems, irritability, low energy and poor appetite. Cravings are common in the early stages of recovery and you may experience them on and off for a number of years.

A typical craving usually lasts for a few minutes. There are three key reasons why you might experience cravings when you reduce your drinking or stop drinking completely. These are:. Frequent drinking can cause your body to build a tolerance to alcohol.

These can include feelings of anxiety, irritability, nausea and headaches, as well as intense cravings for alcohol. Cravings can also be triggered by situations or emotions. Habits are often quick to form and can be hard to break.

If you developed a habit of reaching for a drink after a long day at work, or to celebrate the start of the weekend, you might find that you crave alcohol at these times. This is because these scenarios can act like a cue to drink. Pamela Roberts , Addiction Therapist at Priory Hospital Woking.

Knowing that the craving is only temporary and will go away on its own can help you to get through it without reaching for a drink. Acknowledge this natural sensartion and remind yourself that is will subside. Distractions may include:. These distractions can help you to focus on something other than the craving, allowing you to get through it.

These can include activities like mindfulness, meditation or yoga. It is very easy to engage in unhealthy habits if you become stressed - such as overeating, watching too much TV and not engaging in physical exercise. Keep up with good sleep habits as quality sleep has an incredibly restorative function that many of us marginalise at our peril.

During this time, engage in another activity. Delaying can often lead to a decrease in the intensity of cravings. Hydration plays a vital role in managing cravings. Sometimes, your body may confuse thirst with a desire for alcohol. Drinking a glass of water can help quench your thirst and alleviate the craving.

Opt for a snack that you enjoy but is also nutritious. This can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and reduce cravings for drinking alcohol. Reaching out to a supportive friend or family member can make a significant difference.

Sometimes, a conversation with someone you trust can help you navigate your craving by providing encouragement, understanding, and a sense of connection.

Most people who experience cravings find it difficult to control on their own. One of the ways to control alcohol cravings is through medically assisted treatment.

Some medication-assisted strategies and interventions reduce the physical responses when experiencing alcohol cravings. These alcohol addiction treatments can curb cravings and make walking away from the situation more manageable.

Identifying the specific situations or external and internal triggers, places, or people that trigger your alcohol cravings is a crucial step. Recognizing this trigger allows you to create a plan to avoid or cope with such situations. You might decide to meet friends at a quieter venue or practice relaxation techniques before heading to a social event.

Making healthy lifestyle choices can significantly impact your ability to curb alcohol cravings. Regular physical activity is one example. Engaging in activities like swimming, hiking, or dancing can not only improve your overall well-being but also release endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers.

Incorporating a balanced diet with supplements can give the body the nutrients it needs and maintain stable blood sugar levels, reducing cravings. Coping skills are valuable tools for managing alcohol cravings. One effective technique is mindfulness meditation.

For instance, picture yourself using mindfulness when faced with a craving. You might focus on your breath, tuning in to its rhythm, and observe the sensations within your body. This can help you acknowledge the craving without acting on it.

Most health professionals will offer various treatment options like this. Using medication that helps reduce the urge to drink can be helpful for some people.

One of the most common medications to help reduce alcohol cravings is ReVia, also known as naltrexone. This medication was created to help people with opioid cravings, but experts realized that it helps with alcohol cravings, too. Consideration of current medical issues is also imperative.

The usual dose for treating alcohol cravings is 50 milligrams once per day. Another medication used to curb alcohol cravings is Campral.

This drug also goes by the name acamprosate. This treatment works differently because it helps reduce the amount the drinker ingests. This might be an excellent treatment for someone who wants to still drink socially without going overboard and becoming intoxicated in the process. Campral is taken with each meal, and the average dose is mg per day taken as two mg tablets, three times daily.

Some anticonvulsant drugs, such as Topamax or topiramate, also work to reduce the cravings for alcohol. Another approach is taking medication that makes the person violently ill when they drink. This drug is called Antabuse or disulfiram. The treatment helps the person not crave alcohol because of the unpleasant experience.

The need to address the specific triggers that cause cravings is essential for recovery and helps make the process more effective. If done correctly, therapy for alcohol addiction can reduce the number of triggers and urges a person has when trying to quit drinking.

The goal is to identify the trigger and analyze the feeling the person gets from that trigger and how it relates to their drinking. Part of behavioral therapy is also providing the patient with coping skills and other valuable strategies to help them overcome the desire for heavy drinking.

The most commonly used treatment is substance use disorder therapy. This type of treatment uses varied approaches that treat each individual uniquely. Treating alcohol addiction with treatment and medication helps reduce the instances of relapse.