Breaking the cycle of addiction is not easy, and the work is never finished. Remaining in recovery is a daily effort, and the possibility of relapse is never far away. People begin to experience positive changes in their lives when they become sober. They return to school or get a job, heal relationships, and likely meet with others in recovery. While their health, appearance, and overall well-being will improve as they embrace recovery, cravings for alcohol will still happen. This is normal. Recovery from alcoholism is an experiential process that takes time and must be the person’s priority for them to remain sober.
Evoke Wellness Coconut Creek understands the recovery process and offers numerous aftercare support programs. Call 866.693.3871 today to learn how we can help you or a loved one remain sober.
What Is an Alcohol Craving?
As you might think, alcohol cravings are NOT like cravings for sugar or a particular food. Instead, people consume alcohol to change how they feel. Alcoholics get cravings because they are not at peace with their minds and emotions. Some people have been in recovery for decades and still get an occasional urge to drink.
Evoke Wellness Coconut Creek’s professional alcohol treatment program will provide access to aftercare and alumni programs that encourage lifelong sobriety. Relapse can be prevented, and the following suggestions will help anyone new or already remaining sober on how to beat alcohol cravings.
When a person craves alcohol, they are experiencing something that is making them uncomfortable. Still, once a person gets sober, they must learn to avoid people and situations that will cause them to crave alcohol for relief. For example, stress from some or all of the following can cause a recovering alcoholic to crave a drink:
- Challenging life events, like the death of a family member
- Job loss
- Financial insecurity
- Social engagements
- Family get-togethers
- Insecurity about work performance
The common thread here is mental and emotional stability.
Signs of Instability in Recovery
Recovering alcoholics who are unstable in their recovery will not likely remain sober. Anyone in recovery must accept that to enable true inner peace without drinking requires committed effort. Someone who does not attend recovery meetings or see a counselor regularly is likely to return to drinking. Signs of instability usually include these types of reactions:
- Lack of patience or tolerance
- Self-pity
- Blaming others
- Overreacting to situations with anger or fear
- Closed-mindedness when confronted with help
More people are struggling in their recovery than most people realize. Recovery is often complicated but more challenging when the person is resistant to receiving help and guidance.
How to Overcome Alcohol Cravings?
To realize what precedes an alcohol craving is the first step to stopping one before it starts. For example, few people in recovery will ever be comfortable going to a bar without the risk of intense cravings. Similarly, personal relationships that are contentious or stressful can likely trigger someone to desire a drink. These triggers must be avoided, and if unavoidable, coping skills gained in rehab and therapy must be deployed.
Someone in recovery who experiences an alcohol craving should immediately seek out a trusted friend or supporter and tell them about it. Keeping in feelings about wanting to drink is denial, part of active alcoholism. Therefore, talking to a sponsor, close friend, counselor, or relative is essential when a craving happens. Other ways to get through cravings include:
- Eating something sweet most often reduces alcohol cravings as sugar activates dopamine release like alcohol does
- Exercise during and after a craving will also end cravings and prevent them from happening as much.
- Behavioral therapy methods are ideal for beating cravings as they teach the person how to control thought patterns that lead to unpleasant feelings that cause cravings.
Evoke Wellness in Coconut Creek, FL Provides Comprehensive Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment
We have the expertise and experience in overcoming alcohol use disorders and how to enjoy life without drinking. Alcoholism can be helped with the proper support that is ongoing past treatment. Our alcohol use disorder (AUD) rehab programs provide relapse prevention, evidence-based behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, small group counseling, one-on-one counseling, and mindfulness recovery practices.
Do not let alcohol steal another day. The solution begins with comprehensive expert treatment in our in-depth alcohol use disorder program. Call 866.693.3871 today, or contact us online to learn more about all we have to offer.
