One significant challenge in recovering from alcohol use disorder is managing cravings for alcohol. These cravings are ingrained response patterns that emerge due to various biological and environmental factors or other triggers that activate these responses.
In this blog post, our experts from The Orchids discuss how long it takes for alcohol cravings to go away and how we can manage those cravings safely.
Understanding Alcohol Cravings
Cravings can be understood as intense desires for alcohol that may arise unexpectedly or be triggered by particular circumstances. These can be biological, indicating that your body is responding to the lack of alcohol, or psychological, which can be associated with the habits or emotions tied to drinking.
Alcohol influences the brain’s reward system, which governs sensations of pleasure and elevates dopamine levels, which results in feelings of euphoria. As a result, when you cease drinking, dopamine levels decrease, which can lead to cravings.
How Long Do Alcohol Cravings Last?
Alcohol cravings can take time to go away, and how long this takes varies widely among individuals. The duration for these urges to diminish depends on several factors, such as how dependent a person is on alcohol, how long and how much they have been drinking, their overall health, and how effective their treatment is.
Typically, cravings are strongest in the early days of recovery. For some people, cravings may decrease significantly within weeks or months of stopping drinking, while others might still face occasional urges years into their recovery.
Symptoms Of Alcohol Cravings
Alcohol cravings can be intense, which makes it difficult for people to control their desire to drink. They might feel a powerful urge to consume alcohol, and they might even have constant thoughts about wanting to drink. Some individuals may feel withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking or sweating, and experience significant discomfort and distress.
What To Expect During Alcohol Withdrawal?
One clear sign of alcohol dependency is going through alcohol withdrawal. This happens when someone suddenly stops drinking after a long period of heavy use. Over time, the body and brain get used to regular drinking, and stopping alcohol consumption can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Besides these uncomfortable symptoms, alcohol withdrawal can also lead to serious physical and psychological health risks.
Stages Of Alcohol Withdrawal
Many people with alcohol use disorder or alcohol abuse problems have cravings from time to time. While this is common, there isn’t a single way to describe what a craving feels like. This is because each person experiences cravings a bit differently.
Cravings are a sign of alcohol withdrawal. When alcohol is taken away, the body reacts strongly, and people might experience different stages of alcohol withdrawal, such as:
Acute Alcohol Withdrawal
Withdrawal from alcohol commonly occurs within the initial week following quitting alcohol consumption. It is marked by symptoms including intense cravings, perspiration, elevated body temperature, and potentially more severe manifestations such as hallucinations or seizures. These alcohol withdrawal symptoms can pose significant health risks and may even be life-threatening.
Post-Acute Alcohol Withdrawal
After the initial withdrawal phase, many people experience a longer-term withdrawal condition called post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS. Common symptoms of PAWS include anxiety, mood changes, sleep problems, and continued cravings for alcohol. PAWS can last for weeks or even months during recovery, but it does improve over time.
Why Do We Experience Alcohol Cravings?
Several factors may contribute to the occurrence of cravings when one decreases alcohol consumption entirely. One of the most common factors is alcohol withdrawal. Drinking often can make your body get used to alcohol. This means you will need to drink more to feel drunk, which can lead to alcohol dependence. If you try to cut back or stop drinking, you might experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, nausea, headaches, and strong cravings for alcohol. In more serious cases, withdrawal can cause seizures and delirium tremens, which can be dangerous. These symptoms happen because the brain becomes overactive and unbalanced when alcohol is suddenly taken away.
Alcohol cravings can also be triggered by specific situations or emotions. For instance, you might want a drink when you visit a bar where you used to drink, at a party, or while on vacation. Similarly, feelings like stress can lead you to crave the relaxation you feel from drinking.
Managing Alcohol Cravings
Although dealing with alcohol cravings can be challenging, there are many ways how to manage them effectively and safely.
Identify Triggers
Recognizing what causes alcohol cravings is the first step to handling them well. Think about the situations, feelings, or places that usually make you want to drink. Common triggers may also include stress, social events, certain individuals, loneliness, or boredom.
Distraction
When experiencing a craving, it is crucial to redirect your focus away from alcohol. Participating in activities that captivate and catch your interest can be beneficial. Options may include reading literature, engaging in a game, or walking.
Avoid Temptation
In many situations, the smartest choice is to avoid the risk of wanting to drink and then giving in. At home, try to have little or no alcohol around. When socializing, skip events that focus on drinking.
Stay In Control
Set a limit on your drinking. Aim to have several alcohol-free days each week. Write down your drinking goal and place it somewhere visible, like on your phone or your fridge. Over time, as you practice new ways to respond, your urges to drink will weaken, and you will feel more confident in handling any urges that come up.
Support System
It is essential to seek assistance from friends, family, or support groups. Establishing a network of individuals who comprehend and empathize with your experiences can offer significant encouragement and accountability. Online communities, support hotlines, and local support groups create a secure environment for sharing experiences, acquiring insights, and obtaining guidance during difficult periods.
Lifestyle Change
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can profoundly influence one’s capacity to manage alcohol cravings. One effective strategy is to participate in regular physical exercise. Activities such as swimming, hiking, or dancing not only enhance overall health but also stimulate the release of endorphins, which serve as natural mood boosters.
Seek Professional Help
If you find yourself struggling to manage your alcohol cravings, it is advisable to seek assistance from a professional. It is entirely normal to require additional support during challenging periods. Mental health experts, including therapists and counsellors with a focus on addiction, can offer customized strategies, therapeutic interventions, and guidance that cater to your unique circumstances. In certain instances, medications or therapeutic approaches aimed at alleviating alcohol cravings may also be suggested.
Get Alcohol Cravings And Addiction Treated At Orchid
Excessive alcohol cravings can signal a need to pay attention to your drinking habits. While alcohol cravings can be challenging, you can manage them with determination, self-awareness, and effective strategies. It’s important to seek support, build healthy habits, and be patient with yourself as you work through these cravings for a healthier, happier life.
If you’re trying to reduce your alcohol consumption or are thinking about quitting drinking, understanding your cravings and how to handle them is a great starting point. If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms of alcohol addiction, consider reaching out to The Orchid for help.
