7 Ways To Deal With Alcohol Craving After Undergoing Alcohol Treatment

First and foremost, it is important to recognize that alcoholism is a chronic medical illness¹ —it is not a “moral weakness” or a matter of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps”. Alcoholism can be defined as “a compulsion to seek and consume alcohol, a loss of control over consumption after beginning a drinking session, and a strong likelihood of relapse during or after withdrawal”²  There are definitive studies ^3,4,5  indicating that alcoholism and drug addiction is characterized by distinct differences in the brain’s chemistry ^6,7,8,9  that are based on genetics  as well as environment¹¹.  Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are among the most commons diseases, causing increased health care costs, serious illness and death and increased economic costs.

This doesn’t however mean that there is nothing you can do about alcoholism—because there definitely is! I know of a recent celebration in Arizona—for the 3 people celebrating, there was over 100 years of sobriety!

The first few days, weeks and months of sobriety are crucial

Cravings for alcohol diminish over time, but the first few days, weeks and months of sobriety are crucial.  The cravings can be brought on by internal cues (anxiety or the physical effects of withdrawal) or external (social situations, finding bottles of alcohol). Here are some tips that I hope will prove useful if you have decided to get clean and sober.

1. The single best advice I think I could give for dealing with cravings is to find a support group like AA. Find a sponsor—someone who has been clean and sober for a few years, has done all of the 12 steps involved in AA, and is willing to have you call them any hour if you need to talk to someone.  They have lived through those cravings and have survived them—and they will understand what you are dealing with.
2. Distract yourself with an enjoyable activity—go for a walk, a drive, talk to a friend or sponsor, clean your house, mow the lawn—anything that will keep you busy and thinking about something else. Find yourself a hobby or renew an old one.
3. Positive imagery:  Imagine a big stop sign or a red light. Remember good times you had when you were sober. Imagine the rewards for staying sober.
4. Practice rational answers to some of your “automatic” thinking.  For example, if you are thinking “I felt so much better when I was drinking” the answer might be “Yeah, I felt pretty good, but I really hurt so-and-so when I yelled at them”. Or “Yes, that was a great party, but on the way home I totaled my car and nearly killed myself!” If you are thinking “I won’t be able to get through this” the answer might be “Well, my sponsor, DanD has 32 years of sobriety—if he can do it, so can I!”
5. Make yourself some flashcards or put up post-it notes for yourself—and put the everywhere.  You might feel silly – but putting up those positive affirmations like “I can get through the next 10 minutes without drinking” or “I deserve to feel better about myself” do work and they do help.  Write down whatever seems right to you, and when you experience cravings, read your notes!
6. Remember that cravings are a normal part of the recovery process.  You and everyone else with alcoholism and addiction have experienced them.
7. Remember the “3 D’s”  

• Stop the Drama by not using terms like horrible, worst, unbearable or phrases like “I won’t survive” or “I can’t DO this!”
• Dispute expectations-This has to do with practicing the rational answers.  For example, you might remind yourself that while having a drink may help in the short-term, you won’t (and can’t) stop at just one—you’ll drink the whole bottle and be right back where you started.

Read More: The best approach to alcoholism recovery

• Distract- find that activity to distract yourself- make the goal achievable.  Start with 10 minutes…and then another 10 minutes and then another….

One of my favorite sayings from AA—and for years, I never knew that AA used it, is One Day at a Time!  My second favorite is It Works if You Work it! It does work—but it all depends on you.

Additional Tips

Reinvent your daily groove: Shake things up and make positive changes to your routine. Replace old habits associated with alcohol with new, healthier activities. Whether it's hitting the gym, trying out a new hobby, or taking a different route home, changing your routine can help break the cycle of alcohol cravings and create a fresh start.

Savor delicious substitutes: Explore a world of tasty alternatives to alcohol. Treat yourself to a variety of flavorful non-alcoholic beverages that can satisfy your cravings. From fruity mocktails and smoothies to herbal teas and gourmet sodas, there are countless options to indulge in without the negative effects of alcohol. Discover new tastes and textures that bring joy to your palate while supporting your commitment to sobriety.

Embrace mindful moments: Take time to cultivate awareness and be fully present in the present moment. Engage in mindfulness practices like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga to calm your mind and manage alcohol cravings as they arise. By focusing on the here and now, you can develop a greater sense of inner peace, reduce stress, and strengthen your ability to navigate through cravings with clarity and resilience.

While these strategies provide valuable guidance, it's important to recognize the power of support systems like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA offers a community of individuals who understand the challenges of addiction and provide invaluable support, guidance, and fellowship on the path to recovery. Engaging with AA or other support groups can enhance the effectiveness of the strategies discussed, as they provide a space for sharing experiences, receiving encouragement, and finding strength in unity.