How to Control Alcohol Cravings

For people trying to cut back or quit drinking, alcohol cravings can seriously hurt their efforts. Alcohol cravings affect the body and the mind, trying to convince you that you need to drink. To continue your sobriety, you must deal with and control these cravings, and there are many different ways to do so that involve healthy ways of thinking and taking care of your body.

Instructions

• 1

  Avoid places or activities you associate with drinking. Even if you don't plan to drink or don't want to drink, you are much more likely to drink if you hang out at bars or spend time with people you used to drink with. When your body is used to alcohol, it associates certain behaviors with drinking, so avoid those triggers.

• 2

  Start a new hobby to teach yourself new habits. Go to the gym, play chess or go to the movies. You can retrain your body to ignore your alcohol cravings and learn new things.

• 3

  Eat healthy and take care of your body. Exercise, take a multivitamin and get plenty of rest. Good physical health can lead to good mental health.

• 4

  Distract yourself when alcohol cravings strike. Read a book, play video games or surf the Internet. Lie down and put on headphones with immersing music and try to think about anything other than alcohol.

• 5

  Join a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous to discuss your cravings with other sufferers. These groups help you learn about alcoholism and alcohol cravings, and how to cope with them. They are also a great way to meet people fighting the same battle as you.

• 6

  Seek professional medical help and ask for a prescription to help control your alcohol cravings. Medications like Antabuse and Revia can help if your doctor determines that you are a candidate for them.

• 7

  Talk to your family and friends about your problems. Surrounding yourself with people who encourage your sober living can also help control the cravings.