Posted 29 Apr, 2025
Alcohol cravings are a strong urge to drink alcohol.
They can affect anyone who drinks but can be particularly challenging for people who have quit drinking, are in recovery or are trying to moderate heavier drinking patterns. Here we will look at some of the issues and how to stop alcohol cravings.
Alcohol is an addictive substance that affects a number of different parts of the body, brain and central nervous system. Drinking affects the reward system of the brain, and the pleasurable aspects of drinking – including increased confidence, lowered inhibition and mild euphoria – produce a ‘reinforcing’ effect. Cravings can occur because the drinker subconsciously wants to recreate these positive feelings or associations.
At the same time, long-term drinking can lead to increasing tolerance, meaning you need to drink more for the same effect, and in some cases, may need to drink just to feel normal. Your system adjusts to the presence of alcohol and changes your brain chemistry. When the alcohol is taken away or drastically reduced, you may experience a range of unpleasant physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Cravings may be a reaction to these unpleasant feelings and a way to avoid or relieve them.
There are also psychological aspects at play. Stressful situations can trigger cravings, especially if alcohol has been used previously as a ‘crutch’ to relieve stress. Places and situations that are strongly associated with alcohol consumption can also trigger strong cravings. Stimuli or cues such as smelling alcohol, seeing someone else drinking or even an advertisement depicting alcohol use all have the potential to trigger cravings.
When cravings strike, it can be very helpful to have some strategies to hand to deal with those cravings in the moment. Cravings will often pass quickly if you find ways to deal with them, although sometimes they can linger.
Keeping busy can help you to deal with cravings, and healthy distractions can be very useful. You could try watching a short video, calling or messaging friends or family, taking part in some exercise or trying your hand at something creative like drawing or writing.
Other useful things to try could include well-being and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation or breathing exercises. Being aware of the cravings and remaining grounded can help you to ride them out.
If you want to learn how to stop alcohol cravings entirely, you will also need to think in the long term. This could involve seeking out alcohol addiction support if you feel you have a serious problem. Alcohol treatment programmes and peer support groups can provide important help with alcohol cravings, as well as helping you deal with all the other aspects of alcohol misuse and addiction.
There are also a number of things that anyone can do, whether they have a serious alcohol problem or just want to be able to drink more moderately. Therapy can help you to re-examine your relationship with alcohol and to change the way you think and behave around drinking.
Changing your lifestyle can also help to reduce cravings over the long term, as well as help you to deal with them if they do arise. Some people who quit or cut back on drinking find that boredom, or even just the fear of not knowing what to do with themselves, can be an issue. Taking up new hobbies, creative activities, or career challenges can help you stay occupied and provide other avenues for satisfaction and well-being.
Taking up healthier habits, including exercise, a balanced diet and a good sleep routine, can improve both your physical and mental health and could also help stave off cravings.
Long-term drinking can upset the delicate balance of your brain chemistry. One of the main effects is on a chemical known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps regulate anxiety and mood. Regular drinking or binge drinking can also deplete levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a molecule that is present in all living cells and is central to metabolic processes.
If you’re looking for natural ways to stop alcohol cravings, adopting a healthy diet can help to replenish key nutrients and restore the balance of chemicals that you need. You can also give your system a boost with supplements for alcohol cravings and chemical balance.
If you’re looking to quit or control your drinking but are worried about cravings, a natural supplement like Sober Relief could help as part of a holistic approach to recovery.
Sober Relief is made from 100% natural ingredients, with essential active components including the herb bacopa monnieri, acetate from cider apple vinegar and MCT oil.
Bacopa monnieri is known to bolster brain function and diminish stress, while acetate promotes healthy digestion and increases serotonin levels, which helps to stabilise mood and promote healthy sleep cycles. MCT oil boosts NAD+ and is a supplement often used by athletes to boost energy. The blend of ingredients is based on scientific knowledge Sober Relief is specifically designed to help mitigate the adverse effects of alcohol withdrawal, including alcohol cravings.
As part of a holistic approach and healthy lifestyle, a supplement like Sober Relief also supports the body’s natural balance, reduces stress, boosts energy and promotes mental clarity. If you’re ready to take the positive step of taking control your drinking, explore how Sober Relief could support your journey towards sobriety today.
If you have decided to take that step, congratulations – just making that decision is one of the most positive things you can do. Stopping or even reducing your drinking can improve your physical and mental health, improve your relationships and save you money.
The journey can be challenging, but you are certainly not alone in that challenge. Cravings are both common and manageable, especially with the right help and strategies in place, and the benefits can be huge. Contact us today for more information.
