Updated: September, 2024.
When you are attempting to make changes to your drinking habits or drug use, it can be frustrating trying to figure out how to control urges. You might be doing your best to avoid taking drugs or drinking, but you still find yourself having drug and alcohol urges or cravings. Not all is lost, however. There are a number of ways to manage and reduce urges or cravings.
There is no single best method or silver bullet. Some methods are more helpful early on in your efforts to change your drinking, whether it be to cut back or to stop drinking entirely. Other methods are considered somewhat more advanced strategies.
The list we present here is based on empirical research on clinical protocols for addressing alcohol cravings in treatment. The good news is that using these methods can improve our ability to manage and reduce urges.
These ways to fight alcohol cravings can be helpful for those individuals making changes in their drinking on their own and not in an alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction treatment program.
First the highlights.
Here are some good reasons to keep track of your alcohol cravings:
At CheckUp & Choices, we have a program specifically designed to help you track and confront your alcohol cravings. In our app we ask people to keep track of the date, time, intensity (1–10), and duration of their alcohol cravings. Taking note of everything allows you to realize that urges increase and decrease in intensity over time. And keeping track over time gives you the chance to see if your efforts to reduce your urges and cravings are working. Or not.
Avoiding things that trigger alcohol cravings can be a helpful strategy early on in your efforts to change your drinking and manage your urges. If, for example, you usually drink Friday afternoons or evenings after work with drinking buddies or the gals, make plans to do something else during that time with other friends or family members who aren’t into drinking or drinking heavily. Set up a dinner date with your spouse. Go work out. Have friends over for dinner that you make (unless drinking alcohol while you’re cooking is part of your routine). These are just examples.
Sometimes you can’t avoid internal triggers which may be feelings you have or a physical sensation that comes on from time to time. Once you begin to crave alcohol, distract yourself with something that takes your attention. Maybe that would be watching an interesting documentary, doing a cleaning chore, or lifting weights. Or go out and run an errand. Check back in with yourself in 30 – 45 minutes and see if the urges intensity has changed. And if the first distraction isn’t helpful, try another. Or use another strategy altogether.
Think of the urge as a cue, a signal. It’s telling you that there is something going on at the present moment that is making these cravings happen. It might be telling you to have a drink, but it’s not controlling you. While having an urge can be uncomfortable, it won’t hurt you. With practice, the urge can become a signal that it’s time to use an urge coping strategy.
Another strategy is to “DISARM” your urges. It’s both popular and widely used in SMART Recovery® and fits best when you’re trying to abstain. It was originally developed by Joseph Gerstein MD, an early co-founder of SMART Recovery (and a good friend of ours). Here are the steps to DISARM:
Refusing drinks in a way that is assertive without being aggressive is a skill and can help you head off people pressuring you to drink (or drink heavily). Here are the elements:
Naltrexone is a prescription medication that can reduce your urge to drink or to drink heavily. It’s available as a pill (generic) and as a once monthly injection (Vivitrol) given in a physician’s office. The generic pills are relatively inexpensive. Vivitrol is a bit more expensive, but does not require a daily decision. While the FDA has not approved naltrexone for moderate drinking in the U.S., it is used for this purpose in Europe. Your primary care provider may or may not be willing to prescribe you naltrexone for cutting back on your drinking if that is your goal.
Meditation and mindfulness are two hot topics these days because they can create positive feelings and improve mental health. When learned and practiced, meditation can reduce urges and cravings as well as help develop a sense of calmness and well-being.
A colleague of ours, Dr. Sarah Bowen, has generously posted a page of resources for clients interested in meditation and mindfulness at https://www.mindfulrp.com/For-Clients.html There are 24 different MP3 files with the option of male or female voices that I highly recommend. They are free downloads.
The intensity of urges can increase and decrease over time. Think about these ebbs and flows as though they were waves in the ocean. When you have strong cravings, relax. Let yourself ride the swell. Feel how they come and go. The urge loses its grip on you when you realize it won’t last forever. Dr. Bowen’s MP3 files offer an excellent “urge surfing” meditation.
Both avoiding triggers and distraction can work well. But if that’s all you do, they can leave you tired and fearful of urges. To overcome urges and not be fearful of them, you’ll need more advanced methods. You’ll need to experience the urge, but not act on it, until the urge lessens and goes away. And it will.
As you gain confidence in not drinking or over-drinking, there’s another step you can take. Carefully expose yourself to common triggers while you’re with someone who’s supportive of you. This can help you feel confident that you won’t act on an urge you might experience. When you can sit with the urge comfortably, try it alone.
Look at the urge from an objective standpoint. First, stop and notice your thoughts and feelings. This can take practice so be patient. Think about what the urge does to you. Does it create physical sensations? How does it affect your heart rate? Your level of tension or nervousness? What does it lead you to think?
Ask yourself, “While these reactions may be unpleasant, will I really go out of my mind if I don’t give in to the urge to drink?” Note how these reactions vary across time as you respond passively to the alcohol cravings.
Talk to yourself. Out loud if possible. What are your reasons for changing your drinking habits in the first place? How good will you feel later if you’ve been successful and not given into the urge?
Consider how giving into an urge keeps it alive while not giving into the urge slowly kills it. While you can’t make the urge go away, you can see it for what it is. It is all that remains of your relationship with alcohol.
Sometimes you can use the urge to help identify a problem. Is something going on in your life right now that’s creating some negative feelings? Did you have some fleeting thought that didn’t seem like a big deal, but maybe caused this craving? Were you spending time with someone and suddenly had the urge to drink?
You can’t always change the situation that’s creating these feelings. But you may be able to change how you respond. One way or another, if you can change your response to the urge, you can then change your response to the negative feelings.
Seek support from friends, family, or support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Talking to someone who understands what you’re going through can provide encouragement and help you stay motivated.
Engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These techniques can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common triggers for alcohol cravings.
Find alternative activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Focus on hobbies, exercise, or spending time with loved ones. These activities can distract you from cravings and provide a healthier outlet for stress and emotions.
Remove alcohol from your home and surround yourself with a supportive and alcohol-free living environment. This can help reduce the accessibility and temptation of alcohol.
Take a moment to visualize the benefits of sobriety and the positive changes that will come from overcoming alcohol cravings. Remind yourself of your long-term goals and the rewards that await you on your journey.
Alcohol cravings are intense, often overwhelming urges to drink. They can be so powerful that they dominate your thoughts, making it difficult to focus on anything else. These cravings are a common experience for those trying to reduce their alcohol intake or maintain sobriety, especially in the early stages of recovery.
It’s important to understand that cravings are typically short-lived, usually lasting only a few minutes, though they can feel much longer in the moment. They may occur sporadically for several years during recovery, gradually decreasing in frequency and intensity over time.
Cravings often come hand-in-hand with other symptoms, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritability, low energy, and poor appetite. These associated symptoms can exacerbate the challenge of managing cravings, making a holistic approach to recovery essential.
The root causes of alcohol cravings are multifaceted. They can stem from physical withdrawal, especially if you’ve developed a tolerance to alcohol. Environmental or emotional triggers, such as being in places associated with drinking or experiencing stress, can also spark cravings. Additionally, ingrained habits related to alcohol consumption can trigger the desire to drink in certain situations or at particular times.
Understanding the science behind cravings can be empowering in your recovery journey. Alcohol misuse significantly alters brain chemistry, particularly affecting the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a crucial role in the brain’s reward system. With prolonged alcohol use, the brain begins to associate alcohol with pleasure and reward, reinforcing the desire to drink.
Genetic factors can influence the intensity of cravings, with some individuals being more predisposed to strong urges due to their genetic makeup. Environmental factors, such as growing up in a household where alcohol misuse was prevalent, can also play a significant role in shaping one’s relationship with alcohol and the intensity of cravings.
Effectively managing alcohol cravings involves a combination of short-term strategies for immediate relief and long-term approaches for sustained recovery.
Short-Term Strategies
One effective immediate strategy is the HALT method. When a craving hits, check if you’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Often, addressing these basic needs can alleviate the urge to drink.
Reality checks are another powerful tool. When you feel a craving, remind yourself of the negative consequences of drinking. This can help counteract any romanticized memories of alcohol use.
Physical activity can be a great way to shift your focus and boost your mood. Even a short walk or some light exercises can help reduce the intensity of cravings.
Engaging in a hobby or any enjoyable activity can serve as an effective distraction. Whether it’s reading, painting, gardening, or playing an instrument, immersing yourself in an activity you love can help the craving pass.
Talking about your cravings with supportive friends, family members, or support group peers can also be incredibly helpful. Sometimes, simply expressing your feelings can reduce their power over you.
Urge surfing is a mindfulness technique where you observe your craving like a wave. Instead of fighting it, you let it rise and fall without acting on it. This can help you build resilience and confidence in facing cravings.
Other helpful short-term strategies include eating something sweet (which can be particularly helpful in early sobriety), using various distraction techniques like calling a friend or taking a shower, practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, visualizing your goals for sobriety, and creating a sober-friendly environment by removing alcohol from your home and surrounding yourself with supportive influences.
For sustained management of alcohol cravings, consider joining support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. These groups provide a community of people who understand your struggles and can offer valuable support and advice.
Engaging in shadow work, a process of facing and integrating repressed parts of yourself, can be transformative in recovery. This deep psychological work can help address underlying issues that may be driving your desire to drink.
Professional therapy is another crucial long-term strategy. A therapist can help you address underlying issues, develop coping strategies, and provide ongoing support in your recovery journey.
Regular mindfulness practice, such as meditation and yoga, can help reduce overall reactivity to triggers and enhance your ability to manage cravings when they arise.
Some individuals find medication-assisted treatment (MAT) helpful. Options like naltrexone, acamprosate, and others can help reduce cravings or make alcohol less rewarding. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medication.
Developing new, healthy coping mechanisms to replace alcohol is essential for long-term success. This might involve learning stress management techniques, finding new ways to socialize without alcohol, or developing healthier sleep habits.
Overall well-being plays a significant role in managing cravings. Focus on maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise routine, and good sleep hygiene. These lifestyle factors can significantly impact your ability to resist cravings and maintain sobriety.
Building a strong support network is crucial. Surround yourself with people who understand and support your goals for sobriety. This might include family, friends, support group members, or a sponsor.
Your diet can play a surprising role in managing alcohol cravings. Certain foods may help curb these urges. Dark chocolate, rich in antioxidants and magnesium, can satisfy sweet cravings that sometimes masquerade as alcohol cravings. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that support overall health and can help stabilize mood. Whole grains offer complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy, potentially reducing the likelihood of energy crashes that might trigger cravings.
Lean proteins can keep you feeling full and satisfied, reducing the chance of misinterpreting hunger as an alcohol craving. Nuts and seeds, packed with healthy fats and proteins, make excellent snacks that can help manage cravings. Interestingly, spicy foods can trigger an endorphin release similar to alcohol, potentially satisfying the desire for that “buzz.” Fermented foods may improve gut health and mood, indirectly supporting your efforts to manage cravings.
In addition to these specific foods, maintaining overall balanced nutrition is crucial. Stay well-hydrated, eat regular meals to maintain stable blood sugar levels, and consider foods rich in Vitamin B6 (like bananas, avocados, and chickpeas) and Omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds), as these nutrients support brain health and may help in managing cravings.
How do we think about the various tips & tricks presented here and elsewhere? It turns out that most of these tactics have either been derived from or can be categorized under 2 popular treatment approaches to treating alcohol and substance abuse in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP). Managing alcohol cravings can be a significant challenge for individuals who are trying to cut back or quit drinking entirely. Various philosophies and approaches have been developed to address this issue, two of which include:
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?:
This approach is based on the understanding that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected. The aim of CBT is to challenge and change unhelpful cognitive distortions (thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes) and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and developing personal coping strategies that target solving current problems. CBT teaches individuals to recognize situations in which they are most likely to drink, avoid these circumstances if possible, and cope with other problems and behaviors that may lead to their alcohol use. In terms of cravings, it could involve identifying triggers, developing distraction techniques, and practicing mindfulness.
What is Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP)?:
This approach combines traditional cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention strategies with mindfulness meditation. The objective is to increase awareness and acceptance of one’s experiences, even the discomforting ones like cravings, instead of attempting to suppress or avoid them. Practitioners of MBRP believe that the ability to sit with discomfort, observe it without judgment, and let it pass can significantly reduce the power of a craving. This philosophy can include techniques such as urge surfing, where one imagines the craving as a wave, peaking in intensity and then naturally subsiding.
Remember, it’s essential for anyone struggling with alcohol use to seek professional help. Different approaches work for different individuals, and a healthcare provider can help tailor a treatment plan that fits the individual’s unique needs. Also, there is medication available that can help manage cravings. These should be used under the direction of a healthcare provider.
Hopefully these methods for handling urges to drink (updated for 2023) along with a better understanding of the different treatment approaches they’re derived from, can give you some self-control and confidence and ultimately help you in your goal of quitting drinking or cutting back on drinking.
If you are interested in changing your relationship with drugs or alcohol or would simply like to learn more about your own habits, take our free screener. You might be surprised by what you learn!
Dr. Reid K. Hester, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and the Co-Founder of CheckUp & Choices, serving as the Director of its Research Division.
Dr. Hester has published over 60 journal articles on the topic of substance misuse and digital interventions including in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the Journal of Medical Internet Research, and The Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.
A leader in his field, his opinions, online resources and research have been featured in The New York Times, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Vogue, and Men’s Health among others
Dr. Hester received his masters and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Washington State University in 1979.