Alcohol cravings are experienced by people who struggle with alcohol addiction or those in recovery from alcohol abuse. Alcohol cravings are often the worst during the withdrawal or detox phase but can last for a long period of time after you have quit drinking. Although experiencing these feelings can be challenging, alcohol cravings do eventually go away.
Find out how long it takes for alcohol cravings to go away and the recovery process here.
What Are Alcohol Cravings?
Alcohol cravings are experienced by people with alcohol addiction and consist of the intense desire or urge to consume alcohol.
Alcohol cravings can feel like a gut-wrenching physical yearning for just one drink, or an urge to drink no matter where you are or what time of day it is, and they can be triggered by just about anything.
- stress
- trauma
- withdrawal or going cold turkey after a long spell of drinking
- you’re exhausted
- struggling with mental health
A lot of people battling alcohol addiction will know this feeling all too well. And those trying to get sober will be all too aware of just how hard it is to overcome. Getting your head round managing alcohol cravings often requires finding some new coping mechanisms to deal with the urge to drink, getting support from people who have been in your shoes and also from some proper medical professionals, and getting to the bottom of what’s really driving those cravings in the first place.
With time, with some real help from people who understand what you’re going through, and a commitment to staying sober, it’s possible to learn to manage those cravings and eventually make them go away for good.
Find out how to avoid relapse.
Is It Normal to Get Alcohol Cravings in Recovery?
Yes. It’s very normal to find yourself still getting the urge to drink in the recovery process and especially in those first few weeks of not drinking whilst your body is adjusting. These cravings can come up when you’ve got a lot on your plate, in social situations, when you see reminders of drinking, or through old emotional triggers.
That being said, it is always best to seek out a professional for help in managing your cravings to increase your chances of not going back to drinking.
How Long Does It Take for Alcohol Cravings to Go Away?
It can take alcohol cravings a while to go away and the exact timeframe varies significantly from person to person. The length of time it takes for urges to drink to go away depends on various factors, including the individual’s level of alcohol dependence, the duration and intensity of their alcohol use, their overall physical and psychological health, and the effectiveness of their treatment.
In general, alcohol cravings are the most intense during the early stages of addiction recovery and tend to gradually decrease in frequency and intensity over time, most commonly in the first few weeks of recovery.
However, there is no fixed timeline for when cravings for alcohol will completely disappear, as they may persist to some extent even after long periods of sobriety.
For some individuals, alcohol cravings may reduce significantly within a few weeks or months of sobriety, while others may continue to experience occasional cravings for years after they begin recovery.
It’s important for individuals in recovery to understand that occasional cravings are normal and do not necessarily indicate a lack of progress or commitment to sobriety. You can also speak to a doctor or addiction specialist if you are concerned about alcohol cravings and withdrawal.
Why Cravings Can Come Back Months or Years Later
Cravings that come back long after the initial withdrawal are called post-acute withdrawal syndrome. Understanding it can make cravings feel much less alarming if you experience it.
The physical side of alcohol withdrawal resolves quickly, usually with 10 days. But for a lot of people it’s then followed by a second, much longer phase, which is post alcohol withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This phase comes with anxiety, low mood, broken sleep, trouble focusing, and, of course, cravings, which can swing wildly from one day to the next for months or even over a year as your brain slowly gets back into balance after months of heavy drinking.
10 to 25% of people who make it through detox will go on to experience PAWS at some level and it’s pretty much the main reason people struggle in the first year of recovery.
Drinking heavily changes how we regulate our own mood and energy chemical systems (GABA and glutamate), and even once you’ve stopped drinking completely, it can take months for those systems to get themselves sorted out again. Cravings during this time are a symptom of the brain still trying to get itself back in balance.
PAWS symptoms tend to come in waves and not in steady decline – a week or so of being okay can get replaced by a tough few days, which is what usually catches people off guard.
What to Expect During Alcohol Withdrawal
The alcohol withdrawal process is commonly considered to be the most challenging element in the recovery process, largely due to the severe alcohol cravings and other withdrawal symptoms that are experienced.
Alcohol detox involves a stop in alcohol consumption and a phase where the body adjusts without the addicted substance. The alcohol withdrawal phase typically takes 5-7 days, but this varies for every individual based on age, metabolism, severity of addiction, addiction history and more.
Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety or depression
- Irritability and agitation
- Tremors (shakes)
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Delirium tremens
- Seizures
Alcohol detox in a residential rehab takes place with medical supervision from addiction specialists. Prescription medication may be prescribed to help manage withdrawal symptoms, and the entire process takes place in the detox wing of rehab.
At Rehab Clinics Group, we can help you find the best treatment for you. If you are struggling with severe alcohol cravings and continually abuse alcohol, get in touch with our team today.
Coping With Alcohol Cravings
Coping with cravings is one of the most important things to learn in your recovery – and there are loads of useful strategies to try to help keep you on track.
- Know your triggers: knowing what to expect when those triggers come around means you can start prepping and slowly learning how to steer clear altogether.
- Build a support network: having people around you that really get what you’re going through is a lifesaver when things get tough. It can be your family, your closest mates or even people who are going through the same thing as you.
- Find what works: Finding ways to get yourself active – whether that’s through exercise, hobbies or just finding some mindfulness – can be a huge distraction from cravings
- Get some real help when you need it: If cravings are getting too much to handle then it might be time to get some support.
Access Support Today
We can help at Rehab Clinics Group if you are struggling to cope with alcohol cravings. Our rehab centres offer alcohol detox, therapies and aftercare to help you overcome addiction and manage alcohol cravings and withdrawal from the day you stop consumption.
Phone 0800 470 0382 or fill out our contact form for support and guidance today.
