If you’re living with alcohol addiction, help is available. Contact the Alcohol & Drug Support line. The phone service is available 24/7 by calling (08) 9442 5000.
Are you looking to make some changes in your relationship with alcohol? Maybe you want to cut down on how much you drink, limit yourself to a certain number of drinks per week, or give up alcohol altogether for a while or permanently, especially if it’s holding you back from achieving your weight loss goals. The thing is, it isn’t always easy to avoid alcohol, especially when you’re in situations where you’re used to drinking.
If you’re trying to be more mindful of your drinking habits, you might find yourself experiencing some strong cravings for alcohol. On this page, we’ll talk about why alcohol cravings happen and give you some tips to manage them. We’ll cover techniques you can use to deal with a craving, as well as long-term strategies to help you stay on track.
Reasons You Might Be Craving Alcohol
There are a variety of reasons why you might be experiencing alcohol cravings. Here are some possible causes:
- Emotional triggers: Emotional triggers, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or boredom, can lead to alcohol cravings as a way to cope with these feelings.
- Social triggers: Being in social situations where alcohol is present can trigger cravings, especially if you’re used to drinking in social settings.
- Physical dependence: If you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time, your body may have become dependent on alcohol, and cravings may be a symptom of withdrawal.
- Mental health conditions: Mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety can increase the risk of developing alcohol dependence and cravings.
- Habitual drinking: If you’ve developed a habit of drinking at a certain time of day or in certain situations, you may experience cravings when those situations arise.
- Nutritional deficiencies: There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest nutritional deficiencies, particularly of vitamins B1, B3, and folate, can lead to alcohol cravings.
If you’re experiencing alcohol cravings, it’s important to identify the underlying cause so you can develop a plan to address it. Consider talking to a healthcare professional or seeking support from a recovery program.
Are You Deficient In Vitamins if You’re Craving Alcohol?
It’s possible that a deficiency in certain vitamins could lead to alcohol cravings, particularly vitamins B1, B3, and folate. These vitamins are important for healthy brain function and a lack of them can lead to neurological symptoms such as confusion, irritability, and fatigue. In some cases, people may crave alcohol because their body is seeking out a quick source of energy, which alcohol can provide.
However, it’s important to note that alcohol cravings can also be caused by a variety of other factors, such as emotional triggers, social situations, physical dependence, and habitual drinking. Not enough research has been done in the field of nutritional deficiencies causing alcohol cravings at this point in time.
Are You Addicted to Alcohol if You’re Craving it?
Are you worried that you’re addicted to alcohol if you’re craving it? The good news is craving alcohol does not automatically mean that someone is addicted to it. Alcohol cravings can be a common symptom of alcohol dependence, but they can also be caused by other factors, such as stress, boredom, or habit. It’s important to understand that addiction involves a complex set of physical, psychological, and behavioural factors, and it’s not solely defined by craving it.
Are you worried that you’re addicted to alcohol if you’re craving it? The good news is craving alcohol does not automatically mean that someone is addicted to it. Alcohol cravings can be a common symptom of alcohol dependence, but they can also be caused by other factors, such as stress, boredom, or habit. It’s important to understand that addiction involves a complex set of physical, psychological, and behavioural factors, and it’s not solely defined by craving it.
If you’re concerned about your alcohol use or experiencing frequent cravings, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional or a recovery program. They can help you determine if you have developed a dependence on alcohol and provide resources and support for addressing it.
How to Stop Your Alcohol Cravings
If you’re experiencing alcohol cravings, there are several strategies you can try to help manage them:
Identify and avoid triggers: Try to identify the situations, emotions, or people that trigger your cravings and avoid them as much as possible. This might mean avoiding social events where alcohol is served or finding ways to cope with stress or negative emotions that don’t involve drinking.
Distract yourself: When a craving strikes, try to distract yourself with an activity you enjoy or find relaxing, such as taking a walk, reading a book, or practising deep breathing exercises.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or yoga, can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions and better able to manage them. This can be especially helpful in reducing the power of alcohol cravings.
Stay hydrated and eat well: Dehydration and low blood sugar can increase alcohol cravings, so make sure to stay hydrated and eat regular, healthy meals.
Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional about your cravings and your goals for reducing your alcohol intake. They can provide support and help keep you accountable.
Consider professional help: If you’re struggling to manage your alcohol cravings on your own, consider seeking professional help from a healthcare provider or a recovery program. They can provide additional resources and support to help you overcome your cravings and achieve your goals of reducing your alcohol intake.
Healthy Drinks to Have When You’re Craving Alcohol
If you’re trying to reduce your alcohol intake, there are several healthy and low calorie drink options you can try when you’re experiencing cravings:
Sparkling water with fruit: Adding fresh fruit or herbs, such as mint or cucumber, to sparkling water can give it a refreshing and flavorful twist.
Alcohol-free wine or spirits: There are plenty of alcohol brands offering zero alcohol versions of their products, as well as brands wholly dedicated to alcohol-free offerings. Great Northern and Peroni do good alcohol-free beers, while brands like Sans Drinks and Craftzero do great alcohol-free wines.
Kombucha: Kombucha is a fermented drink that contains probiotics, which can help support gut health and boost the immune system. It also has a slightly tangy, slightly sweet taste that can help satisfy cravings for alcohol.
Herbal tea: Herbal teas, such as chamomile, peppermint, or ginger, can help soothe anxiety and promote relaxation, especially in times you find yourself craving something stronger.
Fresh juice: Drinking fresh juice made from fruits and vegetables can provide essential vitamins and minerals while also satisfying a craving for something sweet.
It’s All About Balance
Providing you don’t have an addiction to alcohol or any other health conditions which may affect your alcohol intake, alcohol isn’t actually the enemy when it comes to weight loss. In fact, you can still enjoy a small amount of alcohol and still lose weight. As long as you’re mindful of your calorie intake and can fit a glass of wine or a beer into your meal plan, there’s no reason not to take a balanced approach and enjoy the odd drink here and there when you feel like it.