Tips to curb alcohol cravings

Eventually, cravings aren't our fault. they‘re a natural symptom of addiction.

“ It all begins with nothing happens with one drink and ends up with a lot can be over a drink ”

This a story of every teenager who indulges by thrills and wants to explore it all. They say you know it when you do it and first are always special. Alcohol my friend is more or less that one friend in need who's a friend indeed. It's that usual which is ordinarily found in all the guestlists may that be a list of festivity or grief / heartbreak/ loss etc this friend always has its back. So, avoiding such a friend becomes really dodgy as it's a perfect Dr. Fixit for us

When we crave alcohol, we are in a state of prospect we want to drink. This can be caused by withdrawal, or it can be a response to certain stimulants, like being circled by people who are drinking or a fond memory, where drinking was involved. When we crave, the effects on our bodies can be variable or indeed contrary, some may witness heightened exhilaration while others witness depressed heart rates. The point is, alcohol cravings are largely private, and we have to learn the effects that spark our cravings and produce a plan to check them.

Cravings are response patterns that are programmed in people and appear as a result of environmental conditions, changes in mood, stress, or other types of triggers that high these response patterns. Although occasionally cravings may appear to simply come out of nowhere, they're most f requently triggered by some environmental situation, feeling, or memory that one has about former alcohol abuse .

Now that we know what our cravings can lead us to we must also know what can help us avoid that.

Here are the tips which you can use to curb alcohol cravings -

Distraction

It can be a healthy and positive tool and can be the best result in this case.

Self-control -

Self-control always tops the game in any given situation, it's a matter of a few split seconds as the cravings do not last forever. If we can hold on to our craving to drink while we crave, we can painlessly surpass that phase and avoid indulgence in alcohol. Researchers claim that the typical craving might last for 3- 5 minutes.

Challenge yourself -

Yes, do challenge yourself, embrace your curiosity and experience the feeling that there's a light at the end of every tunnel.

Reaching out -

Reach out to a friend or family member, have a chat, or accomplish an incomplete task that was on your To-do list and is yet to be ticked off.

Use your time -

Put that time when you are feeling the craving to some use. If the timings are fixed then replace them with an exercise of your choice.

One must be encouraged to identify their triggers that direct them towards alcohol cravings along with Psychoeducation that instils the notion that cravings are actually a normal occurrence in recovery and don't represent signs of failure. Along with identification of triggers and psychoeducation on the vulnerability of cravings add techniques similar to distraction, meditation, and time.

The development of formal personalised coping strategies to deal with cravings when they befall, often involving focus on the negative aspects of alcohol use as opposed to the positive feelings that alcohol gave them( appetite surfing).

The use of mindfulness meditation techniques that allow beings to focus on their feelings in the moment but not act on them.

While we excel over these short-term goals there may still be a strong urge that affects your system and which may bring you into a tough situation. During this time it's recommended that you visit a professional and seek help . This may help you identify your trigger and aid you with the possible solutions of what can be done at connate situations. There can be various options that one may avail to get rid of the cravings or dependence in some cases.

Treatment consists of therapy and sedatives . Treatment involves comforting a healthcare professional. A detoxification program in a sanitarium or medical facility is an option for those who need additional assistance. Medications are available that reduce the desire to drink. Other options include therapies( like cognitive behaviour therapy, aversion therapy, family therapy, psychotherapy , and group therapy), support groups( a form of comforting and sharing guests with a group of people going through the same situations), Alcoholics Anonymous, self-care, Detox groups, indulge in rehearsing mindfulness and meditation and so on.