Alcohol can seem beneficial to you when enjoying a drink with friends or after a stressful day at the office. However, as you continue to indulge in it, most people begin experiencing short and long-term side effects. And for some, it can become as bad as alcohol addiction or even developing a chronic disease.
That’s when a person wants to stop the drinking habit. That’s when you start asking yourself why you took that first sip.
Quitting is not easy. It requires a lot of mental effort, counseling, and you’ll have to go through so much, including an alcohol craving. So, how do these cravings feel? We are going to answer this question in detail in this article. So read further.
They are not cravings
Primarily, what we refer to as cravings are not really cravings. A craving is different because it’s how the body communicates to show you that it lacks a particular nutrient, and it needs it.
Alcohol is not a nutrient. It’s poisonous since it contains ethanol. If you have been drinking for a while, your body becomes used to living with alcohol in the body. So what you’re experiencing now are withdrawal symptoms.
Everybody is different
Although everyone may experience the same ‘cravings’ and withdrawal symptoms, everybody reacts differently. Some are severe if you are an addict or frequent drinker. Others find it easy to manage their cravings because they are not regular drinkers or haven’t been drinking for a while.
It’s easy to fall into temptation
Alcohol cravings come easy. For instance, if you are going through a stressful situation, it’s apparent that you will desire to nurse the stress using alcohol since it relaxes your nerves for a while. Other than the depressing situation, you’ll find that staying away from people who drink can be difficult, or getting in an environment where there’s alcohol (for instance, a party) can immediately trigger that urge.
Withdrawal symptoms
One sign that you are having alcohol cravings is that you’ll have withdrawal symptoms. And since everyone’s body reacts differently, these symptoms come in different shapes and signs. They can be moderate, acute, or severe, depending on your level of alcohol addiction or intake.
Some of the withdrawal symptoms include:
– Lack of sleep at night
– Lack of appetite
– Dehydration
– Sweating at night
– Shaking
– Blurred vision
– Hallucinations
– Weakness in the joints and muscles
– Fatigue
– Lack of concentration
– Vomiting
How to handle these cravings
When it comes to managing these cravings, you need to know that they can take time depending on your intake levels, again. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t overcome them. And it doesn’t mean that you can’t slip.
So to bring yourself back to stability, you should seek medical attention. A doctor can help you know How To Stop Alcohol Cravings in the form of medication and advice. You should also seek someone sober to help you walk through the journey.
And if it’s possible, stay away from anything or anyone that can make you vulnerable or rekindle the urge to take alcohol. Also, stay hydrated and eat properly.
When you begin your journey, it will not be easy. The symptoms can be too severe to handle. But if you hold on, everything becomes easy, especially if you get the right kind of help.
