This is the same question I, as an alcoholic, asked during the time I was just planning to quit alcohol. Though I have many questions in my mind, I am very much concern about how long will it take for my alcohol cravings to go away. I need to know this, and I believe all alcoholics should be aware of this, too, to anticipate the situations that are associated with these cravings. I know that it is difficult to stop this “thirst”, because it cannot be resolve by drinking water. And this strong desire to consume alcohol again can pull me out of my plans to quit.
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| Stop Cravings for Alcohol Just Before it Begins |
I am aware of the fact that it may take a long time before I can get rid of my cravings for alcohol. My body has become accustomed to the addictive substance. It is guaranteed that my body will crave for it. I had a long relationship with alcohol, abused it and eventually got addicted to it. My system has developed a physically powerful addiction through the excessive supply of alcohol in my body. And taking alcohol away from it will definitely create a sudden, impulsive reaction in my system. And that's the most difficult part - fighting against myself, trying to win over my own self.
It is not important how long my cravings will last. It doesn't matter if I can make myself familiarized with the duration the cravings will continue staying in my system. It may take days, months or years, even forever. What is important is to learn how to prevent it, gain knowledge on how to overcome just in case it already go through the system and have the skills on how to handle these cravings without suffering too much. As long as I have the necessary “weapon” in dealing with cravings for alcohol, I can continue my journey. By having the required skills, it will not be a problem for me even if it takes years to get rid of these symptoms. The best way to overcome the cravings is to learn on how to deal with them on my own. It will not help if I just sit down and wonder when these cravings will go away.
If you are struggling to get rid of the cravings for alcohol, here are some basic and simple steps that you can do on your own to stop thinking about drinking:
Make your mind busy all the time. I mean it: all the time. This will prevent your mind to think about alcohol. Prevention is better than cure. If you are busy all the time, your mind will forget alcohol. You can focus your mind to your work. If you have an eight hour job, this will be easy. You will need to deal with the extra hours by other means. You may want to dedicate your time after work to your family. Try to have a quality time by joining them for dinner or watching your favorite TV program. If you don't have work to attend, find one.
Avoid stress and depressions. When you are quitting alcohol, stress related events can trigger cravings due to the fact that your mind and body are seeking for consolations that they believe can make them feel better. You must avoid feeling stressed in order to prevent your mind think of alcohol. Choose to be happy. Do not hesitate to talk with your loved ones whenever you feel lonely. You must discuss with them what and how you feel. Bring out your emotions by simply talking with people who you trust.
Motivate yourself. Once you learn how to avoid stress, you may want to realize how you can motivate yourself to continue the abstinence you have just started. Motivation is an effective tool in combating alcohol cravings. If you are motivated enough, you will have the power to stand firm and resist the gravitational pull of alcohol. Think of the negative side of the coin. In my case, I will project myself in a negative situation while under the influence. Remember that if you really want to go alcohol free, you must learn how to have the will power and self-discipline. No one can help you but you. Everyone can support your plans on quitting alcohol but it is yourself that should move.
Medical experts believe that PROPANOLOL can stop alcohol cravings. It can ease the strong desire of an alcoholic to drink by blocking certain hormones released by the brain. Clinical trials show that people who are quitting alcohol and are taking Propanolol can actually overcome their alcohol cravings. Better ask your doctor about this to be sure you are taking the right treatment for your condition.
There is no magical technique that can instantly wash away all my problems associated with alcohol. We reap what we sow, right? If I plant some bad seeds, I will surely harvest bad crops. But I strongly believe that this can be repaired. These entire problems can be resolved, if I try to do my best. Quitting alcohol is not easy but with the correct method, I will surely recover from this condition.
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