Contents
Why do I have a craving for alcohol?
Triggers – “Cravings often happen as an automatic response to a trigger, which could be a memory of something associated with alcohol or an emotion such as stress,” Mehta explains. Most people who experience cravings notice a mix of internal and external triggers. Internal triggers typically involve memories, thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations that prompt the urge to drink. For example:
sadnessanxiety or stressanger or irritationphysical pain or discomfort
External triggers refer to the environmental cues you link to alcohol, including places, times, people, and situations. For example:
visiting a restaurant or bar where you usually drinkattending a party the end of your workdayarguing with a parent
When a craving for alcohol strikes, a good first step involves acknowledging the craving, according to Mehta. She goes on to explain that while the craving might be intense, it will lessen and pass in a few minutes. “A typical craving might last for 3 to 5 minutes,” notes Christina Hanks, senior recovery coach and care team manager at Tempest.
Why do I want alcohol every night?
Drinking alcohol every night – a sign of problem drinking? – While many believe that a glass of wine with dinner or a single beer in the evening isn’t something that is necessarily indicative of a problem, there are a few things to think about:
Do you drink more than 14 units a week? advise that it is safest not to drink more than 14 on a regular basis.14 units of alcohol equates to 6 medium glasses of wine or 6 pints of beer a week. Drinking more than 14 units of alcohol every week leaves you at a higher or becoming addicted to alcohol in the future Have you gradually been drinking more in the evenings? If you have gone from one drink to having a few drinks every night, this could be a sign your and has developed a tolerance to alcohol, and you need more if it to feels its effects. This can leave you at risk of drinking even more as time goes on, which can lead to physical dependency Are you using alcohol as a coping mechanism? Some people use alcohol as a way of dealing with their thoughts and feelings. They may drink when they feel stressed or anxious, when they feel bad about themselves, or to block out certain memories. Using alcohol in this way doesn’t help to solve the issue and will only ever numb or mask it for a while. It can also result in you dealing with alcohol dependency issues later on down the line Are you drinking every night at home? If you’re drinking at home every evening, away from other people, this kind of concealed drinking can lead to you drinking more overtime
If you are, the above factors show that this can be risky regardless of how much you are consuming. By getting information on how to stop drinking alcohol every night, and applying it to your life, you can start to take steps to reduce the risk of alcohol having or continuing to have a damaging impact on your health and wellbeing.
What gives you the same feeling as alcohol?
Exercise – 
Working out releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria.1 This surprises many people, as sometimes exercising has a stigma of being a boring or laborious activity. However, the fact is that exercise releases endorphins that are responsible for feelings of euphoria and happiness, just like alcohol.
- In fact, many people refer to a good workout as a “runner’s high.” Exercise’s physical and mental effects can actually mimic that feeling you get when drinking alcohol.
- If you’re new to the whole exercise thing, you don’t have to go running or lift weights to get the endorphin release.
- Maybe try taking a dance class or going for a nature walk.
Anything that gets you moving and raises your heart rate will work. Just be sure to find something you enjoy, so you’ll be more likely to stick with it in the long run.
Why do I feel the need to drink so much?
Why am I always thirsty? – Most of the time if you’re feeling thirsty it’s because you need to drink more fluids. This can happen if you:
sweat a lot after doing exerciseare unwell with sickness and diarrhoeado not drink enough fluidsdrink too much alcohol or caffeineeat salty or spicy foodhave a high temperatureare pregnant