Escape

Coping with cravings

Ten techniques that can help

  1. Talk to someone. If you keep your feelings to yourself they’ll probably just churn around inside you – getting worse all the time. Find someone who’s understanding and supportive and let them know how you feel. “A trouble shared…”
  2. Keep occupied. The worst thing you can do is sit around doing nothing, getting bored, feeling restless etc. Find something to do. Read a magazine. Watch some TV. Play a computer game. Do the washing up. Weed the garden. If it takes your mind off drinking for 15 minutes then do it.
  3. Think about the positive things that may happen if you stop drinking. You will probably feel healthier and happier. Your family relationships will improve. You will have more money to spend. You will be able to work better. Remember that all these things can start to improve quite quickly if you can stop drinking.
  4. Think about why you’re trying to stop drinking. Think about the bad things that would happen if you were to carry on drinking. What would the effects be on your health? Your family? Your financial state? Your job? If you think it might help make a list and read it when you feel you’ve really got to have a drink.
  5. Avoid situations that may make you feel like drinking. Pubs, off-licenses and parties are usually the trickiest situations. Sometimes drinks displays in supermarkets can also prove difficult.
  6. Avoid people whom you know are heavy drinkers. Not everyone appreciates it when you try to stop drinking – and they may put you under pressure to drink. Even if no one says anything the social pressure to conform can still be quite intense.
  7. Spoil yourself. Splash out on a couple of magazines, or a paperback book, or a CD, or a computer game. Have a soak in the bath. Go to the cinema. Watch a game of football. Hire a video. You’re denying yourself the enjoyment of drinking – make up for it by doing something else that you enjoy.
  8. Drink lots of fluids. Milk, fruit juice, cordial, Horlicks and Barley Cup are OK – but don’t overdo it on tea and coffee as these may make the craving worse.
  9. Eat something. If you’re feeling hungry the cravings will get worse. Have a snack (though not salty food as it makes you thirsty). Have a piece of cake. Order a pizza. Get an Indian takeaway or a bag of chips. Feeling full will reduce the cravings.
  10. Take time out. If you do decide to have a drink, agree with yourself that you won’t do anything for at least 30 minutes. After half an hour you may find the craving has subsided and you no longer feel you need to have a drink.
Grantham

We value your feedback on this article