Alcohol craving

From Drug Rehab Wiki

The craving for alcohol is a significant factor in relapse. It is a subjective experience -- much like pain -- and must be measured by an individual's self-report. We do not have an objective means of measuring whether cravings exist at any given time or how intense they are. We do know, however, that craving is reported by almost everyone who has relapsed back to the use of alcohol after an attempt to remain sober. Many who have had multiple treatment attempts attribute their failed efforts to strong cravings for alcohol.

There are thought to be two types of alcohol cravings: physiological and psychological. In the first -- physiological -- it is believed that the body itself is sending signals that alcohol should be consumed. In the second -- psychological cravings -- an individual has typically become used to drinking in certain situations and is triggered to do so when those situations recur.

Alcohol treatment has traditionally addressed relapse prevention since relapse is considered to be a significant risk for all who attempt to recover from alcohol dependence. There are many techniques for successful coping when cravings occur. Some of these are basic health practices such as:

• good nutrition

• exercise

• restricted sugar

• restricted caffeine

Exercise, overall good nutrition and restriction of sugar and caffeine intake help to maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is thought that stabilized blood sugars helped to reduce the physiological craving for alcohol. In addition, physiological and psychological cravings can be successfully controlled by the use of social support, behavioral techniques and cognitive techniques such as:

• 12 Step programs

• counseling

• talking about cravings when they occur

• avoiding situations that trigger craving

• using substitute or distracting behaviors

• using self-talk that coaches oneself through cravings

• meditating

• deep-breathing

Additionally, some medications have been used to reduce the craving for alcohol such as:

• topiramate

• nefazodone

• ondansetron

• campral

• naltrexone

All of these medications work in various ways and many have been used for conditions other than alcohol cravings such as mood swings (topiramate), depression (nefazodone), nausea (ondansetron), and opiate dependency (naltrexone). Each must be prescribed by a physician and should be monitored for side effects.

In summary, since cravings appear to be a significant factor in relapse, particularly in early abstinence, successful alcohol treatment will address the management of cravings. People with alcohol dependence should equip themselves with multiple strategies for coping with cravings especially in the early stages of their recovery. Successful treatment for most people will include several recovery efforts and coping strategies employed at the same time. Chief among these are typically counseling, 12 Step programs, family and social support and improved health practices. Many may benefit from the use of medications in early recovery as well. It is recommended that those who seek recovery from alcohol dependence consult a clinician in order to create an individualized treatment plan. A plan that successfully addresses alcohol craving, will, over the long run, more successfully treat alcohol dependence.