Cutting Down on Drinking or Drugs the Natural Way

One of the advantages of medical detox is a healthy and regular diet. Distracting withdrawal symptoms may make it challenging to focus on proper nutrition during a home detox. People with alcohol use disorder are more likely to have nutrition deficits, especially B vitamins like thiamin. Eating right will drastically improve the chances of successful alcohol detox. For the safest and most successful outcomes, alcoholism treatment should take place in a safe, controlled environment away from the distractions and temptations of life.

Milk Thistle reduces the need for alcohol and also removes alcohol from the liver. Counseling, medication, support from family and friends, changing your diet, taking supplements, and alternative treatments may all help lessen your alcohol cravings. In addition to reducing daily drinking, naltrexone has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings as a measurable symptom (3). Cravings are rooted in both psychological and physical factors.

Online Therapy: Is it Right for You?

You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober. The symptoms listed above may be a sign of a severe form of alcohol withdrawal called delirium tremens, or DTs. This rare, emergency condition causes dangerous changes in the way your brain regulates your circulation and breathing, so it’s important to get to the hospital right away. Addiction affects your whole life, including your relationships, career, health, and psychological well-being.

It’s important to understand that if you’re new to sobriety, or are still drinking small amounts of alcohol while trying to cut back, it’s likely that your cravings are down to withdrawal. This is your body’s physical response to having less alcohol in your system. In this situation, the best thing you can do is seek professional support to help you withdraw safely and under medical supervision. Sometimes medication is necessary to stop or at least reduce alcohol cravings. There are currently three FDA-approved medications for alcohol cravings. They include naltrexone (Revia or Vivitrol), acamprosate (Campral) and disulfiram (Antabuse).

Be aware of your triggers

Although the available evidence is mixed or lacking in humans, the following natural supplements, herbs, and vitamins might help curb alcohol cravings (5, 6, 7). Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which the body needs to produce and use serotonin. This neurotransmitter is key to reducing depression and anxiety—common reasons people use alcohol and also common issues that arise when quitting alcohol (4).

His hobbies include physical fitness, reading, and social entrepreneurship. Alcohol is one of the most common beverages consumed in today’s society. Its vast popularity at various levels makes it one of the highest causes of driving fatalities, especially in the United States. Reports how to stop craving alcohol naturally and statistics state that over 65 million people are struggling with alcoholism disorders. Alcohol craving is found to be the major cause of abuse and subsequent health issues such as chronic alcoholism. Mental health professionals can also help treat alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Essential Tips for Reducing Alcohol Cravings Right Now

Alcohol cravings can be difficult to manage alone, and there’s no shame in needing a little extra support. Maybe you experience your strongest cravings when you feel anxious or stressed or find yourself facing conflict with someone you care about. But even when you don’t know anyone else trying to make a similar change, friends and loved ones can still offer emotional support. “Alcohol cravings can be very intense, especially in early recovery,” explains Ruby Mehta, licensed clinical social worker and director of clinical operations for digital recovery platform Tempest.

• During that time, they can begin learning about relapse prevention strategies, such as how to manage alcohol cravings, and then expand upon it through additional programming.
• Eating foods that are rich in these B vitamins can be beneficial for reducing the negative side effects of alcohol misuse, which can make it easier to manage cravings.
• It can be surprising and confusing, especially if you haven’t been thinking about drinking.

The person with the drinking problem needs to take responsibility for their actions. Don’t lie or cover things up to protect someone from the consequences of their drinking. Consider staging a family meeting or an intervention, but don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation. Research the kinds of treatment that are available and discuss these options with your friend or family member.