5 STEPS TO OVERCOME CRAVINGS

Sometimes cravings can feel like you are insatiable - like a itch you can’t quite scratch. Sometimes they show up as overeating of sweets or like you are trying to eat more to fill up a soul that is starving; but understand that all of these are normal symptoms of cravings when we stop drinking alcohol.

Following are my 5 go-to steps for overcoming cravings:

1. Remove yourself from the situation. If you can, leave the room in which you are in - if that happens to be in your home, go do a task in another room for 5-10 minutes to take your mind off of the turmoil inside of you. If you happen to be in a restaurant, go to the bathroom and freshen up and run cold water over your hands for a couple minutes.
   Sometimes this isn’t always possible as we have lives that don’t go on without us; little mouths that need feeding or little bodies that need comforting, but beneath all of that is a mother that needs needs to put her health above that for just a moment to feel okay again.
   

2. Ask for help from something greater than yourself. If you believe in God, or any other superior being, pray to them and ask for strength to overcome your feelings in that moment. If God isn’t your jam, close your eyes and look inward and ask yourself for the strength to continue on the right path. Take a couple deep breaths - I like to do a 4 in, hold, 8 out, hold pattern which seems to do wonders for my anxiety.
   

3. Call someone who supports your goals for sobriety or someone that is on the same journey as you. Having a cheerleader in your corner does wonders because it helps you realize that there are people that know you will be better off staying sober. These saintly cheerleaders are usually long-time friends or family members that have seen your good, bad and ugly and prefer the good honest side of you.
   People that are on the same path as you or have made it through these addiction cravings themselves, understand where you are emotionally and let you know what has helped them when they felt the same way. It’s like the “call a friend” option in the TV game shows. Call a friend, make sure it’s one that supports your desire to stop drinking, and listen to them when they speak.
   

4. Get some fresh air. Go for a walk or even just sit on your front door step if you are unable to leave your house. If you are unable to leave the space you are in because you are caring for others - splash cold water on your face. Be present in the moment. Feel the cold air on your face, feel the cold wet water. You are here, right here, right now, because you were meant to be, and everything will be okay.
   

5. Write a list of benefits and consequences. If you have a more analytical brain then this might help bring you out of the magnetic vortex of a craving.
   Think about the negative circumstances that will follow if you decide to drink. Think about the shame and disappointment you will feel if you let yourself slip… and really, for what?
   Think about the warm feeling you will feel when you wake up tomorrow clear minded and free of guilt. Think about how proud of yourself you will feel from making it through a vicious addiction craving.
   

Feelings are a ride. They can make you feel as if you will die if you feel them and you will do anything to not feel that gross feeling they bring on in your body, but I would like to remind you that FEELINGS ARE IMPERMANENT - THEY WILL NOT KILL YOU AND THEY DO NOT LAST FOREVER.