SUN Behavioral Delaware Explains How to Reduce Cravings for Alcohol

SUN Behavioral Delaware, a substance use treatment organization based in Georgetown, DE, has recently posted an article entitled, “How to Reduce Cravings for Alcohol.” The article presents several tips and tricks to manage alcohol cravings, such as keeping a favorite alternate drink nearby, having fruit and candy on hand, exercising, monitoring substance-free days, learning how to manage one’s triggers, and distracting oneself.

Drinking alcohol causes the brain to release dopamine, which is a “feel good” neurotransmitter. The brain gets used to an overabundance of dopamine, artificially caused by alcohol. When the person stops drinking, the brain believes there is a deficiency in dopamine, which causes the person to crave alcohol.

A spokesperson for SUN Behavioral says, “For many who have been drinking for a prolonged period, walking away from alcohol can feel like walking away from something as natural as breathing or sleeping. It can make it seemingly impossible to regain control of your life and make healthier choices. The good news is that you can learn to overcome cravings. It just takes a lot of practice. At Sun Behavioral Health Delaware, we know how intense alcohol cravings can be. If cravings are getting in the way of your recovery, check out some strategies that can help.”

Keeping a favorite alternative drink close by helps with hydration, which is very important when the body is experiencing withdrawal. With the body trying to rejuvenate, heal, and find energy, getting proper hydration results in a better mood, better sleep, and a stronger immune system, which are all important for recovery.

Fruit and candy may also help because the body has gotten used to getting massive quantities of sugar from alcohol. Abstaining from alcohol causes a significant drop in sugar levels, which intensifies the cravings. Eating fruit and candy can help in reducing such cravings.

Keeping the body active through exercise can help in circulating higher levels of dopamine. Exercising 30 minutes a day regularly can help in improving mood, sleep, and blood circulation. Exercise can also reduce cravings and get one’s mind off alcohol.

A person trying to quit drinking may also want to monitor substance-free days. This can help with the motivation to avoid drinking. It may also help to imagine what the future would look like when the person has fully recovered and is substance-free, healthy, and happy.

Learning how to manage one’s triggers can also help manage cravings. Triggers may include people, places, and memories that cause a person to want to drink alcohol. This could be stress at work, times when a person is alone, arguments with one’s partner, and more. Learning those specific triggers can help a person in coping with cravings.

Distracting oneself may help to avoid cravings. Getting up and going for a walk, calling a friend, or getting some snacks can help to distract oneself from the temptation to drink. But the best way to become stronger in resisting cravings is to go for alcohol use disorder treatment.

SUN Behavioral Delaware is a 90-bed psychiatric hospital located in Sussex County, DE. This treatment center provides a complete range of specialized care, including inpatient and day hospital services, for people living with substance use and mental health issues. They offer specialized programs for adults, adolescents, seniors, and children. Their team of experts share the goal of working with the community to provide solutions for mental illness and substance use disorders. They have received the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Accreditation in recognition of their continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s performance standards.

Those who would like to know more about the inpatient and outpatient treatment services offered by SUN Behavioral Delaware can check out their website or call them at 302-604-5600. They can be contacted at any time of the day or night, any day of the week.