Craving Alcohol
Many issues lie behind alcohol cravings and they involve a long process over time. For many this time line begins at an early age such as our teens. We are told that alcohol is bad and even the law does not allow anyone under the age of 21 to make an alcohol purchase. For many of our teens and young adults under 21, this only serves to make alcohol seem more attractive and even “cool” to try to obtain and drink.
Later on people grab a bottle of booze to feel better, gain more confidence in a social setting or to forget about their problems. Since the alcohol makes them feel better, at least temporarily, they start to crave it.
Drinking alcohol then becomes habitual, with the drinker consuming more and more on a regular basis. If the occasion calls for it or a problem should arise, you might find yourself with a drink in hand without even recalling reaching for it.
Once you get in the habit of drinking alcohol on a more or less regular basis, your body gets used to the alcohol in the blood stream and reacts with withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. These withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Alcohol can be extremely dangerous to your health and wellbeing. The most familiar disease related with alcohol addiction is liver cirrhosis, in which liver cells die and the tissues harden as a result of drinking. Cirrhosis is not however the only danger to your body.
Drinking can also lead to heart disease, stroke, dementia and brain damage, cancer (including liver cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer in women).
If you just crave the occasional glass of wine or beer, make sure you are aware of the craving and make a conscious choice to have a glass, or skip it. Don’t let your cravings or emotions make the decision for you.
If you find yourself addicted to alcohol and are unable to not give in to the cravings, please seek professional help. Alcohol addiction is very serious and the earlier you seek treatment, the easier it will be to kick the habit and take control over your alcohol cravings.
