Alcohol Cravings
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Alcohol
cravings can be physical or psychological. Physical alcohol
cravings occur when the alcohol dependent person has built
up a tolerance for alcohol over time. As alcohol starts to
be processed by the liver and to some extent excreted in the
urine, the cravings signal the body that it is running out
of "fuel" and needs a refill. Alcohol cravings like
other physical cravings (such as those experienced when you
are fasting) are taken as a symbol that its time to give the
body what it needs.
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This "craving confusion" is quite natural. For those
who are fasting, the body craves food as a signal that they too
are low on fuel. Some pregnant women crave all sorts of specific
nutrients as a signal that this is what their bodies are lacking
and they need to give their bodies what it needs.
On the flip side, though, are food allergies. The body craves the
foods to which it is allergic. Food allergy cravings can parallel
alcohol cravings, and in fact, this is just what some researchers
belief is happening. They believe alcohol to be yet another food
allergy where the body craves something to which it is allergic.
This can seem quite counterintuitive to many, as the body craves
what should not be put into it.
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The second kind of alcohol craving is a psychological craving for
alcohol. Once again, those who have fasted will know well that at
the very beginning there are many emotional issues that can come
up regarding the fast that is very different from the physical food
cravings. When doing a food fast, journaling is one thing that can
help with the emotional issues. For psychological alcohol cravings,
journaling can be beneficial as well. What is even more beneficial
though is psychotherapy from a qualified therapist in order to help
make sense of the meanings behind the psychological cravings.
Many times the psychological alcohol cravings mean that unresolved
grief, fear and belief systems need to be dealt with in a
safe environment. Compulsive beliefs can lead to compulsive
drinking so uncovering the underlying emotional issues surrounding
drinking is a must.
Physical and psychological alcohol cravings can be a powerful
motivation compelling some to drink. Even though the cravings
may not be controlled, they can be dissipated and they don't
have to be acted upon. When the person in an alcohol recovery
program can learn to tolerate the cravings and not act upon
them, they are in a good position to start taking control
back for their lives.
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