Learning library
Help with alcohol use
How to Resist Alcohol Cravings: Tips for Staying Sober

How to Resist Alcohol Cravings: Tips for Staying Sober

We think this strategy works great to push aside cravings or urges.

Cravings can happen at any time and place. You could be at a restaurant and see a tray full of drinks being carried past your table, and smell the alcohol, for example. At every stoplight, your head pulses with the same nagging thought: should you go straight home or turn and stop by the bar? 

You need a way to remind yourself of the consequences when cravings hit. Try this strategy to push those thoughts aside.

Play Your Movie Reel

Imagine your life is a movie, and your drinking plays the starring role. Roll through a movie of how that one cocktail would go for you based on your past experience. More than likely, it would lead to more drinking. That one cocktail could turn into multiple cocktails before you even leave the bar. The recent memory of its taste and feeling drunk could also make it harder to resist subsequent cravings. 

What other consequences would you face? Maybe you would show up at work hungover and get written up. Maybe you'd get pulled over for driving under the influence and lose your license. Recall the events that led up to your decision to get sober in the first place. That one cocktail will no longer seem so enticing. Burst that craving bubble with a hard, cold serving of reality. 

📞
Request an Enrollment Call

Our team will call you to answer any questions you have or to help you schedule an appointment.

Request an enrollment call

Develop Your Movie in Advance

To make it easier to recall these events and play your movie reel in the midst of a craving, spend some time thinking about it when you're calm. Decide which three major consequences are the driving force behind your continued sobriety. Be ready to play these out in your head any time, even the smallest craving occurs. You want your brain to associate drinking with your movie reel before it can recall the taste of "just one" drink. 

Kick Cravings for Anything

The "movie reel" strategy works for any craving, from sweets to cigarettes to pills. Your brain might be begging for a quick fix, but you can nip it in the bud by focusing on the long game. Instant gratification has a downside -- it doesn't align with your long-term goals.

🗓️
Book with Confidant

Book with a vetted Confidant Health provider

Book appointment

Your Mind Is a Powerful Tool Against Cravings

We want you to take full advantage of the tools on the Confidant app. But at the end of the day, you won't always have your phone with you to look up tips or talk to one of our providers. You may not always be able to physically remove yourself from a tempting scenario, either. 

The one thing you'll always have with you is your brain. Mental exercises strengthen your ability to stay in control of a situation, no matter what. You can turn your brain from an enemy into an ally. 

It does take practice; however, so talking to your Confidant team can be a great starting point. We can discuss your motivations for becoming sober, how drinking would affect the positive progress you've made, and what your movie reel might look like. Our providers have plenty of other useful mental exercises to recommend as well. Log in to start improving your mental well-being today.

This article has been medically reviewed by
Erin Hillers
Erin Hillers
Erin Hillers
Nurse Practitioner

Erin is a Nurse Practitioner with 8 years of experience in midwifery and women's health. She has spent the past 5 years specializing in the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Book appointment
👍
Recommended reading
3 mins
read time
10 Helpful Tips for Stress Management in Recovery
7 mins
read time
Naltrexone and Drinking: What You Need to Know
3 mins
read time
Sober Dating Tips for Those in Relationships with Drinkers
3 mins
read time
Strategies to Fight Urges and Cravings for Alcohol
2 mins
read time
How to Get Naltrexone: Options and Considerations
2 mins
read time
Building a Support System for Sobriety: Tips and Strategies to Try
4 mins
read time
Exercise and Sobriety: How Physical Activity Can Help
4 mins
read time
Nausea After Drinking: Causes and Remedies
4 mins
read time
How to Take a Break from Alcohol: Tips and Advice
3 mins
read time
Is Naltrexone an Opioid?
5 mins
read time
Naltrexone Dosage for Alcohol Use Disorder: What You Need to Know
7 mins
read time
Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder: The Benefits and Risks
3 mins
read time
Staying Sober After a Breakup: Tips and Strategies for Success
2 mins
read time
The Sinclair Method (TSM) for Alcoholism: How It Works
4 mins
read time
Drinking Less at Family Gatherings: Tips and Strategies to Try
4 mins
read time
Drinking Less During the Holidays: Tips for Enjoying the Season Sober
4 mins
read time
Drinking Less on Weeknights: Tips for Cutting Back on Alcohol
4 mins
read time
Drinking Less at Bars: Tips for Staying Sober While Socializing
4 mins
read time
Sobriety at Company Happy Hour: Tips and Strategies to Try
4 mins
read time
Overcoming Anxiety in Sobriety: Tips and Tools for Success
3 mins
read time
Sober Business Travel: Tips and Strategies for Staying on Track
4 mins
read time
Reducing Alcohol at Business Dinners: Tips and Strategies to Try
3 mins
read time
How to Resist Alcohol Cravings: Tips for Staying Sober
4 mins
read time
Support Systems for Sobriety: Understanding Their Importance
2 mins
read time
Balancing Your Life: Tips for Achieving Harmony and Wellness
2 mins
read time
Understanding Harm Reduction: Minimizing the Risks of Alcohol Use
4 mins
read time
Naltrexone: How the Medication Works and Its Benefits
3 mins
read time
Who Benefits from Naltrexone Treatment? Exploring the Options
4 mins
read time
The Role of Healthy Eating in Sobriety: Tips and Strategies to Try
2 mins
read time
Why Choose Naltrexone? Understanding the Benefits and Risks
Confidant mobile app screens
Get immediate access to the care you need today

Scan the QR code below to download the app.

QR code to download the app
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play