How Long Do Alcohol Cravings Last?

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could just wave a magic wand and erase your alcohol cravings forever? Then you could just go through detox and withdrawals and never have to worry about alcohol dependency ever again. Unfortunately, life is rarely as simple as that.

With that being said, that doesn’t mean that going through rehab isn’t something that is completely and totally worth doing. We at Asheville Detox know how hard it is to turn alcohol away and make a commitment to live life sober. You have the power to overcome your alcohol dependency and deal with your cravings with the tools that we will teach you.

Alcohol Dependency

Perhaps you are not completely sure if what you have should be classified as an alcohol dependency. Let’s take a moment to identify what that really means. How do you know if you are an alcoholic and you need help? Here are several warning signs of alcoholism:

You have stopped fulfilling obligations at home, work or school
You take risks such as drinking and driving
You have built up an increased tolerance to alcohol
When you try to stop drinking, you experience symptoms of withdrawal
Becoming socially isolated
You may begin drinking first thing in the morning
Becoming dishonest or secretive
Continuing to use, even if it is causing problems with finances, health or relationships

What to Expect During Alcohol Withdrawals

Now that you know whether or not you have a drinking problem, it is time for you to be informed about what the withdrawal period of your rehab is going to be like. You may experience mild symptoms as early as 6 hours after your last drink. The severity of your symptoms depends on how much you drank, and for how long. Other than you experiencing strong cravings to drink, you should expect to feel some of the following symptoms:

Sweating and feeling anxious
Trouble sleeping
Nausea or vomiting
Shaky hands
Headache

For those who are more heavy drinkers, they might experience hallucinations or even seizures. Delirium tremens is felt during the most serious cases, which are 5% of drinkers. This condition is characterized by delusions and vivid hallucinations.

Perhaps you have made it through detox and through your difficult withdrawal period, yet you are still experiencing cravings for alcohol. Many people are left wondering how long these alcohol cravings will last.

Several months after your withdrawals are over, you may experience what is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS. During this time, you may begin obsessing about drinking alcohol. You may be experiencing feelings of anxiety or panic. Here are some circumstances you may experience:

Difficulty sleeping
Overreacting to situations
Tired or depressed
Mood swings

It would be nice to tell you that after a few more days, these feelings will disappear. However, the truth is that depending on the severity of the alcohol addiction, you may experience symptoms of PAWS, including craving alcohol for several years after you have been living sober. Some people admit that their craving for alcohol never completely disappears.

Asheville Detox for Alcohol Dependency

If you are ready to face your alcohol dependency and turn over a new leaf, we at Asheville Detox are waiting to connect with you. You don’t have to try and give up alcohol all on your own. Let our team of professionals help make you as comfortable as possible during this time.

We believe that every individual struggling with an addiction deserves access to a continuum of care. Call us today and allow us to guide you to a brighter future.