How to Conquer Cravings and Find Freedom in Recovery

I used to start every morning with a beer in hand, unable to brush my teeth without first taking a drink. Cravings controlled every aspect of my life, and I thought I’d never break free. Yet, here I am, years later, without a single craving for alcohol. The journey wasn’t easy, but it’s possible, and today, I’m going to share how you can go from battling daily cravings to living a life free from them.

The Struggle with Cravings in Early Sobriety

In early recovery, cravings can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. Many people find themselves stuck in a cycle of battling urges to drink, even long after getting sober. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to fight cravings forever.

In this article, we’ll break down practical steps you can take to understand your cravings, address their root causes, and eventually eliminate them for good. Whether you’re just starting your sobriety journey or have been struggling for a while, these insights will help you take control of your recovery.

1. Understanding Your Cravings: More Than Just Triggers One of the first steps to conquering cravings is understanding where they come from. Sure, there are obvious triggers like social settings or stress, but the cravings often run deeper than just surface-level reactions. For example, in my early recovery, everything was a trigger. I drank in nearly every situation—while working, socializing, or even showering—so nearly everything reminded me of drinking. The key was not just avoiding triggers but understanding why I craved alcohol in the first place.The solution? I started a cravings log. Every time a craving hit, I wrote down what was happening and how I felt. This process helped me identify recurring emotional themes, such as boredom, loneliness, shame, and resentment. Recognizing these deeper causes allowed me to focus on healing those emotions rather than simply trying to avoid the situations that triggered them.
2. The Power of Logging and Analyzing Your Cravings Many people think cravings are just an inevitable part of early recovery, but they don’t have to be. By logging my cravings and analyzing the emotions behind them, I realized I could address the root issues causing them. For example, boredom was a major trigger for me, so I started actively seeking new hobbies and activities that were fulfilling, like hiking or trying meditation.Keeping a cravings log allows you to pinpoint patterns. You don’t need to create an elaborate system like I did—an Excel spreadsheet with charts—but writing down the event that sparked the craving and the emotions surrounding it is enough. This simple act can reveal powerful insights that will help you understand what drives your cravings.
3. Leaning Into Your “Why”: The Key to Long-Term Sobriety While understanding and tracking your cravings is important, it’s equally vital to have a strong reason for staying sober. This is your “why.” Change doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a process of consistently choosing the person you want to become and stepping away from the person you no longer wish to be.When cravings hit, lean into your why. Whether it’s being a better parent, partner, or professional, connecting with your purpose will give you strength. If your why is to be a present parent, instead of drinking, take your kids to the park or help them with their homework. By taking actions that align with your deeper purpose, you not only resist the craving but also move closer to the life you truly want.
4. Cravings Are Temporary—Don’t Make Permanent Decisions The intensity of cravings can make you feel like you’ll always struggle, but remember: cravings are temporary. They come and go like waves. It’s crucial to not make a permanent decision—like relapsing—based on a temporary feeling. Each time you resist a craving, you strengthen your ability to do so again. Over time, the cravings diminish until, one day, they disappear entirely.

Cravings don’t have to define your recovery journey. By understanding the deeper emotions driving them, logging your triggers, and constantly leaning into your “why,” you can break free from the constant battle. Instead of running from your cravings, face them head-on and watch as their power fades over time. Recovery is not just about abstaining from alcohol—it’s about building a life that no longer needs it.

Learn More in This Week’s Podcast Episode

If you’re ready to dive deeper into how to conquer cravings and free yourself from the cycle of addiction, tune into this week’s episode of the Sober and Happy Podcast. I’ll walk you through my personal journey from craving alcohol every moment of the day to living completely free of those urges. You’ll hear practical steps you can start using today to not just resist cravings but eliminate them entirely. Don’t miss out—this episode could be the turning point in your recovery.