Craving Alcohol Right Now
This feels urgent because the peak is loud, not because you need to act.
A craving spike can feel like an emergency in your body even when you do not actually want the whole night that comes after it.
Do not decide about drinking while the wave is still climbing. Get through the next 10 minutes first.
This page is for the peak itself. Lower the intensity first, then decide.
Get through the next 10 minutesFree · No sign-up · No ads
Why this can help right now
Alcohol cues can increase craving quickly, and acute stress can also increase the immediate pull of alcohol in the moment.
That is one reason this page stays focused on the next few minutes instead of the whole decision.
Trying to suppress alcohol thoughts has been linked to stronger craving, and brief distraction reduced craving and urge distress in a cue-exposure experiment.
Sources
- MacKillop et al. (2010) on cue-elicited craving and the relative value of alcohol
- Amlung & MacKillop (2014) on stress, alcohol cues, and motivation for alcohol
- Murphy & MacKillop (2014) on distraction during cue-elicited alcohol cravings
- Bernard et al. (2021) systematic review on thought suppression, inhibition, impulsivity, and alcohol craving
What to do instead in the next 5 minutes
- Move the drink farther away or leave the room for two minutes.
- Wash your face or hold something cold for 30 seconds to cut the body intensity.
- Set a 10-minute timer and do not decide anything about drinking until it ends.
- If the urge is still climbing, text one person: "I'm having a strong craving right now. Stay with me for 10 minutes."
Related situations
About NotNow
NotNow is built for the short window when a craving spike is trying to take over the next decision. This page stays short on purpose so you can use it while the urge is loud.
Alcohol
See all 10 moments