First off, you're not powerless over picking up or not, you're only powerless over the effects of picking up and even then you have the power, albeit tough, to put down again. Otherwise we alcoholics would be drinking 24/7/365. The thoughts are also controllable, the mind wants to own,thinks it does, but who is observing your minds thought when it says "I want a beer"? Actually it should translate "Mind wants a beer." You can observe the thought. You can acknowledge it "There goes that mind again". You can tell it," not this time", don't fight it, it will pass on its own every single time if you're mindful. Alcoholism is a brain disease with craving one of its symptoms. As your sobriety lengthens and your recovery grows, brain placicity will help heal the damages and the cravings will decrease. If they're really bad talk to your MD about Campral,an anti-craving med.