Crave alcohol when hungry?
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: MN
Posts: 93
Crave alcohol when hungry?
Does anyone every crave alcohol when they are just hungry? I found that this is one of my big downfalls. Often times it is getting towards dinner and I am hungry. My body goes kind of in stress mode when I get too hungry and then instead of thinking about food I think about alcohol instead.
I know that many relapses have been because of this.
Sometimes I am making dinner that will make the kids happy and I am not interested but instead of thinking "ok,what can I eat" I start thinking "hmmmm, is there wine in the refrigerator" (my husband drinks). Or, it will be another hour until dinner is ready and I need to wait and I think "just one glass of wine".
I generally control what I eat for breakfast and lunch but dinner is another story.
I know that many relapses have been because of this.
Sometimes I am making dinner that will make the kids happy and I am not interested but instead of thinking "ok,what can I eat" I start thinking "hmmmm, is there wine in the refrigerator" (my husband drinks). Or, it will be another hour until dinner is ready and I need to wait and I think "just one glass of wine".
I generally control what I eat for breakfast and lunch but dinner is another story.
Yes, hunger can cause cravings. Hungry is the first letter in HALT.
HALT is an acronym taught to recovering addicts that stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired, which are all high-risk times for relapse.
HALT is an acronym taught to recovering addicts that stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired, which are all high-risk times for relapse.
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 62
Solid advice. The H and L affect me the most. My sponsor advised me to eat, eat and eat.
Yep, definitely. Yesterday I had to skip my lunch because I was too busy at work. I had a couple of very small snacks at my desk - wasn't enough. So by the time I got home from work I was absolutely starving. And there was no suitable food in the house to make dinner for me and my son, so we went out to eat. I really don't crave alcohol anymore, so I was very surprised yesterday at the restaurant when I was thinking a glass of wine would hit the spot. WHAT?? Of course I didn't do it, and I quickly realized it was the H of HALT getting to me. Once I had my dinner I was absolutely fine. I learned a lesson yesterday - bring extra snacks to work!
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: MN
Posts: 93
Yep, definitely. Yesterday I had to skip my lunch because I was too busy at work. I had a couple of very small snacks at my desk - wasn't enough. So by the time I got home from work I was absolutely starving. And there was no suitable food in the house to make dinner for me and my son, so we went out to eat. I really don't crave alcohol anymore, so I was very surprised yesterday at the restaurant when I was thinking a glass of wine would hit the spot. WHAT?? Of course I didn't do it, and I quickly realized it was the H of HALT getting to me. Once I had my dinner I was absolutely fine. I learned a lesson yesterday - bring extra snacks to work!
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 967
This is exactly my story. I think I have an unspecified eating disorder, and so I often will starve myself. I have had several relapses because I did not eat throughout the day and my cravings became severe when I was starving myself and hungry. I then had two choices: (1) Give into the craving and drink, or (2) Eat something and then BOOM, craving gone. I have suffered too much pain and therefore don't play around anymore, and I choose to eat.
Keeping food around at all times is a really good idea. Sometimes I just get too busy, or "forget" to eat - It's very bad for me on a lot of levels. After my experience Wednesday I went and bought a bunch of snacky things to keep in my desk drawer. I'm also quitting smoking right now and I need stuff like trail mix, beef jerky, and hard candies to keep myself from caving and going to get cigs.
I have to be careful with HALT as well. I am a nightshifter so I spend a fair amount of time tired. Add hungry or angry and I have a major craving set up. I also struggle with food/weight issues. Its frustrating sometimes but at this point I'd rather be sober than anything else. My best defense at this point is paying attention when I start to crave and doing what I need to do to take care of myself. If I'm hungry I eat. If I'm tired I sleep if I can. Hang in there. Keep coming back.
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: MN
Posts: 93
I have to be careful with HALT as well. I am a nightshifter so I spend a fair amount of time tired. Add hungry or angry and I have a major craving set up. I also struggle with food/weight issues. Its frustrating sometimes but at this point I'd rather be sober than anything else. My best defense at this point is paying attention when I start to crave and doing what I need to do to take care of myself. If I'm hungry I eat. If I'm tired I sleep if I can. Hang in there. Keep coming back.
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: MN
Posts: 93
I have never heard of this. This place is so great for information!! I spent time yesterday reading about HALT - some great stuff.
So much is coming together for me.
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