How Long Does the Craving for Alcohol Last?

May 4
5 min read

Updated: May 14

resisting-alcohol-craving — Cravings often peak when you’re tired, alone, or out of routine—especially at night.

Cravings can feel endless. But they’re not. Here’s what to expect—and what to do when they hit.

If you’ve quit drinking—or you’re thinking about it—you’ve probably asked yourself: How long is this feeling going to last?

That urge to drink—whether it shows up at 6pm sharp, after an argument, or out of nowhere on a random Wednesday—can feel intense, unpredictable, and impossible to explain to anyone who hasn’t been through it.

So let’s talk about it properly. How long do alcohol cravings last? Why do they feel worse at certain times? And what can you actually do about them when they hit?

Why Understanding Cravings Actually Helps

Cravings aren’t just annoying urges you should “get over.” They’re a normal part of recovery—and there’s a good reason they happen.

When you drink regularly, your brain gets used to alcohol as a kind of shortcut: to relax, to escape, to feel better. And when you stop, it takes time to rebuild those reward pathways. In the meantime? You feel tension, restlessness, and that familiar “I could really use a drink” feeling.

Understanding cravings doesn’t make them disappear—but it makes them a lot easier to manage. Especially when you realise they’re temporary, they’re expected, and they don’t mean you’re failing.

What Causes Alcohol Cravings?

Cravings come from a few different places:

The brain’s reward system – Alcohol releases dopamine. When you stop, your brain has to relearn how to feel good without it.
Emotional triggers – Stress, boredom, loneliness, anxiety. All the usual suspects.
Habits and routines – If you always had a drink after work, during dinner, or while watching Netflix, your brain associates those moments with alcohol.

There are two phases to cravings:

Short-term cravings – These hit during acute withdrawal (first few days to weeks).
Post-Acute Withdrawal (PAWS) – Cravings that come and go for months, often triggered by emotion, memory, or stress.

A Quick Note on Sugar and Alcohol Cravings

One thing that often surprises people when they stop drinking is how intense their sugar cravings become. That’s not random—alcohol contains a lot of sugar, and your body gets used to processing it.

So when you quit, you're not just going through alcohol withdrawal—you're also going through a kind of sugar withdrawal.

That’s why we often recommend:

Eating something sweet when cravings hit (fruit, chocolate, sweets)
Not being too strict with sugar in the first few weeks
Understanding that sugar cravings will ease with time too

Giving yourself permission to satisfy a sweet tooth—at least temporarily—can make those early alcohol cravings easier to manage. You’re not replacing one addiction with another. You’re just helping your body and brain recalibrate.

Watch: The Danger Of Detoxing From Sugar At The Same Time As Alcohol And Drugs

The Alcohol Cravings Timeline: What to Expect

Days 1–3: The Hardest Part

This is when cravings hit hardest—especially on Day 2.

Your body is detoxing, and your emotions are raw.
You may feel tense, anxious, shaky, or just “off.”
The craving to feel “normal” again is strong.

Week 1–2: Physical Cravings Drop, Mental Ones Rise

Your body starts to settle, but your brain is still adjusting.

Cravings may feel more emotional than physical.
You might find yourself negotiating with yourself at night.
Sleep can still be patchy.

Month 1–3: Cravings Come and Go

You may feel great for a few days—then suddenly get hit with a craving out of nowhere.

Triggers are more subtle now: a smell, a memory, an ad.
Emotional situations become the main challenge.

3–6 Months: Fewer Cravings, New Confidence

Most people report fewer cravings, but not none.

You start to feel more in control.
But certain triggers (stress, celebrations, loneliness) can still bring urges.

6 Months to 1 Year: Rare, but Real

By now, cravings are usually brief and manageable.

They may surprise you, especially around big events or changes.
What matters most is that you know how to respond.

Common Triggers That Keep Cravings Around

Even when the physical need has passed, triggers can keep cravings alive:

Stress and overwhelm
Boredom, loneliness
Social events (especially ones involving alcohol)
Emotional pain or unresolved trauma
Scent, taste, rituals (pouring a drink, using a certain glass, watching sports)

Recognising these isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness. Cravings don’t come from nowhere. When you can spot the pattern, you can interrupt it.

How to Handle Cravings When They Hit

A man walking outdoors with headphones, choosing movement over alcohol during recovery. — New habits don’t have to be dramatic. Even a walk can help shift your state when cravings hit.

Cravings usually don’t last longer than 20–30 minutes. But in the moment, it can feel like they’ll never end.

Here’s what helps:

Breathe through it – Slow, deep breaths regulate your nervous system.
Get up, move, shift your focus – A walk, a phone call, a shower—anything that interrupts the loop.
Urge surfing – Notice the craving, let it rise, and let it pass. No judgement.
Hydrate and eat something nourishing – Cravings often spike when you’re tired, thirsty, or hungry.
Write it down – A 2-minute journal entry can put distance between you and the feeling.
Tell someone – Text a friend. Speak to your coach. Connection is the antidote to relapse.

So… How Long Does It Really Take to Stop Craving Alcohol?

There’s no exact number. But here’s what we’ve seen:

For light or moderate drinkers: cravings can fade within a few weeks
For heavier, long-term drinkers: they can show up for months
For everyone: they fade faster when you have support, structure, and a plan

Recovery isn’t linear. And the “how long” question isn’t really about time—it’s about what support you have in place while your brain and body recalibrate.

Do Cravings Come Back? Yes—But You’ll Be Ready

Sometimes they return after months of quiet. A stressful day. A party. A breakup. A surprise emotional spike.

That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human. Recovery isn’t about never craving—it’s about knowing what to do when you do.

You’re Not Failing. You’re Rewiring.

If you’re wondering how long does the craving for alcohol last, you’re not broken—you’re rebuilding.

Cravings are a sign your brain is healing, your habits are shifting, and your decision to stop drinking is being tested. That’s not weakness. That’s growth.

You don’t have to push through this on your own. At Reset My Future, we help people who are ready for change—but don’t want a one-size-fits-all rehab model. Our 12-week online program is private, tailored, and built around your goals—whether that’s quitting completely or learning to regain control.

👉 Book a free consultation to talk about what you’re facing—and what support looks like when it’s built for you.