With me , any time stress hit, the obsession to drink appeared. I never learned how to handle any stress,other than to drink, to make it go away. It was a learning process, in sobriety, and it took along time, before I could handle stress without anted to escape with booze. I don't know what is the cause of your craving, but as time goes on you will know how to handle it. I don't go to AA either

good luck...

Yes I used booze to cope and when I took away the booze I had a hard time coping. I needed to learn a few ways that I can defuse a bad feeling. Stress, anxiety , and anger are my go to feelings. I actually have to train myself to handle life. I missed that class growing up.

I could not do it alone, I just couldn't learn what I didn't know. It's like pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, it's physically impossible. But when I reached a hand out I found other alcoholics were there to give me a boost. It was like getting a jumpstart on a cold day. My battery was dead and I needed help

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I hear you're in the process of "trying" to get a therapist, don't feel AA is for you. When I wanted to live sober (because stopping drinking is easier than staying sober), I was so desperate that I became willing to even go to AA. Through the AA fellowship and guidance through the 12 Steps, I'll have 24 years on Oct 16. I had to do some work. Almost 1 whole month sober (my first hero was a woman picking up a 30 day chip). 30 days is a hella long time for a drunk to not drink! Congrats. That's ok if AA isn't for you but please find that therapist or some other program. Take it from me. The alcohol is stronger than you. Best wishes, Dianna

I agree with gr8tful2be. I think this group is great but sometimes you may want to connect with someone in person who is going through something similar. I heard of SMART program and there are other programs as well. Just know that you are not alone.

I've found the same cravings can increase as time goes on. Sometimes just eating something sweet was enough to get me through a craving.

Almost 6 months and I still crave occasionally. I have people I can talk to about it and in the moment I have a few nonalcoholic alternatives I turn to. Sweets do help too. If it is really bad I will get myself treat instead.

Situations, smells, events, moods can all trigger cravings. That's the beauty of AA, is that you've got a network of people at the ready to talk to. It saved my life and I definitely didn't think I was one of "them."

I also found alternatives. Raspberry lemonade instead of wine when cooking. Gatorade instead of beer when working in the yard. Grapefruit juice with dinner. And a dish of Heath toffee frozen yogurt squashes any cravings!!!