How long will I crave for?

[Postbox123]

Hi, I’ve been increasing worried about my need for ‘a drink’ after work for the past few months. Usually just 1 does the trick, just to sit down for 20 mins, have a glass of wine before I cook tea.
I’d started to notice that one wasn’t enough and I was hiding the left over Christmas spirits into a Diet Coke too so neither DH or DS (teen) noticed.
I had a few drinks with DH after work on Friday as we both have this week off and have not had a drop since. Being off work helps, no stress as such, but I’d still love a glass of wine right now. I’ve not bought any when shopping to make sure I can’t and gave the cupboards a good clear out, using that as an excuse to pour the spirits away.
DH enjoys a drink once a week or so, but can happily not bother for several weeks. His job involves regularly being on-call so removes temptation from him. I guess this is why I’ve been hiding a sneaking vodka in the cola.
So I’m wondering, how long will I keep craving this 4pm drink? I’m back at work next week and very worried I’ll get back into the old routine. I’m not actively quitting all together, but I want the alone drinking each evening to stop. Does anyone have tips to get out of this worrying routine. I’m generally very fit and healthy so this goes against everything else in my life.

[cameocat]

Hello @Postbox123

Alcohol takes ten days to leave your body so your cravings might go on until then, habits and your unconscious thinking can last longer. Society has generally conditioned us to think it helps us relax / we deserve it etc.

If you want to know more I recommend either reading Annie Grace's naked mind or doing the 30 day alcohol experiment (free online) by her. She chose full sobriety but her approach is either for that or reducing intake. It helps you scientifically understand alcohol and what it does to your body which is interesting, and I like being educated on what I am doing or not doing as in my case I also chose sobriety - I no longer see benefits to drinking.

One of the things she said that remained with me is that tolerance always goes up so over a life time most people ending up drinking more. She used her friend as an example - her friend at uni was always teased as she'd get really drunk on one glass of wine. She said at dinner the other day she drank two glasses and was fine to drive. This is how it seeps more into our lives even if you aren't dependent on alcohol.

[Mydogruns]

The hiding thing is unusual though given you're not really drinking very much, I'd have a think about that a bit more. Having a drink to switch off is a great way to change gears but it doesn't have to have alcohol in it - the effect of the alcohol in helping you relax is minimal - you'll often feel relaxed even as you sit down with your first sip - it's like you've been given permission to put your feet up for 20 mins. I suggest you treat yourself to a cup of tea or a sparkling water/ fruit juice or whatever else you enjoy - it will work the same way.