Is being exhausted and craving sugar normal?

[Indecisivegal]

My drinking has become daily again, and after drinking a lot on Saturday night I’ve decided to cut it out for a while.. I find every time I try to stick to drinking a couple of times a week, eventually I just end up drinking every day. I don’t normally go more than two/three days without a drink. Why does it slip to everyday so easily? I find I crave it to unwind from work.

I don’t drink a lot during the week, one or two, but more on weekends and just noticing how much it’s impacting my weekends. The Sunday just gone, I was so hungover my eyes were bloodshot and I was at a family event and everyone just looked concerned for me but didn’t realise I was just hungover. I felt awful all day and just isn’t worth it.

im on day 5, and im exhausted and craving sugar like no tomorrow. Is this normal and part of it, and if so will I see the benefit of not drinking? Or is this not and maybe im just getting under the weather? Thanks

Well done for getting to day five!

Alcohol is sugar so take it away and you'll crave sugar. At this point just eat as much as you want. It's better than alcohol. If you can, try to stick to healthy sugars and mix them with carbs. Honey on toast, dried fruit and nuts, medjool dates are amazing.

But, if it's a couple of mars bars don't sweat it. It will pass.

One day at a time

Thank you, is dry white wine still sugary too? Guess that makes sense now..
I nearly gave in and had a beer yesterday but felt pleased I didn’t but feel so tired today it’s like I have a hangover anyway!! My body needs a break

You're experiencing withdrawal. Alcohol acts like sugar in the body, don't press me on the science 🤣 You'll start to feel better quite soon, drinking will set you back to zero so stick with it if you can

I’m still like that - a few months in…!!

im not too fussed about the sugar, I do have Greek yogurt with dried fruit and maple syrup which is way better calories than a bottle of wine, but also can hoover down a family bag of minstrels quite easily!!

I only ever drank very dry white wine or full bodied red, nothing you would characterise as sweet in the slightest, OP.

I have turned into a raging sugar fiend. I didn't even like sweets! Our bodies treat even the driest tasting booze as a sugar and when we deprive it of that, sweet cravings hit.

What you are experiencing is totally normal and understandable. A bag of jelly tots or a couple of bars of chocolate and you'll feel much better. Whatever sweet thing you pick will do less harm than the equivalent calories of alcohol.

Best of luck and stick with it, you're doing great

Hi OP,
I recommend listening to a lovely American lady called Gill Tiertz who does a free podcast called sober powered. Each episode is short 20 minutes or less, she talks alot about the science of alcohol and explains about sugar and tiredness and a lot of it is so helpful. She is a professor of Chemistry so knows her stuff and she is a great communicator.
And it takes a while to feel better but as you keep not drinking those benefits show up. You are tired because alcohol has messed up your sleep for years and your body is trying to catch up. This phase will pass.