Alcohol Cravings
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Insomnia
Depression
Mood swings
Restless legs
Short temper
Low energy
Fidgeting
Feeling anxious
Nervousness
Trouble sleeping
Feeling sad
Feeling sad for no reason
About the Symptom
Alcohol craving is a broad range of thoughts, physical sensations, or emotions that tempt you to drink, even though you have at least some desire not to.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Craving alcohol
Possible Causes
Generally, Alcohol cravings can be related to:
- Alcohol Dependence / Delirium Tremens
A condition in which the patient depends on alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if they don't have a drink. These symptoms can range from mild (e.g., irritation, sleeplessness) to severe (confusion, coma, seizures).
- Alcohol Usage Disorder
Alcohol use disorder is a condition with continued heavy and/or frequent alcohol use despite mental, social, or physical problems. It is sometimes referred to as alcoholism.
- Secondary Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Secondary immunodeficiency syndrome results in a weakened immune system due to an underlying condition or external factors.
- Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you crave alcohol?
Reviewed By:
Weston S. Ferrer, MD (Psychiatry)
Weston Ferrer is a physician leader, psychiatrist, and clinical informaticist based in San Francisco. With nearly a decade of experience in academia and more recent immersion in industry, he has made significant contributions to the fields of digital health, health tech, and healthcare innovation. | As an Associate Professor at UCSF, Weston was involved in teaching, leadership, and clinical practice, focusing on the intersection of technology and mental health. He recently led mental health clinical for Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences), where he applied his expertise to develop innovative solutions for mental healthcare using the tools of AI/ML, digital therapeutics, clinical analytics, and more.. | Weston is known for his unique ability to innovate and support product development while bringing pragmatism to technology entrepreneurship. He is a strong advocate for patient-centered care and is committed to leveraging technology to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. |
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Content updated on Jan 29, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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With a free 3-min Alcohol Cravings quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
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History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- I feel like I really need alcohol
- Powerful desire for alcohol
- Strong desire for alcohol
- Craving for alcohol
- Alcohol cravings
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FAQs
Q.
Can’t Stop the Urge? Why Naltrexone Works & Medically Approved Steps
A.
Naltrexone is an FDA approved treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders that blocks opioid receptors to blunt reward, reduce cravings, and lower relapse risk, and it works best when combined with counseling and regular medical follow up. There are several factors to consider, including candidacy, liver testing, starting only after opioid detox, choosing oral vs monthly injection, and medically approved steps like speaking with a doctor about MAT, trigger management, and monitoring; see below for details that could change your next steps and when to seek urgent care.
References:
* O'Malley, P. E., Weinberger, A. H., & Pacek, L. R. (2020). Efficacy and Safety of Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. *JAMA Psychiatry*, 77(10), 1017-1027. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32788915/
* Lee, J. D., & Kim, Y. H. (2020). Pharmacological Mechanisms of Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Narrative Review. *Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience*, 18(3), 391-403. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32838426/
* Litten, R. Z., & Egli, M. (2018). Naltrexone and the Mechanism of Action in Alcohol Use Disorder. *Current Opinion in Neurobiology*, 50, 11-16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29427042/
* Kranzler, H. R., & Soyka, M. (2018). Diagnosis and pharmacotherapy of alcohol dependence: an update. *Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology*, 38(5), 450-460. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30134444/
* Lee, J. D., & Friedmann, P. D. (2020). Management of Opioid Use Disorder. *New England Journal of Medicine*, 383(4), 350-362. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32707010/
Q.
Silent Cravings? Why Your Brain is Hijacked and Medically-Led Naltrexone Steps
A.
Silent cravings arise from alcohol-driven changes in the brain’s reward pathways involving dopamine and opioid receptors, making urges feel automatic; FDA-approved naltrexone, used with medical guidance, blocks these receptors to reduce alcohol’s reward, curb cravings, and lower heavy-drinking days. There are several factors to consider, including who should not take it if using opioids or with severe liver disease, possible side effects, oral versus monthly injection, and the benefit of pairing it with counseling; see the complete answer below for key details that can shape your next steps and when to seek urgent care.
References:
* Koob, G. F., & Volkow, N. D. (2016). Neurobiology of addiction: A neurocircuitry perspective. Translational Psychiatry, 6(7), e765. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27092797/
* Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic Advances from the Brain Disease Model of Addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363–371. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26814002/
* Childress, A. R. (2011). The neurobiology of cue-induced craving: Implications for treatment. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 13(4), 389–398. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22219502/
* Mason, B. J. (2017). Alcohol and opioid dependence pharmacotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(Suppl 1), 21–25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28169720/
* Kranzler, H. R., & Soyka, M. (2018). Diagnosis and Pharmacotherapy of Alcohol Use Disorder. JAMA, 320(17), 1805–1810. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30398017/
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
NIH - How to Stop Alcohol Cravings
https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/tools/Interactive-worksheets-and-more/Stay-in-control/Coping-With-Urges-To-drink.aspx