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You're walking home after a long day. You round the corner, your favourite pub comes into view — and suddenly, every cell in your body wants to walk through that door.

We’ve all been there. But what if that pull isn't actually about the drink at all?

Alcohol cravings are one of the most misunderstood parts of changing the way you drink. They're not a sign of a problem, and they're not a sign of weakness — but they can feel overwhelmingly powerful in the moment.

What most people don't know is that the craving itself rarely lasts as long as it feels like it does.

Armed with that knowledge and a few practical strategies, you have far more control than you might think.

I walk you through a four-step approach to acknowledging, understanding, riding out, and replacing the urge — without relying on willpower alone or beating yourself up for feeling it in the first place.

0:00 Take a walk with me

3:39 Is a 'craving' a sign of a 'problem'?

4:33 What are you really craving?

7:29 I still get cravings 5 years in

8:42 How long do cravings last

10:40 Four Steps To Handle Urges

11:36 Think. about what you really want

12:53 Ride it out

13:37 Simple replacements in the moment

15:12 The underrated connection between movement & cravings

19:56 Three things definitely NOT to do

21:26 It's ok to find this hard

23:05 Download your Surf the Urge Vault tool

Best episode to listen to next:

111: Drinking on Autopilot: How Daily Stress Fuels Your Evening Habits - https://www.mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/2229527/episodes/17853665

Join the membership and get the resources you need to make the change you want - https://mindfuldrinking.substack.com/s/the-vault

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You can email me at denise@lownodrinkermagazine.com

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*Some links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a commission that helps me keep the show going. Thank you.

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What if low and no alcohol drinks just... aren't for you?

Before you close the tab — hear me out.

Not everyone is ready to make the switch, and that's not a criticism — it's a reality check. There are some very specific reasons why low/no drinking might not be the right fit for certain people, right now.

From expecting a perfect like-for-like replica of your favourite Rioja, to relying on Dutch courage to get through a first date, to simply not being able to stomach the price tag of a decent alcohol-free wine — I've seen all of these get in the way of what could have been a genuinely positive change.

There's also something more serious in the mix: for a small percentage of people, low and no drinks can be triggering in a way that does more harm than good — and if that's you, that matters, and I'm not going to gloss over it.

It's one of the more tongue-in-cheek episodes I've done — and yes, there are a few genuinely daft reasons in there too — but the underlying point is real. Changing the way you drink only works when you're actually ready to. And if you are? There has never been a better time to start.

0:42 You want an exact replica of your favourite boozy drink
4:35 Wine alternatives
5:35 You don't have a personality
6:52 Growing confidence in your own social abilities
7:58 You want to be in with the in crowd
9:54 You refuse to keep an open mind
12:13 You're price sensitive to quality
14:41 You find them triggering
17:19 The real point

Episodes mentioned:

#78. How Your Tastes Change When You Start Drinking Low/No - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/16940036

# 164. Drinks 101: Why Do Alcohol-Free Drinks Cost So Much? - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/18805771

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You can email me at denise@lownodrinkermagazine.com

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*Some links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a commission that helps me keep the show going. Thank you.

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What if the thing standing between you and a healthier relationship with alcohol isn't your social life, your job, or your partner — but the beliefs you've been carrying around for years without ever questioning them?

In this episode, I get personal about some of the most common — and most stubborn — limiting beliefs that keep people stuck in drinking patterns they'd genuinely like to change.

From the idea that you need a drink to "take the edge off" (and what we actually lose when we do that),

To the belief that fun and alcohol are inseparable,

To the very human fear that because you've tried before and it didn't stick, you simply can't change.

I look at where these beliefs come from, why we hold on to them so fiercely, and — more importantly — how to start unpicking them.

This one's worth a listen if you've ever found yourself saying "I don't really have a problem" while simultaneously wishing things were a little different.

You don't need a crisis to make a change. Sometimes you just need to get honest with yourself about what you actually believe.

Your next listen: ep#163. Five Questions to Ask Yourself About the Pros and Cons of Different Moderation Techniques

3:56 Taking the Edge Off
5:46 You Can't Have Fun Without Booze
8:16 No Problem = no problem
9:34 Fear Of Failing At Moderation
11:36 How to Review What Went Wrong Last Time

Join the membership and get the resources you need to make the change you want - https://mindfuldrinking.substack.com/s/the-vault

===
You can email me at denise@lownodrinkermagazine.com

===
*Some links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a commission that helps me keep the show going. Thank you.