Why Do People Get Sugar Cravings After Quitting Drinking?
Addiction treatment needs to account for such hardships and can often tackle them effectively. In brief, there are three main ways to do so, each with its own subsections. However, it does damage the ends of neurons, causing the aforementioned effects. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ In other words, like most addictive substances, alcohol creates the conditions that fuel addiction to it within the brain. While consuming too much sugar can have negative health consequences, it is unlikely to directly cause a relapse.
On top of the factors mentioned above, there are several other good reasons you may experience sugar cravings after quitting drinking. These include disruptions to your body’s blood sugar regulation, and mood swings due to a drop in serotonin. Focusing on healthy, natural alternatives can be an effective way to manage your sweet tooth after quitting alcohol. Including foods high in fiber, rich in protein, and loaded with healthy fats can keep you satisfied for longer and hence, you are less likely to be drawn towards sugary substances. Both alcohol and sugar throw a party for your brain’s reward system, but secretly they also have a tumultuous affair with your blood sugar levels.
Sugar Cravings Start With Your Brain
Keeping the benefits in mind might not make the journey any easier, though. A separate study done and presented at the 9th ISBRA Congress showed support for an association between sweets and a genetic predisposition for alcoholism and a family history. In the study 61 percent of individuals with a positive family history of alcoholism preferred sugar solutions. This is extremely high compared to the 19 percent of individuals who preferred sugar solutions and who reported no known negative family or genetic histories of alcoholism.
Typically, I see sugar cravings tapering down within a few weeks with the proper nutrition and hydration. Then find healthier alternatives to satiate your cravings, such as fruits and increasing your protein intake. Regular exercise and staying hydrated are also excellent strategies.
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Well, for one, alcohol has a very high sugar content, says Dr. Weiss, so on some level, your abstinence might result in sugar withdrawal, which can in turn result in literal sugar cravings. Other smaller studies have observed do alcoholics crave sugar similar relationships between abstinence and sweets cravings in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Exercise can help stabilize blood sugars, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase muscle mass and metabolism.
