Introduction
Before we begin, I would like to reassure you of something very important: You are not broken. You are not sick. And you are most definitely not a failure. You are human.
You are trapped in a thinking pattern that drives behaviours and actions based on automatic responses. They act out our beliefs and the brain’s natural wiring to follow habits. This process defines all of us in the same way. We see, we act, we be. Therefore, we’re a lot less in control of our actions than we believe to be.
Once we realise this, then we can change our destiny and let true transformation happen. We can start to make life-changing decisions that will benefit us more. We can finally break free from the habit loop constantly chasing that next dopamine hit. And from there, we can carve out a new way of being, one rooted in awareness and aligned with who we want to become.
It’s not easy, but it’s always possible. Never forget that you hold the power to align your desires with your actions. You have the choice to fight the temptation that surrounds you. Life is meant to be lived, not spent chained to unconscious thought patterns. So fight them, you must.
This journey is challenging and tough. Yet, what doesn’t kill you always makes you stronger. Step into a new horizon and cross it with confidence. You are worthy of new beginnings. And yes, you can make it happen.
Are You Struggling With Alcohol Cravings?
If you're struggling to fight the urge to drink and you find yourself giving in to temptation whenever it arises, remember that you’re not alone. It might be the moment you walk into a bar, a restaurant, or down the wine aisle at the supermarket.
You see the beautifully packaged bottles lined up in a glorified, glamorous display. You feel a twinge of envy watching others sip and smile as they find comfort in a glass. Naturally, you crave that same feeling they share: relaxation, joy and escape. Yet deep down, you know how it ends.
That desire won’t leave you satisfied at the end of the night. You know what the morning after brings: regret, shame, and physical pain. And you know that, for you, just one is never enough. We’ve all heard the term: One won’t hurt. Ten pints later or two bottles of wine in and your body pays the price tomorrow.
Visualise the reality of what’s to come before you decide whether just one is really worth it. Remember that recognising this pattern is the first step to breaking it. Yet, I know it’s easier said than done.
This is why you need a proper plan set in place when times get tough. You must find a strategy that you can rely on. Recovery takes time, and it’s okay to slip up because it’s all part of the process. What matters most is that you get back up and keep on fighting.
What Is the Witching Hour?
The witching hour typically hits late afternoon or evening, when the day’s stress builds and your mental defences drop. You feel tired, emotionally drained and stressed. Naturally you seek comfort and alcohol offers an easy reward. So this is when you feel your cravings peak.
It can be a critical moment to stay vigilant and rely on your coping strategies. Meditation, self-hypnosis, breathwork and even simple distractions like cleaning, exercise or painting help you ride the wave. Understanding this pattern helps you stay prepared and empowered.
The Science Behind It
Cravings are not just about desire. They are a chemical and psychological storm going wild in your mind. During the witching hour, your brain’s stress and reward systems collide. Cortisol, the stress hormone, rises later in the day. Dopamine, the brain's reward chemical, drops.
Alcohol provides an instant dopamine fix, which makes it rewarding in the moment. But over time it alters the brain’s chemistry, leading to dependency. The witching hour becomes a battleground between cravings and your desire to reduce alcohol consumption.
You’re not weak. Your brain is doing what it thinks it needs to do to survive.
Alcohol Is Not the Answer to Stress
Alcohol might offer short-term relief for stress, but over time it compounds it. The cycle of waking up with guilt and regret only deepens the pressure you feel the next day.
You start each morning with a vow to quit, but each night you give in to your alcohol cravings. You’re not alone in this. So many people drink to escape stress. Yet, the relief is fleeting and followed by anxiety, poor sleep, and emotional lows.
Never be hard on yourself. Setbacks are part of the process. What really matters is that you don’t give up. You can break the cycle. Recovery means finding better ways to cope. Hypnotherapy for alcohol control, movement, creativity, nature and connection can all help lower your alcohol intake.
The Power of Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations help reframe your thoughts and train your brain to believe in change. Instead of I can’t quit, say I’m getting stronger every day. Instead of I’m not enough, say I am worthy of a better life. Hypnotherapy strengthens affirmations, especially when you struggle to believe them yourself. Alcohol-free lifestyle becomes easier to imagine.
Be Kind to Yourself
Sobriety takes time. Healing isn’t linear. Your inner voice needs support, not criticism. Harsh words harm your self-esteem. Kindness fuels resilience. Reframe mistakes as part of progress and focus on your wins.
Discover Your Why
Ask yourself why you want to stop drinking. Write it down. Let your reasons guide you. Whether to feel healthier, improve sleep, have more energy, or be free of regret, these rewards are worth it.
Helpful Tips to Fight Cravings
- Breathe deeply
- Write down your why
- Say positive affirmations
- Call a friend
- Go for a walk
- Reconnect with nature
- Read something inspiring
- Take up a hobby
- Exercise
- Journal your journey
- Use alcohol-free alternatives
- Listen to hypnotherapy for alcohol control sessions
Every time you resist cravings, you reinforce change and move closer to reducing alcohol consumption.
Manifest a Better Life
To change your life, change your mindset. Focus on progress. Nurture small new habits. Soon your new patterns will feel natural, and binge drinking will lose its grip.
Have You Tried Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy for alcohol control helps calm the nervous system, reshape beliefs, and reduce alcohol cravings. It uncovers emotional roots and helps build new patterns. You do not need to rely on willpower alone.
Become the Best Version of You
You have already begun. Hypnotherapy through Clear Minds can guide you from day one. The life you want is within reach.
In Conclusion
This journey is yours. It is worth it. Use these tools, be kind to yourself, and celebrate your wins. At Clear Minds, we are here to help you create a life that is empowered and free.
