Saying no to cocktails with friends and red wine with dinner are obvious and foreseen challenges, but battling a sudden new sugar craving may be less expected. The year 2020 was one of the most challenging in modern history, one that took a toll on our mental and physical health. Don’t forget, you can ask questions anytime, and we’ll do our best to find the right expert to point you in the right direction.

But as I delved deeper, I discovered that the link was more profound than I imagined. Down to their basics, the two do share a connection that explains why recovering alcoholics crave sugar. NCBI makes a strong case for this, as we can briefly explore here to give more context to why recovering alcoholics crave sugar.

Sugar Addiction and Alcoholism Link

Finally, alcohol addiction manifests in behavioral addiction as well. It is to say, however, that substance addiction also has a purely behavioral side; the habit of substance consumption in itself. Additionally, alcohol can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it difficult for individuals to recognize when their blood sugar is low. Alcohol why do alcoholics crave sugar can cause low blood sugar levels, also known as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when there is not enough glucose in the bloodstream to fuel the body’s cells. 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.

• Alcohol consumption can have a direct impact on sugar cravings in individuals with AUD.
• At Southeast Addiction Rehab in Tennessee, we can teach you these strategies.
• While there is some truth to this, the connection actually starts in the brain.
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This disruption in the brain’s reward system can lead to cravings and compulsive behavior. Surprisingly, consuming sugar also activates the brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine, creating addictive qualities similar to those of alcohol. Many people who struggle with alcohol addiction also suffer from low blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. Normally, the liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen, which is then released into the bloodstream steadily throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels balanced. But alcohol disrupts this process, leading to low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

Exploring the Connection Between AUD and Sugar Cravings

However, it does damage the ends of neurons, causing the aforementioned effects. In other words, like most addictive substances, alcohol creates the conditions that fuel addiction to it within the brain. Instead of reaching for sugary snacks when cravings strike, try finding healthy alternatives such as fresh fruit or nuts. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help reduce feelings of hunger and prevent dehydration-related sugar cravings.

And it took me a long time to break that cycle of craving ice cream. Today I’m going share what worked for me, and tips I have picked up from clients. And I want to let you know it is possible to quit alcohol without picking up a different addiction.

Seeking Professional Help and Support

As mentioned above, it can be tricky to keep sugar out of your diet. To stay healthy and prevent an addiction relapse, you need to maintain a healthy diet where you only occasionally indulge in sugar. Sugar is similar to alcohol in the sense that it can become addictive if consumed too often. Whenever you would drink, the alcohol would release a rush of dopamine that would make you feel good. Sugary foods can easily fill in this gap, especially given that eating sweets is much more socially acceptable and appears less detrimental to your health than drinking.

• Heavy drinking can affect the liver, heart, brain, and pancreas, further compromising physical health.
• So no, sugar cravings aren’t bad on their own, but they can lead to negative consequences, and other snacking options provide more benefits while recovering.
• So, in the context of alcohol addiction, recovering alcoholics tend to subconsciously turn to “rewarding” substances like sugar.

Sugar and alcohol also are known to affect serotonin, another one of your body’s feel-good chemicals. This is why sweets and alcohol can help you de-stress and generally improve your mood, at least at first. When struggling with hypoglycemia, you’re left with symptoms like irritability, aggression, headaches, dizziness, confusion, lack of concentration and impulsive decision-making. Your body needs to right itself as quickly as possible, leading to sugar cravings. A replacement addiction (also called a transfer addiction) is when you quit one addictive behavior but feel like you need to replace it with something else.