What Do I Do When I Feel Like Drinking Again?

Written by Susan — sober for 25+ years, sharing what actually works

Written by Susan — sober for 25+ years, sharing what actually works

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking what do I do when I feel like drinking again, rest assured it's a common thought, and you’re not alone. That moment can feel very real, very immediate, and often harder than anything you felt earlier in the day. The urge shows up, and suddenly it feels like everything depends on what you do next.

What Do I Do When I Feel Like Drinking Again?

So what actually works in that moment, when the urge shows up?

This is where everything you’ve noticed so far starts to come together.

Because by the time you’re asking this question, you’re already in the moment — and that moment needs a different kind of response.

The First Step Is Simpler Than You Think

Most people try to fight the urge.

👉 That’s usually where it goes wrong

Fighting it creates tension. And tension makes the urge feel stronger.

Instead:

👉 pause

Even a few seconds is enough to create space between you and the automatic response.

You’re Not Trying to Win — You’re Trying to Interrupt

This isn’t about proving anything.

It’s about breaking the pattern.

That means:

• noticing what’s happening
• recognizing the familiar feeling
• choosing not to follow the same path

👉 even if it feels uncomfortable

This Is Where Somatic Markers Help Most

This is where the work you’ve done beforehand starts to matter.

When that moment shows up, you don’t want to rely on willpower alone.

You want something real to refer back to.

That’s what somatic markers give you.

👉 a reminder of what drinking actually leads to
👉 not just the first drink, but everything after it

Inside the course, you’ll learn exactly how to use this properly — so you’re not trying to figure it out in real time.

If you want to understand the idea behind this more clearly, the somatic marker hypothesis explains how past experiences shape decisions in the moment.

Give Yourself Something Else to Do (But Keep It Simple)

You don’t need a big plan.

You don’t need a perfect replacement.

You just need something that shifts the moment.

That could be:

• making a cup of tea
• sitting somewhere different
• picking up something simple to do

The goal is not distraction.

👉 It’s interruption

Why This Moment Feels So Important

It feels like everything depends on this moment.

And in a way, it does.

But not because it’s a test of willpower.

👉 It’s a moment where a pattern can either repeat — or break

What to Expect in That Moment

That moment can feel stronger than you expect, even if you were feeling fine earlier.

You might notice a shift in your thinking, where the idea of drinking suddenly feels more appealing or harder to dismiss.

You might also feel a quiet pull toward what’s familiar — not because you’ve decided anything, but because your brain recognizes the pattern.

That’s part of how this works.

It narrows your focus to the immediate moment and makes everything else feel less important.

Recognizing that shift, even briefly, gives you a chance to step out of it. Let's face it, a glass with alcohol in it doesn't just appear magically in your hand.

There’s always a moment where the decision begins — and this is your chance to alter the outcome.

And that small moment of awareness is often enough to change what happens next.

If You Slip, It Doesn’t Undo Everything

This part matters.

If you do end up drinking, it doesn’t erase what you’ve already started to understand.

It just means:

👉 the pattern wasn’t interrupted this time

And that’s something you can learn from.

This Gets Easier — But Not Automatically

The more you recognize the moment, the more control you gain.

Not instantly.

But gradually.

Each time you:

• pause
• notice
• choose differently

👉 you weaken the pattern

If you’re wondering what it means if you do slip, the next page explains it clearly:

👉 Does Relapse Mean I Failed or Something Else?

If you want a structured, step-by-step way to handle these moments, my 66 Days to Break the Nightly Drinking Habit course walks you through exactly what to do — without relying on willpower alone.

That moment when you feel like drinking again isn’t the problem — it’s the opportunity. It’s the point where something different can happen. And once you start responding to it differently, even in small ways, the pattern begins to lose its grip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking Urges

About Susan Gast

I’m Susan, creator of Live Better Sober, and I’ve been alcohol-free for over 25 years.

I created this site to share a practical, real-life approach for people who want to stop drinking, regain control, and build a better life without alcohol.

Everything I share is grounded in lived experience, consistency, and simple steps that work in real life.

About Susan Gast

I’m Susan, creator of Live Better Sober, and I’ve been alcohol-free for over 25 years.

I created this site to share a practical, real-life approach for people who want to stop drinking, regain control, and build a better life without alcohol.

Everything I share is grounded in lived experience, consistency, and simple steps that work in real life.