December is one of the hardest months of the year to manage cravings. Alcohol is everywhere. Stress increases. Routines change. Family dynamics get complicated. Even people who rarely struggle with cravings find themselves wanting to drink or use more often during the holiday season.
Cravings are not a sign of weakness. They are a natural response to emotional activation, environmental cues, and changes in the nervous system. When stress goes up, cravings often rise with it.
Understanding why cravings intensify in December helps you navigate the season with clarity and make decisions that protect your wellbeing.
Why Cravings Increase in December
1. Alcohol and drugs are more available.
Work events, family gatherings, and holiday parties all create environments where substances are offered freely and frequently. Visibility alone can activate craving pathways in the brain.
2. Stress and emotional overload heighten the urge to cope.
The holidays place pressure on relationships, finances, schedules, and expectations. When your system feels overwhelmed, cravings are your brain’s way of searching for relief.
3. Positive triggers are just as powerful as negative ones.
Laughter, celebration, music, and familiar rituals can trigger cravings because they are associated with past substance use. Joy can activate cravings as strongly as stress.
4. Changes in routine weaken internal structure.
When sleep, nutrition, and daily structure get disrupted, the brain has less resilience to regulate urges.
5. Loneliness intensifies desire for escape.
Many adults feel isolated during the holidays. Cravings often rise when connection decreases.
Early Warning Signs That Cravings Are Building
You may notice:
• Feeling restless before events
• Thinking about drinking or using more than usual
• Feeling jealous when others drink casually
• Rationalizing why you could “cut loose”
• Feeling anxious, bored, or overstimulated
• Replaying past drinking or using memories
• Feeling irritated with people who want you to stay sober
• Wanting to isolate
Paying attention to these signs helps you intervene early before cravings escalate.
Five Practical Tools to Manage Cravings in December
These tools are simple, realistic, and widely used in clinical settings to reduce craving intensity.
1. Change your physical state within 10 seconds
Cravings thrive in stillness. Movement disrupts the craving loop.
Try:
• Walking outside for two minutes
• Splashing your face with cold water
• Stretching your shoulders
• Slow diaphragmatic breathing
When the body shifts, the craving often loses strength.
2. Create a plan before entering holiday environments
Your brain needs a script before you face triggers.
Answer these questions before arriving anywhere:
• What is my limit for how long I will stay?
• Who can I text if I feel overwhelmed?
• What will I say when someone offers me a drink?
• What is my exit plan if things escalate?
Structure reduces vulnerability.
3. Eat and hydrate consistently
Low blood sugar and dehydration make cravings stronger. Most people underestimate how much physiology impacts relapse risk.
Try to:
• Eat protein every 3 to 4 hours
• Drink water regularly
• Avoid skipping meals at events
Stability supports sobriety.
4. Keep something grounding in your hand
A warm mug, a glass of sparkling water, or even a small object you can hold gives your body an anchor. It reduces the likelihood of reaching for something out of habit.
5. Know your threshold, and leave early if needed
Leaving early is not failure. It is self trust.
If you notice your warning signs stacking, your body is telling you the environment is no longer safe.
When Cravings Signal the Need for Detox
Cravings become dangerous when they:
• Last most of the day
• Increase quickly when you try to cut back
• Lead to drinking or using earlier in the day
• Require more substances to feel the same effect
• Feel uncontrollable
• Are paired with withdrawal symptoms
If cravings are making decisions for you, a supervised detox may be the next right step.
Learn more about the detox process here:
Medical Detox Program
Why Detox in December Can Be a Turning Point
Detox provides:
• A break from triggering environments
• Medical support to stabilize withdrawal
• Emotional grounding from a trained team
• A safe reset before the New Year
• A plan for ongoing recovery
Many people find that December is the clearest moment to start fresh.
Read about our treatment approach here:
Our Approach
You Do Not Have to Manage This Alone
If cravings are becoming difficult to control, reach out. Early intervention prevents crisis and opens the door to stability.
Call Valiant Detox at (720) 669-1285
or contact admissions at help@valiantdetox.com
Explore your detox options here:
https://valiantdetox.com/programs/medical-detox
