There’s a big difference between psychological addiction and physical dependency.

At some point during addiction your body depends on these substances to operate and stopping becomes much more difficult. Alcoholics need to taper or take benzodiazepines to quit otherwise they may seize or die when going through withdrawals.

I would say anyone who begins drinking to numb the feeling of withdrawals (morning or middle of the night) is beginning the journey of serious alcoholism. That’s not really a craving it’s more of a need at that point.