Every time we vow to quit drinking, we end up relapsing. There are so many reasons that alcohol lures us back, time, and time again. Some of us use it as a social crutch. Others like the ritual, the comfort of the people, places, sights, and sounds that have surrounded our drinking. Whether it be family, relationships, work, legal, or other problems, we know that we need to stop. Drinking is harming our lives. No matter how many times we have tried sober up on our own, no matter how long we managed to go without drinking each time, we’ve never managed to succeed in stopping completely. Why can’t we stop drinking on our own?
The Culture of Drinking
Although alcohol is legal to consume for those ages 21 and over, we sometimes forget that alcohol is also a drug. Specifically, alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant. While it is used daily by millions of Americans, alcohol can have extensive effects on our moods and behaviors. Drinking alcohol affects our coordination and motor skills, as well as our memory and ability to think. We also forget that drinking alcohol can raise our heart rate and blood pressure and create other short and long-term physical symptoms. One of the most debilitating of which is that it can create addiction.
However, there is a culture of drinking. Alcohol is commonly consumed with meals or at social gatherings. We drink to celebrate, we drink to drown our sorrows, and we drink to numb our pain or forget. We drink in bars and pubs, and we drink with friends and family. The sight of our favorite bar, the sound of a bottle or can being opened, the way it feels to hold a drink in our hand–these are all part of the culture of drinking that is so pervasive in our society today. Alcohol is comforting, relaxing, and often a significant part of our everyday lives.
More Than Just Willpower
When we look at only the culture behind drinking, it seems that willpower should be enough to be able to stop. Yet how many of us have told concerned friends and family, “I can quit any time,” only to make excuses when we keep on drinking? Not only is alcohol often a huge part of our lives and culture, alcohol is very addictive.
While we hear the word “addiction” a lot, do we really understand what it means? It means that there are actual physical changes in our brains and bodies that make it very difficult to stop drinking. It means that willpower alone is not likely to be enough to stop ingesting alcohol on a regular basis. It means that we are not weak-minded or less-than or anything else if we have not been able to stop drinking on our own. It only means that we need help to stop drinking.
The Physiological Effects of Drinking
When we drink, alcohol makes us relax and it makes us feel good. We know this and that’s why we drink. However, what we don’t know is that in our brains, there is something that happens each time we drink. The brain releases dopamine when we drink because we feel good. This impacts the reward center of the brain and makes us want more. Our brain is telling us to drink again, we liked that feeling, and so we drink again and more dopamines are released.
This process actually changes our brains’ reward pathway until we are dependent on alcohol. Our brains are literally being rewired to need more alcohol. Yes, to need alcohol. The reward pathway creates a physiological need and our bodies become accustomed to consuming alcohol regularly, and so our minds and bodies crave alcohol. Not just want it, but need it.
Changing Our Minds
This physiological need for alcohol is difficult to reverse, especially on our own. We force our bodies to stop consuming alcohol during detox, but our brains are still wired to consume it regularly. Cravings in addiction are so powerful and can be so difficult to resist or ignore. No wonder it is so difficult to stop drinking on our own. However, with proper treatment, it is possible to change our minds physiologically. Addiction can cause long-lasting changes in our minds and bodies, but we can stop drinking and live a better life in recovery with help.
Why can’t I stop drinking on my own? The culture surrounding alcohol is difficult enough to leave behind. But there are actual physiological reasons that make it nearly impossible to stop drinking on our own once we are addicted to alcohol. We often forget that alcohol is a drug and that our bodies do become addicted to it. Rancho Milagro Recovery is a beautiful Temecula, California ranch where we can help you stop drinking and start your recovery. In addition to our amazing rescue animals and beautiful, serene environment, we have the knowledge and skills to help you leave alcohol behind. Call us at (951) 526-4582 to find out how you can get the help you need to stop drinking. You are not alone in your battle, and with a little help, you can overcome alcohol addiction. Make the call today to physiologically change your mind and forever change your life.