#1 Reason You Can't Stop Drinking (And What To Do About It)

Why You Can't Stop Drinking

Are you that person who enters a bar, makes friends with the bartender, and before you know it, it's last call and you're wrestling with your Uber app trying to get a ride home? Or perhaps you're more of a "wine with dinner" kind of person, except dinner now starts at lunchtime and involves more bottles than a recycling center. Well I’ve been both of those people, and that’s just the beginning. If you've ever asked yourself, "Why can't I stop drinking?" you're not alone. And science might have an answer.

No, it's not because your boss is driving you nuts, or because your ex's Instagram posts are the equivalent of emotional waterboarding. It's actually more about your noggin than your heart, thanks to something called the dopamine feedback loop.

Drunk on Dopamine

Dopamine, that trusty neurotransmitter, is more popularly known as the "feel-good" chemical, although "feel-good" doesn’t quite tell the whole story. It’s your brain’s reward system, and it's been around since your ancestors were out hunting mammoths. It's dopamine that makes us feel fantastic when we do something that our brain perceives as beneficial, like eating chocolate, winning at Fortnite, or, you guessed it, drinking alcohol.

Dopamine essentially works like this: your brain sits at a baseline dopamine level. When you engage in (or even think about) doing something you enjoy, your dopamine level spikes. It then quickly drops below baseline, triggering your craving and desire for more.

Later, when you become a little too sober, your brain is like, "Oh hey, that drink was really nice. Let’s do it again!" So you do. And again. And again. It's a classic example of the "dopamine feedback loop," a phenomenon that underpins many forms of addiction, from substance use to gambling.

The Downward Spiral

But all good things (especially alcohol-induced dopamine spikes) must come to an end… and oh boy, was I bummed when I was confronted with that ugly fact. When drinking becomes regular, our baseline dopamine level decreases. Our dopamine spikes aren’t as high, and our dopamine lows become lower. This is the reason you might have heard someone say that they need alcohol just to feel “normal”. It also explains why a drink can feel so comforting after a long, stressful day. It's your brain craving that dopamine hit to return to baseline.

If you stop drinking abruptly, the brain's demand for dopamine remains high, but the supply just isn't there. This imbalance can lead to mental withdrawal symptoms piling on top of the physical, making it even more difficult for someone to quit drinking.

So, What Can You Do About It?

First, understand that addiction is a complex issue with genetic, psychological, and environmental factors at play. It's not simply a lack of willpower or moral failure, so don't beat yourself up about it. My writing may be lighthearted, but I don’t mean to downplay excessive drinking. Remember that 1) I, personally, have been there, and 2) I have to keep you reading somehow. 

So, if you're struggling with alcohol, I recommend seeking help. There are tons of ways that people have achieved long term sobriety, but working with others who understand your path will HUGELY increase your chances. Many methods (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, for example) simply aren’t possible if you’re going at it solo. CBT is a well-researched approach that can help address patterns that lead to excessive drinking. It’s not a magic cure-all, but it’s got more science backing it than your uncle’s alien abduction stories. 

Then there’s the 12-steps, AA, group therapy, medication assisted treatment, to name a few.

And let's not forget the power of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise isn't just about looking good in your Instagram mirror selfies; several studies have suggested that it significantly reduces cravings. So break out those dusty running shoes, put on your neon spandex, and hit the treadmill like it owes you money.

Final Round, Folks

So if you've ever reached for liquor to nurse a hangover and wondered why you can't stop drinking, now you know. It's your dopamine-craving brain running on a hamster wheel of alcohol dependence. But remember, understanding the “why” is only the beginning. If you're grappling with alcohol, it's time to take action.

Your brain might be a complicated machine, but with the right tools, and a support team in your corner, you can take back control. And when you do, the victory champagne will be... well, something non-alcoholic and just as celebratory.

Contact Meta Addiction Treatment if you're struggling with an alcohol addiction or can't stop drinking. We're here for you.