Can An Alcoholic Just Stop Drinking?

If you are suffering from an alcohol addiction, withdrawing yourself from the substances can be very tough. Alcohol is prominent in different scenarios within society, whether it be social gatherings and celebrations or simply in everyday life. What starts as just casual drinking for some can often turn into a negatively impacting habit, leaving you looking for ways you can quit. But can someone with an alcohol drinking just stop drinking? In this blog, we will gain an understanding of what an alcohol addiction is and explore the challenges associated with the addiction – and determine whether you can just stop drinking.

Understanding Alcoholism

Alcoholism, which can also be known as Alcohol Use Disorder, is a disease caused by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over drinking, and negative emotional states when not using. It’s important to recognise that alcoholism isn’t just down to an individual’s willpower but it also involves key changes in brain chemistry and functioning.

Why Just Stopping Isn’t Enough

One common misunderstanding of alcohol addiction is that alcoholics can quit drinking if they utilise enough willpower. Trying to overcome an alcohol addiction comes with many challenges and isn’t a simple process. While individual willpower does play a role in recovery, it is not considered to be enough on its own for an individual to quit compulsive drinking. Alcohol abuse significantly impacts the overall functioning of the brain, leading to intense cravings and severe symptoms when attempting to quit. These factors make it highly challenging for individuals to overcome their addiction, especially without beneficial guidance and treatment.

The Causes Leading to an Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol withdrawal can be very challenging to overcome and should be done with the right treatment in place. To prevent yourself from becoming dependent on alcohol, here are some of the key causes leading to an alcohol addiction:

Brain Chemistry

Alcohol affects several neurotransmitter systems in the brain, including dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating mood, pleasure, and inhibition. Chronic alcohol use can lead to neuroadaptations, where the brain becomes less sensitive to natural responses and more reliant on alcohol to release dopamine, which typically results in cravings and compulsive drinking behaviour.

Psychological Factors

Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often co-occur with alcoholism. Individuals will sometimes use alcohol as a form of self-medication to alleviate symptoms or cope with emotional distress. Childhood trauma, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, can increase the risk of developing an addiction later in life as a means of coping with unresolved trauma.

Environmental Influences

Social and cultural factors play a significant role in creating alcohol consumption patterns. Cultural attitudes toward alcohol, accessibility, and social life regarding drinking behaviour can significantly influence an individual’s relationship with alcohol. Becoming exposed to alcohol at an early age, whether this is through family members, peers, or media, can normalise drinking behaviour and increase the chances of an addiction developing.

Social Pressure

Peer pressure and social influences can impact alcohol consumption decisions, especially during adolescence and young adulthood. Making an effort to feel more comfortable within social groups and having a desire to fit in may lead individuals to drink excessively. Social events, celebrations, and gatherings often revolve around alcohol consumption, making it difficult for individuals to abstain or moderate their drinking in these contexts.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Risks

For those with severe alcohol dependence, quitting drinking by willpower alone and without the essential treatment can be highly dangerous due to the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as:

Seizures Hallucinations Extreme agitation

 

This highlights the importance of seeking medical supervision and support when attempting to stop drinking. Detoxification under medical supervision can help manage severe withdrawal symptoms and increase the chances of a successful recovery.

The Importance of Seeking Professional Treatment

Considering the many challenges that are associated with removing yourself from alcohol, many alcoholics benefit from seeking professional treatment. This may involve taking part in a detox programme which you can access here at Home Detox UK, where our medical professionals monitor withdrawal symptoms and ease the process. Also, therapy and support groups are highly beneficial forms of treatment that can offer crucial emotional and psychological support during your recovery journey.

Addressing Underlying Issues

Alcoholism often leads to underlying issues such as trauma, mental health disorders, or unresolved emotional pain. Simply quitting drinking will not address these key causes, worsening the individual’s addiction overall. With the use of effective treatment, these underlying issues can be addressed with precaution ensuring safety at all times when withdrawing yourself from alcohol usage. Treatment such as therapy and counselling which can be provided to you by Home Detox UK, helps promote an overall approach to healing and long-lasting recovery.

The Risk of Relapse

Even with the right intentions and support systems in place, relapse is a common occurrence in alcoholism recovery. Relapse should be viewed not as a failure but as a minor setback when on the journey to becoming fully sober. It’s important for individuals struggling with alcohol withdrawal syndrome to recognise triggers and develop coping strategies to prevent future relapses.

Seeking Treatment with Home Detox UK

The debate whether an alcoholic can just stop drinking isn’t a simple yes or no answer however, it is highly advised to seek guidance and treatment when overcoming your addiction as relying on willpower alone can be quite dangerous. Having a good understanding of alcoholism and taking a comprehensive approach to recovery, individuals struggling with alcohol addiction can reclaim control of their lives. Here at Home Detox UK, we understand the unique challenges you face when dealing with substance dependency and withdrawal symptoms. We want to ensure your safety and overall well-being at all times when recovering from your addiction, this is why we provide tailored detox programmes that are best suited to your specific needs. Our professionals and addiction specialists are dedicated to customising detox plans that match your preferences, ensuring you seek the treatment you are looking for.