WHY ALCOHOLICS CAN’T DRINK NORMALLY AGAIN

Alcoholics usually start drinking because they think they don’t have a drinking problem. They think they can handle couple drinks and be OK. But deep down they know they can’t drink again. But persistent, irrational thoughts compel old patterns of use and are often more dangerous. Where does this stinking thinking come from? And what can be done about it?  Alcoholics are programmed to think they can drink and go back to their old ways. The brain is a positive-reinforcing organ and tends to remember the good times associated with drinking, even glorifying alcohol, without weighing the real-life consequences of drinking like loss of friends, family, relationships, or even work.  Stinking thinking means that an alcoholic can come up with a countless number of positive reasons to drink and be ok. But they are not focusing on their recovery in a proactive manor. Anyone who wants to remain clean and sober needs to remember frequently, as to WHY they stopped in the first place. If you need motivation to stop drinking, be sure to account for both the good and bad in your past drinking.

How to stop thinking about drinking again? One has to change certain mental behaviors triggers, in order to manage and reduce cravings to drink. As long as you are exploring options to CHANGE your thinking, you are headed out of alcoholism. Should you try to drink again normally, a returned tolerance for alcohol starts at the stage one left drinking? In other words, it’s a DEAD END.

First stage of alcoholism is of adaptation, the person begins to rely on alcohol for alleviating stress or forgetting about their problems. They use alcohol as a means of escape from the everyday struggles of life. One starts thinking about when their next drink will be or starts planning on when they can go drinking. They may start to neglect close friends or relationships in favor of drinking. During this early beginning stage it is easier for a person to stop drinking than in later stages. The early signs of alcohol dependency are typically in denial and their drinking could quickly become out of control. This early stage can last anywhere from a few months to a year.

Second Stage of alcoholism is of tolerance, dependence, and craving. The person has an increased need to drink every day, as soon as they wake up in the morning or at lunch time. At this point the person has lost much control over how much and when they drink. They may have the intention to only have a beer or two, but end up drinking more in one sitting. Denial is very prominent in this stage. Family members may express concern, but the alcoholic does not think anything is wrong and that one could quit drinking anytime but don’t want to do. Other problems may begin like DUI’s, money, at work, and relationships. This middle step can last several months or several years before progressing to the final phase.

Final Stage of Alcoholism: The person is consumed by alcohol with malnutrition. Their entire day and thoughts revolve around when they will drink. They will feel sick when they do not drink, as withdrawal symptoms begin to become severe. They may experience shaky hands, headaches, and stomach problems. They cannot make it one day without a drink before feeling violently ill. After years of prolonged excessive drinking, the alcoholic in this stage may also begin experiencing related health problems – kidney and liver disease, heart disease, stomach problems, and others. They develop strong mood swings and erratic behavior posing a risk to their own safety and of others. If the alcoholic continues at this pace, it will be fatal if treatment is not sought.  Alcohol affects the brain in different ways.                                                                                                                                                                                           A. Cerebral cortex:  It slows down the processing of information from the eyes, ears, mouth and other senses inhibiting the thought processes.                                                                                                                                                                          B. Cerebellum: It affects the center of movement and balance, resulting in the staggering, so-called "falling-down drunk."                                                                                                                                                                             C. Pituitary & Hypothalamus: It depresses these centers that control sexual arousal and performance, thus increasing the sexual urge, and decreasing the sexual performance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              D. Medulla: It induces sleepiness by acting on it and can slow breathing and lower body temperature, which can be life threatening, & can cause blackouts.

Conclusion: The problem is the progressive nature of the disease. When the drinking "song" starts playing in the mind of an alcoholic, he is powerless. In its early stages, taking one or two drinks may be all it takes to get the "song" to stop. But soon it takes six or seven and later may be ten or twelve to stop the song.  Somewhere down the road the only time the song stops is when one passes out. The progression of the disease is so subtle and takes place over an extended period of time, that even the alcoholic himself failed to notice the point at which he lost control -- and alcohol took over -- his life.                                     

Spiritual message- In words we are good, but in acts we are bad. We are impure minded and black-hearted, yet we wear the white robes of innocence. Why do we practice meditation and prayer, when our mind is not pure?  Abide pure amid the impurities of the world and thus you shall find the way of AA faith by studying the BB and following 12 steps in daily affairs.