Why Can't I Stop Drinking Alcohol? | Liver Doctor

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Alcohol & Hepatitis Why can't I stop drinking alcohol? How is your liver reacting to your daily or binge consumption of alcohol? We forget about the damage that alcohol does to our liver until it’s too late. I’m the last resort, so I’m told by my patients, in their quest to stop drinking. Although many have maintained short term sobriety, it’s not too long before they succumb to picking up a drink to celebrate or to numb their feelings. “Why can’t I stop drinking?” is their war cry. What most people don’t realise is the compulsion to drink is triggered by the first drink, not the fifth or the sixth drink. A different brain structure enables an alcoholic to manufacture a highly addictive chemical called THIQ out of alcohol in the brain. Once a sufficient concentration of THIQ is formed and attached to the neurones, alcoholics feel a compulsive and over-whelming urge to drink. Even when they see their lives disintegrating around them, they cannot stop drinking no matter how desperately they try. Social drinkers don’t have this problem as their liver breaks the alcohol down into a very toxic substance where it is broken down again into water and carbon dioxide to be eliminated through the kidneys and the lungs. Alcohol dependent people get a lot of alcohol in their brain tissue following bingeing or daily drinking. The majority of toxins are disposed of in the normal way, through the liver, but a small part of the toxins go to the brain, where it interacts with the Dopamine Neurotransmitter to form THIQ. Once this has attached itself to the Dopamine Neurotransmitter, it does not go away, even if the alcohol dependent person stops drinking. They have it for life! That’s why alcohol dependent people can sometimes go on the wagon for a period of three weeks, three months or even three years but once they fall off the wagon and pick up a drink, they are back to compulsive drinking. THIQ is the chemical responsible for the physical compulsion to drink and which differentiates alcoholic drinkers from social drinkers. If an alcoholic is lucky enough to get help to stop drinking the THIQ dies down and loses its potency within a few weeks. It does not disappear from the brain tissue but lies dormant. It will not and cannot create a physical urge to drink unless more alcohol is consumed to kick it into life again. When alcoholics begin their drinking careers, they do not know that they are in danger of becoming alcoholics. By the time abnormal daily drinking begins, it is too late. The THIQ in the brain is formed, it is active and highly addictive and it forms the basis of physical compulsion to drink. Alcoholics are born with a predisposition to the disease of alcoholism and alcoholism is a disease of the emotions combined with a physical allergy to alcohol. Would you keep eating strawberries if your face broke out in hives? I doubt it. But alcoholics keep ingesting a poison called alcohol even though it is eroding their liver, kidneys and brain. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. My Serenity by the Sea program is unique in counselling alcoholics. I look at the big picture:
  • Brain chemistry (the Dopamine Neurotransmitter);
  • Emotions (using Dialectical Behavioural Therapy);
  • Active meditation to change their perception of the real world and their self-worth;
  • The 12 Step Program of Co-dependency Anonymous;
  • Visual aids (DVDs) to help my patients understand their disease;
  • Nutrition and supplements like Tyrosine - to help them focus and achieve satisfaction without reaching for the bottle and Magnesium Ultra Potent - to stabilise the electrical activity of the nervous system. I also recommend Glicemic Balance to help curb sugar cravings, sometimes a legacy from long term alcohol consumption. LivaTone Plus to support phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways, ensuring optimum detoxification of toxic substances. Glutamine to support efficient brain function during the counselling process. L-Glutamine is an integral part of glutathione; the body’s more potent antioxidant and detoxifier.

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36 Comments

  1. Lana Lana January 31 2021 at 7:23 am I took liver failure & kidney failure in 2017 , spent 6 weeks in hospital getting fed through a drip in my nose - left hospital with cirrhosis- have a great job I’ve worked in for 14 years - I’m 38 & I still cannot put the drink down! I won’t be considered for anti buse or campral as I’m high risk (due to multiple suicide attempts) I don’t know what else to do x
    1. Victoria Taylor Victoria Taylor February 8 2021 at 12:33 am Hello Lana, The supplements in this article are highly recommended to build stronger mental health. Do you have access to positive psychology practitioners or AA? Before being able to address your alcohol intake it is appropriate to reduce your tendency to attempt suicide. This is not easy as a post but we have found that a low inflammation diet reduces mental angst and improves one’s mental health and resilience. To achieve this, we recommend you follow Dr Cabot’s 15 Day Cleanse and Maintenance Program. Supplements to improve liver health as well are recommended to reduce liver inflammation which may also improve your mental resilience and these are those covered in this article. Kind regards Victoria Taylor Naturopath
  2. Gary Gary January 31 2018 at 1:37 am Hi all . Looking for some feed back and your views people who have had issues ,I have both mum and dad alcoholics and its ruined mine and my two brothers lives for 30 years . Im now 40 .going to a class once a week and takeing a alchaol diary just is not enough. I feel that all that aa stuff dosent work unless you want help ... which i belive is pointless because as the article above says you cant stop even if you want to try. I think i new structure should be brought in to place to save lifes . You here off all these injections and implants but the aa and the doctors dont want too know . I dont mean any offence to anybody and the aa might work for some people and that is a good thingi agree ... but things have to change its the terrilble for familys who have to live with it too .i think they should be a programme if you have a addiction you should be delt with were you dont have a choice ..
    1. Jon Jon February 16 2018 at 10:26 pm Gary, I don't know you, and I'm literally semi-drunk as I write this (so take what I say with a giant grain of salt)... most of the answers on this post are all from Jessah - whom seems to be doing the best she can, but is limited by the fact that it's a blog post from 5 years ago and this is a retail website/blog... it just seems to apparently have really good Google-juice and comes up at the top of search results when one searches for "why can't I stop drinking"? (which, I'm guessing, like myself you did in a self-abusive semi-drunken stupor...) In any case, Gary, seriously - please get help... I know you mentioned AA, but that's not necessarily personalized... please seek out an actual mental health professional and speak with them 1-on-1 regarding your situation... AA is all fine and good for what it is, but nothing beats knowing that there's a person - literally at least a single person - out there who KNOWS you, who understands you (to the best of their ability) and who may be able to help you... I know cost may be an issue for personalized mental health - but then, what is saving our life worth? I mean, what wouldn't you be willing to pay to stay alive? A personalized mental health professional can literally help you reach that all-or-nothing milestone - believe me, I know... Sincerely best of wishes on your journey, Jon
  3. Dylan Dylan January 16 2018 at 6:00 pm These are great canned responses, but I don't think AA can help anyone. I'm 28, been to a few meetings, and humanly, it doesn't help. I see my problems as my own, and hearing stories of other people's struggles is just boring if I'm being honest. Do you have any recommendations for someone who doesn't believe in the 12 step programs? (Not the vitamin regiment ive seen in previous posts) Thanks in advance, I appreciate you folks that want to help us help ourselves.
    1. Jessah Jessah January 16 2018 at 10:24 pm Hi Dylan, Given the age of this article, the writer is no longer with us, so unfortunately we cannot comment. Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
  4. Neil Neil November 23 2017 at 12:25 am hi I cant seem to stop drinking every day. I cant stop once I start either, I have quit for a couple weeks at a time, but when I drink again, its even harder to stop the next time, I feel like giving up. I don't know if I have another quit left in me. I have drank this way for years. I really want to stop, I get really depressed and the guilt wakes me up at night. I will get angry and dump everything out and say i'm done, but a couple days later that voice in my head talks me in to another drink. I am very fit for my age and for the amount of alcohol I consume. I crave sugar a lot too, especially when I don't drink. I probably need some supplements, but not sure if I need all of them or not. My marriage has suffered enough, and so have I. The depression and overwhelming feeling is almost more than I can take anymore. Thank you in advance for any help or advice.
    1. olga olga April 12 2018 at 6:56 am i cannot quit for even a couple of weeks at a time
    2. Jessah Jessah November 23 2017 at 3:23 pm Hi Neil, Thank you for your enquiry. We recommend you seek assistance from AA, to be offered guidance and mentorship from others who have walked a similar path. Dr Cabot recommends you begin taking Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 teaspoon two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food. Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water. or Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily. Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function and reduce toxicity. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. These supplements can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/ Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
  5. Trisha Trisha November 14 2017 at 5:57 am Thank you did this article. I am in an outpatient program and see a therapist weekly. I started seeing a psyvhiatrist and I have explained everything to my primary care doctor. I am doing everything that I am supposed to do but I can't get more than a week sober. I have always said that there is something about alcohol that my brain needs. I thought that maybe I was lacking something that alcohol provided but after reading this I may have been wrong. Thanks again.
  6. James James September 26 2017 at 9:29 am I was addicted to opiates since age 16 and am no longer taking any opiates for the past week. Alcohol was never a problem for me by in the last year I have been drinking every day, lately as soon as I wake up and throughout the day. I am 26 now but hate the thought of not being able to drink like I used to only at weekends. Will I need to stop forever or can I get back to how I used to be?? I hate my life now but yet can’t stop drinking; no matter how hard I try, after one drink I can’t stop.
    1. Jessah Jessah September 26 2017 at 5:02 pm Hi James, We recommend you seeks assistance from AA, to be offered guidance and mentorship from others who have walked a similar path. Dr Cabot recommends you begin taking Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 teaspoon two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food. Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water. or Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily. Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function and reduce toxicity. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. These supplements can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/ Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
  7. Susie Susie August 20 2017 at 2:16 am I don't drink daily, maybe once every two weeks, but I binge drink and get sick every time. I say that I will only have a few but I won't stop. The hangovers are awful. It increases my anxiety and depression.
    1. Jessah Jessah August 20 2017 at 4:41 pm Hi Susie, You may benefit from taking Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 teaspoon two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food. Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water. or Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily. Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function and reduce toxicity. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. These supplements can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/ Let us know how you get on. Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
  8. Evan Evan July 8 2017 at 12:08 pm im 30 been drinking for 11 years, been to many rehabs, jail etc. addicted to opiates too. but booze always makes me feel horrible. i throw up every morning,i drink all day everyday. my gf is super worried. im just at a point that i feel so depressed and worthless i dont think i can go on sometimes.
    1. Mr. T Mr. T January 8 2018 at 8:01 am I have been there before, it horrible! when everyone thinks you are Dawn. But just know that God has not given up on you, God has destined you for greatness and that you must achieve. first you have to allow Christ to carry your burden because he laid all our worries on the Cross 2000years ago when he was crucified for our sake and redemption. Thank God you are sincere, tell Christ you believed in him and you want him to take away all that concerns drinking and he will come unto your aid. God bless you.
    2. Melvyn Melvyn November 12 2017 at 4:50 am I'm in the same boat as you... About to do the 'walk of shame' to the shop to get more :(
    3. Jessah Jessah July 9 2017 at 7:58 pm Hi Evan, We recommend you seek assistance from AA, to be offered guidance and mentorship from others who have walked a similar path. Dr Cabot recommends he begins taking Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 teaspoon two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food. Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water. or Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily. Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function and reduce toxicity. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. These supplements can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/ Let us know how you get on. Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
  9. sara sara May 29 2017 at 8:16 pm this is the first article I have read on addiction that actually makes sense and explains it in a way that you can fully understand this horrible disease. thank you to the author.
    1. Gwyn Gwyn May 31 2017 at 4:06 pm I just read it and absolutely found the truth in this! I have never been addicted to anything and this is killing me! I know for sure something bad is coming and I make all these deals with that voice and I still can't stop. I never thought abt this happening! I am so lost and I don't know what to do! The shame and guilt has pretty much ruled my life and emotions and I am not this person! I feel lost and hopeless but I won't give up!
    2. Jessah Jessah May 29 2017 at 8:33 pm Hi Sara, We're so glad you have enjoyed our article. Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
  10. Diego Diego May 25 2017 at 3:18 am I have this job where it's hard to DEAL with and after work I just cannot take it I drink and drink I litter go through two Mickie bottles a day even more on weekend just things I've seen while trying to make a living. ...
  11. Diego Diego May 25 2017 at 3:14 am My body can't stop
    1. Jessah Jessah May 28 2017 at 4:56 pm Hi Diego, We recommend you visit an AA group for help and support. Here's a good website to check out:http://www.aa.org/ Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
  12. Claire Claire May 15 2017 at 5:10 am I have recurring chronic pancreatitis hospitalised quiet often n still can't stop drinking my mother died through alcohol think I would of learned
  13. Debra Debra May 2 2017 at 11:36 am Hi, I'm Debra and I been drinking a long time now I have spent unnessarry money and my liver id bad.I"m sick of drinking.i want to have a long life. I came from a drinking family. my mother drinked up to 65 years old. and my father I met once died from drinking.im; going to get me some help and put God in my life.not to mentioned I have a swollen stomach.that I never had before.
  14. Larry Larry April 11 2017 at 5:14 am I'm 52 years old, always had a hard time with having just one drink but never to the point it is now. A couple of years ago my wife left and I hit the bottle really hard for about a year and a half. I now have no stopping point when I drink. I crave alcohol so much that I fight with myself to not buy it. If I lose the fight then I fight with myself to not have the first drink. As soon as I do the fight is over as long as I don't run out of booze before I pass out. I wake up in the morning hating myself and my lack of willpower. Only to go through the hell of another battle later later in the day. I wasn't sure why I couldn't stop until I read this article. Thanks it makes more sense to me now. I just thought I didn't have strong willpower like most people. I now know where to start and of course seek professional help like AA
  15. Tay Danicen Tay Danicen April 10 2017 at 8:05 pm I'm in it bad, too. I do just fine if I can stay home. But on work days, I literally stop every day for wine coolers when I get off work. It's terrible. I know I'm killing myself and yet I keep doing it. What makes it more sad is that I watched my dad drink and abuse myself and my little sister when I was little. Now I have the same problem. I don't have kids or any other human depending on me. That's my only high point. I'd love to have someone to talk to after work, so I can pass up that gas station. Once I'm home, I don't leave.
    1. Helena Helena May 20 2017 at 2:19 am here if you need to talk.
  16. Fabian Martinez Fabian Martinez March 13 2017 at 9:05 am I can't stop drinking Budweiser reds... I'm at my witts end with this life style I can afford it, but I'm blowing over a $100.. a week on beer! I've tried going could turkey that lasted 3days.. I've tried exercising that didn't work now I drink while I'm exercising... I just want to get this monkey off my back..
    1. danny danny August 8 2017 at 9:18 pm I can relate 45 years of drinking and all the loss that has come with it
    2. Jessah Jessah March 13 2017 at 3:27 pm Hi Fabian, We always recommend you attend your local AA group to communicate with the many other people in your vicinity that have been in a similar place to yourself. You can learn many life skills to assist you through this most trying time. Dr Cabot recommends you begin taking Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 tablet two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food. This can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
  17. Terry Bozarth Terry Bozarth November 12 2016 at 12:09 pm Please help me.
    1. Jessah Jessah November 13 2016 at 3:18 pm Dear Terry, I suggest you check out Wendy Perkin's website, www.couragetochange.com.au. There is further information on there. Kind Regards, Jessah Robinson Sales & Nutrition Consultant
  18. google google September 13 2016 at 7:00 pm I don't know if it's just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering issues with your site. It looks like some of the written text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This may be a problem with my browser because I've had this happen previously. Many thanks
    1. Jessah Jessah September 13 2016 at 9:48 pm Hi there, There doesn't appear to be a problem on our end so I'm guessing it's something to do with your browser. Hopefully the problem will be rectified for you soon. Kind Regards, Jessah

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