Why New Year Resolutions Don’t Work on Alcohol Addiction

Resolutions Don’t Work on Alcohol Addiction

4,000 years ago, the Babylonians celebrated their new year with resolutions to catch up on their debts. The early Romans, under Caesar, also rang in the new year with pledges to behave better. Such traditions continue in modern society, with January 1st prompting us to look at the mistakes of the past and make promises to ourselves that we’re going to change.

This idea of a “clean slate” has appealed to us for thousands of years, but even though it can work for some situations, it takes a lot more than a New Year’s resolution to break an alcohol addiction. Why? Let’s look at what alcohol is and what it does to us to better understand why alcohol addiction is so tough to break.

People drink alcohol for its effects, not the flavor.

Alcohol, or ethanol, is a chemical used in rocket fuel, medical antiseptics, disinfectant cleaners, and as an ingredient in recreational purpose beverages because of its psychoactive properties. As a psychopharmaceutical, alcohol directly impacts and alters the functioning of a user’s central nervous system, changing how our brains and bodies operate. In this regard, it’s no different from other psychopharmaceuticals like methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, LSD, Xanax, and other powerful mind-altering drugs.

Because of the dangers of any psychopharmaceutical effects and the addictive nature of the drugs that cause them, most are banned for non-prescription consumption by the Food and Drug Administration. But alcohol, like caffeine and tobacco, get a free pass, with only a few restrictions related to age limits. As a result, people have easy access to this extremely hazardous psychoactive chemical, which, unlike prescription drugs, comes with no real warnings or directions for usage.

Alcohol is the easiest drug you can get.

Alcohol is easily bought and just as easily abused, to the point of a global health pandemic that, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, “has become the most common risk factor for death and disability in the young age group of 15-49 years.” Just like any pandemic, alcohol addiction spreads fast; in part, because alcohol itself works so quickly and efficiently. As soon as alcohol is swallowed, it immediately is absorbed into the person’s bloodstream through the blood vessels in the mouth, stomach, and mostly through the small intestine.

As the user’s liver filters the blood, the liver does what it can to break down the invading alcohol, but can only handle so much at once. Meanwhile, the brain and nervous system are seriously impacted by the introduction of an essentially toxic substance that triggers the release of endorphins, i.e. opioid neuropeptides that “reward” the user while interfering with the “perception of pain.” This release and reward can create a cycle that soon spirals into addiction and abuse, though doctors like Raymond Anton of the Medical University of South Carolina note that, “alcohol dependence is not one disease, but many, with many systems involved.”

Seek help from experts who understand alcohol use disorder (AUD).

The point is, as with any substance addiction, alcohol addiction is both widespread and complex. It requires more than a promise to recover. Instead, alcoholics must make a sincere commitment to seek professional help from experts who know how to turn resolutions into reality.

Gulf Breeze Recovery is here to help!

If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history of alcohol or substance use and/or relapse, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery or call: 833.551.2356 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about their residential program, out-patient program, and intensive out-patient program, and which of these can best fit your individual needs.  These programs have helped many people overcome their addiction and embrace their new happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle.

We help people not just to survive, but to THRIVE!