When the Bottle Does the Thinking: Understanding the Mind of an Active Alcoholic

Rational thought, while under the influence of alcohol, is a tricky business. Alcohol affects the way people think and too often clouds their judgment. Active alcoholics often spend considerable time thinking about justifications for their drinking or delivering up proofs to themselves that they have their drinking under control. When under the influence, an alcoholic is extremely affected by the bottle and often with negative consequences.

 

Distorted Patterns of Thought

 

Alcohol has a physical effect on the brain. Alcohol increases the level of dopamine in the brain which arouses a feeling of pleasure in one’s mind. Essentially, alcohol plays a chemical trick on the brain by making it feel rewarded. This pleasure has a dark side, of course, that an alcoholic cannot generally see may not even be able to feel when they are so chemically out of tune. Of course, too much of this ‘pleasure’ over time can lead to long-term damage, physical damage to the brain including loss of brain cells as well as other consequences that may include relationship problems, job loss, or even legal troubles (i.e. DUIs).

 

Denial is not Just a River in Egypt

 

Alcoholics, particularly high-functioning alcoholics, safeguard their habit by refusing to acknowledge their drinking is a problem. In fact, they are often adept at justifying their need to drink and exaggerating their ability to keep their drinking under control. Even when faced with destruction like broken relationships they seldom blame their drinking as a root cause. By denying there is a problem, they can continue to delude themselves and may go on enjoying their habit even to their own detriment.

 

It Feels Bad to Stop

 

Physically kicking a habit involves some bad days unpleasant symptoms. The physicality involved with quitting an addition like alcohol is considerable. Moreover, the mental connection to that dopamine rush is heady; when life throws lemons, as it does to everyone, the alcoholic knows that feeling good is merely a few sips away. They simply don’t want to stop because they want to keep that escape route open.

 

Getting through to an Alcoholic

 

While it may seem like dealing with someone abusing alcohol is like trying to get through a hurricane there is that eye, that calm place that must be sought out if one is going to get through to a friend or loved one. If you can reach this person in a sober and reflective moment, you may be able to tell them about helpful resources. Discuss biophysical detox as a viable means that can help them with the physical symptoms associated with breaking their addiction. Group help and respected programs may also help them see through their alcohol-infused rhetoric so they can make sound decisions about their lives and treatment plans.

 

It can be hard to watch an alcoholic destroy their lives sip by sip. To best help them, contact someone who can provide experienced guidance. Get help from someone trained in alcohol recovery. While it is usually a tough road to break the cycle of addiction, it can be done; many people are successful. With commitment and support, an alcoholic can kick their alcohol addiction and turn their lives around for the better.

 

Albert Stayton has worked with addicts in a variety of settings. He writes for intervention and addiction prevention blogs to help people understand the effects and what might be done in these difficult situations.