Avertissement
I am a therapist, not a medical doctor, nutritionist or pharmacist. Any information about health, nutrition, medication or weight-related matters should be verified with a qualified professional such as your GP, a medical specialist or a registered dietitian. This article is intended as an informational guide, not as clinical advice.
When the word “alcoholism” is mentioned, many envisage a “weak‑willed” person who simply chose to drink too much. That moral framing creates shame, drives the problem underground and discourages people from seeking help.
Decades of research now show that substance‑related problems are medical and psychological conditions – rooted in brain chemistry, genetics and environmental stressors. Shifting the conversation from blame to biology restores dignity, opens doors to evidence‑based care and makes it easier for families, workplaces and communities to respond with empathy rather than judgement.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing pattern of compulsive engagement in a behaviour or substance, despite clear negative consequences. Whether the focus is alcohol, nicotine, prescription medication, gambling, gaming or excessive exercise, the core features remain the same:
Neuroscience reveals that the brain’s reward circuitry, especially the dopamine system, becomes hijacked. Repeated exposure rewires receptors, meaning the brain becomes less responsive to natural rewards and more reliant on the addictive stimulus. Concurrently, stress pathways become over‑active, so moments of anxiety or sadness trigger the urge to seek relief via the substance or behaviour.
Understanding addiction as a brain‑based challenge explains why surface strategies – “just trying harder”, “changing routines”, “drinking wine instead of spirits”, “locking alcohol out of sight” – rarely succeed.
Alcoholism (also known as Alcohol Use Disorder) is one manifestation of the broader addiction spectrum. It follows the same neurobiological pattern but carries distinctive physical signs since ethanol affects multiple organ systems.
When alcohol is consumed, the brain’s reward centres are flooded with dopamine, producing a brief euphoria. Over time, receptors down‑regulate, and larger quantities are needed to achieve the same effect. Meanwhile, the stress system becomes hypersensitive, making sobriety or reduced drinking feel intolerably stressful.
Upon abrupt reduction or cessation of drinking, the body may respond with tremors, sweating, nausea, insomnia, heightened anxiety – or in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens. These symptoms reflect the brain’s adaptation and underscore the necessity to seek medical guidance if detoxification is considered.
Beyond the physical toll, alcoholism erodes self‑worth, ruptures relationship bonds, damages career prospects and undermines self‑esteem. Many clients describe the paradox: they recognise the devastation yet feel powerless to change. This internal conflict stokes guilt and deepens the cycle of use.
Recovery generally involves two complementary pillars:
A consultation with a GP or specialist ensures that the individual’s physical wellbeing is monitored and that withdrawal or detox‑related risks are properly managed.
Talk‑based therapies such as Cognitive‑Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing and Person‑Centred counselling help clients identify triggers, build healthier coping strategies and rebuild confidence.
The therapeutic relationship itself is a crucial factor. When a client feels genuinely seen, heard and not judged, this validation often becomes the turning point. An individualised plan – respecting cultural background, personal history and life circumstances – yields the highest chance of sustained success.
For some, integrating peer‑support groups (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery) offers community and accountability; for others, family therapy helps repair relational damage and create a supportive home environment.
A warm, empathetic connection with a therapist can transform the recovery journey. When the support professional acknowledges both the biological grip of alcohol and the emotional pain beneath it, the client feels seen rather than shamed. This validation reduces the urge to self‑medicate, because the person no longer feels isolated.
The therapy room – or online session – becomes a safe rehearsal space for new habits: exploring coping strategies, testing alternatives and gradually building resilience.
Recovery does not happen in a vacuum. Families that respond with compassion rather than criticism, workplaces that allow flexibility for appointments and peer groups that share lived experience all reinforce sustained change.
Employers can play a vital role by offering Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), promoting events that do not centre on drinking, educating staff about addiction signs and creating inclusive spaces for wellbeing. Such systemic approaches shift the narrative from “personal weakness” to “shared responsibility”.
Supportive organisations include:
Visit jonathanfeldtherapy.com for a friendly discussion of how these groups operate and how they might support your recovery pathway.
Here are actionable steps to support reduction or abstinence – particularly useful alongside therapy:
If you experience withdrawal symptoms – tremors, nausea, intense anxiety – or regularly exceed recommended limits (in the UK: no more than 14 units per week for women; 21 for men), speak with your GP. For emotional and behavioural support, you may also wish to arrange a free 30‑minute introductory session with me via jonathanfeldtherapy.com.
While this article focuses on alcohol, the same principles apply across the addiction spectrum: gambling, internet use, sex and pornography, overeating, exercise and more. These behaviours share the same cycles of craving, temporary relief, guilt and relapse.
Recognising the shared neurobiology enables clinicians to use integrated treatment models – targeting the underlying stress system, teaching emotion‑regulation skills and offering medical oversight when necessary. It also helps individuals see that their struggle is not an isolated moral failure, but part of a well‑understood human condition.
Three essential shifts can replace stigma with science:
Clear, relatable explanations of the brain’s reward system help the public understand addiction without shame.
Therapists, GPs and allied health workers must be equipped in integrated, evidence‑based approaches to addiction.
When society views addiction as illness rather than weakness, individuals are more likely to seek help early, adhere to treatment and rebuild fulfilling lives.
Alcoholism and other addictions are chronic conditions deserving the same compassion and evidence‑based care as asthma, hypertension or diabetes. By acknowledging their neurobiological roots, embracing integrated therapeutic approaches and discarding moral judgement, we pave the way for authentic, lasting recovery.
If you – or someone you love – is struggling with alcohol or another addiction, reaching out is the first courageous step. I invite you to a free 30‑minute introductory session via jonathanfeldtherapy.com for a friendly, no‑obligation chat about how we might work together. For full therapeutic support, you may book a 50‑minute session.
Recovery begins in the moment we decide – and in the moment society views addiction through the lens of healing rather than blame. And you do have a choice, and with this in mind, you can now begin your recovery.
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