Alcoholism: Why People Can’t Stop Drinking?

The underlying basis of all addictions — and alcohol is no exception — is the avoidance of pain. While there is evidence that some people have genetic and biological predispositions toward alcoholism, not all people with these predispositions abuse alcohol or become alcohol dependent. Many people who join AA learn to deal with their painful emotions without the use of alcohol, regardless of their genetic predisposition.

What if you are a person who wants to stop drinking, who has tried AA and treatment programs, and just can’t stop? What might be happening here?

Often, the pain you want avoid is the pain of loneliness and inner aloneness. The aloneness is caused by inner disconnection, and the loneliness is caused by not connecting with others.

Sometimes, the situation you are in is extremely lonely and painful; yet leaving the situation might seem even more painful.

For example, Gwen married a man she thought was kind and caring. But after they had a child and experienced financial stress, he became verbally abusive to her and to the children.

Alcohol had always been a part of her life, but she…