Why We Get Stuck
Most of us don’t drink because we don’t care.
We drink because we’re stuck in a loop, one that tricks us into believing alcohol helps, even while it holds us back.
We know it slows us down.
We know it messes with our focus, sleep, and energy.
And yet… we keep pouring it in.
Not because we’re weak, but because alcohol’s good at disguising the very problems it creates.
So if we know it’s not helping, why do we keep reaching for it?
Because we’re caught in a cycle that’s designed to keep us stuck.
The Loop That Reinforces Itself
Alcohol creates discomfort, stress, and tension.
Then it offers quick relief from the very symptoms it triggered.
That relief doesn’t fix anything. It just restarts the loop.
So we drink to solve a problem drinking created. And round we go.
It promises confidence, but chips away at self-trust.
It promises escape, but builds more stress.
It promises calm, but throws off our nervous system.
Most of the time, we don’t even notice. The effects are slow, subtle, and disguised as “normal.”
We can know the truth and still not act on it. Here’s why our behavior doesn’t always follow our intentions.
The Disconnect Between What We Know and What We Do
We can know alcohol is hurting us and still reach for it.
Because this isn’t about willpower. It’s about reinforcement.
Every drink reinforces a false belief:
- “This will help.”
- “This is who I am.”
- “This is fine.”
But the body keeps the score.
And so does the mind. Every time we regret it afterward.
Even when we understand the mechanics, we still have to face the emotional side: the comfort, the rituals, the familiarity.
So Why Do We Keep Pouring It In?
Because it’s familiar.
Because it’s socially accepted.
Because we haven’t replaced it with something that actually restores us.
Until we zoom out, it’s easy to confuse the short-term “fix” with real relief.
But when we step back, the trap becomes obvious. And once we see the pattern, we can stop blaming ourselves and start breaking the cycle.
The silver lining? These are just patterns. And patterns can be changed.
Seeing it for What it
Alcohol doesn’t need to be fought.
It just needs to be seen for what it is:
- A low-quality input that steals high-quality output
- A substance that promises a break, while quietly breaking us down
- A pattern that can be replaced with something better
When we stop pouring in what holds us back, we stop running on fumes.
We start running clean.
And from there, we move forward clearer, calmer, and more in control.
— Brent