Alcohol & Hepatitis
Why can't I stop drinking alcohol?
How is your liver reacting to your daily or binge consumption of alcohol?
We forget about the damage that alcohol does to our liver until it’s too late. I’m the last resort, so I’m told by my patients, in their quest to stop drinking. Although many have maintained short term sobriety, it’s not too long before they succumb to picking up a drink to celebrate or to numb their feelings. “Why can’t I stop drinking?” is their war cry.
What most people don’t realise is the compulsion to drink is triggered by the first drink, not the fifth or the sixth drink.
A different brain structure enables an alcoholic to manufacture a highly addictive chemical called THIQ out of alcohol in the brain. Once a sufficient concentration of THIQ is formed and attached to the neurones, alcoholics feel a compulsive and over-whelming urge to drink. Even when they see their lives disintegrating around them, they cannot stop drinking no matter how desperately they try.
Social drinkers don’t have this problem as their liver breaks the alcohol down into a very toxic substance where it is broken down again into water and carbon dioxide to be eliminated through the kidneys and the lungs.
Alcohol dependent people get a lot of alcohol in their brain tissue following bingeing or daily drinking. The majority of toxins are disposed of in the normal way, through the liver, but a small part of the toxins go to the brain, where it interacts with the Dopamine Neurotransmitter to form THIQ. Once this has attached itself to the Dopamine Neurotransmitter, it does not go away, even if the alcohol dependent person stops drinking. They have it for life!
That’s why alcohol dependent people can sometimes go on the wagon for a period of three weeks, three months or even three years but once they fall off the wagon and pick up a drink, they are back to compulsive drinking. THIQ is the chemical responsible for the physical compulsion to drink and which differentiates alcoholic drinkers from social drinkers.
If an alcoholic is lucky enough to get help to stop drinking the THIQ dies down and loses its potency within a few weeks. It does not disappear from the brain tissue but lies dormant. It will not and cannot create a physical urge to drink unless more alcohol is consumed to kick it into life again.
When alcoholics begin their drinking careers, they do not know that they are in danger of becoming alcoholics. By the time abnormal daily drinking begins, it is too late. The THIQ in the brain is formed, it is active and highly addictive and it forms the basis of physical compulsion to drink.
Alcoholics are born with a predisposition to the disease of alcoholism and alcoholism is a disease of the emotions combined with a physical allergy to alcohol. Would you keep eating strawberries if your face broke out in hives? I doubt it. But alcoholics keep ingesting a poison called alcohol even though it is eroding their liver, kidneys and brain.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
My Serenity by the Sea program is unique in counselling alcoholics. I look at the big picture:
- Brain chemistry (the Dopamine Neurotransmitter);
- Emotions (using Dialectical Behavioural Therapy);
- Active meditation to change their perception of the real world and their self-worth;
- The 12 Step Program of Co-dependency Anonymous;
- Visual aids (DVDs) to help my patients understand their disease;
- Nutrition and supplements like Tyrosine - to help them focus and achieve satisfaction without reaching for the bottle and Magnesium Ultra Potent - to stabilise the electrical activity of the nervous system. I also recommend Glicemic Balance to help curb sugar cravings, sometimes a legacy from long term alcohol consumption. LivaTone Plus to support phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways, ensuring optimum detoxification of toxic substances. Glutamine to support efficient brain function during the counselling process. L-Glutamine is an integral part of glutathione; the body’s more potent antioxidant and detoxifier.
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The supplements in this article are highly recommended to build stronger mental health.
Do you have access to positive psychology practitioners or AA?
Before being able to address your alcohol intake it is appropriate to reduce your tendency to attempt suicide.
This is not easy as a post but we have found that a low inflammation diet reduces mental angst and improves one’s mental health and resilience.
To achieve this, we recommend you follow Dr Cabot’s 15 Day Cleanse and Maintenance Program. Supplements to improve liver health as well are recommended to reduce liver inflammation which may also improve your mental resilience and these are those covered in this article.
Kind regards
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
I don't know you, and I'm literally semi-drunk as I write this (so take what I say with a giant grain of salt)... most of the answers on this post are all from Jessah - whom seems to be doing the best she can, but is limited by the fact that it's a blog post from 5 years ago and this is a retail website/blog... it just seems to apparently have really good Google-juice and comes up at the top of search results when one searches for "why can't I stop drinking"? (which, I'm guessing, like myself you did in a self-abusive semi-drunken stupor...)
In any case, Gary, seriously - please get help... I know you mentioned AA, but that's not necessarily personalized... please seek out an actual mental health professional and speak with them 1-on-1 regarding your situation... AA is all fine and good for what it is, but nothing beats knowing that there's a person - literally at least a single person - out there who KNOWS you, who understands you (to the best of their ability) and who may be able to help you...
I know cost may be an issue for personalized mental health - but then, what is saving our life worth? I mean, what wouldn't you be willing to pay to stay alive? A personalized mental health professional can literally help you reach that all-or-nothing milestone - believe me, I know...
Sincerely best of wishes on your journey,
Jon
Given the age of this article, the writer is no longer with us, so unfortunately we cannot comment.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
I cant seem to stop drinking every day. I cant stop once I start either, I have quit for a couple weeks at a time, but when I drink again, its even harder to stop the next time, I feel like giving up. I don't know if I have another quit left in me. I have drank this way for years. I really want to stop, I get really depressed and the guilt wakes me up at night. I will get angry and dump everything out and say i'm done, but a couple days later that voice in my head talks me in to another drink. I am very fit for my age and for the amount of alcohol I consume. I crave sugar a lot too, especially when I don't drink. I probably need some supplements, but not sure if I need all of them or not. My marriage has suffered enough, and so have I. The depression and overwhelming feeling is almost more than I can take anymore. Thank you in advance for any help or advice.
Thank you for your enquiry.
We recommend you seek assistance from AA, to be offered guidance and mentorship from others who have walked a similar path.
Dr Cabot recommends you begin taking
Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 teaspoon two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food.
Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water.
or
Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily.
Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function and reduce toxicity.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster.
These supplements can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
I am 26 now but hate the thought of not being able to drink like I used to only at weekends.
Will I need to stop forever or can I get back to how I used to be??
I hate my life now but yet can’t stop drinking; no matter how hard I try, after one drink I can’t stop.
We recommend you seeks assistance from AA, to be offered guidance and mentorship from others who have walked a similar path.
Dr Cabot recommends you begin taking
Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 teaspoon two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food.
Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water.
or
Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily.
Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function and reduce toxicity.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster.
These supplements can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
You may benefit from taking
Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 teaspoon two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food.
Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water.
or
Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily.
Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function and reduce toxicity.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster.
These supplements can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Let us know how you get on.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
We recommend you seek assistance from AA, to be offered guidance and mentorship from others who have walked a similar path.
Dr Cabot recommends he begins taking
Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 teaspoon two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food.
Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water.
or
Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily.
Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function and reduce toxicity.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster.
These supplements can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Let us know how you get on.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
We're so glad you have enjoyed our article.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
We recommend you visit an AA group for help and support.
Here's a good website to check out:http://www.aa.org/
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
I wasn't sure why I couldn't stop until I read this article. Thanks it makes more sense to me now. I just thought I didn't have strong willpower like most people. I now know where to start and of course seek professional help like AA
I'm at my witts end with this life style I can afford it, but I'm blowing over a $100.. a week on beer!
I've tried going could turkey that lasted 3days..
I've tried exercising that didn't work now I drink while I'm exercising...
I just want to get this monkey off my back..
We always recommend you attend your local AA group to communicate with the many other people in your vicinity that have been in a similar place to yourself.
You can learn many life skills to assist you through this most trying time.
Dr Cabot recommends you begin taking
Tyrosine Mood Food - 1 tablet two to three times daily to improve depression symptoms and enhance mood. Take in a small amount of filtered water away from food.
This can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
I suggest you check out Wendy Perkin's website, www.couragetochange.com.au.
There is further information on there.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Sales & Nutrition Consultant
site. It looks like some of the written text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody
else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
This may be a problem with my browser because I've had this
happen previously. Many thanks
There doesn't appear to be a problem on our end so I'm guessing it's something to do with your browser.
Hopefully the problem will be rectified for you soon.
Kind Regards,
Jessah