Well. I would like to dive into something that has been on my mind ever since cutting back: Is the “happiness” that alcohol deals you, really happiness? And if not, what is, then?

Well, cutting back or stopping to drink alcohol seems to be a double edged sword at first glance.

At second glance, however, the mechanism is pretty straightforward and predictable: You have a craving, you give in to the craving and simply by doing that, your mind will start celebrating in anticipation for getting alcohol, like a kid awaiting to get its candy or the Pavlovian dog drooling in anticipation of food. Then the dopamine will kick in with the consumption and give you fireworks of feel-good happiness. However, your whole hormone household will be messed up and you will need to rink more to get the same level of happiness while making you more depressed and anxious once the effect of the alcohol wears off, so you want more. You’ll lose control and you will lose the ability to experience happiness without booze.

Interestingly, if you cut back, you first will have the feeling of depression ruling your system, because the system awaits your booze shot, which won’t come, unless you stay sober.

But, the trick is: The more you cling to sobriety and give your brain enough good thoughts and habits to eventually turn down alcohol for good, you will experience you emotions hands-on, without any dampening effect of the alcohol. In the long run, you will find so much joy in clouds, mountains, smell of flowers, taste of food and the like that it will simply outrun the “happiness” you will get through alcohol. And you will avoid the nasty side effects.

I have loved being sober ever since stopping, but I must admit that it is not solving every problem like a miracle cure. You have to deal with yourself and your emotions. But everyone can do it and the positive effects will outweigh any effects alcohol could ever give you.

So, until then: Take one step at a time and keep up the faith in yourself!