Why Is It So Hard for Me to Stop Drinking? The Struggle Explained

The Emotional Trap of Alcohol

Well, let me be upfront—quitting drinking isn't just about saying "no" to a drink. It’s not as simple as just avoiding a glass of wine or a beer after work. Actually, the emotional pull is huge. When I first tried to quit, I realized that alcohol wasn’t just something I consumed; it was a part of my routine, my way of coping with stress, and even how I connected with people.

I’ve had countless moments where I’d think, "I’ll stop drinking tomorrow," but then a stressful day at work would hit or a social situation would come up, and boom—I'd find myself grabbing that drink again. It's so easy to slip back into the habit. Why? Because alcohol triggers the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical. And that feeling becomes addictive. For me, it wasn’t just about craving alcohol; it was about the rush I got every time I had it.

Why Does This Happen?

Actually, what happens is your brain starts associating drinking with positive reinforcement. It feels good in the short term—so your brain wants more of it. But here's the problem: over time, it takes more alcohol to get that same feeling. It’s like climbing a hill—you need more and more momentum to keep going. It’s not easy to break that cycle.

The Science Behind Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol's Effect on the Brain and Body

Honestly, this was the hardest thing for me to wrap my head around when I first tried stopping. Alcohol doesn’t just affect your body temporarily; it changes your brain chemistry. Regular drinking alters your neurotransmitter systems. Specifically, it impacts GABA (which calms your brain) and glutamate (which excites it), making your brain depend on alcohol to balance out these chemicals.

When I tried cutting back, I noticed something strange—my anxiety spiked, my sleep was off, and I felt an overwhelming urge to drink again. And guess what? This wasn’t just me. It's common. The body becomes so used to alcohol that stopping feels like a major disruption.

Withdrawal Symptoms: More Than Just a Hangover

You’ve probably heard of withdrawal symptoms. Honestly, I didn’t fully get it until I tried to stop drinking for real. The physical discomfort is real—shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety—it can feel like your body is in revolt. And it’s no wonder, right? Your body’s used to having alcohol in its system, and suddenly taking it away messes with everything.

I remember the first couple of days without drinking were brutal. The cravings were intense, and my mind kept convincing me that "one drink wouldn’t hurt." It took every ounce of willpower to stay strong.

The Social Pressure and Habitual Triggers

Social Settings: How Do You Say No?

Another huge reason it’s hard to stop drinking is the pressure from social situations. I’ve been to countless parties, bars, and dinners where everyone around me is drinking, and I’m just sitting there, trying to hold on to my resolve. And the worst part? People don’t understand. My friends would ask, "Why aren’t you drinking tonight?" and, honestly, it feels like there’s something wrong with me for choosing not to drink.

But here's the thing: social drinking is normalized in a lot of cultures, and that can make quitting feel like you're stepping out of line. It’s not just the people around you, either—it’s the cues your brain picks up. "It’s happy hour," your brain says. "Time to drink!" The habitual nature of drinking is so ingrained that you almost don’t need to think about it; your body knows what to do.

Breaking the Cycle of Habit

Honestly, what worked for me was figuring out how to break the routine. I had to change my mindset around social drinking. Instead of saying "I can’t drink," I started saying "I choose not to drink." That small mental shift made a huge difference. And I realized that I didn’t need to explain myself to anyone. I started to bring my own non-alcoholic drinks to gatherings, and slowly, I felt less and less tempted.

The Emotional and Psychological Factors

Stress, Anxiety, and Escapism

Let’s get real for a second—sometimes the hardest part of stopping is the emotional connection I had with alcohol. Stress, anxiety, depression—all of these things made me reach for a drink. I thought it helped me escape. When I stopped, it felt like I was facing those emotions head-on without any buffer. It was uncomfortable at first, to be honest. But as time went on, I started to understand that drinking wasn’t really helping me manage those feelings; it was just postponing them.

In fact, when I finally confronted my emotions without alcohol, I started feeling stronger. It wasn’t an overnight thing, but it was a huge breakthrough.

Coping Strategies That Work

Okay, so how do you actually cope with all of this? What worked for me was finding healthier ways to manage stress. I started practicing mindfulness, taking walks, and picking up hobbies that I genuinely enjoyed—things that didn’t revolve around alcohol. A good friend of mine recommended I try journaling when I felt the urge to drink. At first, I thought, "What a cliché," but honestly? It worked. Writing out my thoughts and feelings helped me process what I was going through, and it was a lot better than reaching for a drink.

In the end, it's hard to stop drinking because of a mix of emotional habits, brain chemistry, and social pressures. But it’s not impossible. Honestly, the most important thing I’ve learned is that quitting doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. You’ll slip up sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. The key is to keep pushing forward, to find support, and to stay committed to your health and well-being. You’re not alone in this, and the fact that you're even asking the question shows you're already on the right track.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.