Imagine for a moment: in your most profound moments of pure joy, utter bliss, would you ever choose to become unconscious? Would you want to numb yourself or simply sleep through an experience that fills you with happiness? No, you'd chase sleep away, wanting to savor every precious second! This profound truth holds the key to understanding the heart of addiction.
People don't reach for the bottle to enhance joy; they reach for it to escape profound pain. They drink because, at some fundamental level, their current reality, their very life, feels unbearable. The alcohol isn't the true desire; it’s a temporary anesthetic to a deeper suffering, a desperate attempt to 'drown out' feelings, memories, or circumstances that feel too heavy to carry. This isn't about weakness or a lack of willpower; it’s about a deeply rooted longing for relief.
So, if you or someone you love is struggling, the real question isn't 'how do we stop the drinking?' but rather, 'what makes life feel unbearable for them?' What profound sadness, anxiety, or unfulfilled longing are they trying to escape? Once you identify that underlying pain, and work towards transforming that unbearable reality into something joyful and fulfilling, the need to drink will naturally fade. When life itself becomes a source of deep contentment, there's no longer a reason to seek oblivion. Focus on changing the life, and the addiction will lose its purpose.
