From Curiosity to Dependence: The 4 Stages of Alcohol Misuse

Have you ever heard how a pitcher plant works?

A beautiful, vibrant pitcher plant stands out in the tropical forest, its sweet nectar irresistibly attracting unsuspecting insects. A fly, captivated by the plant's charm, lands on the rim and begins to sip the nectar. It seems secure at first. Yet, little does the fly know, the inner walls of the pitcher are coated with a slippery, waxy substance. As the fly slowly ventures deeper into the tube, it starts to lose its footing. By the time the fly realizes the danger, it's too late. The fly struggles to escape, but only slides deeper into the plant's tubular body. Here, downward-pointing hairs prevent its ascent, and digestive enzymes begin to break it down. The fly slides deeper and deeper, eventually finding itself trapped in a place where escape seems impossible.

Similarly, alcohol, attractively packaged and widely celebrated, calls to us. We drink it willingly, unaware that we might be sinking into a trap, much like the fly in the pitcher plant. Let's explore the four stages of alcohol misuse and how we can recognize the signs.

Phase 1: Curiosity—The Allure That Starts Before the First Taste

The allure starts before the first taste. Our curiosity about alcohol often begins long before our first drink. According to social learning theory, we learn through observing and imitating others around us. Our first impressions about alcohol are often based on what we see of our parents, family, friends, or people on TV.

We watch our parents laugh and cheer over dinner, see a successful businessman on TV unwind with a cocktail after a stressful day, and notice the "cool" kids who sneak beer into the party. These experiences shape our initial curiosity and expectations about alcohol: good times, relaxation, a ticket to popularity.

Like the fly that was drawn to the pitcher plant by its sweet smell and vibrant color, our curiosity for alcohol begins with a harmless, even glamorous, impression of what the liquid in the bottle represents. One day, curiosity turns into the first sip—the harmless first taste.

Phase 2: Expected Enjoyment—The First Taste Is Delicious

There is something delicious about our first taste of alcohol, although not in a literal sense. The truth is that most of us squint at our first sips until we learn to acquire the taste over time. But the deliciousness does not have to come from the taste—it comes from the feelings. With two party tricks up its sleeve, alcohol has its way to help us feel good, at least temporarily.

Its first party trick is to enhance pleasant feelings. By stimulating the brain's pleasure center, alcohol allows our brain to release extra dopamine over a short period, creating a sense of euphoria. This immediate reward makes us associate alcohol with positive experiences: fun, joy, and excitement. Its second party trick is to relieve unpleasant feelings. Alcohol, as a numbing agent, dulls unwanted emotions such as stress, anxiety, and sadness. This dual role of enhancing pleasure and alleviating discomfort often makes us return to the bottle, like the fly that gulps down the nectar—it seems harmless. However, as our reliance on alcohol grows, a slow descent may begin.

Phase 3: Coping Method—A Slow Descent With Few Warning Signs

The descent is often gradual. With alcohol, our consumption and dependency grow over time, ever so subtly. Besides its two pleasant party tricks, alcohol has another two secret tricks hidden up its sleeve that hijack our brains.

Its first secret trick is building tolerance through neuroadaptation. As we drink more, our bodies adapt, requiring higher quantities to achieve the same effects, pushing us deeper into the pitcher plant. Its second trick is habit formation, driven by cues and cravings. The basal ganglia, a part of our brain involved in habit formation, strengthens the association between drinking and the context in which it occurs. With enough repetition and strong enough rewarding experiences, alcohol use becomes more and more automatic over time.

After a stressful day at work, reaching for a drink becomes an automatic response. Initially, it's one glass of wine to unwind. Over time, it becomes two or three glasses every evening, with the act of pouring a drink becoming as routine as turning on the TV or checking emails.

The fly noticed itself slipping deeper into the pitch, but a few more sips seemed okay - after all, the fly has wings and could fly out any time. When alcohol becomes a daily habit, we find ourselves slipping further down the pit.

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Phase 4: Way of Life—When the Feet Are Trapped and the Wings Are Covered by Syrup

Eventually, near the bottom of the pit, after one last gulp, the fly is ready to depart. That’s when it realizes flying away is not as easy as it thought.

Over time, alcohol becomes associated with many cues, such as social gatherings, stress, or even daily routines. Other cues, such as getting off from work, the sight of an empty wine glass, or a sense of boredom, trigger the craving and a default response of reaching for a drink. These ingrained behaviors make it challenging to break the cycle, as the brain has learned to expect to turn to alcohol in these situations.

However, as our consumption increases, we start to experience negative consequences associated with heavy drinking. Alcohol, once a source of enjoyment and relief, now becomes a source of problem and distress. When the downward-pointing hairs block the way up and the digestive enzymes begin to paralyze the fly—is it too late to fly away?

Unlike the Fly, We Can Break Free

Although it may seem challenging, even impossible, to make changes once alcohol becomes intertwined with many aspects of one’s life, breaking free is possible. It often starts with awareness and insight. Understanding the stages of alcohol misuse and recognizing our patterns can be the first crucial steps toward a better relationship with alcohol.

By becoming aware of our drinking patterns and the effects of each drink, we can begin to make more mindful choices. I developed a 5-minute drinking diary to help. It will guide you in tracking your drinking habits, uncovering the underlying reasons for your consumption, and starting to create positive shifts.