I Was a Binge Drinker: This is How I Stopped

If you’re waking up hungover regularly, feeling like you've lost control over your drinking, and can’t seem to find your “off switch,” you’re not alone. I’ve been there. For years, I struggled to moderate my drinking. I'd set rules, promise myself I’d drink less, or take breaks, only to find myself back in the same pattern of binge drinking. I wanted control over my drinking, but no matter how hard I tried, nothing seemed to work. Here’s what I learned and how I finally regained control.

Why I Struggled with Binge Drinking and How I Stopped

The truth is, patterns of excessive drinking often develop gradually over time. Many people, including myself, start drinking as a fun, socially accepted activity. It’s something we do to relax, celebrate, or let loose with friends. But somewhere along the way, occasional drinking can turn into a habit that feels impossible to control.

When someone crosses over from a "normal drinker" into a heavy drinker, it can be really difficult to just go back to how things were. I found myself constantly “white-knuckling” it—trying to moderate and set rules around my drinking—but nothing seemed to work. I’d try to force myself to drink less or take breaks, but each attempt felt exhausting, and sometimes, my drinking even got worse despite all my efforts.

The Brain and Alcohol Use Disorder: Why It’s So Hard to Stop

When alcohol is consumed regularly, it affects the brain's reward system by releasing a surge of endorphins and dopamine, which create feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Over time, the brain starts to associate alcohol with survival needs, similar to how it perceives food or water. This is why cravings for alcohol can feel so powerful.

With repeated heavy drinking, the brain's neural pathways become hardwired to expect alcohol as a way to cope, relax, or reward itself. This is why someone with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) might struggle to quit or cut back, even when they genuinely want to. The part of the brain driving these cravings and behaviors is not the rational, logical part but rather the limbic system, which controls habits and survival instincts. This is also why willpower alone is often not enough to break the cycle of drinking.

How Taking Breaks from Alcohol Can Increase Cravings

Did you know that when you stop drinking or take long breaks, it can actually increase your cravings for alcohol and lead to binge drinking? This phenomenon is known as the Alcohol Deprivation Effect, where the brain's response to the absence of alcohol can trigger stronger urges to drink. You can learn more about this effect and how to manage it here.

Why Willpower Alone Didn’t Help Me Stop Binge Drinking

One of the hardest things for me to accept was that my drinking problem wasn’t because of a lack of willpower or discipline. I used to feel ashamed and blame myself, wondering why I couldn’t just cut back like other people. But as I learned more about alcohol use disorder, I realized that binge drinking and heavy drinking are often deeply ingrained in the brain.

Alcohol use disorder isn’t a moral failing or a flaw in character; it’s a pattern that develops in the brain over time. When we drink repeatedly, especially in large amounts, our brains start to adapt. Eventually, this habit becomes deeply rooted in the pleasure centers of the brain, to the point where alcohol starts to feel like a “survival need.” That’s why cravings for alcohol can feel so powerful and why simply deciding to quit or cut back doesn’t always work.

How the Sinclair Method Helped Me Stop Binge Drinking

The key to regaining control wasn’t in fighting my desire to drink with more willpower or setting stricter rules. The Sinclair Method (TSM) is a treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder that involves taking the medication naltrexone before drinking. TSM works by blocking the endorphin rush alcohol provides, gradually retraining the brain to reduce cravings and help people drink less over time. Unlike traditional methods, TSM doesn’t require abstinence but instead focuses on creating a healthier relationship with alcohol. Instead, it helps people drink less over time by reducing cravings and breaking the cycle of binge drinking. It was in addressing the changes that had taken place in my brain over years of drinking. What made the biggest difference for me was discovering the Sinclair Method (TSM), a treatment that uses the medication naltrexone to help retrain the brain’s response to alcohol.

By taking naltrexone an hour before drinking, TSM gradually reduced my cravings and the euphoric effects of alcohol. Over time, I found myself drinking less and feeling more in control. I experienced fewer cravings, drinking became less compulsive, and it became easier to have alcohol-free days. If you're interested in learning more about how the Sinclair Method works, you can read more about it here.

How to Break Free from Binge Drinking

Regaining control over my drinking wasn’t a quick fix, and it didn’t happen overnight, but in time, I got to a place of complete control over alcohol again. If you’re struggling with binge drinking and feel like you’ve lost control, know that you’re not alone. Alcohol use disorder is a learned behavior in the brain, and it can be unlearned with the right tools and treatment.

If you’re looking for personalized support and practical tools to help you regain control over your drinking, I encourage you to explore our program at Thrive. Remember, getting back in control of your drinking is possible, and it doesn't require abstinence (if that's not your goal), and it starts with understanding that you’re not at fault. Your brain adapted to a habit that took time to form—and with the right support, you can find a way to break free from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can binge drinking be stopped without rehab? Yes, many people can stop binge drinking with the right tools and support. Programs like Thrive offer practical methods to help you regain control over your drinking. Medications like naltrexone, when used as part of the Sinclair Method, can help reduce cravings and provide greater control over alcohol.

How can I regain control over my drinking habits? By addressing the root cause of excessive drinking, often through methods like the Sinclair Method that retrain your brain and reduce cravings, it is possible to regain control.

What helped me stop binge drinking for good? Discovering the Sinclair Method and using naltrexone to change my brain's response to alcohol was the key to stopping binge drinking.

To learn more about the treatment that helped me stop binge drinking, click here.

Medical Disclaimer: This content is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Do not ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on what you read here.