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When 2 wines turns into 4...each night.

  • Writer: Klynton Kelly-Bolt
    Klynton Kelly-Bolt
  • Jun 27
  • 4 min read

What's Wrong with Six Beers a Night? OR One little prosecco, light and divine, which multiplies fast and turns into 9...Let’s Talk About Alcoholism Without the Shame.



I need to share something: If you need six beers every afternoon to relax, feel okay, or switch off—that’s not just winding down. That’s a warning sign. And it’s not about shame or weakness. It’s about self-medicating with a drug that just happens to come in a stubby, a wine glass, or a cheeky silver goon bag.


Because alcohol is a drug. We just buy it freely from the bottle shop instead of the pharmacy. It’s unprescribed, unmonitored, socially celebrated — and often dangerously misunderstood...particularly in Australia.


What is Alcoholism? And Why Are We Missing It?


Alcoholism (or Alcohol Use Disorder, AUD) is a medical condition where a person loses control over their drinking, continues despite negative consequences, and may experience physical and psychological dependence. It isn’t always binge-drinking or brown paper bags in alleyways. More often than not, it's:

  • The 4pm “I deserve this” drink

  • The social glue at every weekend event

  • The coping strategy for stress, boredom, anxiety, trauma, or sleep

  • The slow creep from “I just like the taste” to “I can’t relax without it”

ALERT!!! Regularly using alcohol to regulate mood, emotions, or anxiety is not just a habit. It’s a chemical dependency forming — and a red flag for alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol is a Drug (Let’s Say That Again)

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects the brain’s reward pathways, particularly dopamine and GABA, giving us that temporary “ahhh” feeling. It lowers inhibition, slows cognition, dulls anxiety, and numbs emotional discomfort—which is exactly why people turn to it. It works… until it doesn’t.

  • Short-term: Alcohol gives a rush of dopamine and numbs stress.

  • Long-term: It reduces the brain’s ability to create those chemicals on its own, leading to increased anxiety, depression, poor sleep, irritability, and dependence.

It's not so different from popping a benzo or taking painkillers to feel better—except it’s cheaper, accessible, and even gift-wrapped at Christmas!


Why Do Some People Fall Into It More Than Others?

Here’s where it gets real: alcoholism doesn’t affect everyone equally. It’s more commonly linked to certain psychological conditions, such as:

  • ADHD – Impulsivity, poor dopamine regulation, and emotional intensity make alcohol feel like relief (Wilens & Spencer, 2010).

  • Anxiety & PTSD – Alcohol soothes the nervous system, but creates long-term dysregulation.

  • Bipolar Disorder – The cycle of highs and lows often coincides with binge drinking or risky use.

  • Depression – Alcohol initially numbs, but ultimately worsens depressive symptoms.

AND YET AGAIN... Genetics also play a big role. Alcoholism can run in families due to both biological and environmental factors. Growing up in a home where alcohol use is normalised—or emotionally relied upon—plants deep roots that shape how we cope as adults. That's why we think it's OK!

Why Six Beers Every Afternoon (or 3 whiskeys) Is Actually a Big Deal

It’s not about the number of drinks—it’s about the need for them. If you:

  • Think about drinking before the day ends

  • Drink alone or hide how much you drink

  • Need more alcohol over time to feel the same effect

  • Feel anxious, irritable, or shaky without it

  • Use alcohol to manage stress, sadness, boredom, or overstimulation


…you are not just someone who “likes a drink.” You may be using alcohol as medication. And that makes it harder to stop without support.


The Danger of Going Cold Turkey

It’s tempting to declare a fresh start: “I’m just going to stop.”But stopping alcohol suddenly, particularly after heavy daily use, can be medically dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • Sweating

  • Shaking

  • Vomiting

  • Insomnia

  • Hallucinations

  • Seizures and delirium tremens (DTs), which can be fatal

If you or someone you know is drinking heavily and wants to stop, please consult a doctor. Detoxing safely may require medical supervision and gradual tapering.

So What Can We Do Instead?

  1. Get curious about your drinking habits.

    1. What’s it doing for you?

    2. What would happen if you didn’t have it?

  2. Understand your emotional drivers.

    1. If alcohol is your go-to stress relief, there’s probably a deeper story beneath the surface—anxiety, burnout, grief, loneliness.

  3. Talk to a psychologist or GP.

    1. Not because you’re broken. But because you deserve to feel better—and alcohol may be masking what really needs healing.

  4. Know that help exists.

    1. Treatment for alcoholism can include:

      1. Psychological therapy (CBT, ACT, trauma-focused work)

      2. Medical detox support

      3. Medication to reduce cravings (like naltrexone or acamprosate)

      4. Support groups (e.g., SMART Recovery, AA)


Breaking the Cycle Matters - for your kids...and their kids.


Intergenerational alcoholism isn’t just a pattern—it’s a legacy. And you have the power to change the trajectory, for you and those watching you.


Yes, we live in a culture where drinking is normalised, glamorised, and embedded in everything from weddings to workplace wind-downs. But that doesn’t mean we need to follow suit.


If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol—good. That’s where the healing starts.


It’s not weakness. It’s awareness.



Alcohol isn’t just a drink. It’s a drug that we’re sold in shiny packaging and we glorify it - particularly when we pose for photos holding that wine glass.


If it’s running your afternoons, your sleep, or your stress levels—it’s running you.


But you are not alone. And it’s never too late to turn the page.

If you're ready to stop numbing and start healing, we're here when you're ready.

Let’s trade the six-pack for self-awareness.

Let’s break the cycle—not ourselves.



Key Research & Resources:

  • Wilens, T. E., & Spencer, T. J. (2010). Understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from childhood to adulthood. Postgraduate Medicine, 122(5), 97–109.

  • Grant, B. F., et al. (2015). Epidemiology of DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(8), 757–766.

  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): https://www.niaaa.nih.gov

  • Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

  • SMART Recovery Australia: https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au



 
 
 

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