Research has shown that no amount of alcohol is good for the heart or brain, yet excessive alcohol use remains fairly common, with 17% of adults in the United States reporting binge drinking, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A new book by Dr. Chris Knowles, professor of surgery at Queen Mary University of London, examines why some people struggle more than others with alcohol use.
Knowles explains that humans drink “because it’s fun and because we learn that good things happen when we do it, or at least we think good things have happened when we did it.” However, the biological picture is complex. Alcohol stimulates the same pleasure centers of the brain as those activated when seeking necessities such as food and relationships. Yet it also works on the negative side—the more someone drinks, the more they drive stress neurotransmitters, making them miserable when not drinking. According to Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “You’re really digging that hole, and you’re drinking to fill the hole. But unfortunately, every time you try to fill the hole by drinking, you’re making the hole deeper.”
A major part of the biology behind problematic alcohol use involves how an individual’s brain is wired to process rewards and risk. People with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolarity, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder are at particularly high risk for substance abuse. Psychological traits such as neuroticism, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression also increase risk. Knowles notes, “If drinking is a problem, you’re in with a chance. If it’s your solution, you’ve already lost.” Those who drink to relieve stress, sadness, or difficult memories face greater challenges than those who drink only for fun. The continuum of problem drinking ranges from those who don’t drink at all to those with clinical alcohol use disorder, which can be mild, moderate, or severe.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.newspressnow.com/cnn/cnn-health/2026/01/09/why-some-people-cant-stay-away-from-alcohol-even-when-they-know-its-hurting-them/