Why Can’t an Alcoholic Just Stop at One?

Why Can’t an Alcoholic Just Stop at One?

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This RAW Recovery instalment, hosted by Dion, takes a straight-talking look at a question many people outside addiction ask: "Why can't an alcoholic just stop at one?" Blending Big Book references with lived experience and a few off-the-cuff jokes, Dion walks through the Doctor’s Opinion and what it says about the "phenomenon of craving".

He explains that for a "real alcoholic" the trouble doesn’t start at the sixth or tenth drink – it starts the moment alcohol hits the system. As he puts it, "For the alcoholic, controlling the tenth drink begins by not taking the first one." You’ll hear the difference he draws between ordinary drinkers and alcoholics: some can leave half a glass on the table, while others find that once the first drink is in, "something takes over".

Dion talks about the physical allergy, the mental obsession, and how alcohol heads straight to the brain’s reward centre, telling it that destructive behaviour is working just fine. There’s also candid chat about relapse, cravings and accountability. He questions rigid attitudes around slips in recovery groups, and reminds anyone listening that if they’ve ever tried and failed to quit, they’ve already experienced relapse – long before they set foot in a meeting.

Cravings, he notes, often last about 70 seconds and can be ridden out by reaching for support instead of a bottle. The tone is raw, informal and often funny – from side comments about video games and football to poking fun at people who say "just use willpower".

Yet underneath the humour is a clear message aimed at people in recovery, their families, and anyone puzzled by addiction: understanding why "one" isn’t simple is key to seeing why complete abstinence can become the safest choice. If you’ve ever wondered why logic and good intentions aren’t enough to stop drinking, this conversation might leave you asking yourself some new questions.