To change how they feel
Alcohol can temporarily change a person's mood. It may help them feel calmer, more confident or less aware of what is troubling them.
The feeling does not last, but they may continue drinking because they want to experience that change again.
To avoid how they feel
Some people drink because they do not know how to live with painful feelings, memories, fear, shame or disappointment.
Alcohol may seem to offer temporary relief, even though it often makes those feelings harder to manage later.
Because drinking has become a habit
Drinking may gradually become part of everyday life. It can become connected to particular times, places, people or situations.
Eventually, reaching for alcohol may feel automatic rather than like a conscious decision.
Because they believe alcohol helps them cope
They may believe they need alcohol to manage stress, relationships, work, loneliness or ordinary daily life.
Even when drinking is creating more problems, they may still see it as the thing that helps them get through those problems.
Because they have become dependent on alcohol
Continued drinking can change how the body and brain respond to alcohol. A person may begin to feel that they need it to feel normal or to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
At this point, stopping may be much more difficult than simply deciding not to drink.
Because they do not fully accept what is happening
They may minimise how much they drink, compare themselves with people who drink more or blame the consequences on something else.
Accepting the truth may mean facing changes they do not yet feel ready or able to make.
Because wanting to stop and being able to stop are different
They may genuinely regret what has happened and sincerely promise that they will stop.
That does not necessarily mean they understand how to stop or have the support they need to do it.