The Problem Isn't Just Alcohol –It's What We Don't Know About It.

Author of the Month

March 9, 2026

John Makohen, Author

Tom O'Connor, Publisher

You Were Taught to Fear Heroin, Not the Booze in Your Hand.

As someone who has walked the path of addiction and recovery, I bring a unique perspective to this discussion. I'm an ex-street junky with 9 years sober. My journey with alcohol has been a rollercoaster, filled with highs and lows, but ultimately leading to a better understanding of its effects. I'm into multiple pathways to recovery, harm reduction, alternative health & personal growth — and loud, raw, noisy guitars.

Let's be real. You probably had some kind of health class that told you drugs are bad, and that meth makes your teeth fall out. But alcohol? That one slid right under the radar. Or worse, it was treated like a joke. Like a rite of passage. Like the thing grown-ups do to "unwind."

We joke about needing a drink after work. We laugh off blackouts. We toast to everything. But when was the last time someone told you how alcohol works?

It's a sobering truth that the knowledge about how alcohol truly works is not readily available. It's not taught in schools, your doctor's office, or your workplace wellness seminar, complete with sad bagels and fake smiles.

And by the time most people start asking fundamental questions about their drinking, the damage is already happening.

We Glorify It, Then Blame You When It Backfires.

Alcohol is everywhere. Weddings. Work events. First dates. Family reunions. Funerals. It's the default. The expectation. You say no to a drink, and people ask, "Are you okay?"

The problem isn't that alcohol exists. We're sold the shiny parts-the clinking of glasses at a celebration, the relaxation after a long day, the social bonding over a few drinks-and left in the dark about the rest. We glamorize the 'wine mom' life, romanticize whiskey with a cigar, and turn happy hour into a lifestyle brand.

Nobody Told Me.

Meanwhile, we're whispering about anxiety, depression, bloating, poor sleep, liver panels, and regrets that hit like bricks in the morning. Nobody told me how alcohol messes with REM sleep. Or that it causes blood sugar spikes and crashes that feel like mood swings on steroids. Or that it shrinks parts of your brain over time.

Nobody told me that regular drinking, even "moderate," can make anxiety worse in the long run. And when you start to feel it all unravel? It's suddenly your fault.

It is not the culture that normalized it, not the medical system that ignores early signs, not the total lack of education. You're just "bad at drinking." What a joke.

There's a Difference Between Use, Misuse, and Disorder

Let's break it down. Not everyone who drinks has a problem with alcohol. Not everyone who occasionally drinks too much has a disorder. And not everyone with a disorder fits the stereotype.

Here's how it breaks down:

• Use: You drink. Occasionally. Maybe socially. It doesn't impact your life. Cool.

• Misuse: You drink more than planned. You use it to cope. You feel the consequences, but not always. Still feels manageable. Sort of.

• Disorder: You keep drinking despite the damage. You've tried to stop. You feel powerless around it. It's affecting your relationships, your job, your body, or your mind.

And you know it. Most people float between those categories and never get honest about it because they don't look like someone with "a drinking problem."

I used to think alcohol use disorder (AUD) meant waking up in alleyways or losing custody of your kids. Meanwhile, I was blacking out at house parties, picking fights I didn't remember, and using alcohol to silence every uncomfortable emotion I didn't know how to sit with. But I wasn't "an alcoholic," right? That word didn't fit me. Turns out that the word wasn't the problem. The lack of information was.

Better Education Doesn't Mean Preaching Abstinence

This isn't about wagging a finger and telling you to quit. It's about being armed with facts to decide what works for your body, brain, and goals. Better education doesn't mean making people afraid of alcohol. It means making them aware.

Like:

• How alcohol affects dopamine and serotonin in the brain.

• What alcohol withdrawal symptoms look like.

• What "tolerance" really means biologically.

• How long-term drinking increases the risk of cancer and heart disease.

• Why alcohol-induced anxiety is real, and not just in your head.

I felt less broken and more equipped when I finally learned the mechanics. It wasn't just about willpower. It was about Biology. Conditioning. Culture. And when you understand those things, the shame starts to loosen its grip. You realize this isn't a character flaw. It's a learned pattern, with an unspoken education gap keeping you trapped.

We Shouldn't Have to Hit a Wall to Start Learning

You shouldn't have to hit rock bottom to get information. You shouldn't have to go to rehab to understand how alcohol works. And you definitely shouldn't have to wait for your body to start breaking down before someone explains what a standard drink is or how alcohol tolerance develops.

We teach people how to avoid STDs in sex ed. Why don't we teach people how to prevent substance use disorders in health class?

Why don't we talk about: 

• The warning signs of emotional dependency.

• The role of trauma in self-medication.

• How to cut back without going cold turkey.

This shouldn't be hidden knowledge. It should be common knowledge. The earlier you know this, the easier it is to shift. Before the cravings. Before the panic attacks. Before the shame spiral. Early education about alcohol is not just beneficial, it's crucial. It empowers you to take control of your choices and your health. It's about being proactive and responsible, not just for yourself, but for those around you.

I didn't get educated until I was already suffering. You don't have to wait that long.

*For more information on this topic, watch our featured video and download this resource.

So What Do You Do With This?

You take one honest look at your drinking. You ask questions. You learn. You stay curious. Not because you need to fix everything overnight. But because knowledge gives you power. You're not alone in this journey. Some people understand and support you. 

The power to make informed choices. The power to say no when you mean it. The power to say yes to something better.

You're not weak for drinking. You're not stupid for not knowing. You were just never taught.

But now you're here. And that counts.

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John Makohen also authored two influential books: A Heroin User's Guide to Harm Reduction: Staying Alive in the Age of Fentanyl and Xylazine and Resilience: Building Strength in Early Recovery. The first is a bold, honest survival manual for people who use drugs in today's overdose crisis. The second book is a straightforward guide with practical strategies for building strength and confidence during early recovery.

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