{"id":18710,"date":"2026-09-16T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/?p=18710"},"modified":"2026-10-20T16:21:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T14:21:34","slug":"alcohol-and-dopamine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/en\/alcohol-and-dopamine\/","title":{"rendered":"Alcohol and dopamine: what really happens in the brain"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18710\" class=\"elementor elementor-18710 elementor-16825 elementor-bc-flex-widget\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d85d0db elementor-section-boxed rl-art-hero elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d85d0db\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cc064a4\" data-id=\"cc064a4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0c189b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c0c189b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Alcohol and dopamine: what really happens in the brain<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0dc2048 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"0dc2048\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><p class=\"rl-postmeta rl-postmeta-hero\"><span>Published on 16 September 2026<\/span><span class=\"dot\">\u00b7<\/span><span>Updated on 20 October 2026<\/span><span class=\"dot\">\u00b7<\/span><span>8 min read<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06806d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"06806d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>.rl-art-hero .rl-postmeta{color:rgba(255,255,255,.88);margin:14px 0 0}.rl-art-hero .rl-postmeta .dot{color:rgba(255,255,255,.55)}\n.rl-art-hero h1{color:#fff!important}\n.rl-art 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.elementor-shortcode .elementor-top-section,.rl-art-col .elementor-shortcode .elementor-top-section h1,.rl-art-col .elementor-shortcode .elementor-top-section h2,.rl-art-col .elementor-shortcode .elementor-top-section h3,.rl-art-col .elementor-shortcode .elementor-top-section p,.rl-art-col .elementor-shortcode .elementor-button,.rl-art-col .elementor-shortcode .elementor-button *{font-family:Rubik,sans-serif!important}.rl-art-col .elementor-shortcode .elementor-top-section h3.elementor-heading-title{font-weight:300!important}@media (max-width:1024px){.elementor-column.rl-sommaire{padding:0 30px!important}}.rl-art-col .rl-points-cles{margin:8px 0 12px!important}.rl-art-col .elementor-widget[id^=section-]{margin-top:56px!important}.rl-art-col h2.elementor-heading-title{margin-top:0!important}@media (max-width:767px){.rl-art-col .elementor-widget[id^=section-]{margin-top:36px!important}}<\/style><script>document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',function(){var L=[].slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('.rl-sommaire .elementor-icon-list-item'));var T=L.map(function(li){var a=li.querySelector('a');return a?document.getElementById(a.getAttribute('href').slice(1)):null});if(!('IntersectionObserver' in window))return;var cur=-1;function set(i){if(i===cur)return;cur=i;L.forEach(function(li,k){li.classList.toggle('is-active',k===i)})}window.addEventListener('scroll',function(){var y=150,i=-1;T.forEach(function(t,k){if(t&&t.getBoundingClientRect().top<y)i=k});set(i)},{passive:true})});<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-439a78a elementor-section-stretched rl-art rl-art-2col elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"439a78a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fc4c0cf rl-sommaire\" data-id=\"fc4c0cf\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e80b3bd rl-sommaire-box elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e80b3bd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab59540\" data-id=\"ab59540\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e246df4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e246df4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">On this page<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9809b99 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"9809b99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#section-1\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Dopamine is not the pleasure hormone<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#section-2\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">What alcohol does from the first drink<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#section-3\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The little-known link with nicotine<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#section-4\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">When the system tips over: the deficit state<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#section-5\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">What French research shows<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#section-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">What this means for quitting<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#section-7\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Frequently asked questions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#sources\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Sources<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-67 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-faafb60 rl-art-col\" data-id=\"faafb60\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c2d800 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"9c2d800\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><div class=\"rl-badge-revision\">Article reviewed by <strong>Dr Hamza Messaoudene<\/strong>, General Surgery, Medical Lasers, Addictology <span class=\"dot\">\u00b7<\/span> 20 October 2026<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce3999b rl-hero-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ce3999b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RESET-bien-etre-sans-alcool.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-16387\" alt=\"Femme qui se sent bien apr\u00e8s avoir arr\u00eater l&#039;alcool\" srcset=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RESET-bien-etre-sans-alcool.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RESET-bien-etre-sans-alcool-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RESET-bien-etre-sans-alcool-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RESET-bien-etre-sans-alcool-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73e8d69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"73e8d69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At first, alcohol relaxes you and lifts your mood. Years later, it barely does anything for you, and yet you keep drinking. There is nothing mysterious about this shift: it reflects a measurable change in the brain&#8217;s reward circuit, with dopamine at its heart. In this article, Reset Laser explains the mechanism and what recent research has to say about it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cd7818 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"5cd7818\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"rl-points-cles\" style=\"background: rgba(27,128,243,0.06); border-left: 4px solid #1b80f3; border-radius: 0 12px 12px 0; padding: 24px 28px; margin: 32px 0;\"><p style=\"color: #1b80f3; font-weight: 600; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin: 0 0 12px;\">&#128273; KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/p><ul style=\"margin: 0;\"><li>Dopamine encodes wanting, not pleasure: you can intensely crave something that no longer gives you anything.<\/li><li>Alcohol increases dopamine release in the reward circuit, with the help of nicotinic receptors [1][2].<\/li><li>Chronic drinking creates a deficit: around 20% fewer D2\/D3 receptors in the striatum, still present several months after stopping [3].<\/li><li>Research linked to Inserm shows that a dopamine deficit can come before dependence and encourage it, not just result from it [4].<\/li><li>Recovery takes months: what counts is how long you are supported, not how strong the initial decision is.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9da8544 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9da8544\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"section-1\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dopamine is not the pleasure hormone<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1101254 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1101254\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>First, a common misconception to clear up. Dopamine does not encode pleasure but wanting: it tells the brain what is worth seeking out and triggers the motivation to go after it. The pleasure you actually feel depends mainly on other systems, notably the body&#8217;s own opioids.<\/p>\n<p>This distinction explains something many people with a dependence describe without quite being able to put it into words: intensely wanting something that no longer brings any satisfaction. The wanting system stays active when the pleasure system has switched off.<\/p>\n<p>The circuit involved starts in the ventral tegmental area and projects to the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex, the structures that manage motivation, reward-based learning and self-control [1].<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7421d13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7421d13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"section-2\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What alcohol does from the first drink<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f2eac8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f2eac8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Unlike most psychoactive substances, alcohol has no dedicated receptor. It works by altering several systems at once [2].<\/p>\n<p>In the ventral tegmental area, it releases the brake that inhibitory neurons place on dopamine neurons. As a result, these fire more intensely and release more dopamine into the nucleus accumbens [2]. This is the signal that builds the association \u201calcohol equals reward\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, other neurotransmitter systems, including the body&#8217;s own opioids, amplify the pleasant side of the moment [2]. The two mechanisms combine to etch the experience into memory, along with its context: the place, the time of day, the people around you. It is this associative memory, more than the substance itself, that will trigger cravings years later.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e35cde1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"e35cde1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"18933\" class=\"elementor elementor-18933 elementor-bc-flex-widget\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-49bab162 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"49bab162\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-563fb19a\" data-id=\"563fb19a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b731872 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7b731872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Want to cut down or stop drinking?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45b2e29b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45b2e29b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align:center;\">Laser auricular reflexology supports your journey, alongside your doctor&#8217;s care. A single session of about one hour, with personalised follow-up for 12 months.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29bf73be elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"29bf73be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/en\/our-centers-to-quit-smoking\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Book an appointment<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-280fc2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"280fc2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"section-3\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The little-known link with nicotine<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a97765 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a97765\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This point is rarely explained, yet it matters a great deal for anyone who uses both.<\/p>\n<p>The nicotinic receptors in the ventral tegmental area play a direct part in the dopamine release triggered by alcohol. When these receptors are blocked experimentally, ethanol-induced dopamine release falls and the stimulating effects people feel are weaker [2].<\/p>\n<p>In other words, tobacco and alcohol do not simply go together socially: they amplify each other in the brain. This is one of the reasons why stopping one often makes it harder to stay off the other, and why the subject deserves to be raised during an initial consultation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a61c2e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a61c2e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"section-4\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When the system tips over: the deficit state<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d6136f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d6136f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The tipping point comes with repetition. Stimulated artificially over and over again, the circuit adapts by becoming less responsive. The brain protects its balance, but at the expense of everything else.<\/p>\n<p>Brain imaging shows that people with a dependence have around 20% lower availability of D2 and D3 dopamine receptors in the striatum, and that this reduction persists for several months after stopping [3].<\/p>\n<p>This has three practical consequences.<\/p>\n<p>Everyday pleasures fade. A meal, an evening out or a conversation no longer does much for you. This is anhedonia, often mistaken for depression.<\/p>\n<p>Control weakens. The prefrontal cortex, which allows you to resist an impulse, works less well [3].<\/p>\n<p>You drink to feel normal, no longer to feel good. Drinking changes its purpose: it is no longer seeking a reward but escaping an unpleasant state.<\/p>\n<p>This shift explains why willpower alone so often fails. It is up against an established chemical imbalance, not a moral weakness.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-512cdf8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"512cdf8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"section-5\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What French research shows<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd677b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd677b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A research team linked to Inserm (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) has added an important piece to the picture by studying another dopamine pathway, the nigrostriatal pathway, which is involved in motivation [4].<\/p>\n<p>The researchers first observed a dopamine deficit in this region in animals that had become dependent. They then ran the reverse experiment: by artificially lowering dopamine levels in non-dependent animals to the level seen in dependent ones, these animals became dependent in turn [4].<\/p>\n<p>This finding matters because it turns the question around. A dopamine deficit is not only a consequence of dependence: it can also be a cause. On this basis, the team tested a substance that stimulates dopamine production, and dependence was reduced as a result [4].<\/p>\n<p>Two honest caveats: this work was carried out in animals, and a line of research is not an available solution. It does, however, shed clear light on what the people affected go through.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de27af0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"de27af0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"section-6\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What this means for quitting<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1e4d7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c1e4d7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A word of caution first. In someone with an established physical dependence, stopping alcohol abruptly can cause serious complications, including seizures and, in severe cases, delirium tremens, which usually appears between 48 and 96 hours after the last drink. If you drink every day, or if you notice shaking or sweating when you wake up, talk to your GP before you stop. A supervised withdrawal is most often organised on an outpatient basis, with scheduled follow-up over the first few days.<\/p>\n<p>Three practical lessons.<\/p>\n<p>The flat patch in the first few weeks is normal and to be expected. The dopamine system takes time to readjust, several months according to imaging data [3]. Feeling flat, unmotivated or irritable after stopping does not mean you have made a mistake.<\/p>\n<p>The circuit needs to be fed in other ways. Physical activity, regular sleep, projects that give you a sense of direction, social connection: anything that produces natural reward helps the system rebuild itself.<\/p>\n<p>Support matters more than initial motivation. Since the period of vulnerability lasts for months, the challenge is not getting through the first day but being supported for as long as the brain needs to recover.<\/p>\n<p>This is the thinking behind the support offered in Reset Laser centres. The laser auricular reflexology session, which lasts about an hour and is non-invasive, targets the physical side of the urge to drink by stimulating reflex points on the ear with a soft low-intensity laser, without medication. It comes with 12 months of personalised support from the practitioner who sees you, and a free support session if you relapse. This commercial commitment is an obligation of means and cannot be regarded as a promise of results, as success also depends on each client&#8217;s personal willpower.<\/p>\n<p>Discover <a href=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/en\/addictions\/alcohol-withdrawal\/\">our support for giving up alcohol<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/en\/our-centers-to-quit-smoking\/\">book an appointment at a centre<\/a>. Our article on the <a href=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/en\/benefits-quitting-alcohol\/\">day-by-day benefits of giving up alcohol<\/a> describes the timeline of this recovery.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6ce3b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"a6ce3b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><div class=\"rl-conseil-expert\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rl-expert-photo\" src=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dr-hamza-messaoudene.jpg\" alt=\"Dr Hamza Messaoudene\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><div><p class=\"rl-expert-kicker\">OUR EXPERT\u2019S ADVICE<\/p><p class=\"rl-expert-nom\">Dr Hamza Messaoudene \u2014 General Surgery, Medical Lasers, Addictology<\/p><p class=\"rl-expert-citation\">\u00ab The question I almost always ask at the first meeting: do you smoke as well? Many people come about alcohol and set cigarettes aside without really thinking it through. Keeping tobacco is a perfectly defensible choice. Keeping it without having decided to, less so: smoking often goes up in the weeks after you stop drinking, and every cigarette brings the context of the drink back with it. Whether you stop both together or one after the other, make the call before you start and set a date for the second. \u00bb<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecdc178 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ecdc178\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"section-7\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1350a59 rl-faq-acc elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"1350a59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2021\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2021\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Does alcohol increase dopamine?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2021\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2021\"><p>In the short term, yes: drinking alcohol increases dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens [1]. Over the long term, the effect reverses and the system becomes less responsive [3].<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2022\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2022\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What effect does alcohol have on the brain?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2022\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2022\"><p>In the short term, it alters several neurotransmitter systems at once and stimulates the reward circuit [2]. In the long term, it causes a lasting drop in dopamine receptor availability and weakens executive control [3].<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2023\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2023\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How long does it take for dopamine to recover after stopping?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2023\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2023\"><p>Imaging data show that the reduction in D2\/D3 receptors persists for several months after stopping [3]. Recovery is gradual and goes hand in hand with improved motivation and a renewed ability to enjoy everyday pleasures.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2024\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2024\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What naturally increases dopamine?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2024\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2024\"><p>Regular physical activity, enough sleep, exposure to daylight, social interaction and projects that bring regular achievements. These levers do not replace support, but they help you through the recovery period.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does alcohol increase dopamine?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>In the short term, yes: drinking alcohol increases dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens [1]. Over the long term, the effect reverses and the system becomes less responsive [3].<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What effect does alcohol have on the brain?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>In the short term, it alters several neurotransmitter systems at once and stimulates the reward circuit [2]. In the long term, it causes a lasting drop in dopamine receptor availability and weakens executive control [3].<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does it take for dopamine to recover after stopping?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Imaging data show that the reduction in D2\\\/D3 receptors persists for several months after stopping [3]. Recovery is gradual and goes hand in hand with improved motivation and a renewed ability to enjoy everyday pleasures.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What naturally increases dopamine?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Regular physical activity, enough sleep, exposure to daylight, social interaction and projects that bring regular achievements. These levers do not replace support, but they help you through the recovery period.<\\\/p>\"}}]}<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0894fd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"0894fd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"sources\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"rl-sources\" style=\"background: #f7f9fc; border: 1px solid #e5e8ed; border-radius: 12px; padding: 24px 28px; margin: 32px 0; font-size: 14px;\"><p style=\"color: #053061; font-weight: 600; margin: 0 0 12px;\">&#128218; Sources<\/p><ol style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 20px;\"><li>Gonzales R.A., Job M.O., Doyon W.M., The role of mesolimbic dopamine in the development and maintenance of ethanol reinforcement, Pharmacology &amp; Therapeutics, 2004. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15369680\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov<\/a><\/li><li>Morikawa H., Morrisett R.A., Ethanol action on dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area: interaction with intrinsic ion channels and neurotransmitter inputs, International Review of Neurobiology, 2010. <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2936723\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov<\/a><\/li><li>Volkow N.D., Fowler J.S., Wang G.J., Baler R., Telang F., Imaging dopamine's role in drug abuse and addiction, Neuropharmacology, 2009. <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2696819\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov<\/a><\/li><li>Inserm, Alcoolod\u00e9pendance : la dopamine comme piste th\u00e9rapeutique (Alcohol dependence: dopamine as a therapeutic lead), 2023. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inserm.fr\/actualite\/alcoolodependance-la-dopamine-comme-piste-therapeutique\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">inserm.fr<\/a><\/li><li>Further reading: Inserm, Alcool et sant\u00e9 (Alcohol and health), information file. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inserm.fr\/dossier\/alcool-sante\/)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">inserm.fr<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11e0c31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11e0c31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>This article is for information only and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. Laser auricular reflexology is a non-medical support method.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2699435 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"2699435\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"18937\" class=\"elementor elementor-18937 elementor-bc-flex-widget\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-168fc31a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"168fc31a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-69c3983c\" data-id=\"69c3983c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3975ae1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3975ae1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ready to take the leap?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10d8007f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10d8007f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align:center;\">Join the thousands of people supported by Reset Laser in taking back control over alcohol.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-50b4cbc7 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"50b4cbc7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-529f1013\" data-id=\"529f1013\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-515dcd98 elementor-align-right elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"515dcd98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/en\/our-centers-to-quit-smoking\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Book an appointment<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-55e3a977\" data-id=\"55e3a977\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fe56d5a elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6fe56d5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/en\/our-centers-to-quit-smoking\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">See our centres<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d501a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"9d501a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><aside class=\"rl-author-box\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rl-author-photo\" src=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/laura-anzempamber.jpg\" alt=\"Laura Anzempamber\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" \/><div><p class=\"rl-author-label\">Article author<\/p><p class=\"rl-author-name\">Laura Anzempamber<\/p><p class=\"rl-author-bio\">State-registered nurse and auricular reflexology practitioner in the Reset Laser network since 2023. Based in Brest, Brittany, she has supported thousands of people on their path to quitting, drawing on her experience as a healthcare professional.<\/p><p class=\"rl-author-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/resetlaser.com\/en\/author\/laura-anzempamber\/\">All articles<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/aside><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why alcohol feels good at first and then does nothing at all: the role of dopamine and the deficit that sets in as dependence takes hold.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":4618,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"fullwidth","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"unboxed","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"hide","_kad_post_feature":"hide","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Alcohol and Dopamine: What Happens in the Brain<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why alcohol feels good at first and then does nothing at all: the role of dopamine and the deficit that sets in as dependence 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