Stompcast Pt 1: The Truth About Why We Drink Alcohol | Professor Charles Knowles
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Jan 12, 2026 Professor Charles Knowles, a colorectal surgeon and recovering alcoholic, dives into the intriguing science behind why we drink. He explores the evolutionary roots of alcohol consumption and discusses individual differences in alcohol response. Charles reveals his 'Three Cs' framework—Consumption, Consequences, and Control—arguing that the amount consumed doesn't necessarily predict dependence. He shares insights from his personal recovery journey and explains how alcohol affects the brain’s reward pathways, shaping our drinking habits.
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Consumption Alone Is Misleading
- Problems with alcohol aren't strongly linked to total consumption; heavy drinking doesn't guarantee dependence.
- Charles Knowles says control and consequences matter more than units consumed.
Use The Three Cs To Judge Drinking
- Assess drinking by three Cs: consumption, consequences, and control.
- Use those measures to gauge harm rather than solely counting units.
A Surgeon’s Decade-By-Decade Decline
- Charles describes 10 years of fun, 10 years of fun with consequences, then 10 years of mostly harm.
- He credits deteriorating mental health as the turning point to quit.
