@jenatsky
The 'entry' point in this "cycle...." is:
1. Binge/Intoxication Stage: REWARD, incentive salience, and pathological habits.

So obviously the obvious question is: WHAT is it you are trying to ESCAPE from?
We all have times when circumstances can be rough (I had very hard times FINDING employment for reasons mostly External, outside My control. This too is part of life everywhere, all times. I'd end up doing minimum wage works after I'd tried looking for work each day in my field. It helped pay for basic needs. But little else except a 'treat' with MacDonald coffee. There was no way to treat with something like beer. Now that I am retired I do treat with beer that most often is one can a Week. Why I never drink More is because the worries that I have today need me to be in good health and shape to deal with...and these require I feed myself with Tasty and nourishing food, treat myself with Enjoyable exertion, resulting in good sleep.
In other words, the need for "REWARD" as in the first step of the cycle in niaaa site above has diminished from the rewards of enjoyable foods and physical activity (and mental workouts). I've thus reduced space for my worries with more simple joys. This I believe has worked for me all my life of over eight decades.

My insight: More simple sublime pleasures equal less need for rewards with alcohol or other addictive habits,