Thanks Asix9,
Yes, it can be overwhelming and frustrating at times.
Dopamine does seem to have a very large part to play. My partner gave up alcohol at the same time as me but has suffered no symptoms at all, other than feeling a bit tired in the first month or so, despite us drinking very similar amounts.
Another difference is that is they never experience a long lasting 'buzz' from alcohol, and were always happy to stop/not drink at all. They also never had a buzz from caffeine, whereas I did. It does make me think that some of us have a much stronger dopamine reaction to these drugs, and our brains are more susceptible to being affected and rewired as a result.