Regular drinking and early sobriety often feel like living on autopilot, where we are repeating the same routines without conscious awareness. Alcohol changes the brain to increase mindless activity, which can lead to rumination, excessive self-focus, anxiety, and addiction-related thought loops. In this episode, you’ll learn about how alcohol affects the brain and puts us on autopilot, how this keeps us stuck, and when this recovers in sobriety. Many people mistake life stress as the main source of overwhelm, but a lot of it actually comes from how alcohol disrupts brain function.

What to listen to next:

E220: The Hippocampus and Alcohol: Blackouts, Memory Deficits, and Learned Associations

E191: Going Back and Forth Makes Your Cravings Stronger

E238: Why Moderation Doesn't Work

Sober Support:

Community & Meetings: Living a Sober Powered Life ⁠https://www.soberpowered.com/membership⁠
Weekly emails on Fridays ⁠https://www.soberpowered.com/email⁠

Work with me:

Sober coaching ⁠https://www.soberpowered.com/sober-coaching⁠

Courses:

The non-negotiable mindset ⁠https://www.soberpowered.com/mindset-course⁠
Sober milestones: what to expect when you quit drinking ⁠https://sobermilestones.supercast.com/⁠
Anger Management ⁠https://www.soberpowered.com/anger⁠

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Sources are posted on my website

Disclaimer: all of the information described in this podcast is my interpretation of the research combined with my opinion. This is not medical advice.

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