212. Why Willpower Wasn’t Enough...and What Worked Instead with Matthew

Willpower might get you started, but it rarely lasts...

In this week’s episode of The Alcohol ReThink Podcast, Patrick is joined by listener-turned-guest Matthew, who got in touch after hitting his first sober anniversary.

This is a powerful, honest, and surprisingly relatable conversation about the messy (and meaningful) journey of quitting alcohol, from blackouts and panic attacks to the small wins that actually made the difference.

Get ready to hear about early cultural conditioning around alcohol to blackouts, hallucinations, chipped teeth, and panic attacks and why it all matters.

Matthew opens up about the moments that forced him to re-evaluate his drinking, and why this time, something felt different. Rather than another stretch of white-knuckling it with willpower, he’s found something more meaningful and sustainable.

Together, Patrick and Matthew explore what it really looks like to go from questioning your drinking to creating a life that genuinely feels better without it.

They talk about routines, brain chemistry, false beliefs, and the small wins that add up, from calmer mornings and clearer skin to more patience, creativity, and joy.

Whether you’re still trying to moderate, just starting out, or already alcohol-free, this episode is packed with insights, lived experience, and a reassuring reminder: you’re not alone, and change is possible.

Key Takeaways:

• Why willpower alone often leads to relapse, and what’s more effective
• How childhood beliefs about alcohol shape our adult habits
• The signs of drinking becoming more harmful (even if it doesn’t 'look bad' from the outside)
• Physical and emotional changes after stopping drinking
• Why replacing alcohol with presence, play, and purpose can be the real reward