Ep 80. Simple Psychology for a Sober-Curious Summer

If you’ve ever wondered why alcohol cravings can feel so powerful or why breaking habits is so tough, this episode is for you.

In this special summer mini-series of the Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey recaps essential brain science insights from past episodes and breaks down how simple psychology can empower your sober-curious journey through the summer.

Anna revisits some of the podcast’s most powerful, brain-based insights from understanding why our cravings aren’t a sign of weakness, to simple tips for outsmarting decision fatigue, and the magic of neuroplasticity. Anna breaks down the core motivations driving our drinking habits and shows how small tweaks in our routines can create lasting, meaningful change.

Here are the highlights: 

00:00 Introduction

06:25 The brain seeks pleasure and avoids pain to ensure survival

08:15 Humans prefer familiar habits to conserve brain energy

13:05 Habits aren't about the substance but the brain's expectations; altering routines can change this

14:11 Alcohol creates an artificial high with negative consequences

20:50 Alcohol hinders decision-making, creating a negative cycle

24:04 Emotional sobriety involves facing and staying with feelings without using alcohol as an escape

27:58 You can change and evolve with your decisions. 

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About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

Mentioned in this episode:

To pre-order my book, What Are You Thirsty For on Amazon select here: https://amzn.eu/d/3v3T6Mq Or on Waterstones here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-are-you-thirsty-for/anna-donaghey/9781915780607