The Alcohol ReThink Podcast with Patrick Fox 196. Stop Sedating & Start Living with William Porter
What really happens when you stop sedating yourself with alcohol?
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Alcohol ReThink Podcast, Patrick is joined once again by the brilliant William Porter, author of the bestselling Alcohol Explained series and Nicotine Explained.
Together, they unpack the subtle but significant ways alcohol sedates our bodies and minds, and why that sedation comes at a steep cost to our health, energy, emotional resilience, and enjoyment of life.
They explore what alcohol is really doing when it feels like it’s helping, how it impacts sleep, mood, and motivation, and why many people feel flat or bored when they stop drinking.
William also breaks down the craving cycle, social beliefs about alcohol, and what it takes to start feeling truly alive again.
Whether you're just starting to rethink your drinking or deep into your sober journey, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you a fresh perspective on what alcohol really takes away, and what you stand to gain by leaving it behind.
Some of the awesome takeaways from this episode:
Why alcohol’s relaxing effect is a short-term illusion and how it actually sedates your energy and emotions
The truth about anhedonia (the flat, joyless feeling) in early sobriety
How cravings are really thought loops, not random urges
Why TV, socialising, or hobbies may feel “less fun” after quitting, and what to do about it
How alcohol subtly hijacks your life, from your evenings to your identity
The surprising truth about social anxiety, placebo effects, and what alcohol doesn’t really do
How to replace sedation with true coping tools and emotional regulation
As ever, Patrick & William will leave you thinking and understanding the reasons you drink in a whole new way.
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