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Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

If you have ever felt like a failure because you had to reset your "sober counter" to zero, this episode is for you.

We have all been there. You get a few days or weeks under your belt, things feel good, and then a "slip" happens. Suddenly, all that progress feels like it was deleted. But what if we stopped looking at those moments as failures and started looking at them as data?

In this episode of The Alcohol Myth, Ellen and I pull back the curtain on how we actually track progress. We talk about the "lengthening" strategy that helps you build momentum without the soul-crushing pressure of "forever." We also dive into the science of dopamine: why things feel "meh" in the beginning and how your brain eventually turns the joy receptors back on.

You do not need more willpower. You just need a better way to understand what you are feeling and why you are reaching for that next drink.

Inside this episode:
The Dopamine Rush: Why doing "impossible" things (like hosting a dinner party without wine) is the ultimate motivator.
To Count or Not to Count: When tracking every day is helpful and when it is time to stop.
The Data Point Secret: How to use a drinking episode to get the "unlock" you need for long term freedom.
Accountability: Why some people need to share their goals and why others should keep them quiet.

Chapters:
0:00 The dopamine rush of doing the "impossible"
1:10 Do you actually know your day count?
3:22 The strategy of "lengthening" your goals
7:15 What alcohol does to your brain's joy receptors
12:05 To tell or not to tell? The accountability debate
22:41 What is a "data point" and why does it matter?
29:01 Better ways to track progress than just a number
35:24 A practical challenge for your next five days

Ready to take back control? If you are tired of the moderation loop and want to see what the work is actually like, we would love to help. 👉 https://alcoholmyth.com/contact

Looking for community? Support? Reach out! We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom. Hit subscribe to keep up with new episodes.

Send us an email at thealcoholmyth@gmail.com

Or check out our websites

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

Do you feel like you’re drinking more than you want to, but don’t feel like you’ve hit a "rock bottom"?

In this episode of the Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Ellen Biggs and Jonathan pull back the curtain on the dominant narrative that you have to lose everything before you can choose a different path. We explore the concept of the "Unwelcome Invitation"—those uncomfortable moments, health scares, or quiet realizations that act as a catalyst for change long before a crisis occurs.

Whether you identify as "sober curious" or are looking for a new way to understand your relationship with alcohol without labels like "alcoholic" or the traditional 12-step approach, this conversation is for you. We discuss the power of self-compassion, the science of effective liminal psychology, and why alcohol is often just a "shitty consolation prize" keeping you from a bigger life.

In this episode, we cover:

Why the "Rock Bottom" myth is damaging and keeps people trapped.

How to recognize and accept an "Unwelcome Invitation" to change.

The role of self-compassion in building a life you don't want to escape from.

Personal stories of recovery, resilience, and finding freedom through This Naked Mind methodology.

Connect with us: Have questions or a story to share? Email us at thealcoholmyth@gmail.com. We read every message!

Chapters
0:00 - The Importance of the Sober Curious Conversation
1:26 - Defining the "Unwelcome Invitation"
2:42 - Breaking the Rock Bottom Myth: Do You Have to Lose it All?
4:53 - Ellen’s Story: The Quiet Realization Before the Change
7:23 - You Don't Have to Call Yourself an Alcoholic
8:33 - Trying "All the Things" vs. Doing the Internal Work
10:55 - Jonathan’s Experience: DUI Near-Misses and Health Warnings
14:13 - The Turning Point: How Drinking Impacts Those We Love 18:23 - Finding This Naked Mind and the Path to Freedom
21:57 - The Power of Mindfulness and Compassion in Recovery
24:44 - The Journey is the Point: Life on the Other Side
27:40 - How to Accept the Invitation When You’re in Pain
33:02 - Is Alcohol Your "Shitty Consolation Prize"?
35:46 - Why Self-Compassion is a Prerequisite for Change
38:14 - A Message of Hope: It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn

#SoberCurious #AlcoholFree #ThisNaked Mind #TheAlcoholMyth #Sobriety #SelfCompassion #MindfulDrinking

Looking for community? Support? Reach out! We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.

Send us an email at thealcoholmyth@gmail.com

Or check out our websites

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/