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/