
Why We Obsess Over "Figuring Out" Alcohol
Journey to the Sunnyside | Mindful Drinking & Alcohol HealthShow Notes
A lot of people think the hardest part about changing their drinking is the alcohol itself. But honestly, for a lot of people, the real exhaustion comes from the constant mental negotiation around it. Should I quit drinking completely? Can I moderate? Am I overthinking this? Why does it feel so hard to “figure out” alcohol when everyone else seems fine? In this episode, I explore why our brains become obsessed with finding a perfect, permanent answer around drinking, and how that search for certainty can actually keep us stuck. I talk about the psychology behind all-or-nothing thinking, why the idea of “forever” creates so much pressure, and how a harm reduction approach can create more clarity, self-trust, and lasting change. If you’ve ever felt mentally exhausted trying to figure out your relationship with alcohol, I think this episode will feel very familiar.
We also discuss: mindful drinking alcohol moderation gray area drinking overthinking and alcohol all-or-nothing thinking sobriety anxiety harm reduction alcohol and mental health changing your relationship with alcohol the pressure to quit drinking forever
RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:
Naltrexone Online: How to Access Compounded Naltrexone For Alcohol Cravings
Alcohol Intolerance: What's Really Happening When Your Body 'Rejects' Alcohol
What a New Stanford Study Reveals About Alcohol and Brain Health
CONNECT WITH SUNNYSIDE:
Listen to the Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3 Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinsunnyside/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinsunnyside/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/joinsunnyside TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joinsunnyside
ABOUT SUNNYSIDE:
Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol health app that helps you drink more mindfully without shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Members use Sunnyside to reduce drinking, improve sleep, increase energy, lose weight, save money, and build a healthier relationship with alcohol. We know an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone. That’s why we focus on helping people set personalized goals, build awareness around their habits, and create sustainable change through accountability, coaching, tracking, and community support. As a result, 96.7% of members reduce their drinking within 90 days. We also offer Sunnyside Med, a program that provides access to compounded naltrexone for eligible members. Naltrexone is a medication that may help reduce alcohol cravings and support people who want additional clinical tools alongside behavior change, coaching, education, and community support. Disclaimer: This podcast is not medical advice, and the views expressed by guests may not reflect the views of Sunnyside. If you have concerns about your health or alcohol use, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
More from Journey to the Sunnyside | Mindful Drinking & Alcohol Health
You’ve decided to skip the drink. So why are you still thinking about it? In this 10-Minute Monday, I explore three surprising studies involving Tetris, a joystick, and imagining something you’re looking forward to. I break down what researchers found about cravings, automatic responses, and drinking less—and share a simple exercise you can try this week when you’re debating that next drink. CONNECT WITH SUNNYSIDE: Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3 Subscribe to Sunnyside's YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinsunnyside/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinsunnyside/ Twitter: https://x.com/joinsunnyside TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joinsunnyside
Whether you’re going alcohol-free, cutting back, or just getting started, what do you want to get out of October? I’m sharing five ways to make this month useful, including what to notice about your drinking, how to keep going when plans change, and what’s worth carrying into November. Plus, the surprising research on people who tried a dry month and didn’t finish it. CONNECT WITH SUNNYSIDE: Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3 Subscribe to Sunnyside's YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinsunnyside/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinsunnyside/ Twitter: https://x.com/joinsunnyside TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joinsunnyside
Why do you keep wanting a drink, even when you’re not enjoying it that much? I’m joined by Dr. Jud Brewer, a neuroscientist, psychiatrist, Brown University professor, and New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety. We talk about how your brain learns to want alcohol, why that wanting can outlast the enjoyment, and how curiosity can help you change a habit you’ve struggled to think your way out of. We also get into a question I’ve wanted to ask for a while: Do we actually love the taste of wine and whiskey, or have we learned to love what comes next? CONNECT WITH SUNNYSIDE: Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3 Subscribe to Sunnyside's YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinsunnyside/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinsunnyside/ Twitter: https://x.com/joinsunnyside TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joinsunnyside
Most of us have had nights where two drinks somehow became four, or one glass of wine turned into most of the bottle. In this 10-Minute Monday, I break down seven situations where it’s especially easy to drink more than you intended, why they can change the way you drink without you really noticing, and the psychology behind a few of them.
Having a drink and deciding to keep drinking aren't always the same decision. In this 10-Minute Monday, I look at what starts to change after that first drink, why what you wanted at the beginning of the night can shift as the night goes on, and how planning ahead can help. If you've ever wanted the first couple of drinks but wished you'd skipped the last one, this episode explains why that distinction matters.