E327: The “Maybe It’ll Be Different This Time” Fantasy
Sober Powered: The Neuroscience of Being SoberShow Notes
One of the sneakiest thoughts in sobriety is, “Maybe I could drink differently now.” This fantasy so convincing because it uses your progress as evidence. It says, “You’re not the same person anymore. You have more tools now. You wouldn’t let it get that bad again. You could probably have one drink on vacation, or at a wedding, or on a special occasion, and be fine.”
However, you became more stable because alcohol was removed and you started building your life without it. Your emotional capacity improved because you stopped using alcohol to avoid every uncomfortable feeling.
So yes, you may be different now. But you are different because sobriety is working, not because you've magically become cured from taking some time off.
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