James Swanwick
James Swanwick
Rosy Retrospection: Why Your Brain Romanticizes Drinking (and How to Stop It) With Coach Matt
Rosy Retrospection: Why Your Brain Romanticizes Drinking (and How to Stop It) With Coach Matt
Rosy Retrospection: Why Your Brain Romanticizes Drinking (and How to Stop It) With Coach Matt
Friday 9th January 2026
Coach Matt explains why we romanticise drinking memories and offers tools to combat nostalgia and maintain sobriety.
19 minutes
Informative
Engaging
Inspiring
Educational
Hopeful
About this podcast
Author:
James Swanwick
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Financial Health in Recovery
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
644 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Why Your Brain Romanticises Drinking: Insights from Coach Matt
Episode Overview
- Understanding why our brains romanticise past drinking experiences.
- The role of dopamine in making drinking seem more pleasurable.
- 'Scene Two' visualisation as a tool to combat nostalgia.
- Identifying and breaking 'collapsed distinctions' with alcohol.
- Practical strategies for maintaining sobriety during triggering times.
"If alcohol had a voice, what would it say to you in its best sales pitch?"
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of the Alcohol-Free Lifestyle podcast features Coach Matt as he unpacks the neuroscience behind why our brains romanticise past drinking experiences. Ever wondered why those 'good old days' seem better than they actually were? Coach Matt explains how the Fading Effect Bias tricks our minds into recalling euphoric memories over the negative consequences of drinking.
With the holiday season—a time rife with triggers and nostalgia—looming, Matt offers practical strategies to combat these romanticised memories and break free from old patterns. You'll learn about the brain's reward system and how dopamine plays a significant role in making past drinking experiences seem more pleasurable. Coach Matt introduces concepts like 'Scene Two' visualisation, which helps listeners picture the reality that follows the initial thrill of drinking.
He also discusses 'collapsed distinctions,' where alcohol becomes intertwined with various aspects of life like sports, holidays, and stress relief. If you've ever felt the pull of nostalgia urging you back to drinking, this episode is a must-listen. Coach Matt's insights provide a roadmap for recognising and overcoming these mental traps, making it easier to maintain sobriety. So, are you ready to see alcohol for what it truly is and take control of your narrative?
Tune in for an engaging and enlightening discussion that just might change how you view your past drinking habits.