Why You Still Want Alcohol Even Though Its' Making You MiserableWhy You Still Want Alcohol Even Though Its' Making You Miserable
The Alcohol Free Vibes Podcast
Anneka Reece explains why people still want alcohol even when it makes them anxious, tired and unhappy, focusing on how the brain has linked drinking to reward and comfort. She offers practical ways to question those beliefs so sobriety feels like gaining freedom rather than losing out.
22:15•11 Sept 2026
Why You Still Want Alcohol Even When It Makes You Miserable
Episode Overview
- Craving alcohol does not mean you truly want to drink; it often reflects learned associations and conditioning.
- The brain links specific times, places and emotions with alcohol, releasing dopamine and stress hormones in anticipation.
- Common beliefs such as "alcohol helps me relax" or "alcohol makes me confident" are illusions that can be questioned and replaced.
- Seeing sobriety as deprivation keeps you stuck; reframing it as getting back sleep, energy, money and self-respect makes change feel easier.
- Journalling about what you believe alcohol gives you, and what it actually costs you, can help dismantle limiting beliefs and reduce cravings.
“You're not necessarily craving the liquid itself. You're craving what you've learnt the liquid represents.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of The Alcohol Free Vibes Podcast tackles a question many people quietly wrestle with: why do you still want alcohol even when it clearly makes you miserable? Health and Mindset Coach Anneka Reece breaks down, in plain, relatable language, how the brain links alcohol to reward.
She explains that your desire to drink isn’t a sign that you secretly want to stay stuck; it’s a sign that your brain has learned powerful associations between alcohol and things like relaxation, confidence, fun, and connection. As she puts it, "You're not necessarily craving the liquid itself.
You're craving what you've learnt the liquid represents." You’ll hear how dopamine, stress hormones and depressant chemicals get released *before* you drink, creating that tense, edgy feeling that convinces you a glass of wine is the answer. Anneka walks through common beliefs such as "alcohol helps me relax" or "I need alcohol to be confident" and gently shows how they’re illusions backed by repetition and clever marketing rather than reality.
The episode leans strongly into reframing: instead of seeing sobriety as deprivation, Anneka invites you to ask what alcohol actually costs you—emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually—and what you might get back by letting it go. She uses vivid examples, like two people at the same dinner party having completely different experiences depending on the meaning they attach to not drinking. This one’s especially relevant if you’re sober curious or tired of white-knuckling through cravings.
It offers practical journalling prompts to question your beliefs and start meeting your needs for relaxation, reward and connection in ways that genuinely support you. If you’re ready to swap the illusion of reward for the reality of getting your life back, this episode could be the nudge that helps you see alcohol—and yourself—through a new lens.
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