{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Alcohol Minimalist: Mindful Drinking & Behavior Change","title":"When Drinking Less Feels Hard:  Alcohol Helps Me Relieve Stress","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/582ed6dc\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2028,"description":"In this episode of the Alcohol Minimalist podcast, Molly kicks off the series When Drinking Less Feels Hard, inspired by real responses from the Alcohol Minimalist community about the hardest parts of changing drinking habits.Today’s episode focuses on one of the five Alcohol Core Beliefs: Alcohol Helps Me Relieve Stress.Alcohol can feel like relief in the moment because it creates a short-term shift in the brain and body. But that does not mean it is actually reducing stress. Molly explains how alcohol can disrupt sleep, increase next-day anxiety, and keep the brain stuck in the loop of believing alcohol is necessary for relaxation. This episode helps you look at stress drinking with curiosity instead of shame, and offers a practical way to challenge the belief that alcohol is the best or only way to unwind.In This Episode Why alcohol feels calming at first  The difference between a state change and real stress relief  How alcohol can affect sleep, anxiety, and next-day resilience  Why the brain learns to associate alcohol with relief  How to use See, Soothe, Separate, and Shift to challenge the urge to drink Key TakeawayWanting relief is human. But alcohol often borrows calm from tomorrow instead of creating real relief today.Listener PracticeBefore drinking in response to stress, pause and complete this sentence:“I need a drink because…”Then use the Alcohol Core Beliefs process:See: I’m having the thought that alcohol will relieve this stress. Soothe: Of course my brain is offering this; I’ve practiced this pattern. Separate: The fact is I’m stressed. The story is that alcohol is required. Shift: I can create real relief before I decide what to drink.Choose one action that actually addresses the need underneath the urge.Resources Mentioned:Alcohol Core Beliefs MindmapSee, Soothe, Separate, ShiftWhen Drinking Less Feels Hard seriesLow risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:Healthy men under 65:No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/zu3PtA3XzNKb2qSH95OKvfAaoixqds182Hao41kpkws/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wZjY5/NjVmY2Y2MGQ0NmMx/NGNiMzdiZGY0OTMz/OWQzMy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}