{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Alcohol Minimalist: Mindful Drinking & Behavior Change","title":"March Madness Series:  Know the Scoreboard-What is Your Drinking Costing You? ","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/a2c5dfff\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":930,"description":"In this second installment of the March basketball series, Molly takes the analogy one step further. Last week was about knowing your playbook — recognizing the patterns behind your drinking. This week is about knowing the scoreboard.\nBecause it’s not just about how many drinks you had.\nIt’s about what the game is costing you.\nMolly explores the difference between evaluating a single night of drinking and looking at your overall “season record.” One off night may not define you. But trends over time tell a deeper story. Are you moving toward more peace, more energy, and more self-trust? Or are you stuck in negotiation, anxiety, and subtle disappointment?\nThe episode weaves together personal reflection and neuroscience, breaking down how alcohol impacts GABA, glutamate, cortisol, and dopamine. Molly explains the neurological rebound effect behind 3 a.m. wake-ups, how dopamine drives anticipation and craving, and why repeated drinking can increase baseline stress sensitivity over time.\nThis episode isn’t about shame or dramatic declarations. It’s about clarity. And clarity gives you the power to adjust your strategy mid-season.\nIn This Episode\nWhy the scoreboard matters more than effort\nThe difference between a single “game” and your season record\nThe hidden costs of drinking beyond obvious consequences\nHow alcohol increases GABA — and why that calm feeling doesn’t last\nThe glutamate and cortisol rebound that fuels 3 a.m. wake-ups\nHow dopamine drives anticipation and craving\nWhy repeated dopamine spikes can make normal life feel “flat”\nThe cumulative impact of stress reactivity over time\nThe mental and emotional cost of daily negotiation\nWhy adjusting your strategy mid-season is a sign of maturity, not failure\nKey Takeaways\nThe scoreboard reflects outcome, not intention.\nAutomatic does not mean inevitable.\nAlcohol may relieve stress temporarily but increase baseline stress over time.\nDopamine fuels anticipation more than pleasure.\nOne bad night is a single game....","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}