What really happens when we drink, and why does alcohol so often sabotage our intention to relax, connect, or recharge, especially on holiday? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey revisits her powerful conversation with William Porter, author of "Alcohol Explained," to discuss the science and psychology behind alcohol and why it’s become the UK’s favourite coping mechanism, and how a little knowledge can spark profound change. This is an invitation to get curious, notice how alcohol actually makes you feel, and experiment with a different kind of summer. Here are the highlights: 00:00 Introduction 03:21 From paratrooper and lawyer to alcohol expert and author 04:46 How alcohol use ramps up 07:45 Rock bottom moments: Understanding what’s really happening 10:18 Demystifying “addiction” and loosening alcohol’s grip 13:59 What happens in your brain, and why you wake up anxious at 3am 17:00 Cravings explained: psychological triggers, and breaking the cycle 20:27 Holidays, happiness, and the myth that alcohol “makes it better” 24:40 Socialising, endorphins, and why sobriety doesn’t mean missing out 28:13 Alcohol’s impact on sleep, anxiety, and your mood 41:36 Joy, hobbies, and rediscovering life beyond the glass 🏆Please vote for The Big Drink Rethink in the ITV bCreator Awards 2025 1. Click on the link below 2. Pop in your email 3. Select I’M A SUBSCRIBER / FOLLOWER 4. Select CREATOR SHORTLIST 5. Hit SUBMIT YOUR VOTE 6. Scroll down to the Podcast bCreator category and vote for THE BIG DRINK RETHINK Here’s the link: 🔗 https://www.bcreator.co.uk/awards/ 🔗 Get the free SUN Framework toolkit and all our resources from: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com If you’re a mum wanting to explore your relationship with alcohol, join ‘Mummy Doesn’t Need Wine’ here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mummydoesntneedwine Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link : Unstuck! community information To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experiment And apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink About the host Anna: Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do....
