Take a Break from Drinking

Do you set strict rules about when and how much you can drink, only to break them and feel worse than before?    When most people try to change their drinking habits, they immediately look for external parameters—only drinking on weekends, limiting to two drinks, or never drinking before 6PM. But these arbitrary rules completely bypass the most important question: why do you want to drink in the first place?    So, what would change if you dropped the rules and actually put yourself in charge? Sobriety coach Adriana Cloud is back on the show this week to discuss why real transformation happens when you shift from rule-following to self-awareness.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/420

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

Have you ever found yourself envious of people who seem to drink with ease?   If you’re changing your relationship with alcohol, envy toward “normal drinkers” might feel familiar—but it also holds surprising insight into how your habit formed, and how you can begin to change it.   In this episode, you’ll learn how understanding envy helps you uncover limiting beliefs, sheds light on your drink archetype, and offers a deeper understanding of what you’re really craving when you reach for a drink. Rather than pushing envy away, this work is all about looking at your envy and engaging with it in a way that serves you.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/419

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by your emotions that you'd do anything to forget what's bothering you?    In those moments, reaching for a drink—and then another, and another—can feel like the only way to escape. But this pattern of using alcohol to numb difficult emotions creates a problematic cycle that actually decreases your emotional resilience over time.   Tune in this week to learn about one of the most common patterns that makes it difficult to change your drinking habits: the Escape archetype, and three strategies that will help you work with your emotions rather than trying to drown them.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/418

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025

Have you ever set rules for yourself around drinking, only to find that they don't work? You have the best of intentions, but somehow you always end up right back where you started. What's going on here?   As it turns out, there's a very good reason why your drinking rules aren't effective - and it has nothing to do with a lack of willpower or discipline on your part.   In this episode, you’ll learn how your relationship with alcohol started forming long before you ever took your first drink, and how to finally break free from the frustrating cycle of setting and breaking rules.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/417

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

If you're constantly rushing through your days, checking off endless to-do lists, and using alcohol as a reward, you might be living in a "pleasure desert.”   When you're constantly focused on getting things done and denying yourself small pleasures, it's no wonder you feel the need to fill your evenings with alcohol. But what if there was another way?   Listen in this week to learn why the Reward and Upgrade drinking archetypes often go hand-in-hand, and how, by simply paying attention to the little joys sprinkled throughout your day, you can reduce your cravings and break out of this cycle.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/416

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

Have you ever taken a long break from drinking, only to find yourself eventually going back to it?    So many people find themselves stuck in this frustrating cycle of stopping and starting again, wondering why they can't seem to make the change stick.   Listen in to hear one of our Take a Break coaches, Adriana Cloud, explore this common struggle. We discuss how the health benefits of not drinking, while important, are often not enough to overcome the deeper desires that alcohol fulfills and how to get off the seesaw of drinking and not drinking for good.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/415

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

How often do you declare to yourself, “I’m just someone who…” fill in the blank? Can’t moderate your drinking? Has an addictive personality? Is broken and has no willpower?   It's easy to turn your frustrations with drinking into sweeping declarations about who you are. But what if these thoughts aren’t as true as they feel, and there was an alternative explanation that had nothing to do with you as a person?   Listen in this week to learn how zooming in on one specific moment can reveal the real reason behind your temptations and cravings, and why understanding what's really driving your behavior in each moment is the key to changing your relationship with alcohol.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/414

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of cravings and excuses when it comes to drinking? It's easy to believe that the only way out is through sheer willpower and discipline, but sometimes, all you need is a new thought to prevent yourself from pouring a drink.   In this episode, you’ll learn four powerful "breakthrough thoughts" that can help you quickly change your perspective on drinking. These thoughts are designed to interrupt your usual patterns of thinking and give you a new way to approach your cravings.   By the end of this episode, you'll have a toolkit of breakthrough thoughts that you can use anytime you find yourself wanting to reach for a drink. These thoughts will help you reframe your desire for alcohol, question your subconscious beliefs, and ultimately make the choice that aligns with your goals.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/413

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025

Do you ever find yourself inconveniencing yourself without even giving others a chance to say no to your requests?    This habit of not asking for what you want can have a bigger impact on your life than you might think. In fact, it could be contributing to your drinking more than you'd like.   In this episode, I share a personal story about how I caught myself falling into this pattern and the realization I had about its connection to the reward archetype. Discover how the small, seemingly inconsequential decisions you make throughout the day can influence your cravings later on, why willpower and discipline alone won't be enough to change your drinking habits, and what you can do instead to start shifting this pattern.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/412

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

Do you find yourself reaching for a drink when you're around certain people who get on your nerves?   It may seem like alcohol is making the situation more tolerable, but is it really?   Sobriety coach Adriana Cloud joins me this week to discuss the common struggle of feeling like you can only stand someone if you're drinking. We explore the underlying boundary and mindset issues at play, and offer a new perspective on dislike.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/411

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

Did your Dry January not go as planned?    Don't worry, you're not alone. Research shows that more people fail at Dry January than succeed. But have you ever considered how every seeming failure might just be the next step on your journey to changing your relationship with alcohol?   In this episode, I share a powerful mindset shift that can transform how you approach any goal related to your drinking, and show you how to mine the gold from your "failures" and use that data to better understand your habit.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/410

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

Do you ever feel like your cravings get out of control?   What if you could transform your relationship with cravings from something you dread to something you actually look forward to?   In this episode, sobriety coach and hypnotist Adriana Cloud shares a genius analogy that will change how you view your cravings. Listen in to discover how making one simple mental shift can help you more easily say no to a drink - and actually start to love your cravings.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/409

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

Are you mystified by your own drinking behaviors? Do you struggle to understand why you can occasionally easily moderate, while other times you spiral out of control?   Sobriety coach and hypnotist Adriana Cloud is here to share her decade-long journey with daily drinking. Although Adriana never identified as an alcoholic, she knew something about her relationship with alcohol felt off. And in this episode, she shares how this realization led her on a path of not only changing her drinking habits, but of deep personal development.   Listen in this week as we explore the impact of the think-feel-act cycle on our drinking behaviors, and how tapping into the unconscious mind through techniques like hypnosis can help disrupt old patterns and form new, healthier habits.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/408

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

So you’ve got your compelling reason—your rationale to go after change in the face of discomfort. The only problem is, it doesn’t seem to be helping you drink less or stop altogether. Is it not compelling enough?   Maybe that’s part of it, sure (and that is easily fixed, as I’ll share). But perhaps you’re putting too much stock in that compelling reason. You could be expecting too much from it. Instead, it’s time to change your mindset.   Tune in to this episode for a quick refresher on what a good compelling reason can be and how to work with it. You’ll learn the most common stumbling blocks and how to avoid them, including connecting with your compelling reason on a regular basis.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/407

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2025

It’s almost here: Dry January. You know you want to take a break, but you’re not sure how. Even worse, maybe you’ve tried this before and either couldn’t stick with it or didn’t see any changes.   You might not realize it, but your plans to focus on not drinking may be setting you up for failure. Instead, you need to shift your thinking about the substance and focus on becoming a person of substance.   Tune in to learn how to purposefully direct your brain away from what’s easy and toward a different direction—where real change occurs. Then, find out the six things you need to focus on to have a successful Dry January and drink less this year.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/406

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2024

It’s easy to see why you might pour yourself a glass of wine when things aren’t going your way, but what happens if your life seems to be working out fine? Why are you still reaching for a drink?   You’ve been tricked into thinking happiness must be obtained, which is why, in order to change your actions—using alcohol for quick relief—you must first change how you think. The truth is, negative emotions are just a part of the human experience.   Listen in to learn how to avoid the trap of thinking you have “no right to complain,” which can actually worsen your relationship with alcohol. Even more, you’ll find out how to accept any emotion you are having at this moment.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/405

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

It’s around this time of year that you start thinking about making changes, but what happens when you decide to stop drinking and you’re not happy? Is the answer to go back to alcohol or simply settle for a lackluster life?   That’s what alcohol does to your brain—it applies a thin veneer to a harsh reality. But it may interest you to know that there’s a third choice. You can upgrade your life.    Listen to find out why alcohol tricks your brain and how to break that cycle. Even more, you will learn how to take meaningful steps to a better life with one simple exercise.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/404

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

If you’re taking a break from drinking this holiday season, you might feel like you’re stuck at the kids’ table at every gathering.   The reality is, we have been socialized to view alcohol as a sophisticated, adult activity. Those thoughts—implanted by TV, movies, and marketing—create desire and fuel a vicious habit cycle.   Tune in to explore how your brain learned to outsource certain beliefs about adulthood to the contents of your glass. You’ll also discover how to retrain your brain, because it’s easier to say no when what you’re drinking doesn’t make you feel like a kid.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/403

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2024

Picture this: You and a few friends have decided to split a bottle of wine. Everyone fills their glass, but there’s still a little left in the bottle. You can probably guess what happens next.   But did you know that the decision to finish the bottle might not actually be your own? It may be a pair of mental blocks preventing you from tuning in to the sensation of having had enough to drink.   Listen to this episode to explore those mental blocks and how they can easily lead to overdrinking. You’ll also learn how to reconnect with the concept of “enough” rather than relying on external indicators.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/402

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2024

“Alcohol is poison.” “It’s toxic—why would I put it in my body?” These are common refrains from people who quit drinking. But are they helpful in reshaping your relationship with alcohol?   Humans have used alcohol for centuries to alter how they feel. Demonizing it or treating it as entirely good or entirely bad can block you from deciding its role in your life.   In today’s episode, I explore why this black-and-white mindset lacks nuance, prevents curiosity, and how shame and guilt, while effective in the short term, rarely lead to lasting change.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/401

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2024

You’ve been there: You’re with friends, and you’re doing your best not to drink (or stop after one), and suddenly you’re met with resistance. A lot of feelings bubble up. What do you do next?   It can be challenging to say no in certain situations, and setting rules or restrictions isn’t going to help. Instead, you must learn to manage those feelings that arise to change your relationship with alcohol.   Listen in to learn how to weather someone’s disappointment so you can be your authentic self, and why keeping a commitment to not drinking is less about being strong and more about allowing yourself to feel uncomfortable sensations.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/400

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2024

Counting drinks is a common strategy that many people use to try to drink less, but it can often backfire and leave you feeling frustrated and ashamed.   While it can be a useful awareness-raising tool in the beginning, relying on external rules and numbers disconnects you from your own inner authority and doesn't address the unconscious desires driving your drinking.   Instead of trying to become a perfect rule-follower, the key to lasting change is developing a strong sense of authority over yourself and your choices. In this episode, I share why this matters so much and how you can start to cultivate it. By the end, you'll have a new perspective on why counting drinks hasn't worked for you in the past and a roadmap for what to focus on instead.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/399  

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2024

Do you ever wish you could just be a "normal" drinker? Do you fantasize that if you could fix your drinking, you'd finally feel okay about yourself?   The truth is, becoming a normal drinker isn't really about the alcohol. It's about the story we tell ourselves - that if we can just change this one thing, we'll be worthy and whole. Spoiler alert: it doesn't work that way.   In this episode, I dive into the fantasy of normal drinking and share the worst and best news about what it really takes to change your relationship with alcohol and with yourself.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/398

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2024

How many problems in your increasingly complex life can be solved by a one-size-fits-all solution? Not many. And yet, society insists on prescribing such an approach when it comes to drinking less.   Everyone’s relationship with alcohol is different, and the only way to change your habit is by finding an individualized approach. But how? It all starts with discovering the root cause of your drinking.   That’s why I’m so excited to announce that my book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, is officially available. Listen in today to hear how this do-it-yourself guide will help you discover the right solution for you and your brain.   Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/   Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/   Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/397

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2024

Do you like being alone? It’s a simple question that can offer great insight into your relationship with alcohol, which is why today’s episode revisits this crucial concept. If you have a low tolerance for solitude, you likely seek out distractions instead of spending time alone, including pouring a drink. But if you could actually learn to enjoy this time, you might be able to change that habit. Listen in to learn how the quality of your thoughts when alone impacts your feelings and actions (the think-feel-act cycle), what you can do about them, and how these changes can positively affect your drinking habits. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/396

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2024

No matter where you are on your journey to changing your relationship with drinking, there’s one question you’ll need to be prepared to answer—and it’s one that you may struggle with or dread: “Do you want a drink?” While you’re trying to find the perfect response, you might actually be missing out on why saying no is so difficult in the first place. Luckily, there is a simple technique that can help you. Listen in to learn this practice, specifically what to notice after saying no, why you should avoid lying when someone asks “why not?”, and what their response says about their relationship with alcohol. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/395

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2024

Does there always seems to be chatter in your brain about alcohol? Whether you should drink tonight, whether you should have just one more, or any of the questions you ask yourself after a night of drinking. You might be surprised to hear it has nothing to do with how much you drink. It’s a result of how your brain is structured and how you’re socialized. And once you understand the why, you can learn how to quiet the chatter. Listen to learn why this chatter is normal and how it can be used as an opportunity to get to know yourself better and tap into your wisdom (instead of your cravings) to implement change. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/394

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2024

You may have asked yourself the morning after a long night of drinking or while sitting across from someone sipping their first cocktail as you finish your third: "Why can’t I drink like everyone else?" But what if your drinking has little to do with alcohol? Instead, what if it's a matter of coping with your humanness? In that case, the problem is actually the conversations our society has about drinking. Tune in to discover why our one-size-fits-all approach to drinking interferes with your ability to intelligently examine your relationship with alcohol and your cravings- and what to do about it. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/393

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2024

Humans have a long history of using alcohol for medicinal purposes. While drinking can often numb your pain in the moment, it actually creates more stress on the body. When we repeatedly turn to alcohol for relief from insomnia, chronic pain, or other ailments, our brains start to believe that drinking is the only way out of suffering. But in reality, alcohol increases inflammation in the body, disrupts sleep, and diverts energy away from healing. Tune in to today’s episode to learn about this Drink Archetype, including what The Remedy prevents you from doing—such as distinguishing pain from suffering—and how to use the Think-Feel-Act cycle to change your relationship with alcohol. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/392

Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2024

If you find yourself constrained by your life and living up to expectations of who you should be, you’re not alone. You spend so much time adhering to societal conventions that, every once in a while, it can feel freeing to rebel against the rules—by pouring a drink and living uncensored. Having a drink to let go of pressure and expectations can feel good in the moment, but this is The Release—one of the eight Drink Archetypes—in action, and it teaches your brain that alcohol is needed to cope with the pressure you’re under. Tune in to today’s episode to learn how The Release teaches your brain to associate alcohol with freedom, the impact of this, and why the feeling of “screw it” before turning to drink is preventing you from dismantling society’s expectations…and your own. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/391

Transcribed - Published: 13 August 2024

When you're bored it’s easy to be tempted by a drink. After all, a little buzz can help pass the time. But have you ever considered what your brain learns when you do this? You might be surprised to discover that the faster you reach for a drink when you’re bored by what you’re doing, the more intolerable boredom becomes. This is what happens when The Hourglass—one of the eight Drink Archetypes—is activated In today's episode, learn more about what The Hourglass teaches your brain and what you need to do if you want to drink less when boredom strikes. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/390

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2024

When you're bored it’s easy to be tempted by a drink. After all, a little buzz can help pass the time. But have you ever considered what your brain learns when you do this? You might be surprised to discover that the faster you reach for a drink when you’re bored by what you’re doing, the more intolerable boredom becomes. This is what happens when The Hourglass—one of the eight Drink Archetypes—is activated. In today's episode, learn more about what The Hourglass teaches your brain and what you need to do if you want to drink less when boredom strikes. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/390

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2024

Humans have a long history of using alcohol as “liquid courage.” But did you know this can actually make your insecurities and anxiety worse? The Mask is one of eight Drink Archetypes, and it teaches your brain to associate a buzz with feeling confident around others. But when it feels like a drink is necessary to have fun, saying no will interfere with your desire to feel confident and enjoy yourself, making it difficult to abstain or moderate. In this week’s episode, discover why the short-term confidence you can get from drinking can lead to increased anxiety over time and what to do to fix this. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/389

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2024

There are no shortages of pop-culture examples in which someone is seen drinking to numb their pain—likely because people have been using alcohol to drown their sorrow for centuries. But the fact is, doing so can prevents you from coping effectively. The Escape is one of eight Drink Archetypes and it teaches your brain that whatever negative situation or series of events happening in your life is too much to handle. You’re then caught in a cycle of using alcohol more frequently (and in greater quantities) to dull your feelings. Tune in to this episode to learn more about how The Escape is activated, why this archetype makes it even harder to change your relationship to drinking, and the three things you're not doing when it is present. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/388

Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2024

The concept of drinking to relax is nothing new. It goes hand-in-hand with the belief that you deserve a drink—whether it’s after a hard day’s work or because it’s your “me time” routine. In reality, using alcohol as a treat can backfire. The Reward is one of the eight Drink Archetypes, and it can wrongly teach your brain that alcohol is the only way to unwind as well as convince you that drinking is a permission to stop working or to make time for yourself. Tune in to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of The Reward, including what inactions this archetype is leading to and how you can use the Think-Feel-Act cycle to change your relationship with drinking as a means of relaxing. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/387

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2024

Humans have long used alcohol’s ability to facilitate bonding by lowering people’s defenses. But you may be surprised to discover that when alcohol becomes your go-to way to open up, it can actually block your ability to connect with others (even with those you feel close to). The Connector is one of the eight Drink Archetypes, and not only does it teach the brain that alcohol helps you lower your guard around others, but it may also leave you worried that a potential change to your drinking could threaten certain relationships. Listen to this episode, as we take a deep dive into how this archetype can make it difficult to abstain or moderate and the three key things you probably don’t realize you’re not doing when The Connector is activated. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/386

Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2024

If you're someone who often reaches for a drink because “it would make things more special,” then you may recognize The Upgrade drink archetype—one of eight unconscious patterns that influence why you drink. Identifying this pattern is the first step in changing your relationship with alcohol. The next is understanding how The Upgrade impacts what your brain is learning. For instance, the desire to use alcohol to elevate an experience teaches your brain to associate drinking with a reward and, as a result, you’ll see any situation without a drink as lacking. But, by using the think-feel-act cycle, you can teach your brain something new. Tune in this week to explore The Upgrade, how it is negatively training your brain, and the ways you can use the think-feel-act cycle to begin to change these unconscious habits. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/385

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2024

Believe it or not, overindulgence is a part of the human experience. So why is it that you consider this natural impulse to be negative? Whether it’s drinking, eating, spending or something else, it's easy to associate overindulgence with your character and make it mean something negative about you. Throw in the societal and moral baggage, and this belief really hinders your attempts to change. It can lead to a vicious cycle—one in which you cease being curious about why you’re drinking and, instead, find yourself unconsciously chasing after a magical place where overindulgence doesn't happen. Tune in this week to discover why overindulgence isn’t itself a problem and what’s actually necessary in order to change your relationship with alcohol. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/384

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2024

If you routinely drink too much, should you just stop drinking? What if you keep drinking, even though, deep down, you don’t believe you can moderate? These are fraught questions that often bring up a lot of fear and shame. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is to approach the question from a different angle. In order to do this, you must explore the contradiction underlying the habit. Everyone walks around with contradictions inside them. You say you want to lose weight, but you keep eating junk food. You want to make the most of life, yet you keep wasting hours on your phone. And you want to drink less, yet you keep going back for more. Instead of blaming and shaming yourself, what if the contradiction is the key to change? Perhaps behaviors you view as deeply illogical, make perfect sense. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/383

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2024

Listen to Rachel’s conversation with Kara Loewentheil, a Master-Certified Life Coach and author of Take Back Your Brain: How a Sexist Society Gets in Your Head and How to Get It Out. Together, they discuss some of the hidden reasons why you might reach for a drink when you’re feeling anxious at a party, overworked, afraid of making mistakes, or wanting to avoid disappointing someone. Discover why the first step to stopping any behavior that feels compulsive has nothing to do with creating the “perfect” plan to follow. Learn what you should do instead and why it may feel counterintuitive. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/382

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2024

You want to change your relationship with drinking, but other than listening to the podcast, you’re not doing anything about it. This paralysis, while frustrating, is actually very normal. Explore the three reasons this happens and how they relate to your cravings, your beliefs about failure, and your vision of the future. Discover why your unwillingness to act isn’t illogical but actually an important piece of how the habit works. In this episode, you’ll find a new perspective that will help make it easier to take the plunge and stop waiting around for your drinking to change on its own. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/381

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2024

Who cares? How many times have you poured yourself a drink after silently uttering these words to yourself? If you’re like most people, the answer is a lot. Hidden behind “Who cares?” is a powerful tension that, if revealed, will help you say no to your cravings. Tune in and discover why this particular excuse is so good at sabotaging your commitment and what’s actually required in order to successfully change your relationship with alcohol. Do you know your drink type? Take the free Drink Archetype quiz and discover which of the eight drinking patterns applies to you: http://drinktype.com Want to feel more in control and have a healthier relationship with alcohol? Join the Take a Break membership: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/380

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2024

You know the scenario. You promised not to drink tonight… but by 5 o’clock, you’re ready for a drink. Or you told yourself you would only have one drink at happy hour, but then your friend suggests another round. “I’ll be good tomorrow” is an excuse you’ve probably told yourself many times before. Why is it so easy to fall into this trap, even when you have plenty of evidence that tomorrow you’ll wish you had said no? Tune in and discover why this excuse is so insidious and the best way to combat it. After listening to this episode, you’ll never hear the excuse “I’ll be good tomorrow” the same way again. Do you know your drink type? Take the free Drink Archetype quiz and discover which of the eight drinking patterns applies to you: http://drinktype.com Want to feel more in control and have a healthier relationship with alcohol? Join the Take a Break membership: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/379

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2024

In this episode, we cover a scenario that may be familiar. You start drinking and then convince yourself to continue because "Why stop now?" This mindset isn't just about alcohol; it can also happen with food and spending. Many of us develop a habit of letting things like an empty glass or a finished package override our feelings of fullness. Listen to understand why we make this excuse and how to stop, even after you've begun. Learning to stop is a key step in teaching your brain to manage cravings. Understand why accepting that mistakes are part of the journey and not a sign of failure. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz for insights into your drinking habits and effective strategies for change: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/378

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2024

In this episode, we tackle a familiar scenario: you've made progress in reducing your drinking, but then a special celebration comes up. So, how do you stay on track with your commitment? The answer isn’t what you may expect. Discover how your Drink Archetypes, especially The Upgrade, can act like blinders in these moments and the exact question to ask yourself to change your perspective. Remember, working with your excuses around special occasions is about moving toward pleasure, not away from it. Wondering if you’re The Upgrade archetype? Take the quiz: http://drinktype.com Listen to the episode all about this archetype: https://rachelhart.com/upgrade-archetype/ Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/377

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2024

We all face moments where life doesn’t match our expectations. We often feel this most acutely when trying to change our relationship with alcohol. In this episode, you’ll hear about the universality of the thought, “This is not what my life is supposed to look like.” Explore the connection between this thought and various Drink Archetypes. You’ll come to understand that its presence goes beyond any specific archetype. Discover how this reflection on our lives is deeply tied to our current state of self and emotions. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand the root causes of your drinking: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/376

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2024

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably told yourself if you had more willpower, it would be easier to drink less. This episode delves into the limitations of willpower and why it often falls short. Discover the skill set most people overlook when trying to drink less. You’ll also learn about the eight Drink Archetypes, and how they fit into your struggle with self-discipline. Walk away with tools that make it easier to keep your commitments. Join the challenge, Drink Less in 5 Days starting April 8th, for tools and coaching on drinking less without relying on willpower: https://rachelhart.com/drinkless/ Take the free Drink Archetype quiz to understand your drinking patterns and how to address them effectively: http://drinktype.com Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/375

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2024

Struggling to cut back? Join me for a live, 5-day challenge that will teach you how to say no to your cravings without all the drama. Get tools to help you drink less and feel more in control. Sign up at rachelhart.com/drinkless. We get started on Monday, April 8th.

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2024

Have you ever thought that if you could just figure out how to stay motivated, then it would be easier to say no to a drink? You’re not alone. Motivation is a concept that many grapple with. This episode sheds light on where motivation comes from and how to find more of it. Learn the real reason your progress is slower than you want it to be. Uncover how to change more effectively with some simple questions to ask yourself. Take the free Drink Archetype quiz and learn the specific tools to drink less for your drink type: https://findyourdrinktype.com/ Join our monthly membership. We will provide you with everything you need to drink less, rarely, or not at all. Join us: https://rachelhart.com/tab/ Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/374

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2024

Pouring a drink at the end of the day can be a treat. But it can easily sabotage your goal of changing your relationship with alcohol. Especially if you have a love-hate relationship with your desire for rewards. This episode will help you stop framing the reward you want as good or bad. Instead, you’ll learn why it’s important to view the desire for a drink as neutral, and how that can help you tap into the inner workings of the habit. Discover the real problem when it comes to wanting to reward yourself at the end of the day, and why a drink might actually be a mismatch for what you truly need. Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/373

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2024