Trying to quit drinking?
Good luck with it… Seriously.
Even if you are a disciplined person, you’ll need all the help you can get.
Go to a party and chances are >95% there will be alcohol available and most people will be drinking.
We’re bombarded by advertising that it’s acceptable and cool to drink. Alcohol’s acceptance is reinforced by links to it being relaxing, for celebrating, for having fun, related to success, something after winning, associated with living the good life, etc.
You’ve probably been conditioned your entire life to think that alcohol is cool and no big deal.
The fact is that it’s the opposite.
Overall, alcohol has caused way more damage than any good it’s ever done… The term “functional alcoholism” is an oxymoron.
The following quote is from a NYTimes article reporting on a long term study conducted among Harvard graduates that gauged happiness throughout life:
It found that alcohol was the primary cause of divorce among men in the study, and that alcohol abuse often preceded depression (rather than the other way around).
But don’t hold your breath to see the findings of the Harvard study in a beer or whiskey commercial…!
And talking about alcohol problems is tough too… Who can you talk to when discussing concerns about your alcohol use is about as much fun as talking about your money problems.
Indeed, as a result, people who struggle with alcohol often wonder if they’re the only ones who feel the way they do.
You wonder… Can I be the only one who feels like shit after just a few beers? Why do I feel so depressed? Where is my life going? Why can’t I get anything done?
You’re not alone, though…
And personally, I’m with you big time.
Both my grandfathers were drunks… My beautiful mother died from causes related to a life of battling substance abuse. I know for a fact that she was uncomfortable talking about it.
She was ashamed.
Probably everyone feels this way to varying degrees… They just don’t ever talk about it.
So if you want to quit or cut down, you need all the help and support you can get… Here are several resources and
Podcasts on Alcohol Worth Listening To
1) Huberman Podcast: What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health
In Huberman Lab Podcast #86, Andrew Huberman discusses the physiological effects that drinking alcohol has on the brain and body at different levels of consumption and over time.
For me, it’s truly “sobering” that after years of drinking, starting in high-school, through college, after college and as a married father, this podcast was shocking because of how bad Huberman says alcohol is for your health.
He also describes genetic differences that predispose certain individuals to alcoholism, binge and habit-drinking and explains alcohol metabolism in simple terms and how it effectively acts as a poison, leading to cellular stress and damage.
He explains how alcohol impacts neuronal function and changes our thinking and behavior – hallmarks of inebriation, and discusses how alcohol consumption of different amounts impacts inflammation, stress, neurodegeneration, and cancer risk and negatively impacts the gut microbiome, brain thickness, hormone balance, mood and feelings of motivation.
Huberman discusses the biology of hangovers and describe science-based strategies to mitigate the severity of a hangover.
Since alcohol is one of the most widely consumed recreational substances, this episode ought to be of relevance to everyone. Indeed, even low-to-moderate alcohol consumption negatively impacts the brain and body in direct ways.
The goal of this episode is to help people make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption that are in keeping with their mental and physical health goals.
2) That Sober Guy:
A great, honest podcast about addiction. The host, Shane Ramer, speaks truthfully from personal experience about the problems that led him to quit drinking.
He interviews many everyday people as well as celebrities about addiction and sobriety.
2) Tim Ferriss Show Podcast (Interview with Richard Branson)
Tim Ferriss interviews the iconic entrepreneur and business leader, Richard Branson.
At different points, Branson brings up alcohol and drugs and his challenges with them… If this guy can admit having issues with alcohol, anyone can.
4) Jocko Podcast: Drinking In The Military
Jocko Willink is a former Navy SEAL and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt.
He served in Iraq leading his team during the battle of Ramadi. Now that he’s home he writes books and has a great podcast on discipline and war. He also runs a consulting business with his colleague and fellow Navy SEAL, Leif Babbin.
Jocko doesn’t drink alcohol, but did drink while he was in the SEAL teams.
He doesn’t drink now, apparently because he basically thinks it’s pointless… It doesn’t make him better, faster, stronger, etc.
Anyone with a drinking or substance abuse problem, I believe, by definition, has a discipline problem of some sort.
A good episode is this one.
5) Joe Rogan Podcast With Greg Fitzsimmons
Joe and Greg talk about addiction… And how drinking too much alcohol or eventaking the edge off can be a slippery slope. Greg talks about Al-Anon.
They also discuss the pressures of trying to achieve your dreams, and why being disappointed in yourself can lead to a cyclical downward spiral that feeds on itself… Causing you to waste your life.
6) Joe Rogan Podcast with Nikki Glaser
Over a decade ago, comedian Nikki Glaser decided to quit drinking. She said one book was all it took.
I read this book a few years ago when I was considering stopping drinking.
I read it and quit for 9 months…
7) BONUS: Stephen King’s Book “On Writing”:
While it isn’t a podcast, Stephen King’s book “On Writing” is not only an autobiography, but also a great book on quitting drinking…
If you’re an author trying to get your shit together, this book will almost certainly resonate as you struggle to write regularly, have discipline and stop drinking.
It might be helpful to know that Stephen King was a raging alcoholic and drug abuser for much of his life and had to stop to keep his marriage and life intact.
The book is excellent not only for learning to write better, but also for his open, personal story about alcoholism.
