How to Drink Less

63. What Is Alcohol Helping You Tolerate?

What if alcohol isn't helping you cope with your problems? What if it's helping you tolerate them? In this episode, I explore the idea that alcohol keeps us settling for lives that are smaller, harder, and less fulfilling than they could be. I talk about how drinking becomes a shortcut to temporary relief, why alcohol feels like it's helping in the moment, and how it can quietly keep you stuck in situations that aren't working—whether that's a stressful job, a lonely relationship, burnout, people-pleasing, or something else entirely. You'll learn: why alcohol feels like relief but doesn't actually solve anything; the difference between relaxation and sedation; how drinking can make it easier to tolerate what you don't want; and how breaking your dependence on alcohol can create positive ripple effects in every area of your life. If you've ever wondered whether alcohol is helping you avoid a difficult truth, this episode is for you. My reel that went viral on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZNlSqAtjEq/?igsh=NGQwN3UzZmpwbmxi *** Come to my free class "How to Stop Wanting Alcohol": https://acloudcoaching.as.me/ Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com

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62. How to Manage Cravings without Willpower

If you're trying to drink less or quit completely, cravings can feel like the hardest part. One minute you're fine. The next, your brain is telling you that a drink sounds like the best idea you've ever had. But what if cravings aren't a sign that you're failing? In this episode, I explain what alcohol cravings actually are, where they come from, and why most people make them much harder than they need to be. You'll learn: what is actually happening in your brain when a craving appears; why trying to fight or suppress a craving often backfires; how to respond to cravings without relying on willpower; practical tools you can use the next time your brain tells you that you "need" a drink. Remember: cravings are normal, and they're temporary. You don't need to be afraid of them, and you don't need to get rid of them before you can change your relationship with alcohol. *** FREE LIVE CLASS: Never Want Alcohol Again: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/ *** Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com Follow me on TikTok: @coach_cloud_

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61. You Already Know How to Quit Drinking

What if the problem isn’t that you can’t quit drinking… but that you keep telling yourself you can’t? In this episode, I’m challenging the belief that sobriety is something other people know how to do but you somehow don’t. We’ll talk about: the difference between “I can’t” and “I haven’t yet”; why your self-talk matters more than you think; how to break down moderation and sobriety into a set of learnable skills; and how to stop using your past as evidence for your future. Because you don't need to become a completely different person to change your drinking. You already have the skills — you just need practice, repetition, and support while the new patterns take root. And if you’re ready to stop white-knuckling and to finally free yourself of your dependence on alcohol, I can help you. Book a free consultation and let me help you break the cycle for good. *** Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com Follow me on TikTok: @coach_cloud_

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60. How Alcohol Affects Hunger, Cravings, and Overeating

Ever wonder how alcohol affects your hunger, and why overeating and overdrinking so often go hand in hand? In this episode, you'll learn: why one drink often turns into many (and what’s really happening in your brain); how alcohol impacts hunger, cravings, and binge eating; what to do if you’re turning to alcohol when you’re hungry; what you actually need in those moments when your brain says you “need a drink.” This episode originally aired on binge eating coach Amber Abila's podcast BECOME A CONFIDENT EATER, which you can find here. *** Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com Follow me on TikTok: @coach_cloud_

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59. What Are You Saying Yes to When You Say No to Alcohol?

What if focusing on what you’re “giving up” is the very thing making it harder to change your drinking? In this episode, I’ll help you shift out of deprivation and into possibility by asking one powerful question: What are you saying yes to when you say no to alcohol? We’ll talk about: • why your brain fixates on alcohol as a “loss”; • the psychology behind FOMO and deprivation; • how drinking becomes automatic and reactive; • why choosing not to drink is an intentional act of self-trust; • and the short- and long-term things you’re actually saying YES to when you skip the drink. This episode is about much more than alcohol. It’s about learning how to stop abandoning yourself and start building a life you genuinely want to be present for. And if you’re ready to build that kind of life for yourself, come join me for weekly live coaching inside the SAY YES Community: https://www.adrianacloud.com/say-yes-community *** Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com Follow me on TikTok: @coach_cloud_

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58. Is the A-Word Keeping You Stuck?

Is the word “addiction” keeping you stuck? In this episode, I’m challenging a belief that many people take for granted—and that might be making it harder to change your drinking. Because labels like addict and addiction can create shame, reinforce powerlessness, and make the problem feel bigger than it is. In this episode, we explore: why “addiction” isn’t a clear-cut diagnosis; how labels like "addiction," "addict," and "alcoholic" shape the way you see yourself; why thinking of drinking as a habit is a lot more useful if you're trying to quit or drink less; and how to start changing that habit. This isn’t about minimizing your experience or the effects alcohol can have on your life. It’s about giving you a framework that actually helps you move forward. And if you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and to actually build a life that doesn't revolve around alcohol, I can help you. Book a free consultation via the link below and let's talk! *** Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com Follow me on TikTok: @coach_cloud_

57. Why You Still Want to Drink

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t even want to drink... so why do I still crave alcohol?” — this episode will give you a clear answer. Because the desire for alcohol isn’t random, and it’s not a sign that something is wrong with you. In this episode, I break down exactly where the desire for alcohol comes from and why it can feel so automatic—especially in certain situations, at certain times of day, or with certain emotions. You’ll learn: the two real reasons you still want to drink; how habits create automatic cravings (even when you don’t consciously want alcohol); how your beliefs about alcohol fuel desire; how to start rewiring your brain so the desire begins to fade. This is the work that leads to real freedom—not just white-knuckling or relying on willpower, but getting to a place where you genuinely stop wanting alcohol. If you’re tired of the drink → regret → repeat cycle, this episode will help you understand what’s actually going on—and what to do about it. *** Come to my FREE CLASS: "Never Want Alcohol Again"—find your slot and register here: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/schedule/d13e566c/appointment/90095039/calendar/13693205. *** Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com Follow me on TikTok: @coach_cloud_

56. Sober Sex Is Better

Do you feel like you need a drink to relax, feel confident, or get in the mood for sex? You’re not alone. For many people, alcohol and sex are deeply linked. It’s the thing that takes the edge off, quiets the inner critic, and makes it easier to stop overthinking. But what if alcohol isn’t actually improving the experience the way you think it is? In this episode, I break down what alcohol is really doing in those moments—and why it might be getting in the way of the connection, confidence, and pleasure you’re actually looking for. We’ll talk about: why alcohol can feel like it helps; what alcohol actually does to your mind and body during intimacy; the hidden costs of relying on “liquid courage” in the bedroom; why sober sex can actually be more satisfying; and how to start getting more comfortable with intimacy without alcohol. Because feeling less self-conscious is not the same thing as feeling more connected. If you’ve ever wondered how you could possibly have sex without a drink—or whether it might actually be better—this episode will give you a completely new perspective. *** Come to my FREE CLASS: "Never Want Alcohol Again"—find your slot and register here: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/schedule/d13e566c/appointment/90095039/calendar/13693205. *** Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com Follow me on TikTok: @coach_cloud_

55. Is Alcohol Sabotaging Your Weight and Fitness Goals?

If you’re trying to eat well, exercise regularly, or feel better in your body—but you’re still drinking alcohol—this episode might explain why things feel harder than they should. Because here’s what no one really talks about: We track our steps, optimize our workouts, obsess over protein, sleep, and supplements… but somehow alcohol gets a free pass. I break down what’s actually happening in your body when you drink—and how it can quietly interfere with your goals. We’ll talk about: why alcohol adds more than just calories to your day; how your body prioritizes processing alcohol over fat burning; why drinking makes you more likely to eat more (and care less about what you eat); how alcohol affects your energy, endurance, and muscle recovery; and the hidden role sleep plays in all of this. Because it’s not just about what’s in your glass. It’s about what alcohol is doing behind the scenes—and why you might not be getting the full benefit of the effort you’re already putting in. *** Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com Follow me on TikTok: @coach_cloud_