Alcohol-Free Days Are Progress with Lily Weis

Society and media have long associated alcohol with fun, but is this really true? When we drink alcohol it activates the reward center in our brain. This makes us feel happy… until it doesn’t. 

According to alcohol freedom coach, Lily Weis, thinking that alcohol is going to bring you joy is like borrowing joy from a loan shark. Yes, you get that initial hit. But the interest you have to pay is a total bummer. 

In this episode Lily teaches us how to start with alcohol-free days as progress. She speaks from personal experience and her non-judgmental, real-life approach make this a must-listen episode for anyone curious about decreasing their alcohol consumption and increasing their happiness. 

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation: 

• The myth of having to hit rock bottom

• The research on the link between fun and alcohol

• What alcohol does to our brains

• How to be comfortable in social situations without a drink in your hand

• Knowledge about addiction can shorten relapse rates

• Alcohol-free days as progress

[02:49] The Myth of Having to Hit Rock Bottom

Alcohol use disorder is a spectrum and hitting rock bottom before quitting is a myth. "Gray area drinking" can still be harmful and cause joy to leak out of one's life. Even with a healthy body and marriage, some individuals may struggle to quit drinking. This pattern of increasing drinking over time can continue for years, but there is hope and help available.

[06:50] The Link Between Fun and Alcohol

When we drink alcohol, it activates the reward center in our brain by increasing the dopamine neurotransmitter. This makes us feel happy, as dopamine is linked to pleasure and survival instincts. However, this feeling doesn't last long. Thinking that alcohol is going to bring you joy is like borrowing joy from a loan shark. Yes, you get that initial cash. But the interest is a bummer. 

[09:49] What Alcohol Does to Our Brains

Alcohol numbs our senses and our ability to feel. However, it also numbs our ability to experience joy. If you're a regular drinker, your brain gets a large dopamine hit which can cause it to shut off natural dopamine production. This means you have effectively turned off your body's ability to produce joy chemicals.

[26:51] Shortening Relapse Rates and Alcohol-Free Days

Knowledge about addiction can shorten relapse rates. It all depends on where you are on the alcohol use disorder spectrum. But having knowledge about the urges that arise and knowing how to deal with them makes it easier to resist drinking. If you are afraid of relapsing, that can grow bigger and bigger.

View every alcohol-free day as progress and every lesson learned as a victory. Even if you drank seven out of seven days last week, but only two out of seven days this week, you still have five alcohol-free days and two lessons learned. Instead of feeling bad and asking "What's wrong with me?", ask yourself "Why did I drink that day?" This approach helps you reflect on your behavior and discover solutions without blaming yourself.

Notable quote:

[09:49] - [10:10] Alcohol numbs everything… it is also numbing your ability to have joy.

Resources Mentioned: 

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About the Guest 

Lily Weis is an alcohol freedom coach who has been helping people break free from alcohol for over a decade. She struggled with alcohol addiction herself and has been sober for 12 years. Her personal experience and extensive training in addiction recovery have equipped her with the tools and knowledge to help others, making use of a holistic approach to help her clients achieve long-term sobriety and rediscover joy in their lives.