Why Me? How We Become Addicted to Alcohol

Many of us struggle with the shame we feel about becoming addicted to alcohol.

We can intellectually understand that alcohol is addictive, but we often feel that we should ‘know better’ or “it could never happen to me”.

Because this belief is so common, it can keep us from sharing our challenges with those around us. This means we end up hiding our drinking or downplaying the impact it’s having on our lives.

In my recent studies at Stanford University, where I completed a certificate in the Psychology of Addiction, Dr. Anna Lempke shared the reasons behind why people become addicted to alcohol (and other drugs).

In this episode of The Sober Edge podcast I break down what we know about genetics, the impact of our family of origin and the role that our neighborhood or culture plays in our risk factors for addiction.

Here are some of the highlights:

The role of nature, nurture, neighborhood
How advertisers use our emotional brain to trigger desires to drink
Why we need to pay attention to dopamine when we are drinking and when we stop drinking
The good news about alcohol addiction

I hope this information will help you to understand more about the chemical impact of alcohol on our brains and why it’s not your fault that you were or are addicted to alcohol. This is a human condition caused by substance use. My hope is that, with more understanding, we can create more compassion and more conversations to address the real root of AUD (alcohol use disorder).

To hear more inspirational stories like these, hit subscribe so you never miss out!

Subscribe to the Podcast

Join my newsletter

Latest Episodes

Sober In The City: Connection, Community and Alcohol-Free Friendship

Sober In The City: Connection, Community and Alcohol-Free Friendship This past weekend, I had the honor of attending Sober in the City in beautiful, vibrant Scottsdale, AZ—and I’m still feeling the joy and deep connection that comes from being surrounded by women...

From Chaos to Calm: the sober truth

From Chaos to Calm: the Sober Truth Let’s talk about something that almost no one warns you about when you stop drinking — the moment when the chaos fades and you suddenly find yourself thinking... “Is this it? Shouldn’t I feel more alive?” If you've ever felt that...

Alcohol Isn’t the Answer…But I Still Have Questions

Alcohol’s gone. But you’re still curious? Good. I don’t know about you, but when I first stepped into the alcohol-free space, I expected a lot of things: more energy, better sleep, deeper self-trust. And yes — those things came. But so did something I didn’t expect: a...

Don’t Wait! Create Your Own Sober Meet Up with Sarah Showard

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Where are all the alcohol-free people like me?” If so—you’re not alone. One of the most common things I hear from my clients and community members is a deep desire for real-life, alcohol-free connections. We can do so much...

Is it Really Self-Sabotage? A New Perspective On Growth and Change

Is It Really Self-Sabotage? A New Perspective on Growth and Change Have you ever felt like you’re getting in your own way? Maybe you’ve committed to an alcohol-free life, but you still find yourself stuck—procrastinating, overthinking, or playing small. It’s easy to...

Coming to Our Senses – Alcohol-Free

In Gretchen Rubin's book 'Life in Five Senses', she challenges the reader to heighten our senses and use our powers of perception to live fuller, richer lives—and, ultimately, how to move through the world with more vitality and love. While reading the book, I was...

My Big Sober Feelings

Oh boy, those big sober feelings! Big feelings can be a big challenge—especially in an alcohol-free life. Emotional maturity is a skill that takes a lifetime of practice. Both a challenge and an opportunity, leaving alcohol behind means we are going to have to...

Finding Focus Alcohol-Free with Michelle Houston

One of the common justifications that I hear for drinking alcohol has to do with the desire to 'turn my brain off', or to simply relax. And, with over 40 million Americans with anxiety disorder and 32% of the population experiencing increased anxiety symptoms, it's no...

Emotions, Motivation and Alcohol

Emotions, motivation and alcohol. When it comes to emotions, we need to understand a few things about alcohol and the connection between our feelings and our motivations. There are four pillars of human motivation that overlap with emotions. Avoid pain: our natural...