Author: Alcohol Reset Coach
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Shame and alcohol: The hidden barrier to change
Shame keeps people drinking. Not because they’re in denial, but because they don’t feel safe to stop. You pour the drink you swore you wouldn’t. You stay up later than planned, scrolling and sipping. You wake up with that familiar sense that yesterday got away from you somehow. Not dramatic, not dangerous, just… off. And… Read more
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Drink to connect, not disconnect
The mindset shift that changes everything You wake up at 3 am with that familiar metallic taste and growing sense of regret. The conversation you meant to have with your partner got lost somewhere in the third glass. The Netflix episode you can’t quite remember. The evening that slipped away while you weren’t paying attention.… Read more
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Why do I need alcohol moderation coaching?
Because you’re stuck in the moderation gap, and no one taught you how to get out You’re not a disaster. You’re not out of control. But something isn’t sitting right anymore. You’ve probably cut back before. For a month, a few weeks, even longer. Told yourself you’ll only drink at weekends. Spent too long rethinking… Read more
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Sleep on it: how alcohol disrupts your rest (and what happens when you cut back)
You might think that nightcap helps you sleep, but the science tells a different story. Alcohol is one of the most commonly used sleep aids, and paradoxically, one of the worst things you can rely on for real rest. While it may feel like it helps you unwind, alcohol interferes with your sleep cycles, raises… Read more
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Why moderation skills outlast sobriety rules (and serve you better)
Thinking about cutting back, but not sure if total abstinence is for you? There are over 70 million answers on Google alone. When people type in things like ‘the hidden dangers of going sober,’ they’re already sensing what the research confirms. Total avoidance doesn’t always protect you. Most people aren’t failing sobriety. They’re being failed… Read more
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You don’t have to quit. But you do have to plan.
Why cutting back without structure usually ends the same way. Most people don’t start with a plan. They cut back for a week. They switch to lower-strength wine. They set a few rules. Then life happens, and the old pattern kicks back in. Not because they failed, but because they were guessing. The problem isn’t… Read more
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How wine lost its way and how to drink it without losing yourself
Wine used to mean something. A pause. A gesture. A way of saying, “This moment matters.” Now, too often, it’s just a reflex. What once brought us together began filling the space where connection used to live. It became a prop for stress, a background habit, a quiet default when the day felt too heavy… Read more
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Before the rosé flows: how to get ahead of summer drinking habits
Summer can quietly undo your progress. The rituals, the pace, the social pressure — it adds up. But you don’t have to sit it out. This ARC guide shows you how to enjoy the season without slipping into autopilot. From sensory swaps like #FakeAndTonic™ to smarter pours and ADHD-aware tips, it’s everything you need to… Read more
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What’s the big A stopping you from taking back control of your drinking? (and it’s not alcohol…)
You want to cut back, but you also enjoy it. That inner tension isn’t failure, it’s ambivalence. This blog explores why you feel stuck around drinking, how to work with conflicting urges, and how to build drinking habits that still feel like you. No labels, no pressure, just practical progress. Read more
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What drunken chimps can teach us about drinking with intent
Credit to Matthew Deller MW for highlighting this study in his LinkedIn article, which first brought these findings to my attention. The Chimpanzees’ Boozy Bonding Ritual Researchers from the University of Exeter and Oxford Brookes University recently published something remarkable. Wild chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau were captured on motion-activated cameras sharing fermented fruit from the African breadnut… Read more
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Why ADHD makes ‘Just one drink’ so damn hard (and what actually helps)
The intention is genuine. The wiring? Less reliable. That “just one drink” promise evaporates before the first sip hits your lips. By the time your prefrontal cortex checks in, you’re three glasses deep and wondering what happened… again. This isn’t moral failure. It’s neuroscience. The ADHD–Alcohol loop: Why it feels so good (and then so… Read more
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Why books rarely change behaviour, but structured support usually does
I’ve got shelves full of brilliant books, especially cookbooks. Some of them are true works of art: inspiring, thoughtful, beautifully written. But if I’m being honest? Most of them are just sitting there. Gathering dust. Take Floyd on France, for example. One of the most inspirational food books I own. Yet the truth is, I… Read more
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Alcohol & ADHD
Overview People with ADHD are up to three times more likely to struggle with problematic drinking than neurotypical individuals. This is not due to a lack of willpower or poor moral character. It is a reflection of how the ADHD brain is wired: impulsivity, dopamine deficiency, emotional dysregulation, and executive dysfunction all interact with alcohol… Read more
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Emotional regulation after alcohol reduction: strengthening resilience during change
Introduction: When alcohol leaves an emotional gap Reducing alcohol intake is widely recognised as a positive life change. Yet it can also reveal a challenge many do not expect: an increase in emotional intensity. Alcohol often acts as a shortcut to emotional regulation, muting discomfort, amplifying relaxation, or creating an artificial sense of control. Without… Read more
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Transition addiction: understanding substitution behaviours during alcohol reduction
Introduction: when progress creates vulnerability Reducing alcohol intake is often framed as a purely positive shift. For many, it is. But for others, cutting back uncovers a deeper challenge: the sudden emergence of new compulsive habits. These are not random lapses in discipline. They represent a recognised psychological and neurological process known as transition addiction,… Read more
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What kind of drinker are you, and why does one drink so often lead to more?
Over 30 years working in the wine world, I’ve met every kind of drinker.The connoisseurs. The cautious. The accidental bottle-finishers. These days, I’ve also studied the science behind them and have developed a structure to help people achieve what I thought would be impossible for myself. What did they all have in common? A version… Read more
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Need a reset? Why music might be the ultimate mindful shortcut
1. Scene setter Picture this: It’s been a long day. You’re tired, you’re wired, and reaching for a glass has become part of your end-of-working-day ritual (that includes all you parents putting children to bed!). But what if there was a better reset? One that did not trigger further drinking in the evening? What if… Read more
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3 Easy wins to cut back on alcohol this week (without going teetotal)
Cutting back doesn’t mean cutting out what makes life feel special. If you’re ready for a fresh approach, with no drama, no guilt, here are 3 simple wins you can try this week. (And no, you don’t need to give up what you love.) Small steps build powerful momentum. Let’s get started. 1. Reset your… Read more
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Alcohol Reset Coach: Now an Approved CPD Provider
At Alcohol Reset Coach, we’re proud to announce that we’re now officially recognised as an Approved CPD Provider by The CPD Group. But what does that actually mean, and why does it matter? What is CPD? CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It’s a globally recognised standard that helps individuals upskill, stay current, and demonstrate… Read more
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Fake and Tonic How to trick your brain
Think you need a full G&T to enjoy the ritual? Discover the simple science behind #FakeAndTonic — and how smell, sight, and expectation can trick your brain. Read more
