Ask the coach
“I know that I need to cut back on my drinking but it’s not so simple.“
“While I’m aware of the impacts of drinking more than I should, I still do it.”
“Why is it so hard to cut back?”
Answer
As an alcohol coach, this is one of the most commonly asked questions I hear.
We know that drinking too much isn’t good for us yet when we start to cut back it’s not as easy as we may think.
Then we blame ourselves for having no willpower.
And the more we beat ourselves up about being so weak-willed, the more likely we are to have a drink (or many) to make us feel better.
Vicious cycle? Absolutely!
Why moderation is so difficult?
In my guide Four reasons why moderation is so difficult I explain the way alcohol works in our bodies and brains.
This helps to understand that there are some complex things going on that explain why on one level we want to cut back yet on another we drink more than we should.
What else is driving us to drink?
Additionally, those who drink more than they want to often use alcohol to help manage their lives.
Some common reasons are to:
- Deal with stress
- Relax
- Take the edge off
- Be more sociable
- Stop the constant chatter in our mind
What can we do about it?
When I work with coaching clients we explore how alcohol works and look at tools and strategies to suit their individual circumstances.
But the most powerful part of coaching is when we dig into the thoughts and beliefs each client has around alcohol – the triggers in our stressful, busy lives.
If you want to gain back power over your drinking you need to strip alcohol of the power it has over you.
Need help?
If you need help in taking back control, you can book in for a free 30-minute discussion call. These calls are like a mini coaching session that are free and with no obligation.
Alternatively, you can find out more about alcohol coaching and how it helps people take back control of their drinking.