E170: Here’s Why the First Year of Sobriety is So Hard (It’s Dopamine)

Our brains get used to big dopamine bursts from alcohol and this makes natural rewards like walking, nice weather, or spending time with friends or loved ones not have as much of an impact. When you get sober and you can’t get that dopamine boost from alcohol anymore, life can feel flat, boring, and like why bother. In this episode I’m going to explain why we feel a lack of pleasure, or anhedonia, in early sobriety, what months are the toughest, what causes this to happen in the brain, and when you can expect to feel joy, pleasure and gratitude again.

What to listen to next:

E62: dopamine deep dive

E99: why we can never drink again

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• Community & Meetings: Living a Sober Powered Life https://www.soberpowered.com/membership
• The Sober Mindset Course https://www.soberpowered.com/the-sober-mindset-course
• (Free Private Podcast) 5 Blocks Holding You Back From Quitting Drinking
• https://www.soberpowered.com/5blocks
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Sources are posted on my website

Disclaimer: all of the information described in this podcast is my interpretation of the research combined with my opinion. This is not medical advice.

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