Here’s something nobody tells you about long-term sobriety: your brain doesn’t forget its relationship with alcohol just because you stop drinking.

After 19+ years sober, I can still walk into a restaurant and automatically glance at the bar. I can spend 10 minutes with my best friend analyzing five drinks in a hotel cooler. I notice who’s drinking at parties when my non-alcoholic mom never does.

And that’s exactly how I know – even after almost two decades – that I still can’t drink.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the ONE thing that tells you with 100% certainty whether you can drink again after sobriety. Spoiler: it’s not about time. It’s not about willpower. It’s about how much mental real estate alcohol still occupies in your brain.

What You’ll Discover:

The “mind space test” – how aware are you of alcohol even when you’re not drinking?

Why “normal” drinkers never think about alcohol (and why you can’t stop)

How alcohol becomes your higher power without you realizing it

Real stories from my own journey – including that champagne bottle I saved to celebrate 30 days sober (yep, I did that)

The difference between your brain and a non-alcoholic brain – and why it matters more than sobriety time

Why the fact that you’re even asking “can I drink again?” is actually your answer

The Bottom Line:

Non-alcoholic people don’t wonder if they drink too much. They don’t count down to their next drink. They don’t notice the bar when they walk into restaurants. They don’t plan their social lives around alcohol availability.

If you’re still hyperaware of alcohol – whether that’s craving it, avoiding it, or constantly thinking about it – your relationship hasn’t changed. Time doesn’t fix this. Only honesty with yourself does.

Struggling with the starts and stops?

Book a free call with Angela to explore your options (not a free coaching session, but a real conversation about what might help): addictionunlimited.com/call

Connect:

• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited
• Instagram: @addictionunlimited

Why 5pm Feels Impossible (And What To Do About It)

Let’s talk about the hardest part of early sobriety: that predictable window of time when the craving hits like a wave and you’re not sure you can ride it out. Maybe it’s 5pm on a Tuesday. Maybe it’s Friday night when everyone’s posting their wine glasses on Instagram. Maybe it’s standing in the parking lot at your kid’s soccer game watching all the other moms with their Stanley cups.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what I call the witching hour—that specific time when staying sober feels almost impossible. But here’s the truth: it’s not about the drink. It never was. The drink was the solution you were using for something else—exhaustion, overwhelm, loneliness, anxiety, boredom.

I’ll walk you through the four different types of witching hours, what you’re really craving during each one, and most importantly—what to actually DO about it. Because willpower alone won’t get you through this. You need a plan. And if you’re doing nothing, you’re planning to drink.

3 Key Takeaways From This Episode:

1️⃣ The Drink Was Never the Point — When you say “I want a drink,” what you’re actually saying is “I’m exhausted and need to turn my brain off” or “I’m anxious and need relief right now.” Understanding what you’re really craving changes everything.

2️⃣ Different Witching Hours Need Different Tools — The daily 5pm decompression requires different strategies than weekend FOMO or emotional overwhelm. Once you know your type, you can prepare accordingly.

3️⃣ Doing Nothing IS a Plan—It’s a Plan to Drink — If you know your hardest time is Friday at 5pm and you’re sitting back with no strategy, you’re not being neutral. You’re setting yourself up to give in. Proactive planning is non-negotiable.

And, if you’re struggling with that daily 5pm crash? I did an entire episode on breaking that specific habit: How to Break the 5PM Drinking Habit Without Losing Your Mind

Want structured support to actually implement these strategies? My Recovery Starter Kit walks you through exactly how to set up your environment, calm your mind when triggers hit, build real support, and create a daily rhythm that makes sobriety feel steady instead of shaky. It’s $197 for instant access—plus 30 days free in my Sober Society community. Perfect if you’re white-knuckling it through the holidays and need more than just willpower.

And this Friday, a bonus drop from the Unlimited Life Starter Series — the 10 most powerful episodes to rebuild your rhythm, structure, and emotional peace.

Is Angela the right Coach for you? Book A Call Here to find out

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

MORE FROM ME

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You Put Down the Drink, But Now You Can’t Stop Thinking About Food. Here’s Why.

If you’ve traded your nightly wine for nightly ice cream binges, you’re not alone.

And no, it’s not just about willpower or “getting your act together.”

In this episode, I sit down with Ali Shapiro, creator of the Truce with Food methodology, to unpack the real reasons we turn to food and sugar in recovery—and it goes way deeper than you think.

Ali shares her personal journey from childhood cancer and pesticide exposure to developing a complicated relationship with food that mirrored so many of the patterns we see in addiction.

We dive into the difference between food addiction and disordered eating, why belonging (not hunger) drives most of our food choices, and the four emotional triggers that send us straight to the pantry.

This conversation will change how you think about food forever.

We talk about the TAIL framework (Tiredness, Anxiety, Inadequacy, Loneliness), why protein is your secret weapon against sugar cravings, and how self-trust—not perfection—is the real foundation of recovery from any substance.

If you’ve ever felt crazy around food, ashamed of your eating habits, or wondered why you can’t just “eat normal,” this episode is for you.

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Food Isn’t the Problem—Belonging Is — Understanding this invisible string changes everything.

2️⃣ The TAIL Framework Reveals Your True Triggers — When you can identify what job food is doing for you, you can address the real need underneath.

3️⃣ Protein Is Your Anti-Craving Superpower — It’s not about willpower—it’s about physiology.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Ready to get serious about transformation? Book a free consultation call to explore how we can work together.

Join the Addiction Unlimited Facebook Community — facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Explore Angela’s Programs + Tools — From courses to coaching, find the right support for your recovery journey.

Related Episode: What No One Tells You About Your Eating Habits — Food and fitness expert, Adam Gilbert, sets the record straight on the most common pitfalls of making lifestyle changes and how to overcome them.