The Alcohol ReThink Podcast with Patrick Fox

Have you ever told yourself that the reason you keep drinking is because you're weak?You know you want to change your relationship with alcohol. You've made promises to yourself, tried to cut back or stop altogether, but somehow you end up drinking again.And the conclusion you come to? You just need to be stronger.In this episode 264 of The Alcohol ReThink Podcast, men's life and sober coach Patrick Fox challenges the belief that struggling with alcohol is a sign of weakness.Drawing on his own experience and conversations with the men he coaches, Patrick shares seven alternative ways to understand why you keep drinking, and why these explanations are far more useful than judging yourself.In this episode, you'll discover:How drinking becomes a learned behaviour rather than a conscious decision.Why changing your relationship with alcohol involves developing new skills.How your beliefs about alcohol can keep you stuck.Why willpower alone is rarely a reliable strategy.How drinking can become a way of avoiding uncomfortable emotions.Why it's important to understand alcohol's influence rather than simply blaming yourself.The difference between something you've done and who you believe you are.This episode isn't about making excuses for drinking or avoiding responsibility. It's about understanding what's happening so you can actually do something about it.Because understanding why you do something is not the same as making excuses for it.The 90-Day Clean BreakIf you're tired of negotiating with yourself about drinking, breaking promises and waking up full of regret, The 90-Day Clean Break is designed to help you make a meaningful change.Work with Patrick to understand your drinking patterns, challenge unhelpful beliefs and develop the skills and self-trust to create lasting change.Find out more: https://www.patrickjfox.com/coachingWebsite: https://www.patrickjfox.comCoaching enquiries: https://www.patrickjfox.com/coachingThe Alcohol ReThink Podcast: Listen, follow and share with someone who might benefit from rethinking alcohol in their life.Ready to rethink alcohol in your life?Connect with Patrick

What happens when drinking gradually takes over your life, even when you know it's causing you harm?In episode 263 of The Alcohol ReThink Podcast, Patrick welcomes Holly Hiles, founder of Collapse to Calling, for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, personal responsibility and finding a new way to live.Holly grew up in an environment where drinking was simply part of everyday life. It was something people did to relax, celebrate and cope with difficult emotions.When she began drinking herself, alcohol quickly became her preferred way of finding relief. Over time, what started as a familiar habit developed into something she struggled to control.Despite building a successful career, Holly's drinking continued to escalate, affecting her relationships, her sense of self and eventually leading her to seek treatment.But recovery wasn't straightforward. After completing 90 days in treatment, Holly returned to drinking almost immediately.In this open and thoughtful conversation, Holly shares what eventually helped her change, why taking responsibility was such an important turning point and how her life has evolved since putting alcohol down.Some of the things they explore include:How childhood experiences can shape our beliefs about alcoholThe gradual progression from social drinking to dependencyHiding drinking and the impact on relationshipsWhy treatment and recovery don't always follow a straight lineMoving away from blame and taking personal responsibilityThe importance of connection, community and ongoing personal developmentHow meditation and daily routines support Holly's recoveryWhy stopping drinking can be the beginning of a much bigger transformationWhether you're questioning your own drinking or wondering what life could look like without alcohol, Holly's story offers an honest perspective on the challenges of change and the possibilities that come with it.Connect with Holly HilesFind Holly through her work at Collapse to Calling.About The Alcohol ReThink PodcastHosted by men's life and sober coach Patrick Fox, The Alcohol ReThink Podcast helps men understand their drinking patterns, challenge unhelpful beliefs and develop the skills and confidence to create lasting change.Find out more about Patrick's coaching and the Alcohol ReThink Method at www.patrickjfox.com.

What happens when the thing you believe makes you happy is actually making your life harder?In episode 262 of The Alcohol ReThink Podcast, Patrick welcomes former coaching client Nick to share his journey from drinking most nights to approaching two years alcohol-free.What started as social drinking during college gradually became a daily habit. A few beers after work turned into five or six drinks a night, frequent blackouts and a constant cycle of anxiety, regret and promises to do things differently.Nick knew something needed to change, but for a long time he believed alcohol was the only way he could relax, unwind and feel happy.Eventually, he reached a point where he'd had enough.In this honest conversation, Nick shares what helped him change his relationship with alcohol, the challenges he faced along the way and why learning to understand his emotions has been one of the most unexpected rewards.Some of the things they explore include:How social drinking gradually became a daily habitThe cycle of drinking, anxiety and seeking reliefWhy Nick believed alcohol was necessary for happinessThe importance of changing beliefs, not just behavioursWhy patience, self-compassion and recognising small wins matterAsking for help and finding support from familyWhy coaching only worked when Nick committed to doing the work himselfThe difference nearly two years without alcohol has made to his family, work and emotional wellbeingToday, Nick is more present with his children, more confident in himself and no longer organising his life around the next drink.His story is a reminder that changing your relationship with alcohol isn't simply about what you give up. It's also about what becomes possible when alcohol no longer takes centre stage.Connect with PatrickIf you're ready to rethink the role of alcohol in your life and explore how coaching could help, visit patrickjfox.com.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following The Alcohol ReThink Podcast and leaving a rating or review. It helps more people discover the show.

Have you ever decided you weren't going to drink, only to find yourself negotiating with that familiar voice in your head a few hours later?"You've had a long week.""Just a couple won't hurt.""You can always start again on Monday."Sound familiar?In episode 261 of The Alcohol ReThink Podcast, men's life and sober coach Patrick Fox explores why the voice telling you to drink isn't necessarily the voice you need to listen to.Our brains are brilliant at learning habits, and sometimes the urge to drink is simply an echo of past behaviours rather than a reflection of what we genuinely want.Patrick shares a personal experiment he's been trying to interrupt habitual urges: talking to himself out loud.It might sound a little strange, but speaking out loud can help break the hypnotic spell of an urge, interrupt familiar thought patterns and reconnect you with the decisions you've already made.In this episode, Patrick explores:Why drinking urges can feel so convincing, even when you've decided to stop drinking.How habitual thoughts can keep you stuck in the same internal negotiations.Why speaking out loud might help you respond differently to alcohol cravings.What one client's first 30 alcohol-free days reveal about moving beyond the constant mental battle.A simple three-step exercise to try the next time an urge appears.The takeaway? You don't have to believe every thought your brain offers you, and you certainly don't have to act on it.That voice might simply be an echo of your past.But you get to decide what you say, and what you do, next.Your challenge this week: Recognise the urge. Get curious. Speak out loud.Give it a try and let Patrick know what happens.Connect with Patrick FoxWebsite: https://www.patrickjfox.comExplore coaching and support for men who want to rethink alcohol and create lasting change.Connect with Patrick:Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠patrickjfox.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thealcoholrethinkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the PodcastIf you love the podcast and want to show your support in helping it continue, you can buy Patrick a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/patrickfox⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ben Coombes loved skiing, but each trip seemed to pull him back into the same cycle of heavy drinking, anxiety and feeling as though he wasn’t living up to his potential.In episode 260 of The Alcohol ReThink Podcast, Patrick talks with Ben about the decision to spend an entire ski season alcohol-free. What began as a challenge to himself became Soberski, a way for others to enjoy the mountains without the expectation to drink.Ben shares how he built confidence one commitment at a time, why he was surprised by the support he received in a party resort, and what happened when he put his energy into something he cared about.Awesome things you’ll hear about:Why a frightening health scare didn’t immediately change Ben’s drinkingThe moment he realised alcohol was getting in the way of the life he wantedHow a sober ski season helped him build self-trustWhat guests experience on a Soberski alcohol-free ski retreatWhy enjoying a holiday without alcohol can open up possibilities beyond the holiday itselfWhether you ski or not, this conversation is an invitation to question what you’ve been told you need alcohol to enjoy.Find out more about Ben’s or his retreats:https://www.soberski.co.uk @s0berski on Instagram.Connect with Patrick:Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠patrickjfox.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thealcoholrethinkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the PodcastIf you love the podcast and want to show your support in helping it continue, you can buy Patrick a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/patrickfox⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠