DiscoverSober Powered: The Neuroscience of Being SoberE287: Are You “Strong Enough” or Just Stubborn? (Self-Control & Willpower)
E287: Are You “Strong Enough” or Just Stubborn? (Self-Control & Willpower)

E287: Are You “Strong Enough” or Just Stubborn? (Self-Control & Willpower)

Update: 2025-07-04
Share

Description

When we think about getting sober, most of the focus is on not drinking, but we don’t think about what to start doing to actually rewire the brain and move forward. In this episode, I’ll explain why white-knuckling doesn’t work. You’ll learn about why willpower is not the most important factor for staying sober, how being “strong” prevents us from getting support, and what you can do differently to make progress. It’s not about convincing yourself of all the bad health effects of alcohol or powering through temptation, because if those things were effective long term strategies, then relapse rates wouldn’t be so high. I will also discuss how taking on the label of an “alcoholic” is a barrier for many people that keeps us isolated and drinking.


What to listen to next:


E274: High Dopamine, Low Effort Behaviors and Making Sobriety Feel Less Hard


E267: Resources vs Support: Are You Setting Yourself Up For Success?




Work with me:





 Weekly email:





Courses:





Support the show:



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. 





Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

E287: Are You “Strong Enough” or Just Stubborn? (Self-Control & Willpower)

E287: Are You “Strong Enough” or Just Stubborn? (Self-Control & Willpower)

Gillian Tietz, MS, CPRC