Ep 107: What if Drinking Isn’t the Issue? | Rethinking Alcohol |

Is it possible that drinking isn’t really the problem or at least, not the whole story? In this episode, Anna asks you to rethink your relationship with alcohol by shifting the focus away from simply how much or how often you drink, to what deeper needs might be driving the habit in the first place.

Anna explores why we treat alcohol as the main issue, and how it’s often just the “smoke, not the fire.” Instead of fixating on willpower or self-control, she dives into the real desires beneath drinking: rest, relief, connection, pleasure, escape.

You'll learn how putting alcohol in context, and being gently curious about your own needs rather than harshly judging yourself can open up new possibilities for change.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Welcome to The Big Drink Rethink

01:13 What if drinking isn’t actually the issue?

01:41 Drinking is often the visible symptom, not the deeper cause

02:18 Ask: “What am I actually thirsty for?”

02:53 Meeting your real needs weakens drinking’s grip

03:39 Alcohol shows up inside busy, pressured, complex lives

04:03 What role has alcohol been playing for you?

04:15 Reframing drinking as a response, not a moral failing

04:46 Calm, informed choices are possible when alcohol is explained

05:11 A new question: “What would actually support me here?”

06:01 Shifting from control to care, from shame to curiosity

06:38 Change happens gradually, not with a dramatic declaration

06:57 If something feels off, you don’t need to have a plan yet

07:36 Staying curious, not judgmental

08:21 Your feedback drives future episodes!

Anna’s book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!

Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/

The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna’s ‘inner circle’ - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/

If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk