We often talk about alcohol as a way to take the edge off—but what if it's also taking the shine off?

In this episode, we explore how alcohol doesn’t just dull pain, stress, or anxiety—it also numbs your ability to feel joy, connection, and real pleasure. I’ll walk you through the neuroscience behind this, explain how alcohol rewires your brain’s reward system, and share how numbing the bad inevitably means numbing the good, too.

You’ll learn:

• why alcohol affects your capacity to feel joy in both the short and long term;
• how your brain adapts to the artificial dopamine spikes caused by drinking—and what that does to your baseline happiness;
• why rediscovering joy is a process (and how to start small);
• what you can do if your life feels a little gray right now, and how to start feeling more alive—without relying on alcohol to get you there.

This episode is an invitation to reconnect with pleasure—not as a reward for abstaining from drinking, but so you can learn how to enjoy your life without needing alcohol.

If this sparks something for you, reach out and let me know what small joys you’re rediscovering. Or, if you're looking for personalized support, book a free consultation and let's talk!

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Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps

Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult

Get in touch with questions or comments: adriana@adrianacloud.com

Follow me on Instagram: @adriana_cloud_