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Willpower alone can't end cravings.

Temptation often persists because we believe we're missing out on alcohol's supposed benefits.

Identifying and questioning beliefs about alcohol is key to breaking the drinking cycle.

“I've been sober for two months; how can I still miss alcohol so much?” I used to feel frustrated and ashamed.

The first time I quit drinking, even though I was able to stay dry, the temptation to reach for another drink never went away. I was embarrassed to admit how often I still wanted a drink:

A long day after work, when I wanted to truly relax.

Date night dining out, when I wanted the evening to feel more special.

A housewarming party at a friend's house, when I wanted to have a good time like everyone else.

The list goes on, and the temptation kept showing up uninvited. I didn’t feel free despite being dry. In fact, I felt as if alcohol still had as much of a hold on me as it once did during my drinking days, and I was afraid that I would never be truly free.

“Will I always be just one bad decision away from being back to square one?” I sometimes wondered, and I’d quickly push away the doubts with “You just need to be stronger!”

It took me a long time to realize that to truly become free from the temptation to drink, I didn’t need more willpower; I needed to learn........

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