Ready for an alcohol free weekend?? CLICK HERE to join the free No More Wasted Weekends Challenge. We start on April 25th, and I can’t wait to see you there. ✌️❤️
Ever forget parts of a night—even when you didn’t drink “that much”? Struggle with brain fog, anxiety, or mood swings? This episode of No More Wasted Days is for you. Sara and Heather dive into the science of what alcohol does to your brain—short-term, long-term, and (most importantly) how your brain can heal when you quit drinking.
If you’ve been wondering whether alcohol has really been affecting your brain—or how to support your brain’s recovery in sobriety—this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and action steps.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🧠 What alcohol actually does to your brain (the short- and long-term effects) 🧠 Why blackouts, memory gaps, brain fog, and anxiety are so common in drinkers 🧠 How alcohol impacts your mood, impulse control, and emotional regulation 🧠 What neuroplasticity is—and how your brain can heal after you quit 🧠 Simple, science-backed ways to support brain recovery in sobriety
Key Takeaways: ✅ Alcohol disrupts the balance of GABA and glutamate, causing sedation and next-day anxiety ✅ Chronic drinking shrinks the hippocampus, increases dementia risk, and impairs memory ✅ Emotional dysregulation is a result of alcohol’s impact on serotonin and dopamine ✅ Even moderate drinking (1–2 drinks/day) can affect cognitive health ✅ Neuroplasticity means your brain can heal—starting within just a few weeks of quitting
Memorable Quotes:
- “I wasn’t becoming someone new—I was becoming more me.”
- “Drinking doesn’t fix your anxiety. It causes it.”
- “Blackouts happen not because you’re unconscious, but because your brain can’t encode the memories.”
- “Even if you’re in your 50s or 60s, your brain can still heal.”
- “The time will pass whether you drink or not. Why not let your brain recover while it does?”
Brain Recovery Tools Mentioned: 🥦 Eat more antioxidants and omega-3s (berries, fish, chia seeds) 🚶♀️ Move your body—exercise supports brain healing 🧘♀️ Meditate and prioritize sleep to reduce stress and rebuild focus 🎨 Learn new skills and hobbies to activate neuroplasticity
Challenge of the Week: Try one of the brain-boosting tools from today’s episode—whether it’s adding more greens to your plate, taking a mindful walk, or trying something new—and journal how you feel after a week.
🎉 Ready for More? Join the Free No More Wasted Weekends Challenge!
Tired of waking up on Sundays with regret and brain fog? Try just one alcohol-free weekend with Sara as your guide. 📅 Starts April 25th 🧡 Live kickoff call, daily check-ins, and support inside a private Facebook group 🎉 It’s fun, free, and full of clarity 👉 Sign up here
Call to Action: 💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's just starting their alcohol-free journey. We read and cherish every review!
Resources Mentioned:
- Daymakers Community: Weekly coaching calls, private messaging threads, and a supportive community. Learn more here.
- Heather’s 1-on-1 Coaching: Tailored support to help you navigate your alcohol-free life.
If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow caregiver and leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Let’s break free from the guilt trap t
Popular Podcasts
Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
Betrayal: Season 4
Karoline Borega married a man of honor – a respected Colorado Springs Police officer. She knew there would be sacrifices to accommodate her husband’s career. But she had no idea that he was using his badge to fool everyone. This season, we expose a man who swore two sacred oaths—one to his badge, one to his bride—and broke them both. We follow Karoline as she questions everything she thought she knew about her partner of over 20 years. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-3 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.