How to Drink Less

How to Drink Less

You don’t have to hit rock bottom. You don’t need to call yourself an alcoholic. And you definitely don’t have to commit to never drinking again if that feels too scary. How to Drink Less is for anyone who’s ready for a healthier, more intentional relationship with alcohol—whether you’re just starting on your sober-curious journey, trying to cut back on drinking, or looking for a new way to control alcohol cravings without relying only on willpower. Hosted by sobriety coach and hypnotist Adriana Cloud, this podcast combines practical neuroscience, psychology, and mindset coaching to help you: —understand why you drink (and sometimes overdrink); —retrain your brain’s reward system and habit loops; —stop drinking on autopilot; —manage cravings without feeling deprived; —build confidence and emotional resilience as you drink less; —feel more in control around alcohol. No judgment, no scare tactics, and no pressure to be perfect—just practical tools and compassionate support from someone who’s been there. As a former daily drinker, Adriana knows firsthand how challenging it can be to break a habit that's been decades in the making. Now, as a certified Gray Area Drinking coach and hypnotist, she uses her training and personal experience to help others take the leap and build the beautiful sober (or sober-ish) life they truly want. Ready to change your drinking habits and feel better—for good? Start listening today. Learn more at www.adrianacloud.com.

Episodes

June 26, 2025 16 mins

If you're trying to drink less, it might feel counterintuitive to ask yourself what alcohol is giving you. But understanding the real reason you're reaching for a drink is the key to changing your relationship with alcohol—without relying on shame or scare tactics.

In this episode, I unpack why it’s so important to get honest about the benefits you think alcohol is providing—because before alcohol became a problem, it was ...

Mark as Played

If your main reason for drinking less is to avoid the shame, hangovers, or health risks... that’s totally understandable—but it might not be enough.

In this episode, I talk about the difference between running away from alcohol and running toward something better—and why your “why” matters more than you think.

You’ll learn:

  • why fear-based motivation (like health risks or shame) isn’t enough to create lasting change;
  • how your brain ...
Mark as Played

If you’ve ever wondered what a sobriety coach actually does—and whether you need one—this episode is for you.

I’m answering the most common questions I get about the work I do:

  • who I work with and exactly how I help them;
  • how my approach differs from other sobriety-focused programs; 
  • what coaching looks like in practice (hint: it’s not about handing you a list of  rules to follow or mantras to recite);
  • the benefits of working with a...
Mark as Played

Have you ever felt ashamed for still wanting a drink even though you’d decided to cut back or quit? Then this episode is for you.

So many people believe that if they truly wanted to change, they wouldn’t still crave alcohol. They think desire means weakness or proof that something’s wrong with them. But that’s not true—and in this episode, I’ll show you why.

We’ll talk about:

  • how the brain forms habits around alcohol (and why crav...
Mark as Played

If you’ve ever reached for a drink just to take the edge off—because you were stressed, bored, anxious, or just overwhelmed—this episode is for you.

I unpack the emotional side of drinking: why we use alcohol to avoid feelings, how that avoidance becomes a habit, and how learning to feel your feelings (without numbing them) is the key to creating lasting change in your drinking habits. You’ll learn:

  • what feelings actually are (an...
Mark as Played

Most people assume the hardest part of drinking less is saying no to alcohol. But what if that’s not true?

In this episode, I share why the real challenge of changing your drinking habits isn’t about resisting the drink itself—it’s about learning to sit with discomfort without numbing or escaping. I unpack why alcohol feels so essential sometimes, and why the real work is about what comes after you say no. You’ll learn:

  • how habit...
Mark as Played

If you’ve ever told yourself “I can’t drink” while trying to cut back or take a break from alcohol, this episode is for you. That one little phrase might seem harmless—but it’s actually working against you.

In this episode, I unpack the surprising power of your internal narrative and how the words you use when talking about your relationship with alcohol can either reinforce limiting beliefs and old habits or help you step into a ne...

Mark as Played

If you think you have to do everything "just right" in order to succeed, you might be falling into the trap of perfectionism.

In this episode, we look at how perfectionism quietly sabotages your efforts to change your drinking habits.

When you expect flawless success or believe one slip means total failure, you’re setting yourself up to quit on your goals too soon. I’ll show you a better, more sustainable way to keep moving...

Mark as Played

If you've ever thought "I already had one drink so today is ruined—might as well keep drinking!”— this episode is for you.

We dive into one of the biggest mindset traps that keeps people stuck in unhealthy drinking habits: all-or-nothing thinking.

You'll learn how this common thought pattern sabotages your progress—and how to stop it before it spirals into shame, guilt, and giving up.

We'll talk about:

  • how black...
Mark as Played
April 24, 2025 14 mins

Wondering if your drinking is “bad enough” to have to change? You’re asking the wrong question.

In this episode, we move beyond labels like "alcoholic" or "addict" or "problem drinker" and talk about what really matters: how alcohol impacts your life, your confidence, your relationships, and your goals.

You'll learn a more compassionate, empowering way to evaluate your relationship with alcohol—with...

Mark as Played

Have you ever asked yourself why you really drink? The answers might surprise you.

In this episode, I break down the deep roots of our drinking habits—from cultural conditioning to clever marketing to the powerful way alcohol hijacks your brain’s reward system.

Understanding why you drink is the first step toward changing your relationship with alcohol—and it’s easier than you think once you see what’s really happening under the surf...

Mark as Played
April 16, 2025 13 mins

Waiting for the “right” time to change your drinking? You’ll be waiting forever.

In this episode of How to Drink Less, we’re talking about the powerful myth that keeps so many people stuck: the idea that you need perfect timing or perfect motivation to change your relationship with alcohol.

You’ll learn why the best time to start is now—because every day you wait strengthens old drinking habits and makes change harder.

We’ll talk abou...

Mark as Played
April 16, 2025 17 mins

Think drinking less is just about having more willpower? Think again.

In this first episode of How to Drink Less, we’re breaking down the biggest myth about cutting back on alcohol—and what really drives sustainable change. Spoiler alert: it's not discipline. It’s understanding your desire.

You’ll learn:

  • why willpower alone can’t change your drinking habits for the long term;
  • how desire, triggers, and habit loops keep you drin...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.