Need support in managing your cravings? CLICK HERE to download my free guidebook that will make your next craving feel easy to navigate. Cravings don’t mean you’re weak—your brain is just doing what it was trained to do. In this solo shorty episode, Sara breaks down the science behind alcohol cravings and helps you release the shame that often comes with them.

You’ll learn how alcohol hijacks your dopamine and reward system, why certain triggers feel so intense, and how to rewire your brain for real, lasting joy. If you've ever wondered why cravings hit so hard (especially early in sobriety), this episode is for you.

Sara shares her own stories from early sobriety and offers science-backed strategies to help you ride the wave of a craving—and come out stronger on the other side.

✨ In this episode:

• 🧠 How alcohol affects your brain’s dopamine and reward systems
• 🔄 The cue-craving-reward cycle—and how it becomes automatic
• 🥱 Why things feel flat or dull in early sobriety (and how to get through it)
• 🎉 The truth about “reward” drinking—and what to do instead
• 🛠️ Craving-busting tools you can use in the moment
• 💬 How curiosity (not criticism) helps you overcome urges
• 📉 Why shame increases the risk of relapse—and what to do instead

📥 Grab the free Cravings Guidebook Get all of Sara’s go-to tools and tips for navigating cravings: 👉 https://nomorewasteddays.co/beating-alcohol-cravings/

💬 Want more support like this? Join the Day Makers community for weekly group coaching calls, connection, and resources to help you keep going—now available with a 2-week trial for just $7. 👉 https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/

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Looking for support on your alcohol free journey? Consider joining us in the Day Makers Community. CLICK HERE for all the details. Want some 1-on-1 support on your alcohol free journey? Work with Heather as your alcohol free coach. CLICK HERE to start working with Heather today.

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Follow the podcast on Social Media:

IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod

Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days

TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Follow Heather on Social Media: IG: @theheatherleecollective

TikTok: @thealcoholfreecoach

In this compassionate and deeply honest episode, Sara and Heather dive into a topic that so many of us need to hear—especially when the alcohol-free journey feels bumpy: the power of starting over. Whether you're on Day 1, Day 100, or somewhere in between, this conversation reminds you that your worth is never defined by your streak. Starting again isn’t failure—it’s resilience.

Sara and Heather share personal stories and insights about navigating slips, shame spirals, and the unexpected emotional waves that can arise—even years into sobriety. With warmth and humor, they discuss how healing isn't linear, why “reset” days matter, and how to treat yourself with compassion in moments of struggle.

Key Moments & Takeaways:

🔄 Starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch—it means starting with experience.

🚫 The myth of perfection adds pressure that doesn't serve your healing.

🔍 Reframe slips as invitations to get curious, not cruel.

❓ Ask: What happened days before a slip—not just the day of?

🧠 Shame tells you you’re broken. Healing says you’re human.

💧 Sometimes, the reset is as simple as drinking water, eating, resting, and showering.

🛑 Don't confuse a “dry drunk” day with failure—it’s a signal to check in and simplify.

📆 You don’t need a Monday or the 1st of the month to start—random days work too.

🧘 Celebrate the little things. Self-trust and forgiveness are milestones in themselves.

👀 Protect your feed—unfollow accounts that make you feel less-than.

Favorite Mantras from the Episode:

✨“Permission is power—and it’s yours to give.”

✨ “You’re starting from experience, not from scratch.”

✨ “One drink, one craving, one thought doesn’t undo your progress or your worth.”

🎧 Whether you're feeling strong or struggling today, this episode is your gentle nudge to come back to yourself with kindness. Listen in, take what you need, and remember: there is no shame in beginning again.

📣 Don’t forget to leave a review and let us know your thoughts—we might just read it on a future episode!

🎉 Want More Support on Your Journey?

Join the Daymakers Community or sign up for 1-on-1 coaching with Heather! ✨ Get personalized support, tools, and encouragement for your alcohol-free journey. 👉 Learn more here

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.

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Looking for support on your alcohol free journey? Consider joining us in the Day Makers Community. CLICK HERE for all the details. Want some 1-on-1 support on your alcohol free journey? Work with Heather as your alcohol free coach. CLICK HERE to start working with Heather today.

************************************************

Follow the podcast on Social Media:

IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod

Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days

TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Follow Heather on Social Media: IG: @theheatherleecollective

TikTok: @thealcoholfreecoach