Why Stress and Emotions Feel Intolerable Without Alcohol (E294)
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Emotional reactivity is one of the biggest roadblocks to staying sober. For many of us, our brain’s alarm system has been rewired by years of drinking to overreact to even the smallest stressors, making ordinary problems feel like catastrophes. In this episode, we’ll break down the science of why that happens, from amygdala hyperactivity to weakened prefrontal regulation, and how alcohol conditions the brain to link stress directly to craving. We’ll also look at why low stress tolerance and poor coping skills create a perfect storm that keeps us stuck in the cycle of relapse, and explore 5 thinking patterns that make stress feel worse than it really is. By the end, you’ll understand why life can feel so overwhelming without alcohol, and what it really takes to rewire your brain so sobriety becomes sustainable.
What to listen to next:
E249: stress
E251: intense emotions
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Cite:
Gillian Tietz. Why Stress and Emotions Feel Intolerable Without Alcohol (E294). Sober Powered. 2025
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