How to Drink Less

33. The Rider, the Elephant, and the Path: How Change Happens


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Ever feel like part of you wants to drink less, but another part of you grabs the wine anyway?

You’re not weak. You’re not broken. And you’re definitely not alone.

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most powerful metaphors I’ve ever come across for understanding habit change: the elephant, the rider, and the path. Originally introduced by psychologist Jonathan Haidt and popularized by Chip and Dan Heath in their book Switch, this framework explains why willpower alone never feels like enough—and what to focus on instead.

You’ll learn:

  • why the rider (your logical brain) struggles to hold the reins when cravings hit;
  • how the elephant (your emotional brain) drives most of your drinking decisions;
  • what the path (your environment) has to do with making change feel easier;
  • and how coaching can help you work with all three to change your drinking habits for good.

Whether you’re cutting back, starting fresh, or just trying to understand yourself better, this episode will give you language, insight, and tools to stop fighting yourself and start moving forward.

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Mentioned in this episode: 

The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom, by Johnathan Haidt 

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

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Grab my free guide "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Sobriety": https://www.adrianacloud.com/7-steps

Book a free consultation: https://acloudcoaching.as.me/consult

Get in touch with questions or comments: [email protected]

Follow me on Instagram: @adriana_cloud_

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How to Drink LessBy Adriana Cloud