Addiction Unlimited Podcast

Tired of Starting Over? Why Willpower Isn’t Enough to Quit Drinking


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You’re not failing—your method is.
You’ve already tried harder.You’ve done the dry weeks.You’ve poured bottles down the sink.You’ve promised yourself, “Just weekends. Just one. This time it will stick.”
And yet, here you are… back in the same shame spiral, asking yourself: “Why can’t I get it together?”
In this episode of Addiction Unlimited, we’re burning down the biggest lie in sobriety: that if you just had more willpower, you’d finally quit drinking for good.
👉 Spoiler alert: willpower is a faulty system. Every. Single. Time.
What you actually need is a system—one that gives you structure, support, and solutions so you can stop starting over and finally move forward.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
🧠 Why willpower fails (and always will) — the science behind anxiety, decision fatigue, and why your brain defaults to alcohol when it’s overwhelmed.
⚙️ The 3 Pillars of Lasting Recovery — my proven framework: Science, Strategy, and Self.
📌 How to design your sober system — calming rituals, accountability, and practical tools that give you relief without a drink.
🚫 The ego trap of “testing yourself” — why it’s total BS and guaranteed to keep you stuck.
💪 Radical personal responsibility — the boundaries you must set with people, places, and yourself to protect your sobriety.
By the end, you’ll understand exactly why trying harder has never worked for you—and how to replace the endless loop of Day Ones with a system that actually sticks.
🎧 Hit play now, because you don’t need more motivation. You don’t need another Day One. You need a system. And this is where it starts.
🔑 Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Listen to Ep. 275: Relief Not Relapse
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Addiction Unlimited PodcastBy Angela Pugh

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