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Ep 81. Alcohol Rewind with Adrian Chiles
Episode 81
Why is it so hard to rethink our drinking and what does it actually look like to drink less without going “all or nothing”? In this special summer mini-series of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey revisits her most downloaded conversation with broadcaster and writer Adrian Chiles. Adrian shares his personal, honest journey from heavy to moderate drinking, not by swearing off alcohol, but by noticing when “enough is enough” and finding what works for him.
Adrian’s story brings clarity and realism to moderation, highlighting how even small changes can spark more joy, presence, and satisfaction, when we are conscious of what we drink.
Here are the highlights:
00:00 Introduction
04:41 Adrian’s story: heavy drinking, shocking discoveries, and the wake-up call
07:12 Counting units: the power of writing it all down
09:29 Challenging “all or nothing”, why moderation might work for you
11:22 The impact of simply removing the drinks you don’t want
13:00 Mindful drinking and choosing what genuinely brings you joy
15:03 Why the first drink is magical (and the fifth, not so much)
23:06 Most people really do drink less than you think
27:20 Why “alcoholic” is an unhelpful label
30:08 Track your drinking, make it simple, take away the shame
33:52 The challenges and freedoms of moderation
35:22 Setting non-negotiables so the “sweet spot” can become your reality
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About the host Anna:
Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in th
Published on 2 months, 1 week ago