Like so many things in wellness, it’s easier said than done to live alcohol free. If you’ve tried before or are curious about sober living, this episode is for you! It’s the practical side of how to unlock unexpected health benefits, stronger connections, and a clearer mind.Today on Salad With a Side of Fries, Jenn Trepeck continues to explore the thought-provoking idea of living "Dry Beyond January" with Gillian Tietz, MS, CAMS-I, host of the Sober Powered podcast and a sobriety and anger management coach. Jenn and Gill discuss the challenges and rewards of embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle, from tackling cravings and navigating social settings to finding deeper connections and breaking the cycle of shame that often comes from drinking. Whether you’re taking a break from alcohol or considering sobriety for the long haul, you’ll discover strategies to manage triggers, build healthier habits, and redefine your relationship with drinking. The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. IN THIS EPISODE: [6:20] To drink, or not to drink[9:41] Reversing shame and judgment and shared experiences[12:56] Pros and cons of a Dry January[15:10] Navigating a sober weekend[18:55] Connecting with non-drinkers and dating while sober[28:41] Strategies for communicating going alcohol-free[30:57] Ordering Alcohol-free drinks with caution [35:14] Avoiding triggers and habits and creating new enjoyable memories without alcohol[38:53] The National Helpline is 800-662-HELP KEY TAKEAWAYS: Connecting with others in sober communities is critical for overcoming the shame spiral from drinking. Sharing experiences and hearing “I struggle with that, too" from your peers can help you realize you are not alone and break the isolation cycle.People often underestimate the unexpected challenges of quitting drinking, such as fatigue that persists for weeks and doubts about the payoff. These moments of struggle can lead to thoughts of giving up or attempting moderation. Patience and understanding the long-term benefits are essential to living dry beyond January.For those who choose not to drink, strategies include discreetly blending in, such as ordering non-alcoholic drinks that resemble alcoholic ones, setting clear boundaries early in dating or social scenarios and avoiding habits and triggers that increase your desire or cravings to drink.Successfully navigating cravings and triggers involves strategies beyond willpower, such as changing your environment, identifying emotional triggers, and reflecting on past behaviors to plan better responses.QUOTES: [6:42] “If you're wondering if you can, then you are somebody that can't moderate their drinking. I think it's just as simple as that. Like people that can moderate just do and live their lives.” - Gill Tietz[8:43]” Because when you think of an alcoholic, you think of a weak-willed loser who ruined their whole life because they like to drink too much, they're selfish, all of that kind of stuff. And many of us know that's not true, but that's the general public’s perception. So, I was afraid of being labeled as an alcoholic and judged.” Gill Tietz[12:19] “The difference though, is that people could go the rest of their life without drinking. People can't go the rest of their life without eating.” Jenn Trepeck.[31:00] “I think more and more now, there are so many more non-alcoholic options on bar menus or in restaurant menus and certainly so many more in stores.” Jenn Trepeck[33:20] “I think it's such a valid point to recognize that we have that biochemical response, we have that craving, that reward pathway that still exists, even if we're not always feeding it. And that some of these other things can end up feeding that same pathway.” Jenn TrepeckRESOURCES:Become A Member of Salad with a Side of FriesJenn’s Free Menu PlanA Salad With a Side of FriesA Salad With A Side Of Fries MerchA Salad With a Side of Fries InstagramThe Truth About AlcoholYou Are Not Alone: Relapse RateGUEST RESOURCES: Sober Powered - PodcastSober Powered - WebsiteSober Powered - InstagramGUEST BIOGRAPHY: Gillian Tietz, MS, CAMS-I, hosts the Sober Powered Podcast and is a sobriety and anger management coach. Getting sober in 2019 inspired her to start her podcast, where she utilizes her biochemistry background to teach others how alcohol affects the brain and why it’s so hard to stop drinking.