For some of us, each time we go through withdrawal, the next withdrawal is worse. This is called kindling and in this episode I’m explaining what kindling is and how it happens. You’ll learn why we get withdrawal symptoms when we quit drinking, what delirium tremens is, and how kindling makes it harder to get sober. I’ll also discuss what counts as a cycle of withdrawal and what doesn’t.

What to listen to next:

E191: Going Back and Forth Makes Your Cravings Stronger

E201: Your Dysregulated Stress Response

E203: Why You Still Want Alcohol Even When You Hate It (It’s Dopamine!)

E22: Why You Think Alcohol Helps Your Anxiety

E180: Why Your Drinking Gets Worse Over Time, Not Better

E196: How the Brain Recovers After Quitting Drinking

E170: Here’s Why Early Sobriety is So Hard (it’s dopamine)

E161: What to Expect Emotionally in Early Sobriety

Get Support:

• Community & Meetings: Living a Sober Powered Life https://www.soberpowered.com/membership
• Anger Management Program https://www.soberpowered.com/anger
• Weekly emails on Thursdays https://www.soberpowered.com/email
• Quiz: what is causing your alcohol cravings? https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/65db8de55d674c92e333e001
• Free resources https://www.soberpowered.com/free

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Sources are posted on my website

Disclaimer: all of the information described in this podcast is my interpretation of the research combined with my opinion. This is not medical advice.

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