Ep 125: Breaking The 'Wine O'clock' Habit | Alcohol Coaching |

About this episode

Anna Donaghey explores the psychology behind the 'wine o'clock' habit and offers strategies to change drinking routines.

Is your evening drink a true choice or just a well-worn ritual your brain expects at the end of every day? Your host Anna Donaghey breaks down the hidden psychology behind the “wine o’clock” habit. She explains the science of habit loops, why willpower alone can’t break the cycle, and offers a step-by-step framework for gently rewiring your automatic drinking response. Discover practical, compassionate tools to recognise your real needs and build a life that genuinely satisfies them with no white-knuckling required. If you feel stuck in the routine of pouring a drink as the sun goes down, this episode shows you how (and why) to change the script. Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: Why we reach for a drink between 5–7pm 01:24 The “witching hour” and the automatic pull toward alcohol 02:18 What is a habit loop? 04:26 The craving isn’t for alcohol, it’s for relief, calm, and transition 06:14 Understanding neural pathways and why habits feel automatic 08:21 The reward script: why your brain believes drinking is the solution 09:19 Why willpower doesn’t work at “wine o’clock” 21:33 What did you drop when alcohol became the answer? 22:24 A new way through the evening, one day at a…

People in this episode

Host: Anna Donaghey

Topics covered

• alcohol habits
• psychology of drinking
• habit loops
• willpower
• evening routines

Keywords

• wine o'clock
• habit loops
• alcohol coaching
• psychology
• evening drink

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want

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