You are listening to the Take a Break podcast with Rachel Hart episode 229.

Whether you want to drink less or stop drinking,

this podcast will help you change the habit from the inside out.

We're challenging conventional wisdom about why people drink

and why it can be hard to resist temptation.

No labels, no judgment, just practical tools to take control of your desire

and stop worrying about your drinking.

Now here's your host, Rachel Hart.

Welcome back everyone.

We are talking today about alcohol as your teacher.

It's the idea that every time you reach for a drink,

every time you drink more than you want,

there is something for you to learn.

Alcohol and the habit are trying to teach you something.

And if you think that what I'm about to say is that alcohol is trying to teach you

that it's bad for you or that you can't handle it or that you can't control yourself,

then you are probably new to this podcast because that's not what we talk about here.

Alcohol can be a teacher for you in the best way possible.

It can teach you about your relationship with yourself and other people

and your emotions both positive and negative.

It can teach you about your inhibitions and your body and your relationship to time

and stress and work and fun and relaxation.

...