The Slippery Slope: Why It’s Easy to Quit Drinking… and Even Easier to Go Back
Why We “Quit” Again and Again
You know that moment when you’ve had enough. Maybe it's on a hazy morning, maybe a broken promise, another night that you can't quite remember. So you decide: I’m done.
And for a little while, you are.
You feel clearer. Energised. Free. Proud.
You've got this. It's easy.
But then… something happens. A big day at work, that friend who invites you for a drink after work, your mum visiting...
One drink “just to be social” or “take the edge off” turns into two, then three. It feels alright, you're not too hungover, and it was fun.
So you do it again. And again. And suddenly you’re back in the cycle—wondering how did I let this happen again?
If this is you, I want you to know: you’re not broken. You’re not weak. And you’re definitely not alone.
The Truth About the Slippery Slope
📸 11 June 2020 - One month sober. Feeling proud but still a bit fragile.
Most people who want to quit drinking can stop—for a while. That’s not the hard part. Think of pregnancy, a social gathering at your child's daycare entre, or perhaps when you are unwell, or you are taking antibiotics. It's pretty easy not to drink, right?
The hard part is saying "no" consistently in a world where alcohol is everywhere…
… in celebrations
… in relationships
… in stress relief
… in the identity we’ve had for decades
The truth is that alcohol is doing something for us. It can shift any mood into a better one, it seems.
It’s not just a drink. It’s a coping tool. A confidence booster. A social pass. A comfort blanket.
And unless we take time to unpack all of that, it’s no surprise we slide back in.
"It’s not just a drink. It’s a coping tool. A confidence booster. A social pass. A comfort blanket."
What Are You Really Afraid Of?
If you’ve been successful at stopping for weeks or months—but something always pulls you back—get curious (not upset!).
Ask yourself:
Do I think I’m more fun or interesting with a drink?
Am I afraid of being the “sober one” in my circle? What will it mean about me?
Do I rely on alcohol to relax or de-stress?
Is it tied to a relationship or social life I’m scared to lose?
Deep down, do I think sober people are boring… and I don’t want to be boring?
These questions aren’t here to shame you.
They’re here to wake you up.
Because self-awareness is your power.
And when you know what you’re really afraid of, you can start to work through it—instead of just white-knuckling your way through another sloppy challenge that will lead you to the slippery slope [ again].
How to Make Sobriety Stick
If we want to make sobriety last, we need more than willpower.
We need a vision. A plan. A why that’s bigger than the next Friday night.
In The Mindfully Sober Program, we work through all of this, step by step:
We unpack your drinking story (without judgment)
We get crystal clear on your why
We visualise your alcohol-free future
We explore what needs to be shifted, what needs to go, and what needs to be built
We redesign your habits, your relationships, and your inner dialogue
We build real tools to help you stay sober
It’s about building a life so good, you don’t need to escape from it. It's making you SO certain, SO solid in your decision that nothing can shake it.
Shift from the slippery slope to the upwards spiral
If you’ve quit before, you can quit again. But this time, let it be different.
Let it be conscious.
Let it be kind.
Let it be about who you’re becoming—not what you’re giving up.
I promise you, sobriety isn’t the end of your fun, your freedom, or your joy.
It’s the start of everything real.
Mindfully Sober is not about perfection — it’s about possibility.
It's a coaching program built for the high-functioning, sober-curious people who want to live on purpose — aligned with their values, not society’s expectations.
I believe you deserve to feel good in your life, proud of your choices, and clear about your future.
Every time you choose to listen to your inner voice, you come back to yourself.
And that’s where real freedom begins.
Be on your own side,
Sophie 🌿
Sophie Anderson is an ICF-certified coach, wellness expert, and founder of Mindfully Sober. Completely alcohol-free since 2020, she empowers others to step into their potential by creating a life they don’t need to escape from. With a compassionate, practical approach, Sophie helps clients break free from drinking culture and live with clarity, confidence, and purpose.