Why You Can’t Quit Drinking and What Stage You’re Actually In

Why January 1 Isn’t the Answer — and What Actually Moves You Forward It’s New Year’s Eve, and if you’re feeling that familiar pressure—that maybe-this-year-will-be-different energy—I want you to take a deep breath and listen up. Whether you’re planning to drink tonight (even though you don’t really want to), or you’re already sober but looking at 2026 like it’s some kind of test you have to pass… I see you. And here’s what I need you to know: You’re not broken. You’re not behind. You’re just in a stage. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the Stages of Change —a professional framework used in psychology and addiction recovery that’s going to help you figure out exactly where you are in your journey. Because once you know your stage, you’ll know exactly what to do next. No more spinning your wheels. No more beating yourself up. Just clarity, action, and a path forward. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The 5 stages are: Pre-Contemplation Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance (Spoiler: If you’re listening to this podcast, you’re already past stage 1. But where are you really?) Why people get stuck in contemplation (and the one thing that moves you forward—hint: it’s not more research) The difference between preparation and action (and why support is the bridge between the two) Why January 1st isn’t going to save you (but action will) How to avoid burnout in maintenance (and why my 90-Day Focus Planner is built to help you actually make progress) 🎉Why This Episode Matters Right Now If you’ve been beating yourself up for “not having it figured out yet,” this episode is going to shift everything for you. You’re not failing. You’re not lacking willpower or motivation. You’re just doing the wrong work for the stage you’re in. And once you understand that? Everything changes.   🔗Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Dry January Bootcamp – 31 days of structure, support, and figuring out who you are without alcohol. 90-Day Focus Planner – Built for people who want to make real progress without burning out. Three goals at a time. Coaching with Angela – If you’re ready to stop effing around with starts and stops, book your consultation call and let’s get you the support you need. Join the Facebook Group

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Why You Can’t Quit Drinking and What Stage You’re Actually In is an episode from Addiction Unlimited Podcast | Alcoholism | 12 Steps | Living Sober | Addiction Treatment by Angela Pugh .

This episode is 19:06 long.

This episode was published on Dec 31, 2025.

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