Shifting Our Focus From Alcohol To Living Life

Will The Obsession For Alcohol Every Go Away?

Quitting drinking is just the first step, but for many, it doesn’t end the obsession with alcohol. From noticing beer commercials to walking past the liquor aisle at the store, reminders seem to be everywhere. 

The question many of us ask is: Will I ever stop thinking about alcohol? 

The good news is that it’s possible, but it requires a crucial shift in focus—from avoiding alcohol to embracing the possibilities of a life without it.

The Trap of Hyper-Focus

When we first get sober, it’s natural to center our lives around avoiding alcohol. This vigilance serves us well in the early days of recovery, helping us resist temptation. But over time, constant avoidance can feel restrictive, leaving us anxious and stuck in a mindset of fear.

This was something I faced head-on during a Tony Robbins event when I was six years sober. Life was great on the outside—I had rebuilt my relationships, career, and finances—but I couldn’t shake the anxiety that everything might fall apart. Robbins’ words, “Where your focus goes, your energy flows,” hit me hard. I realized I had gone from obsessing about drinking to obsessing about not drinking. Either way, I was still obsessing about alcohol.

Shifting Focus: From Avoidance to Living

The key to freedom isn’t in constant vigilance—it’s in shifting our focus. Instead of obsessing over what we’re avoiding, we can start looking at what we’re building. This change in perspective opens doors to new opportunities and allows us to truly embrace the benefits of sobriety.

Exploring New Possibilities

When we focus on living an amazing life, we stop seeing sobriety as something that limits us. Sobriety becomes a launchpad for exploring hobbies, setting meaningful goals, and deepening relationships. Even if you don’t know what you enjoy yet, the process of trying new things can be an adventure in itself.

Improving Mental and Emotional Health

Constant avoidance keeps us in a state of fear. But when we focus on creating a fulfilling life, we empower ourselves. Sobriety becomes less about resisting alcohol and more about becoming the person we want to be. Over time, this builds resilience and confidence, replacing fear with a sense of purpose.

Navigating Real-Life Situations

Avoiding all situations involving alcohol can be isolating. Learning to manage these scenarios is a vital part of long-term sobriety. At first, this may involve taking precautions, like bringing a supportive friend or having an exit plan. With time, these experiences show us that we can fully participate in life without needing alcohol.

Focus Determines Your Path

A racecar driver is trained to avoid looking at the wall while driving. Why? Because the car tends to go where the driver’s focus is. If the driver stares at the wall, fixated on the fear of crashing, they’re more likely to steer straight into it.

When we’re consumed by fears and the potential for failure, we steer ourselves toward exactly what we’re trying to avoid. But by focusing on our goals and the life we want to create, we dramatically improve our chances of success.

Shifting from a mindset of avoidance to one of possibility allows us to create a life where alcohol loses its grip. Sobriety isn’t a life sentence of constant struggle; it’s a gateway to freedom, growth, and fulfillment.

Build a Sober Life Full of Possibilities

If you’re tired of obsessing over alcohol and want to start focusing on what’s next, this episode is for you. Listen now to hear more about my journey and practical strategies to stop obsessing over what you’ve left behind and embrace what’s ahead.