Episode 15 of The Zero Proof Life Podcast
“I didn’t want to drink anymore. I wanted to feel again.”
For Maureen Benkovich, that moment of clarity came after years of balancing fitness, work, and weekend cocktails. This lifestyle seemed healthy… until it wasn’t. As a certified alcohol freedom and wellness coach, Maureen now helps others see what she once couldn’t: that even in health-focused communities, the detox/retox cycle keeps people stuck in a pattern that dulls joy and hijacks their mental health.
The Detox and Retox Trap
Many of us are told that balance means “earning” indulgence. We detox all week with green smoothies, workouts, and self-care, only to retox on weekends with drinks that undo our progress. Maureen explains that this cycle isn’t a lack of willpower; it’s a biological loop fueled by dopamine disruption.
Reminder: You can’t out-detox a behavior that keeps you depleted. Real wellness starts when you stop asking your body to recover from what’s hurting it.
The Truth About Dopamine
Alcohol promises relief but robs your brain’s ability to create happiness naturally. Once you stop drinking, your brain begins to repair its dopamine pathways, allowing genuine pleasure to return. Understanding this science shifts the narrative from shame to empowerment.
Try this line: “It’s not my fault, but it is my opportunity to heal.”
3. Empowerment Through Knowledge and Community
Sobriety isn’t just about quitting something; it’s about rebuilding a life that feels good without it. Nutrition, faith, and community are cornerstones of lasting change. When we connect with others who share the same mission to live awake and alcohol-free, we remember we’re not alone.
Try This Simple Tool: Track your “true rewards” this week. Sunlight, laughter, connection, movement, creativity. Notice how your joy shifts when it’s fueled by presence, not a pour.
Three Take-Home Tools
The One-Liner: Empowerment begins when you understand your brain—and choose to work with it, not against it.
Gut-Check Journal Prompt: Where in your life are you chasing reward instead of real joy?
Protect Your Sparkle Rule: Feed your dopamine naturally with rest, laughter, sunlight, and purpose-driven connection.
Ready to Start Your Own Alcohol-Free Chapter?
Join the Zero Proof Life Community ✨
Surround yourself with women who “get it.” Inside the ZPL Community you’ll find:
- Weekly live coaching and Q&A with Brandi, Karla, Carolyn & Becca
- Guided somatic practices to calm cravings in real time
- A private forum for daily wins, real-talk support, and resource sharing
- Member-only workshops on relationships, mindset, nutrition, and more
Follow & Connect
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- Brandi Babb – @littlebigleap (https://www.instagram.com/littlebigleap/)
- Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
- Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
- Becca Snider - @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)