Alcohol is a powerful state changer (Part 1)

STATE – THE CONDITION YOU ARE IN RIGHT NOW

Alcohol is a powerful state changer. Once the first drink is poured, the placebo of what’s to come kicks in. Your state shifts instantly. Stress melts away, worries dissolve — it’s time to “relax”.

This ability to trigger an immediate shift is exactly why alcohol feels so attractive.

But there’s a price.

The instant state change is followed by a damaging state the next day — anxiety, lethargy, lack of motivation. The short-term “loan” of a carefree feeling is repaid with long-term discomfort. And the quickest escape?

Another drink. Another state change.

And so the cycle continues…

THE ALCOHOL-FREE WAY TO CHANGE STATE

What if we told you alcohol isn’t the only — or even the most powerful — state changer?

“Your behaviour is the result of your state, and your state is the result of your internal representations and your physiology. Both of which you can change in a matter of seconds.” — Anthony Robbins

You already change state dozens of times a day.

Someone calls your name at work — BOOM, instant alertness.

You dread a social event, but once you arrive, your state completely shifts.

On the way there, movement, posture, fresh air and environment gradually adjust your physiology — and your state follows.

Your state is fluid.

The skill is learning to manage it consciously, especially on your alcohol-free journey.

MOTION IS EMOTION

Here’s a quick 60-second physiology reset. Add it to your state-change toolbox.

TRY THIS:

1. Adopt a “low-energy posture”

• Shoulders rounded forward

• Spine collapsed

• Arms hanging

• Head down

• The classic “sulky teenager” pose

  Notice how you feel. Heavy. Flat. Unmotivated.

2. Now reverse it — slowly

• Uncurl your spine

• Lift your head

• Pull your shoulders back

• Let your arms relax

• Stand up

• Take a deep, full breath

Notice your new state — awake, open, ready.

Physiology drives performance.

Change your body → change your emotion → change your action.

YOU DON’T NEED ALCOHOL TO CHANGE STATE

When you come home from work wanting to relax, it’s not the alcohol you’re craving — it’s the state.

And the good news?

You can reach it without booze, with far better results:

• AF beer or AF wine

• Warm bath

• Reading

• Walk

• Meditation

• Music

• Stretching

• Quick workout

• Creative hobbies

Once you start using these tools, you overwrite the old patterns.

New habits replace the old ones without force — simply through repetition.

Learning to shift state without alcohol is one of the most powerful keys to long-term change.

WHAT’S NEXT

In State Changer — Part 2, we’ll dive into how internal representations (beliefs, mental pictures, associations) influence your behaviour and how you can rewire them.

If you want instant-access tools to manage your state anytime — join a 30, 90 or 365-day OYNB challenge.

Good luck on your alcohol-free adventures,

Andy Ramage