Episode Title: 🎙️ Are You Drinking to Numb Emotional Pain?

With Dr Fiona Dowman, Clinical Psychologist, UK

Episode Summary:
Do you find yourself reaching for a drink after a stressful day, an argument, or when you’re just feeling… off? You're not alone. In this episode, I unpack emotional drinking—why it happens, how emotions work, and what to do if alcohol has become your go-to coping mechanism.

I explore the emotional drinking cycle and how difficult feelings like stress, shame, or anxiety can trigger a pattern of drinking → self-criticism → more discomfort → more drinking. I’ll walk you through why our brains turn to alcohol for relief, the real cost of this short-term fix, and how to begin responding to emotions in a healthier, more sustainable way.

This episode includes a grounding mindfulness practice to help you pause, notice what you’re feeling, and create space between your emotions and your actions.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why emotional discomfort often leads to drinking
• What emotions actually are and why we experience them
• The common emotional drinking cycle (with a relatable example)
• The “quicksand metaphor” for why struggling with emotions makes things worse
• A simple exercise to help you pause and respond to feelings mindfully

🔗 Resources Mentioned:
🎧 Free 20-minute Mindful Drinking Audio Guide: www.purplebridgepsychology.co.uk/free-mindful-drinking-guide
📬 Questions or thoughts? Email me at: info@purplebridgepsychology.co.uk
📲 Or connect on Instagram: @purplebridgepsychology

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit.

As always, this podcast is not a substitute for personalised support. If you’re concerned about alcohol dependence, please speak to your GP or local alcohol service.

Share your feedback and Connect with me on Instagram @purplebridgepsychology

or Facebook

Episode Title:
Cravings, Part 2: How to Respond Without Giving In

👋🏾Hi, I’m Dr Fiona Dowman, a qualified Clinical Psychologist in the UK.

🔍 Episode Summary:
In this second part of our cravings series, we’re taking everything we learned about what cravings are—and now focusing on what to do when they show up.

You’ll hear a powerful metaphor (involving a very persistent stray cat!) that helps explain why cravings feel so relentless, and why your response to them matters. We’ll build on the idea of urge surfing and how to stay with an urge rather than trying to fight or feed it. It’s about learning a new way to relate to cravings, and giving yourself a real chance to choose differently.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• Why cravings can get louder before they go away
• How feeding a craving—literally or mentally—makes it stronger
• The “stray cat” metaphor that helps explain cravings
• A reminder of how urge surfing works, and how to practice it
• Why being curious (instead of reactive) is a powerful first step
• How to start creating new, value-based responses to cravings

🔗 Resources I Mention:
🎧 Free 20-minute Mindful Drinking Audio Guide:
www.purplebridgepsychology.co.uk/free-mindful-drinking-guide

📬 I’d love to hear how you’re getting on with urge surfing or noticing cravings in a new way.
You can reach me at: info@purplebridgepsychology.co.uk
Or follow along on Instagram: @purplebridgepsychology

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit.

As always, this podcast is not a substitute for personalised support. If you’re concerned about alcohol dependence, please speak to your GP or local alcohol service..

Share your feedback and Connect with me on Instagram @purplebridgepsychology

or Facebook

🎙 Episode Title: Understanding Cravings: Why You Get Them and What To Do About It

Hi, I’m Dr Fiona Dowman, a qualified Clinical Psychologist in the UK.

Episode Summary:
Cravings can feel overwhelming and out of your control, but they don’t have to be. In this episode, I break down what cravings really are, why they happen, and how they affect your drinking behaviour.

You'll learn how cravings show up in your body and mind, what triggers them, and most importantly, how you can start responding differently. I’ll introduce a powerful technique called urge surfing, which helps you take the power back and respond with intention.

This is part one of a two-part episode on cravings, so stay tuned for the next episode where we’ll build on what you learn today.

What You’ll Learn:

• What cravings are and why they feel so strong
• The different ways people experience cravings (it’s not just in your head!)
• How triggers and cues lead to cravings—even when you’re not drinking
• Why distraction only works in the short term
• An introduction to “urge surfing” and how it can help you manage cravings mindfully

🔗 Resources I Mention:

🎧 Free 20-minute Mindful Drinking Audio Guide: www.purplebridgepsychology.co.uk/free-mindful-drinking-guide

📬 I'd love to hear how cravings show up for you or what you’re learning from this episode.
You can reach me at: info@purplebridgepsychology.co.uk
Or follow along on Instagram: @purplebridgepsychology

🕒 Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome and intro to cravings
01:15 – What cravings are and how they feel
03:30 – The science behind craving: triggers and associations
05:45 – Why distraction isn’t always the answer
06:50 – Mindfully approaching cravings instead of fighting them
07:45 – What is urge surfing?
08:30 – What to start noticing this week
09:10 – Preview of part two: responding to cravings without drinking

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit.

As always, the advice in this podcast is not a substitute for personalised support. If you're concerned about physical dependence on alcohol, it’s important to speak to your GP or local alcohol service.

Share your feedback and Connect with me on Instagram @purplebridgepsychology

or Facebook