Eliminating the Alcohol Brain Hijack

Addiction doesn’t always look like rock bottom—and recovery doesn’t have to mean all or nothing. In this episode, Lyndsay Soprano sits down with Katie Lain for a powerful conversation about alcohol, family patterns, and the complicated truth about what healing from addiction can actually look like.

They dive into the neuroscience of alcohol use and the way it hijacks the brain’s reward system, challenging the outdated narrative that addiction is simply a lack of willpower. Katie shares her personal experience and introduces the Sinclair Method, a treatment approach that uses naltrexone to gradually reduce alcohol cravings—without requiring total abstinence from day one.

Lyndsay and Katie also talk about the emotional layers of drinking: early exposure, social pressure, generational trauma, and the quiet shame that keeps so many people stuck. This episode is about choice, compassion, and giving yourself permission to explore recovery in a way that feels honest and sustainable.

Tune in if you’ve ever questioned your relationship with alcohol—or if you’re ready to let go of the idea that healing only counts if it looks a certain way.

Find Katie Lain Online Here:
Website: thrivealcoholrecovery.com
Instagram: @thrivealcoholrecovery
Facebook: Thrive Alcohol Recovery
LinkedIn: Katie Lain
YouTube: Thrive Alcohol Recovery
Podcast: Thrive Alcohol Recovery

Find The Pain Game Podcast Online Here:
Website: thepaingamepodcast.com
Instagram: @thepaingamepodcast
Facebook: The Pain Game Podcast
LinkedIn: Lyndsay Soprano
YouTube: The Pain Game Podcast

Episode Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction to Chronic Pain and Alcoholism
(02:06) Personal Stories of Alcohol and Family Influence
(06:12) Understanding Alcohol Addiction and the Brain
(10:16) The Sinclair Method Explained
(15:17) The Journey to Recovery and Finding Freedom
(20:08) The Challenges of Alcohol Consumption and Social Norms
(24:42) Advocacy and Awareness for the Sinclair Method
(28:39) Low Dose Naltrexone and Pain Management