Episode 176 • Stress, Alcohol, and the Biology of Craving -- with Dr. Joseph Volpicelli

In this episode of the Positive Sobriety Podcast, Nate Larkin and David Hampton reflect on how grief, health challenges, and prolonged stress can quietly reopen the door to alcohol. Drawing from their own recent experiences, they explore why alcohol feels regulating in the moment—but ultimately increases anxiety and emotional strain.

They are joined by Dr. Joseph Volpicelli, Executive Director of the Institute for Addiction Medicine, who explains the biological connection between stress, alcohol use, and the brain’s opioid system. Dr. Volpicelli shares how uncontrollable stress can increase drinking, why some people are more biologically vulnerable than others, and how medications like naltrexone can help reduce cravings by blocking alcohol’s rewarding effects.

This episode blends personal honesty with neuroscience, offering hope and clarity for anyone seeking a positive, sustainable path to sobriety.