By Holly Wilson

I stumbled on day 12 of my Whole30 challenge.

It happened at my co-working space on a quiet Saturday afternoon. For two days, I had successfully walked past the bowl of Belvita cookies in the shared kitchen, feeling strong and committed to my Whole30 journey. But on day 12, something shifted. Maybe it was the weekend work stress, or perhaps just the familiar pull of wanting "just a little something" to get through the afternoon. Whatever it was, those cookies started calling my name—softly at first, then louder, until their siren song was impossible to ignore.

Before I knew it, I was in my office, cookie wrapper in hand, feeling that all-too-familiar mix of satisfaction and shame that used to accompany my "just one glass" of wine that inevitably turned into two or three. And true to form, just like those "one glass" nights used to turn into finishing the bottle, that first package of Belvita cookies turned into three before I finally stopped.

In that moment, I had to laugh at the irony—this scene felt eerily familiar. Replace those Belvita cookies with a glass of wine, roll the clock back five years, and you'd have a snapshot of my early attempts to break free from alcohol. Different substance, same story.

A Tale of Two Dependencies

My sugar-free journey began this January when I completed my first Whole30 challenge. Thirty days of no sugar, no grains, no dairy—just whole, natural foods. I felt amazing. Clear-headed. Energetic. Free from cravings. Sound familiar? It's exactly how I felt in those early days of sobriety.

And just like in my early sobriety, I made the classic mistake: I thought I had it beaten. I had "slayed the sugar dragon," right? Surely I could handle a little piece of cake after dinner. A cookie here. Some cheese there (yes, dairy is lactose, which is a form of sugar). I knew better—hadn’t I learned this lesson with alcohol? But somehow, I convinced myself this was different.

It wasn't.

That "occasional treat" quickly morphed into daily desserts. The sugar dragon roared back to life, just as the wine witch had done during my attempts at moderation years ago. The pattern was identical: periods of abstinence followed by controlled indulgence that inevitably led back to daily consumption.

Some might call this relapse. I prefer to call it what it is: proof that moderation doesn't work—at least not for those of us who have developed dependent relationships with substances, whether they're alcohol or sugar.

Three Truths for Lasting Freedom

As I pick myself up and restart my sugar-free journey, I'm leaning on the three fundamental truths that transformed my relationship with alcohol from white-knuckling sobriety to genuine freedom:

God First, Always

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

This verse has become my anchor. When sugar cravings hit (just like when wine cravings used to strike), I turn to God first. Not to willpower. Not to distraction. To God. Because He alone can provide the peace that transcends our understanding and guard our hearts and minds against the lies that tell us we "need" these substances to cope, celebrate, or feel complete.

Science Supports Spirit

Our brains are remarkably adaptable, creating new neural pathways each time we choose differently. Every "no" to sugar (or alcohol) literally rewires our brain, making the next "no" easier. Understanding this science doesn't diminish the spiritual aspect of transformation—it illuminates God's incredible design of our brains to support our journey to freedom.

I'm actually working through my own 21-day alcohol reset program, mentally replacing "alcohol" with "sugar" in the videos and journaling prompts. The principles of overcoming limiting beliefs and creating new habits are universal, whether we're dealing with wine or white chocolate.

Community Creates Accountability

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

God designed us for community, and there's profound wisdom in this design. Whether it was losing 45 pounds through Weight Watchers a decade ago, finding freedom from alcohol four years ago, or now tackling sugar dependency, I've learned that trying to go it alone is unnecessary and unwise. I have a Whole30 accountability partner who I know will be instrumental in keeping me on track (and can help when the box of Belvita cookies calls my name again).

A Greater Truth Emerges

As I navigate this sugar-free journey with the tools that helped me find freedom from alcohol, I'm struck by a greater truth: these aren't really separate journeys at all. They're different chapters in the same story—a story about learning to trust God more than temporary fixes, about trading false comforts for true peace, about moving from bondage to freedom.

Whether your struggle is with alcohol, sugar, or any other substance or behavior that's holding you back from the abundant life God has for you, the path to freedom remains the same: turn to God, understand the science He's given us about our brains, and lean into community support.

Your Next Step

If you're reading this and recognizing your own struggle with alcohol—seeing yourself in my story of attempted moderation and repeated returns to daily drinking—know that you're not alone, and you don't have to figure this out by yourself. The same principles that are helping me break free from sugar can help you break free from alcohol, and I'd love to show you how.

Ready to explore what true freedom from alcohol could look like in your life? Schedule a confidential Freedom Discovery Call with me. Together, we'll explore how combining biblical truth with neuroscience can help you find lasting freedom and joy in an alcohol-free life.

Editor's Note: I'll be back at the end of my Whole30 challenge with an update on my sugar-free journey. In the meantime, I'll return to our regular blog topics focusing on navigating professional and personal life without alcohol. Stay tuned!