Alcohol and the brain: why we drink and why changing can be difficult
Join Dr Max Pemberton and Haroon Amanji, Lead Prescriber at Blueco Healthcare, for a conversation about the science behind drinking, cravings and change.
Why do we reach for a drink after a stressful day? Why can “just one” turn into more than we intended? And why can cutting down feel difficult, even when we want to?
Understanding what’s happening can help us make sense of our drinking patterns.
In this live NUL webinar, Dr Max and Haroon will explore how alcohol affects the brain, how drinking habits develop, and the science behind approaches such as The Sinclair Method (TSM). Expect clear explanations, practical questions and an opportunity to ask the speakers what you’ve always wanted to know.
What we’ll explore
Alcohol and the brain: what happens when we drink and why alcohol can feel rewarding.
Habits, triggers and cravings: why certain situations leave us wanting a drink.
Why changing can be difficult: how drinking patterns develop and why willpower alone can feel insufficient.
Alcohol, mood and sleep: how drinking fits into the wider picture of how we feel.
The science behind TSM: the approach, the evidence and its limitations.
What change can look like: realistic expectations and the role of support.
Meet the speakers
Dr Max Pemberton - NHS psychiatrist, bestselling author and journalist
Dr Max Pemberton has many years of experience helping people with addiction, including working in drug and alcohol services and outreach supporting people experiencing homelessness. He is the author of Stop Smoking with CBT, drawing on his clinical experience and his own experience of quitting smoking. Alongside his NHS work, he is a well-known health columnist and has received the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Public Educator of the Year Award and Mind’s Journalist of the Year Award.
Haroon Amanji - Lead Prescriber, Blueco Healthcare
Haroon Amanji is a clinical pharmacist and Registered Manager at Blueco Healthcare, NUL’s clinical partner. He oversees its healthcare services and brings a prescribing perspective to the discussion, covering clinical assessment, treatment suitability and the support involved in helping people change their drinking.
Who is this for?
Anyone curious about their relationship with alcohol - whether you’re considering drinking less, exploring support, already following TSM, or looking to better understand someone else’s experience.
You don’t need any prior knowledge, and there’s no expectation to share your personal experience.
Join us live
📅 18th Nov 2026
🕖 6:30pm UK time
📍 Online via Zoom
The session will end with a live Q&A, so bring your questions for Dr Max and Haroon. Register to reserve your place.
Register to reserve your place.
This webinar is for general education and does not replace an individual medical assessment or personalised advice. We won’t be able to answer questions about individual prescriptions or medical circumstances.