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What should you do when your life seems flawless, yet your habits make you feel completely insincere?
Sheri’s life seemed enviable—sunny mornings in Playa del Carmen, a rewarding career as a yoga and aerobics instructor, and a visible picture of good health. Yet, beneath the surface, she struggled secretly with her drinking habits. This led her to feel like a fraud, and that feeling consumed her. This is her journey of confronting her reality, healing, and moving forward with sober resilience.
Trigger Warning: This post discusses topics such as alcohol abuse, grief, and the unexpected loss of a loved one. Please take care while reading.
I Appeared to Be the Picture of Health, but I Was Living a Deception
In my childhood home, drinking was not a significant issue. My mother didn’t drink, and my father was not a frequent drinker. Like many teens, I began drinking at parties and on weekends, but it didn’t seem problematic at the time.
In my early adult years, alcohol appeared harmless. It was a common presence—at weddings, girls’ nights, and Sunday brunches. Drinking seemed like a rite of passage into adulthood. Nonetheless, I kept it under control, as I was too conscious of my appearance to let alcohol lead to weight gain.
However, after relocating to Playa del Carmen in my mid-20s, everything shifted. Drinks were affordable, life was leisurely, and I had the means to indulge. Additionally, I was the local yoga and aerobics instructor—imagine it; leading sunrise yoga sessions after a night of partying. I would stand in front of my class at 7 am, still shaky from the previous night. Yet, I managed to show up. That was when I began to feel like a fraud because of drinking.
I was living a dual life, and the burden of that deception became unbearable.
I Tried Every Possible Way to “Fix” It
I couldn’t admit I had an issue, so I attempted to control it.
Moderation? I tried countless times.
AA? I attended and even facilitated meetings.
Therapy? I’ve been there.
Exercise? I used it as an escape from my drinking.
But nothing worked in the long run. I kept convincing myself that I had it under control, but I was deceiving myself, others, and the world.
And the shame only increased.
👉 Ready to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud Because of Drinking?
If you’ve had enough of living a double life, feeling like a fraud because of drinking, and concealing your struggles while pretending everything is alright, there’s a better path.
Join the FREE 5-Day Control Alcohol Challenge with Annie Grace.
You’ll receive evidence-based tools, a supportive community, and genuine insights into your relationship with alcohol.
Leave feeling empowered instead of filled with shame.
A Facebook Post Changed Everything
One day, while aimlessly scrolling through Facebook, I stumbled across a post from This Naked Mind.
That click changed everything for me.
I devoured Annie Grace’s book, and clarity began to emerge. Finally, I grasped why I drank and understood that it wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t flawed or weak; I was not alone.
This sparked my deep dive into “quit-lit.” I read voraciously, consumed podcasts, and absorbed every piece of information as if my life depended on it—because it genuinely did.
It wasn’t just about willpower; instead, it was about reshaping beliefs I didn’t even realize I held.
Then, the Unimaginable Occurred
After I quit drinking—almost seven months ago—my husband Erick was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Just 40 days later, he passed away.
He didn’t even experience headaches. He had just turned 46.
Erick was a heavy drinker and wasn’t ready to stop. I genuinely believe that if I had still been drinking when he died, I might not have made it through.
His death was the most painful, shocking, and disorienting experience of my life. Yet, I remained sober. That fact still astounds me.
As I walk through my grief, I do so with a clear mind. I cry without numbing myself. Unashamedly, I embrace the pain—and I endure it.
I’m No Longer a Fraud. I Am Sober-Sheri.
I’ve discovered that honesty is my most potent asset.
I no longer take my health for granted. I move forward with purpose.
Nowadays, I…
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I refuse to numb my feelings. I don’t deceive myself or others. I don’t conceal my truth.
With pride, I can now call myself Sober-Sheri. I’m no longer ashamed of my past drinking; instead, I’m truly living authentically.
If I could speak to my former self, I would share this advice:
“Alcohol is not your ally.
Every negative experience in your life is linked to it.
Please, never drink again.
Alcohol is toxic.”
Since I can’t turn back time, I’ll say this now for those who need to hear it:
You are not alone. You are not damaged. You can move forward, too.
Share Your Experience
Have you overcome feelings of fraudulence due to drinking through our books, the app, the podcasts, or any other program from This Naked Mind? We invite you to share your experience here and motivate others on their path!
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