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For Dusty, life in the military was filled with stress, loneliness, and daunting responsibilities. With her husband often away on deployment and the challenges of raising children, caregiving, and holding a full-time job, turning to alcohol seemed like the only way to cope. What began as a weekend indulgence escalated into drinking to handle deployment—an approach that left her feeling ashamed and drained. However, Dusty’s journey didn’t end there. By discovering This Naked Mind and joining The Path, she learned about the power of brain science, embraced a holistic approach, and found a supportive community that accepted her without judgment.
Early Exposure to Alcohol
I was raised in an environment where alcohol was present. My mother’s struggle with it deepened as she aged. I had my first taste as a child when I snuck some of her Bacardi Strawberry Daiquiri off the table. Back then, it just seemed appealing to me.
During high school, I was focused on soccer and my college aspirations but felt socially out of place. While I stayed away from drugs due to fear of tests, alcohol appeared to be a safer option. It boosted my confidence, helped me socialize, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged with my peers.
When Alcohol Became a Coping Tool
Around 13 years ago, I began to notice that my alcohol consumption was becoming problematic. My husband was assigned to the 5th Ranger Training Brigade in Dahlonega, GA. The community was tight-knit, and drinking was a part of the culture. I felt unhappy in my marriage, lost in my identity, and I used drinking on weekends as an escape.
This marked the start of my journey of drinking to cope with deployment. Alcohol provided a temporary relief from my frustration, stress, and loneliness. Instead of helping, it led to regrets, arguments, and a widening gap in my marriage. The aftermath always left me feeling worse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuDOgEkG_bU[/embed>
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%20100vw,%201024px//figure/divpThese%20unsuccessful%20attempts%20only%20amplified%20my%20shame%20and%20isolation.%20Even%20as%20a%20licensed%20professional%20counselor,%20I%20knew%20better%20but%20felt%20emotionally%20trapped%20in%20a%20cycle%20I%20couldn’t%20escape.%20The%20very%20thing%20I%20turned%20to%20for%20stress%20relief%20was%20only%20adding%20more%20stress%20to%20my%20life%20and%20relationships./ph2%20class=wp-block-headingFinding%20This%20Naked%20Mind%20and%20The%20Path/h2pOne%20day,%20I%20began%20exploring%20the%20internet%20and%20following%20individuals%20living%20alcohol-free%20on%20Instagram.%20That’s%20when%20I%20discovered%20emThis%20Naked%20Mind/em.%20I%20engaged%20with%20the%20book,%20tuned%20into%20the%20podcast,%20and%20participated%20in%20the%20Five-Day%20Challenge.%20I%20realized%20this%20was%20exactly%20what%20I%20needed./ppAs%20a%20licensed%20professional%20counselor,%20I%20was%20already%20familiar%20with%20cognitive-behavioral%20therapy%20and%20how%20the%20brain%20functions,%20which%20is%20why%20this%20program%20resonated%20so%20deeply%20with%20me.%20emThis%20Naked%20Mind/em%20merges%20brain%20science%20with%20a%20comprehensive%20approach%20that%20addresses%20the%20whole%20person.%20The%20most%20significant%20change%20for%20me%20was%20the%20community;%20for%20the%20first%20time,%20I%20found%20a%20group%20of%20individuals%20who%20understood%20me%20without%20judgment%20and%20offered%20encouragement./ppThis%20was%20my%20reason%20for%20joining%20strongThe%20Path/strong—to%20finally%20take%20charge%20of%20my%20relationship%20with%20alcohol.%20It%20transcended%20willpower;%20it%20became%20about%20understanding%20my%20brain,%20having%20the%20right%20tools,%20and%20surrounding%20myself%20with%20support./pcenterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_pZAA82yBY){kind=link}
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deployment, Isolation, and Escalation</h2>
<p>When we moved to Ft. Campbell, the situation escalated. My husband was deployed, I had a job, very young children, and I was looking after a relative. I would describe my anxiety as a 50 on a scale of 1 to 10.</p>
<p>On weekends, I would start drinking in the morning with another military spouse, using it as a coping mechanism. When COVID hit, it worsened. I found myself drinking more out of boredom and to alleviate my frustrations. I thought I was unwinding, but in reality, I was merely numbing my feelings and deepening the cycle.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Failed Attempts to Control Drinking</h2>
<p>I made several attempts to manage my drinking. There was a phase when I tried Dry January and attempted to restrict how much I consumed in one evening. When my husband showed disappointment, I began to hide my drinking. None of these strategies worked. I felt trapped and ashamed, unable to see a way forward.</p>
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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="536" src="https://thisnakedmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FBTwitterAds-QUOTE-5-Reasons-Why-You-Cant-Control-Your-Alcohol-Intake-1024×536.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32610" srcset="https://thisnakedmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FBTwitterAds-QUOTE-5-Reasons-Why-You-Cant-Control-Your-Alcohol-Intake-1024×536.png 1024w, https://thisnakedmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FBTwitterAds-QUOTE-5-Reasons-Why-You-Cant-Control-Your-Alcohol-Intake-300×157.png 300w, https://thisnakedmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FBTwitterAds-QUOTE-5-Reasons-Why-You-Cant-Control-Your-Alcohol-Intake-768×402.png 768w, https://thisnakedmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FBTwitterAds-QUOTE-5-Reasons-Why-You-Cant-Control-Your-Alcohol-Intake-100×52.png 100w, https://thisnakedmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FBTwitterAds-QUOTE-5-Reasons-Why-You-Cant-Control-Your-Alcohol-Intake.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/></figure></div>
<p>These unsuccessful attempts only amplified my shame and isolation. Even as a licensed professional counselor, I knew better but felt emotionally trapped in a cycle I couldn’t escape. The very thing I turned to for stress relief was only adding more stress to my life and relationships.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Finding This Naked Mind and The Path</h2>
<p>One day, I began exploring the internet and following individuals living alcohol-free on Instagram. That’s when I discovered <em>This Naked Mind</em>. I engaged with the book, tuned into the podcast, and participated in the Five-Day Challenge. I realized this was exactly what I needed.</p>
<p>As a licensed professional counselor, I was already familiar with cognitive-behavioral therapy and how the brain functions, which is why this program resonated so deeply with me. <em>This Naked Mind</em> merges brain science with a comprehensive approach that addresses the whole person. The most significant change for me was the community; for the first time, I found a group of individuals who understood me without judgment and offered encouragement.</p>
<p>This was my reason for joining <strong>The Path</strong>—to finally take charge of my relationship with alcohol. It transcended willpower; it became about understanding my brain, having the right tools, and surrounding myself with support.</p>
<center>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_pZAA82yBY
Ready to Transform Your Relationship with Alcohol?
If you’re feeling trapped in the same cycle—if you find yourself resorting to alcohol to cope with deployment—understand that you’re not alone. Your current approach is simply a way of coping, but there is an alternative.
I joined The Path to reclaim control over my relationship with alcohol, and it provided me with the community, tools, and kindness I required to initiate change in my life. It can do the same for you.
What My Life Looks Like Now
While I’m not entirely alcohol-free yet, I have experienced more alcohol-free days in the past seven months than I have in the last 15 years, which is something I never imagined I’d say. Instead of living enveloped in negative thoughts and insecurities, I now believe that change is achievable.
I feel a sense of hope for the first time in a long while. I know I’m progressing well, and I’m…
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Not alone.
Advice to My Younger Self
If I could travel back in time, I’d reassure myself that I was perfectly fine as I was. I got married early, took care of my husband’s family, raised children, juggled a job, shuffled homes, and managed everything while my husband was away. Naturally, I felt overwhelmed, and I turned to drinking as a way to cope.
But I’d also remind myself that alcohol didn’t fix anything; in fact, it made things tougher. I’d encourage myself to hold onto hope, seek therapy, and understand that everything would eventually come together.
Tell Us Your Story
Have you quit drinking to cope with deployment using our books, app, podcasts, or any program from This Naked Mind? We’d love for you to share your experience here to inspire others on their paths!
Copyright © 2025 This Naked Mind. This content is original and protected by international copyright laws. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution will lead to legal action.
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