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Have you ever thought about what it really means to liberate yourself from something that’s shaped your life for years? For Anne, a mother of two, this question became personal when she recognized that alcohol had dominated her existence. “I am taking back my life from alcohol,” she asserts with determination, “and this journey isn’t just for me—it’s about breaking harmful patterns and building a healthier future for my family.” Her experience shows that even if alcohol has deeply entrenched itself in your daily habits, change is achievable with the right guidance and resources.
Growing Up in a Drinking Culture
In my family, drinking was simply a norm. My parents enjoyed cocktails daily at 5 PM, followed by wine at dinner. It never registered as a problem; it was just the way life worked. We were identified as “drinkers,” and that identity felt as automatic as breathing.
I never contemplated not drinking, unless someone was what I labeled a “serious alcoholic.” The possibility of a life without alcohol was foreign and seemed unnecessary. I recall my cousin mentioning his college roommate’s family that didn’t drink at all. It was the first time I recognized that some families lived without alcohol, and honestly, it appeared unsettling to me at that moment.
This early exposure fundamentally shaped my relationship with alcohol. It wasn’t just a drink; it was a lifestyle, part of family traditions, and an assumed aspect of adulthood that I didn’t question until much later.
The College Years and Beyond
Although I abstained in high school, college unleashed a drinking spree. I dove into party culture wholeheartedly, quickly becoming a binge drinker on weekends. This pattern continued into my early twenties until something changed. I realized I was an adult and could drink every night if I wished. What I perceived as freedom ended up marking the start of a long, challenging journey.
The change happened subtly yet persistently. Weekend binge drinking evolved into nightly routines. Over the years, my alcohol intake increased gradually until it entirely dominated my life. Reflecting on it, I can see how every slight increase in my drinking felt justified and normal at that time.
When Life Got Complicated
In my twenties, I made numerous poor decisions after drinking too much, but I was fortunate enough to meet my husband at 30. He drank as well, which led us to have enjoyable early years of marriage. We welcomed two healthy sons, and life felt manageable for a while.
However, once my kids were toddlers, I no longer had those “nine-month breaks” that pregnancy offered, and my drinking escalated. During this time, my parents fell ill, and I clung to drinking as the “only way” to unwind and cope with my stress.
The dual challenges of raising young children and taking care of aging parents created a perfect storm. Each evening, I turned to alcohol as a way to relax, numb my worries, and seek what I thought was peace. Instead of resolving my issues, alcohol only birthed new ones.
The Rules That Never Worked
Oh, how I loved crafting rules for myself—only to break them nightly. My list was exhaustive and inventive: I’d exclusively drink beer; I’d stick to red wine; I’d limit it to weekends; I’d restrict myself to Thursdays through Sundays; I’d ensure I drank fewer nights than not; I’d stick to Dry January.
Each time I broke a rule, I felt shame and self-doubt. I would wake up disappointed, vowing that tonight would be different, that I would adhere to my latest restrictions. But as evening rolled around and stress mounted, I found myself reaching for that familiar escape once again.
These rules were signs of my growing acknowledgment that something was amiss. Deep down, I knew that individuals without issues surrounding alcohol didn’t construct elaborate strategies to manage their drinking. However, I wasn’t ready to confront that reality just yet.
Ready to regain control of your life? The Path from This Naked Mind is our scientifically backed and compassion-focused program designed to help you make alcohol less significant in your life! With at least 15 daily support calls available for coaching and community, you will never feel alone on this journey again!
Discovering This Naked Mind
A friend introduced me to the book This Naked Mind when her family was grappling with alcohol issues. This happened around 2021 or 2022. I began to follow Annie Grace on social media and skimmed through her book, but I couldn’t dive deeply into it because it resonated too closely with my own experience. Gradually, I started what I now recognize as becoming “sober curious.”
The ideas in This Naked Mind were groundbreaking for me. The notion that alcohol wasn’t genuinely aiding in my relaxation but instead was fostering the very anxiety and stress I wished to escape was astonishing. Yet, I wasn’t ready to completely accept this new understanding. Sometimes we need…
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