Ep. 226: Life After Alcohol

Are you thinking about taking a break from alcohol this Sober October? Whether you're curious about the health benefits, or just ready to reset your habits, this episode is for you. I’m here to help you explore how a month without alcohol can change your life, and why now is the perfect time to give it a try. Sober October is part of a growing movement, with millions of people worldwide taking on alcohol-free challenges like Dry January and Sober October. But what does it actually mean to join in, and how can it help you create lasting change? In this episode, I sit down with Kate Baily to dive deep into how to thrive (not just survive) during Sober October. We explore everything from how alcohol impacts your health and mindset, to practical tips for staying alcohol-free all month long. 4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

Your first year of sobriety can be uncomfortable, tender, transformational, scary and exciting. As you move from Day 1 to 365 sober, you’ll have navigated a range of emotions, challenges, triumphs and changes in your life, simply because you decided to no longer drink alcohol. In your first year of sobriety you’ll struggle with cravings, worry about how others will perceive you, wonder if you’ll feel bored or be boring, invest in self-care, make new friends, re-negotiate boundaries and relationships, feel healthier and more energized, discover new things you love, sleep like a baby, navigate challenges like business trips, vacations, couples dinners, stress, overwhelm, loss, fears and limiting beliefs.  You’ll also experience more joy, peace, pride, confidence, clarity, ease and happiness than you ever did when you were drinking. Your first sober year is a wild ride, and when you hit that one year milestone you might not even recognize the person you were and the emotions you felt when you were just trying to get one week alcohol-free under your belt. That was true for Emily, a high-achieving working woman who decided to take a break from drinking one year ago and has never looked back. Despite being mostly a weekend drinker without outward consequences or anyone telling her she had a problem with alcohol, Emily knew it was dragging her down, keeping her stuck and preventing her from living her best life. 4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

Do you fear it’ll be boring? That you’ll miss out on fun or connection? Maybe you’re worried that you’ll feel isolated or like you’re giving something up. Those fears are super common, but let me show you how sober life can actually be full of joy, freedom, and personal growth—especially for high-achieving, busy women. Living a sober life is often painted as something dull or difficult, but the reality is so much more exciting and fulfilling than most of us imagine. When you remove alcohol from the equation, you start to experience life in a way that’s more vibrant and meaningful. Whether it’s waking up clear-headed, fully present with your kids, or finally having the energy to pursue those dreams you’ve put on hold, sobriety opens doors you didn’t even know existed. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into this episode to learn how sober life could be the best decision you ever make—for yourself and the people you love. 4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

Did you know that seventy-five percent of people with substance use disorder who have sustained support recover? It’s true. And the statistic is important because alcohol is an addictive substance and substance use is the rule, not the exception, in America.  If you’re struggling with moderating your drinking, worrying about how much you drink or are struggling with achieving sobriety, you are not alone. And it’s important to know that recovery is not only possible, but likely. Individuals who engage in long-term, consistent care have a 75% chance of achieving sustained recovery from addiction.  I asked Dr. Nzinga Harrison, a double-board certified physician in addiction medicine and psychiatry and the author of the book, Un-Addiction: 6 Mind-Changing Conversations That Could Save a Life, to share why addiction is often misunderstood as a moral failing rather than a medical condition. Through our conversation you’ll have a new understanding of what addiction is, why addiction happens and how we can recover from addiction to alcohol or other substances.  4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

Have you ever felt like something was missing from your childhood, even if everything seemed fine on the surface? You’re not alone. Many of us carry wounds from our early years, often rooted in what’s called "mother hunger"—the deep, often unfulfilled need for nurturing, protection, and guidance from our mothers. When those needs aren’t met, it can leave us feeling incomplete, even as adults.  I asked Cybele Botran, a Professional Certified Coach, and a Mother Hunger® Trained Facilitator to walk us through the need for protection, nurturance and guidance we all have in childhood and the primary attachment wound that is created when those needs aren't met.  She also shares how to take care of our own emotional needs, as adults, in the way a loving parent would, without placing blame on primary caregivers and practical ways to do reparenting and inner child work in the healing process.  4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

What do you want to know about sober travel? I just got back from Provence, where I spent two weeks with 3 sober girlfriends and we’re here to share everything you need to know to plan and enjoy an awesome sober vacation. Provence is a beautiful area of France known for its small hilltop villages, river valleys, markets, food, lavender and wine. All the wine. They’ve made wine for 2,600 years and have over 600 producers in the region.   But don’t let that scare you off! Even in an area famous for alcohol, you can travel alcohol-free and enjoy your trip so much more than you would if you were drinking.  On this sober vacation I traveled with 3 girlfriends I met in sobriety. My friend Ingrid and I are both 8 years alcohol-free, Margaret is 7 years alcohol-free and Megan is 5 years sober.  The 4 of us all met in sobriety, through various groups and podcasts and retreats and friends and decided to explore a region typically known for wine, alcohol-free and had the most fantastic time together.  4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

How do you get and stay sober when you have a partner or family member who drinks problematically?  While quitting drinking can be difficult for everyone, it can be especially difficult if you don’t have the support of your spouse, partner or the closest people in your life.  And if someone in your family has a drinking problem that they’re not willing to address or admit to, it can make your home, emotional and social environment a minefield of triggers to navigate. I asked Erinn O’Neill, a health and wellness coach and co-host of the 2 Sober Girls Podcast, to share her experience with Al-Anon and how it can support women if they’re dealing with a partner, family member or friend who is struggling with alcohol.  Erinn stopped drinking 5 years ago by going to a 30-Day inpatient rehab program and attending 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. She also attends Al-Anon.  In our conversation Erinn also shares her own experience with going to a 30-Day rehab program and what you might want to consider when evaluating and selecting a rehab if that’s right for you.  4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

What is life like after you stop drinking?  How do you stay motivated and committed to sobriety after the novelty wears off?  Where do you find fun and purpose as you build up your new identity as someone who no longer drinks?  And how do you explore new interests in life after alcohol?  If you’re wondering what alcohol-free life looks like after you get through the first few months and the first year, I’ve got you covered.  I asked Nicole Pietrandrea Hough, the founder of AFTER Alcohol-Free magazine, to join me and talk about life after alcohol and how to build a fun, fulfilling life in sobriety. 4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

Why do you crave alcohol and why is it so easy to go from drinking casually to habitually?  Why is it hard to moderate your drinking? How does alcohol affect your sleep and why do you wake up at 3am after drinking? Why does alcohol make you feel relaxed and then more anxious the next morning? How does alcohol affect your brain, body, mood and stress hormones?   Is it true that alcohol can be good for you in small doses? What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal? If you have questions about alcohol, William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained and Alcohol Explained 2: Tools for a Stronger Sobriety has the answers.  As William writes, "Alcohol is a deceptive drug. It creates the illusion of pleasure and relaxation while causing the very anxiety and discomfort it purports to relieve."  In today's episode, William Porter breaks down these questions and more. He provides a clear, scientific explanation of what happens to your body and mind when you consume alcohol. 4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

In a boozy world it can be pretty daunting to socialize sober when you stop drinking.  When you go to a restaurant the first thing they hand you is the drinks menu with all the wine, beer and cocktails offered.  When you walk into a party someone will immediately ask you what you want to drink and tell you where you can grab an alcoholic beverage.  And it seems like every sports event, dinner, holiday, concert, picnic and kids’ birthday party is a drinking event these days.  So I asked Susie Streelman to join me to talk about how to socialize sober.  We want to give you actionable, practical strategies that you can use today to handle events like a sober pro.  4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson To find out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com