Living With the Regret of My Drinking as a Mom

If you have a question you would like answered on the podcast, send me an email! Episode 290 If you are a gal in midlife who is questioning her drinking and having a hard time getting sober, I’m with you. In this episode, I answer a client's question: What was the hardest part of getting sober for you? After she asked me this question, I didn’t hesitate. The hardest part for me was deciding to stop drinking. I spent two years feeling stuck in decision fatigue and putting in lots of effort to make alcohol work. On August 11, 2013, I decided to go all in on what I wanted more than drinking alcohol. In this episode, you will hear: How and why I decided to stop drinking My take on what it means to “get sober” Why it’s difficult to decide to quit drinking (spoiler alert: it’s not you, it’s alcohol) The fears that I faced in going alcohol-free, which are shared among many women in midlife What it takes to go “all-in” on freeing yourself from alcohol My message to you… If you are having difficulty deciding right now, take a walk with yourself and map out a plan. Maybe now isn’t the time to take this on, and that’s okay - you can’t force yourself to get sober - you will figure it out, and you're on your way. I If you’re ready to go all in, you can do it. I believe in you. Be kind and patient with yourself and take it day to day. Thank you for listening!   Mentioned in this episode:  The Daily Sobriety Toolkit  Join Team Alcohol-Free   

Episode 289  Hey there, friend!  This episode comes straight from my heart and is for the moms and grandmas of the world who feel regretful about their drinking.  I share what becoming a mom was like, how I started drinking the day I came home from the hospital, and why I quit drinking for myself, not my son, but stay sober for him today.  I also talk about how I'm living with the regret of my drinking as a mom.  In honor of Mother's Day and where I am today on my motherhood road, I wanted to talk about this topic to let you know you are not alone.  My favorite thing I said in this episode (yes, I'm quoting myself) is: I have never regretted the decision to stop drinking. Thank you for being here.  I appreciate you!    How I can help you:  Download The Daily Sobriety Toolkit.  Schedule a Discovery Session to enroll in private coaching.  Get coaching and make new friends inside Team Alcohol-Free.    

Bonus episode  Hello friend! I'm popping in today to share with you a new free resource I created, The Daily Sobriety Toolkit.  I'm so excited to share this toolkit with you!  The Daily Sobriety Toolkit is your trusted companion to help you plan your day and stay connected to the reason why you are choosing yourself over alcohol today. Not forever. You can grab your toolkit here.  Thank you for listening!  I will be on a break until May 8, 2024. See you back here then.    Do you need extra support in going and staying alcohol-free?  Learn more about my community, Team Alcohol-Free.    To learn more about myself and my coaching, visit my website here.   

Episode 288  I first came across Dr. Dawn’s Instagram account and was immediately drawn to her passion for helping others and the way she teaches and shares her wisdom - which is why I reached out to invite her back to the podcast to help us understand more about what hormones are the hormones that are the key players during menopause and how alcohol affects our hormones during this time. Dr. Dawn is a Naturopathic physician with extensive experience in the treatment of substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, and is doing work in ketamine therapy, which she talks about in this episode.  This episode is for you if you are a gal in perimenopause and beyond. It’s also for you if you’re not sure. About Dr. Dawn: Dr. Dawn is a licensed naturopathic physician in Arizona. She has specialized in addiction recovery for almost two decades, first as the medical director of an eating disorder treatment center and then as the medical director of a residential program specializing in addictions and trauma.  She is passionate about transformation and believes integrative medicine is an important component of addiction recovery.   What you’ll hear in this episode: The different stages of transition into menopause  What hormones play a key role during perimenopause and beyond The hormones effected by alcohol during menopause  How to approach your doctor and share about your drinking to get help  The best course of action to take when it comes to your drinking  Dr. Dawn’s services, including her latest research into Ketamine therapy   Find Dr. Dawn here: Dr. Dawn's Website Instagram Facebook TikTok   Mentioned in this episode:  Dr. Dawn on To 50 and Beyond #165   Join Team Alcohol-Free 

Episode 286  I invited Sarah Rusbatch to the podcast to talk about Alcohol Use Disorder and share how alcohol impacts women as we get older. Sarah is a Gray Area Drinking and Menopause coach, as well as the author of the book Beyond Booze: How to Create a Life You Love Alcohol-free. Sarah and I discuss the importance of addressing alcohol use disorder for women in midlife, exploring coping mechanisms, societal pressures, challenges, and the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle. We also talk about the effects of alcohol during perimenopause and how to emphasize self-care, empowerment, and building resilience for those contemplating reducing alcohol intake. You can read this episode's show notes here.    Are you ready to get support in going and staying alcohol-free? Join Team Alcohol-Free today!  Team Alcohol-Free is a safe and private community forum for women 35 and over who are curious about sobriety or already living alcohol-free. To learn more, click here.       

Episode 286  What does it mean to drink moderately?  Hello! I'm glad you're here.  This episode will help you understand what it really means to drink moderately. I will share the latest research, and then we will look at what it looks and feels like to be the moderator of your drinking. I’m going to share my experience with trying to be a moderate drinker and why I couldn’t.  I talk about the "moderation game" I played with myself and why just a little alcohol wasn't enough.  This episode is for you if you’re working at drinking moderately and disappointing yourself because you can’t moderate your drinking and feel bad about yourself that you can’t. This episode is not meant to make you feel bad about your drinking.  You are not alone if you are having a hard time drinking less. I'm with you.  Read this episode's full show notes here.  Mentioned in this episode:  Florence And The Machine: Moderation    Do you want help in creating a plan to stay alcohol-free in April?  I will help you create a simple and flexible plan in April and every month after inside my community Team Alcohol-Free.  You are not lacking willpower, but chances are you may be missing out on a plan, and a supportive community to help you see it through.  Join Team Alcohol-Free today!           

Episode 285  Hello, friend! I'm glad you're here! If you have ever found yourself saying, "I deserve a drink," or feel deprived when you stop drinking because you think of alcohol as a reward, you are not alone.  You will appreciate today's episode with two of my favorite people: the twins are back!  Leigh and Anne Walkup are the Founders of Retro Rodeo Publishing, LLC and Front Porch Life Magazine.  They drank together and got sober together. They know a thing or two about using alcohol to treat themselves.  In this episode, you will hear the signs of viewing alcohol as a reward and how to change your perspective to find new rewards without drinking.  You can read the episode's full show notes here.  Thank you for listening!    Find Leigh and Anne here.    Ready to get support to help you go and stay alcohol-free?  Learn more about joining a community of women who understand where you are and have your back! Join Team Alcohol-Free 2024       

Episode 284  Hello, friend!  A short and sweet episode for you today where I reflect on what I needed to hear before I stopped drinking.  One of the things I needed to hear before I quit drinking, wasn't easy to hear, but it was the catalyst for me to get to sobriety two years later.  This episode goes out to those brave souls who are standing at the crossroads of sobriety. It is a nudge, not a push, to listen to more of what you're saying to yourself because chances are that is what you need, and deserve to hear today.  Mentioned in this episode:  Join my email community to receive my new freebie coming next week: The Daily Sobriety Toolkit, and to learn more about Team Alcohol-Free 2024 enrollment coming March 20th!  Join here.               

https://www.lorimassicot.com/Episode 283  This is an episode about the change of addiction and 12-step programs throughout the years and where we are today, with a woman who proudly shares how AA helped change her life: Angela Pugh. Angela Pugh is a Master Life Coach, speaker, and the host of the highly popular podcast, Addiction Unlimited. In this episode, you’ll hear: How alcohol affected her life, and what her drinking looked like before she quit drinking. Angela’s decision to seek support through AA after she caused a serious car accident. How AA meetings work today and how to make the program work for you. Angela discusses the terminology of drinking labels today and why labeling yourself is the least important part of quitting drinking. The meaning of “high-functioning” and Angela’s internal struggle as a high-functioning alcoholic. How the coping skills she built in recovery helped her through perimenopause. To read this episode's full show notes, click here.  To find Angela:  Angela's website  The Addiction Unlimited Podcast    Thank you for listening today!  Visit lorimassicot.com to learn more about myself and my coaching services.  Send me an email to say hello and tell me what you thought of today's episode.    Join Team Alcohol-Free   

Episode 282  Hey there!  I'm happy you're here.  Today, we are exploring the concept of giving yourself permission to do and not do what you want. If it sounds silly, let it be!  This episode is inspired by a group coaching meeting that I recently hosted inside my community, Team Alcohol-Free.  In this episode, I talk about the insights women face when giving themselves a "permission slip," why giving yourself permission matters, and 25 ideas to help get you started.  You can find the show notes for this episode here.  Download the 25 Permission Slip Ideas PDF here.  Here is a challenge for you today.  After you tune in, send me an email to share one thing you are giving yourself permission to do or not do today.    Team Alcohol-Free 2024 Opens for Enrollment March 20th  Are you ready to join a caring and supportive TEAM of women who are exploring and living an alcohol-free lifestyle later in life?  Join the Team Alcohol-Free interest list to gain access to all enrollment updates.    In case you missed last week's episode, Getting Older and Staying Sober, check it out here.