The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan Katie Herzog On Drinking To Get Sober
Oct 3, 2025
Katie Herzog, a journalist and podcaster known for her work with Blocked and Reported, dives into her journey with alcohol in this engaging discussion. She shares the impact of her Irish-Catholic upbringing on her drinking habits and reflects on her experiences studying in England. Katie explores the difference between reward and relief drinkers, denial around addiction, and the challenges of AA’s abstinence model. She also discusses science-based methods like the Sinclair Method and the generational shift toward less drinking, making sober socializing a newfound joy.
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Raised With Alcohol As Normal
- Katie grew up in a home where wine and beer were part of family life but her parents were not alcoholics.
- Early exposure normalized drinking and made alcohol feel like a routine part of celebration and dinner.
First Drinks And College Freedom
- Katie's first drinks began in early adolescence, often stolen from parents' liquor cabinets and shared in fields.
- College freedom intensified her drinking into a central part of pleasure and social life.
Two Types Of Drinkers
- Herzog explains two broad drinker profiles: reward drinkers who get energized and relief drinkers who get sedated.
- She identifies as a reward drinker who chased a euphoric high, explaining different addiction pathways.
