Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+

Ep. 538 Is Alcohol Your Hidden Identity? – The Most Eye-Opening Way to Reframe Your Drinking Habits with James Swanwick | Menopause & Alcohol

Jan 7, 2026

In this enlightening discussion, James Swanwick, a former ESPN anchor and stop-drinking expert, dives deep into the effects of alcohol on our lives. He shares how family dynamics shape our drinking habits and explains the cumulative health risks of alcohol as we age. James challenges the myth of safe drinking, linking it to serious health consequences, and highlights a cultural shift in how younger generations view alcohol. He offers practical tips for those considering sobriety, emphasizing the importance of accountability and gratitude in rethinking our relationship with drinking.

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INSIGHT

Early Normalization Shapes Drinking

Children mirror parental drinking behaviors and learn drinking as a rite of passage long before they try alcohol.
James Swanwick warns that moderate parental drinking normalizes alcohol and seeds future heavy use.

ANECDOTE

Personal History Shapes Choices

Cynthia Thurlow shares that her father's alcoholism made her avoid frequent drinking and drew ridicule in college.
Her empathy and personal history informed her nonjudgmental approach with patients about alcohol.

INSIGHT

Consequences Accumulate With Age

Harmful effects of drinking accumulate subtly and often become evident in mid-30s to 40s.
James Swanwick calls drinking "death by a thousand cuts" that compromises life satisfaction over time.

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I am honored to be joined today by James Swanwick, a renowned stop-drinking expert and author of Clear: The Only Neuroscience-Based Approach for High Achievers to Quit Drinking Without AA, Rehab, or Willpower. He is a former SportsCenter anchor on ESPN and the creator and founder of the Stop Drinking Process.

In today’s personal and thought-provoking conversation, James and I talk about alcohol use disorder, exploring how family dynamics and early environments shape our drinking habits, how alcohol use becomes normalized, the perceived benefits of drinking, and the very real health risks and consequences. James explains why alcohol is considered one of the most harmful drugs, how younger generations are approaching alcohol differently, the role of peer pressure in an alcohol-free lifestyle, and the importance of gratitude.

Join us for an insightful and informative discussion on why we drink, how to reframe our relationship with alcohol, and for those who are sober-curious, a stepwise approach to making that shift.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

How family dynamics and early environments shape our relationship with alcohol
How alcohol becomes normalized long before we ever take our first drink
The real cost of using alcohol as a social lubricant
How the health consequences of alcohol show up as we age
Where alcohol ranks among the most harmful drugs
Why appropriate accountability and community matter more than willpower
The importance of structured support when quitting alcohol
How gratitude, reframing, and daily practices can reduce cravings and support lasting change

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