This Naked Mind Podcast How Family Trauma and Pandemic Stress Led to Drinking Wine Every Night | Ronna's Naked Life | E810
Why do I need wine every night now when I used to be able to control my drinking?
Ronna faced this exact question during the pandemic when her occasional wine with dinner transformed into a nightly necessity for coping with grief and stress. As a musician and pastor's wife, she grew up in a family where alcohol was normalized, but a series of devastating losses—including her sister-in-law's suicide and her mother's death just ten days apart—pushed her daily drinking from social habit to survival tool. After discovering This Naked Mind and learning the science behind alcohol addiction, Ronna realized she wasn't weak or destined to repeat family patterns—she was simply human, responding to an addictive substance during unimaginable pain. In this episode, Ronna joins Coach Cole to share her 448-day journey from shame and hiding to freedom and self-compassion.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and family loss.
Coach Cole and Ronna discuss:
Growing up in a family where alcohol was normalized and expected
Starting drinking as a teenager and touring musician lifestyle
The slow progression from wine with dinner to daily necessity
How pandemic stress amplified existing drinking patterns
Dealing with devastating family losses including suicide and death
Using alcohol as a tool to cope with grief and stop overthinking
The shame of hiding drinking while in a visible church position
Discovering This Naked Mind and learning addiction science
Realizing "why do I need wine every night now" had scientific answers
Finding freedom in "I drink as much as I want, I just don't want to"
Choosing self-compassion over shame about past drinking
And other topics…
Related Episodes:
EP 160: Reader Question – Is Addiction Genetic? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-160-is-addiction-genetic/
EP 203: Naked Life Story – Brittany - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-203-naked-story-brittany/
EP 671: Naked Life Story – Michelle S. - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-671-naked-life-story-michelle-s/
Ready to take the next step on your journey?
Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!
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