Now back to How to Quit Drinking With Identity Based Habits, Because Willpower Doesn’t Work. There are easy ways and hard ways to break the habit of drinking.  And if you’ve tried a bunch of times to get sober momentum and given up after 2 weeks or 2 months, I’m betting that you’ve tried ALL the hard ways to stop drinking and it’s brought you back to the same place. In this episode I’m going to share with you the research and framework behind how to break your habit of drinking once and for all, without relying on willpower, white-knuckling it or hating the process. What I’ve found in the coaching work I do with women is that approaching not drinking based on the research into what works in terms of long term behavior change is the most powerful, logical and sustainable way to become a happy and healthy non-drinker.  And the best book I’ve found on how to change your habits and behavior is Atomic Habits by James Clear. Here’s what doesn’t work when you’re trying to stop drinking: Shaming or blaming yourself for drinking again when the physical, social and emotional environment you live in has set you up for failure Relying on hitting a low enough ‘bottom’ so that you’ll finally have the motivation to not drink and the willpower to resist alcohol Keeping your wine (or your alcohol of choice) in your home (so that you don’t have to ask your partner to change their behavior) Relying on your partner, family and drinking friends as your main source of support for changing your relationship with alcohol  If you’ve tried to stop drinking before and don’t seem to get very far there are a lot of reasons why what you’ve been doing up until now hasn’t been working.  Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s episode about the ways to change your behavior and stop drinking in a way that’s easier and set up in a way for long term success.  How to prime your physical environment and social support to overcome the moments when willpower isn’t enough and motivation fades Why true behavior change is based on identity change - who you believe you are. Because when you change your identity from a “red wine or chardonnay girl” to a “healthy, happy, confident and inspiring woman who doesn't drink anymore because she feels better and does more without it” - then, when you don’t drink, you are simply acting IN ALIGNMENT with who you are How to get rid of the limiting beliefs and fears you have about what your life will look like without drinking Why it's important to focus on your trajectory (the path that you are on and where it is leading you) rather than your end goal   How altering the media and messages you surround yourself with (including the messages you tell yourself) can be the difference between success and failure  Links and resources mentioned Grab a copy of Atomic Habits by James Clear Podcast episodes on how to prime your mindset, physical and social environment for success in quitting drinkingEpisode 2 - 5 Mistakes Women Make When Quitting DrinkingEpisode 3 - 7 Strategies To Get You Through Your First Week Without AlcoholEpisode 10 - 10 Things You Need In Your Sober ToolkitEpisode 23 - Feeling Bored In Sobriety? Things To Know + What To Do Connect with Casey McGuire DavidsonGrab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting DrinkingGet support during the holiday season from women who are on the alcohol-free path with the guide on How to find and join my Favorite Private Sober Facebook groupsWebsite: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)

There is no cookie cutter way to quit drinking. Often it takes many tries to find out what level of support you need to navigate life without drinking as a way to cope with life and what framework of recovery works for you.  My guest today is Erica C. Barnett, the Seattle author of the book Quitter: A Memoir of Drinking, Relapse and Recovery. Erica’s experience with drinking and quitting drinking illustrates that it often takes a lot of trying to know what works for you. And that being able to move from relying on drinking pretty heavily as your main coping mechanism to not drinking and being able to sustain that often takes a number of tries. I loved my conversation with Erica and we covered a lot of ground. We talked about the good and the bad in drinking, quitting drinking and life in recovery. Plus Erica shared a ton about the ins and outs of the world of outpatient + inpatient treatment and detox facilities, which I knew very little about before our conversation.  In this episode, Erica and I chat about How awesome it is that we’re now able (with a few years distance from quitting drinking) to laugh at ‘all of it’ (our drinking, the situations we got into, the things we screwed up, the times we tried to stop drinking and failed, our paths to sobriety and everything in between) The rapid increase in women binge drinking and drinking daily during the 2020 quarantine and COVID pandemic and the relentless messaging in our society encouraging (and pressuring) women to drink everyday How fucked up it is that our society first encourages and trivializes women’s reliance on wine as “cute” or “funny” and then blames women for becoming addicted to an addictive substance Why despite the fact that alcohol use disorders are more common than opioid addiction and kill more people, alcohol is positioned as an almost entirely fun and harmless substance Why relapse is more often than not a part of recovery yet relapse is treated as a personal failure rather than a near-inevitability The differences between the many paths to recovery including cognitive behavioral therapy, 12 step programs, online alcohol-free groups, inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, medically supervised detox services, sober coaching and everything in between The judgement surrounding addiction and how it can be harmful to recovering addicts. The treatment industry and how it relies on repeat customers to keep it profitable and thriving - as well as Erica’s personal experiences (what worked and what didn’t) at various treatment centers  About Erica C. BarnettErica is a longtime political journalist and the author of a great book, Quitter: A Memoir of Drinking, Relapse and Recovery. She founded and edits the website PublicCola.com, which covers local news and politics in Seattle.  Links and resources mentionedGrab a copy of Quitter: A Memoir of Drinking, Relapse, and RecoveryCheck out Erica’s blog, Thecisforcrank.comCheck out http://PubliCola.com and I Was a “Fun” Drunk. Until I Wasn’t. Connect with Erica C. Barnett Follow Erica on Twitter @ericacbarnettConnect with Erica on Instagram @ericabarnett Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking Get support during the holiday season from women who are on the alcohol-free path with the guide on How to find and join my Favorite Private Sober Facebook groups Website: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)

Developing a running practice can jumpstart your recovery. Running is a layer of support that helps you set goals, boost confidence, and fill your time with a healthy alternative when all you want to do is pour yourself a drink.  My guest today is Margaret Ward. Margaret is a mother of 4, a multiple marathon finisher, a retired chardonnay drinker, a life and sobriety coach and a former lawyer.  She’s been featured in Trail Runner Magazine and her main passions, beside her kids, is finding adventure through traveling and running around the world.  Margaret’s Recovery Run Adventures offers alcohol-free adventures to destination races in Iceland, Norway and Italy and more.  In this episode we discuss, The struggles of motherhood that can drive women to drink as a way to cope with stress and anxiety The mental and physical benefits of running that will help you heal How developing a small, consistent running practice can ease early sobriety How running can help you build up small wins and boost your confidence  The way in which running helps you become more in tune with your body Fun and exciting running adventures around the world in Iceland, Norway and Italy  10 Ways Running Can Jumpstart Your Recovery  Running requires little financial commitment and you can jump in at any time. Just grab your running shoes and head out the door.   Helps control your cravings, especially in early sobriety. When you run, your brain releases endorphins. Endorphins is a chemical released by your brain that triggers positive emotions. This is also known as the runners high. Running decreases stress and anxiety. In early sobriety, your stress and anxiety levels can increase. Running increases your heart rate which in turn changes your brain chemistry. Your brain releases an anti-anxiety neurotransmitter such as GABA. Moving your body allows you to practice mindfulness. When you run, you connect with your breathing and get into a state of flow. Running is a form of moving meditation.  Allows you to set goals and see immediate results. Setting running goals builds confidence and it gives you something to celebrate once that goal is accomplished. Start small and commit. Provides structure to your day which is an important tool to have during early sobriety.  Counteracts Boredom. Running is a natural way to release energy. Releasing build up energy helps regulate your nervous system, control anger, and will physically tire you out which will help you sleep at night. When you start running, you open yourself up to a whole new world. A community of women who will cheer you on and hold you accountable. Joining a local running group helps you establish connections with other women. Running provides you a great reason to stop drinking. You’re getting your body healthy. You are giving yourself a great tool to jumpstart your sobriety. Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/32 Links and resources mentioned Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey Born to Run by Christopher McDougall Connect with Margaret Ward Find out more about Margaret’s life and sobriety coaching and her travel + running trips at https://recoveryrunadventures.com/coaching/ You can also get Margaret’s free guide, 5 Steps to Jumpstart Your Running and Recovery, at https://recoveryrunadventures.com/coaching.  Read Margaret Ward’s feature in Trail Runner Magazine. Follow Margaret on Facebook at Recovery Run Adventures Connect with Margaret on Instagram @recoveryrunadventures  Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking Get support during the holiday season from women who are on the alcohol-free path with the guide on How to find and join my Favorite Private Sober Facebook groups Website: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)

The holidays are both a wonderful time of year as well as a time that can trip up women who have stopped drinking, from those in early sobriety to those that might have quit months (or years) earlier.  A lot of us might get to November and December and think, I've been doing this not drinking thing for a while now. I've got this.  But the holidays are a unique combination of back-to-back drinking events + occasions, family dynamics, memories of previous years drinking, physically being surrounded by alcohol with powerful emotional and social triggers.   The holiday season can undermine your recovery if you're not prepared to navigate it in a way that supports your sobriety. In this episode, Jean and I share all the tips and tricks to having a wonderful holiday season without drinking.  We talk about: How to socialize sober + reduce stress and anxiety around attending holiday gatherings Specific strategies for navigating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas + New Year’s Eve Practical advice on attending + hosting holiday parties, traveling + staying with family or having family members stay with you What you can share with family + friends so they can make not drinking easier for you during the holidays Why annual traditions and the specific expectations around what events happen during the holiday season, who hosts, what is served, how long people are together, who travels + for how long, can lead to resentments + challenges for your sobriety  Why it’s important to identify your expectations around the holidays + evaluate how they might impact you physically, mentally and emotionally How to say no, modify traditions + set boundaries without feeling like you’re high maintenance The fun stuff: why to set up a seasonal or holiday ‘bucket list’ with ideas of how to make the most of this special time that’s not centered around alcohol Ideas for new traditions that can make the season more joyful, memorable + fulfilling  About Jean McCarthyJean McCarthy is the host of the Bubble Hour Podcast, an award winning blogger + recovery advocate. Jean is an author of two books. Her book, The Unpickled Holiday Survival Guide - staying alcohol free during the festive season is a wonderful resource about sobriety for people in recovery and for their families. Her collection of poetry, The Ember Ever There - Poems on change, grief, growth, recovery and rediscovery was published in early 2020.I interviewed Jean for this podcast in episode nine about her poetry and her story. Jean started her blog, Unpickled in 2011, and has continued to chronicle her alcohol free lifestyle. Since her first day of sobriety, thousands of readers have credited Unpickled as a motivating factor in their decision to quit drinking.SHOWNOTES: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com Links and resources mentioned Connect with Jean MccarthyLink to buy Jean’s Holiday Survival Guide and The Ember Ever There books: www.jeanmccarthy.ca/booksInstagram @jeanmccarthy_writesFacebook pages for Unpickled (www.facebook.com/unpickled) and The Bubble Hour (www.facebook.com/thebubblehour) Also websites: https://jeanmccarthy.ca/, https://unpickledblog.com/, https://jeanmccarthy.ca/the-bubble-hour/, https://www.amazon.com/dp/1999299906Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking Get support during the holiday season from women who are on the alcohol-free path with the guide on How to find and join my Favorite Private Sober Facebook groups Website: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)

The Enneagram is a tool of self discovery. It can help you understand yourself and why you respond and act the way you do.  Today my guest is Jim Zartman. Jim is a certified Enneagram coach who walks us through the Enneagram types as well as transformational habits that can change our lives.  Since Jim has done Enneagram work and typing interviews with over 50 women who are on the alcohol-free path, I asked him to talk about how the Enneagram work can be viewed through the lens of women who have relied on alcohol as a coping mechanism and are now leaving it behind.  If you’re stepping away from alcohol the Enneagram can help you understand your unique core drivers, core needs, beliefs and patterns that have been influencing your choices and decisions. Jim shares that your core drivers can show up as superpowers or as a shadow that can sabotage the best parts of you. Jim shares, “The best of you is permanent. The worst of you is temporary. You never want to be less of yourself. You want to be the best of yourself with fewer sabotaging patterns. The Enneagram can help you uncover the best parts of you.”  In Jim’s Enneagram work with clients he sees that: Understanding your Enneagram type can help you gain a better understanding of your core motivations, driven by your desires and fears Your Enneagram type is not a landing place, but a launch pad - it’s a tool in your growth, not the list of behaviors you are now held to Your Enneagram type doesn’t put you in a box. Rather it gives you a framework for your tendencies and the lens through which you interact with your surroundings  In this episode, Jim and I chat about: What the Enneagram is and how you can use the Enneagram as a tool to help you stop relying on alcohol as a coping mechanism Transformation habits that can make a big difference in your sobriety How you show up + being consistent Acceptance Curiosity The three types of the main intelligence centers: the body center, heart center, & head center  Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/30Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting DrinkingTo get the full guide of the best quit lit for women go to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/quit-lit About Jim ZartmanJim is a certified enneagram coach and the co-founder of The Art of Growth, which is a team of coaches and consultants who work with individuals and organizations to help them achieve the transformation they want in themselves, their work and their relationship. Connect with Jim ZartmanWebsite: www.theartofgrowth.orgListen to The Art of Growth Podcast Connect with Casey McGuire DavidsonWebsite: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloSomeday Listen to more podcast episodes to drink less + live more.

What is the difference between Life, Recovery and Sober Coaching and a 12 step program like Alcoholics Anonymous?Most people who are trying to stop drinking have preconceived notions about what goes on in 12 step recovery programs such as AA based on what they’ve seen on TV and in movies and are also confused about what exactly “life coaching” or “sober coaching” involves. Some people wonder if a life and recovery coach is just a private paid AA Sponsor (spoiler alert - it’s not!) Going through a 12 step program, like Alcoholics Anonymous, typically involves attending meetings where members follow the 12 steps laid in the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous as a process that recovering alcoholics work through to successfully achieve and maintain sobriety. Many of these steps are ideally taken with the help of a sponsor, an individual who has gone through the AA program and helps others who are new to AA as they navigate early sobriety.Unlike AA, most life and sobriety coaches use a flexible approach to identify your personal goals around not drinking and succeeding in other areas of your life and create a plan to achieve them based on individual needs, motivations and preferences. I think that hiring a coach to stop drinking is similar to the decision you might make to hire a personal trainer or a nutritionist to increase your fitness levels or refine your eating habits.  I’ve invited my guest, Dennis Berry, to have this conversation with me because he’s not only a skilled life coach who is passionate about the benefits of coaching, but he is also in recovery and found recovery in AA and for many years was an active participant in the program. He both sees all the benefits of 12 Step programs and the difference between AA and coaching.  In this episode, we discuss: How life, sobriety and recovery coaching differs from the approach used in 12 Step Recovery Programs such as Alcoholic Anonymous. Why most people need layers of support to stop drinking which may include a combination of coaching, therapy, exercise, 12 step programs, podcasts, books, online support groups and other hobbies, habits and healthy pursuits.  How coaching differs from the work done by sponsors in AA or therapy in being goal and future-focused.  The benefits of the Alcoholics Anonymous as a program which is widely available (with an estimated membership of 2 million people around the world), free of cost and offers fellowship, support and a structured program of steps to take to stop drinking.  The limitations of AA as a program created 85 years ago, in 1935, by two white men. In 1939, the Fellowship published its basic textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous and in 1953 AA’s 12 steps (the guidelines by which to get sober and recover) and 12 traditions (the principles behind the steps meant to keep members focused on the primary purpose) were written. Criticisms of AA have been that it can be seen as a one-size-fits-all approach that is rigid and antiquated. The importance of developing independence in sobriety and why Dennis believes AA’s philosophy and approach can foster dependence on the program.  About Dennis BerryDennis is a Life Coach based in Colorado, who has been working with people recovering from addiction worldwide for over 15 years. Dennis has been in recovery from drug abuse for 17 years. His recovery has helped him find his mission in life, which is to help others on their journey through sobriety and achieve inner peace and success in every area of their lives. Dennis is also the host of The Funky Brain Podcast. Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/29Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting DrinkingGet the guide on How to find and join my Favorite Private Sober Facebook groups Connect with Dennis BerryWebsite www.dennisberry.comListen to The Funky Brain Podcast Connect with Casey McGuire DavidsonWebsite: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)

How can you heal codependency in family relationships and break unhealthy patterns established in childhood? That’s what we’re here to talk about today.Codependency is a buzzword you might hear often, but it can be confusing and misunderstood.My guest today is Brandi Merrill, she’s a life and recovery coach, a She Recovers coach, a licensed clinical social worker and a “boundary boss”. Brandi’s going to help us understand what codependency is (and is not) and how to break unhealthy patterns that may be sabotaging your health and happiness.  Codependency is an excessive reliance on other people for approval and sense of self.  It can cause you to worry about the lack of response from people, to feel anger about what you said or didn’t say in situations because you are relying on others for approval, not honor your own opinions and thoughts, and believe that putting yourself first is rude or selfish.And codependency can make it challenging to set healthy boundaries, or cause guilt or anxiety when you do set them.   In this episode, Brandi and I are going to dig into: The 4 steps to healing codependent behavior 7 signs of healing from codependency Why overly harsh or loose boundaries can cause you to avoid close relationships How and why codependency manifests in many family relationships How to break unhealthy patterns established in childhood as an adult The complicated relationship between codependent feelings and boundaries   About Brandi Merrill Brandi lives in Idaho and is a single mom to three amazing daughters. She's a life and recovery coach, a She Recovers coach and a licensed clinical social worker who has provided counseling services for many years. Brandi is passionate about coaching and the transformations that are possible with the use of positive psychology and spirituality.  Her personal journey has been one of forgiveness, self love, becoming a boundary boss, and single parenting in recovery. She's in recovery from alcohol and codependency and believes that anything is possible. Brandi is passionate about inspiring her clients to make the changes they desire and to live their best lives. Brandi also works closely with moms in recovery that have experienced loss, including time with their kids, divorce or death. Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/28Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting DrinkingGet the guide on How to find and join my Favorite Private Sober Facebook groups Links and resources mentioned:Books mentioned:  Codependency by Melody Beattie The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner  Connect with Brandi MerrillWebsite: www.thepassionatepath.comInstagram: @thepassionatepath Connect with Casey McGuire DavidsonWebsite: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloSomeday Listen to more podcast episodes to drink less + live more. 

‘What’s Next?’ is a huge question for midlife women who have quit drinking or are working on quitting drinking. You're evolving, you're changing, your coping mechanisms are changing.  Lots of times when you stop drinking, suddenly you have a lot more free time and energy than you used to.  When you were drinking and recovering from drinking. You are sort of in a holding pattern.  You were stuck. And now you're wondering what to do with all that time.  In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Sondra Primeaux. Sondra is a multi passionate maker, a photographer, a sustainable designer and seamstress, a writer, a coach and a podcast host. She hosts the Unruffled Podcast through a private Facebook group for the podcast. Sondra started the Unruffled Podcast to talk about the intersection of creativity and recovery in what she terms the midlife solution, which I absolutely love. Sandra says midlife is only a crisis if you make it one. Sondra was 45 when she quit using alcohol as a means to cope with life. And in the last six years, she's figured out through intensive learning, trial and failure, and loads of practice to answer ‘now what?’ We are discussing: The intersection of creativity and recovery helps midlife women not only survive, but also thrive. How conscious journaling can give you the momentum and creative space to explore more internal thoughts and how this process is a good tool to have during early sobriety The transition into your mid-life and why you should dig deep into what you’ve done or haven't done. And it's also a time to take a glimpse into your future self. Being honest with yourself and with others and how to set boundaries. Using the enneagram to learn about yourself and what motivates you Why creativity is a important part of your recovery and how to find different ways to bring joy and creativity to your life How to find the middle space or sweet spot where you can create Intersection of your personality type and going to AA and realizing there are other successful ways to recovery Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/27Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking  Get the guide on How to find and join my Favorite Private Sober Facebook groupsLinks and resources mentioned: Book mentioned: Artist Way by Julia Cameron Connect with Sondra PrimeauxWebsite: www.theunruffled.comWant to work with Sondra, check out her Change your Story ProgramGo to Sondra Talbert Primeaux Facebook page and message her to join her secret Facebook groupListen to Sondra's podcast The Unruffled Podcast Connect with Casey McGuire DavidsonWebsite: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloSomeday Listen to more podcast episodes to drink less + live more.

My guest today Lotta Dann, recovery advocate, blogger and author of three books: the best-selling memoir Mrs. D is Going Without, her second book Mrs. D Is Going Within, and the just released The Wine O’Clock Myth. Lotta’s personal memoir of drinking, quitting drinking and living alcohol-free in a drink-filled world is witty, funny, and uplifting. Many memoirs are raw and gritty, but Mrs. D Is Going Without is both charming and real. I loved her book and completely related to Lotta’s experiences in early sobriety. Today Lotta and I talk about The Wine O’Clock Myth, and why alcohol occupies such a privileged position in our society.It’s almost universally represented as a magic elixir to all our problems which makes life both fun and glamorous. And the fact that alcohol also negatively affects the lives of people is practically invisible in conversations about or representations of drinking. In this episode, Lotta and I discuss: The truth that if you are struggling to moderate drinking, you are not alone and you are not the problem: alcohol is the problem. The way the liquor industry has targeted women and the damaging 'Wine Mom' social media culture. The importance of reframing the treat and reward concepts we’ve been taught (and internalized) around wine. That drinking is our treat at the end of the day and a much needed reward for hard work. Why after the initial hit of dopamine wine is a depressive substance that is numbing and cuts you off from yourself and the people around you. How to find other rewards and ‘sober treats’ that will nourish and ground you and that will actually make you feel better. How to intentionally create a social media feed that inspires you to see all the awesome ways to enjoy life without alcohol rather than one that glamorizes drinking at every turn. Why it’s critical to tap into a positive sober support community that shares the full picture of drinking - not just the one marketed to you. One that highlights both how good life can be without alcohol and shares truthfully the messages you will not see in popular culture, marketing or your social media feed - that drinking isn’t always harmless and fun. It can be dangerous and suck a lot of women (and men) into an unhealthy and unhappy cycle.  About Lotta DannLotta built a successful career as a TV reporter, producer, and director, while simultaneously developing a remarkable aptitude for drinking a lot of alcohol. Lotta began an anonymous blog called “Mrs. D is Going Without” when she was first stopping drinking - as a way to work through her thoughts and feelings, and keep herself accountable when she was starting her journey without alcohol.   Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/26Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking Get the guide on How to find and join my Favorite Private Sober Facebook groups Get the Guide to The Best Quit Lit For Women (Including Lotta Dann’s Mrs. D is Going Without) Connect with Lotta DannThe Wine O'Clock Myth: The Truth You Need To Know About Women and Alcohol: https://www.amazon.com/Wine-OClock-Myth-Truth-Alcohol/dp/1988547229Mrs D is Going Without: A Memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-D-Going-Without-Memoir/dp/1877505390Mrs D is Going Within: https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Going-Within-Lotta-Dann/dp/1877505862Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs_d_alcoholfree/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrsdisgoingwithoutLotta Dann's Blog: http://livingwithoutalcohol.blogspot.com/Mrs. D's Blog on Living Sober: https://livingsober.org.nz/category/mrs-ds-blog/ Connect with Casey McGuire DavidsonWebsite: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloSomeday Listen to more podcast episodes to drink less + live more. 

What is Gray Area Drinking?  It describes the space where most drinkers live: a place between being able to ‘take or leave’ alcohol and hitting some kind of a ‘rock bottom’ where you are experiencing external consequences associated with being on the alcohol use disorder spectrum or identified as signs of alcoholism.  In a world where everything seems to be black and white, where either you have a problem with drinking or you don’t, there are so many of us who try to moderate our drinking and struggle to do so.  You might not experience outward consequences from drinking, but struggle internally.  You have silent conversations with yourself about your own drinking.  You intend to have one glass of wine, but then find it easy to finish the whole bottle.  You stop drinking for days, weeks or months, but then start drinking again and find yourself back in the same place.  It’s a really confusing place to live when you realize that the way you drink isn’t helping you have the life you want but you live in a world where drinking is all around you.  So how do you know if it’s time to make an “early exit” from the drinking life? And what does that even look like and feel like?  Those are the questions we're digging into today with my guest, Jolene Park. Jolene is a functional nutritionist, a health coach, a TEDx speaker, a former gray area drinker and the creator of the gray area drinking recovery hub. Jolene describes the term “gray area drinking” as the kind of drinking where there’s no rock bottom, but you drink as a way to manage anxiety and then regret how much and how often you drink.  In this episode, we discuss: What gray area drinking is. How to determine if you’re a gray area drinker and what to do about it. Why so many of us use alcohol to downshift and calm down at the end of a busy, stressful day. Jolene’s personal alcohol and anxiety story and why she decided to make an early exit from the drinking life.  What drinking does to your body. How to eliminate alcohol and sugar cravings and reduce anxiety by using real food, high-quality nutrients and cutting-edge mind/body techniques. The functional impact of food, emotions, environment and movement in relation to our physical bodies. The importance of replenishing our neurotransmitters and nourishing our nervous systems in a comprehensive and consistent way. The missing pieces that have been overlooked in traditional recovery programs such as neurotransmitters (GABA, serotonin, dopamine), blood sugar imbalance, and nutrient deficiencies like B6 and zinc (pyroluria). Specific supplements that boost your GABA Holy basil Lemon balm Passion flower  Inositol L-theanine  About Jolene Park:Jolene Park coaches high achieving professionals who want to eliminate alcohol and sugar cravings and reduce their anxiety by using real food, high-quality nutrients and cutting-edge mind/body techniques.Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/25Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking  Connect with Jolene ParkVisit Jolene’s Website: https://www.healthydiscoveries.com/ Follow Jolene on Instagram @jolene_parkWatch Jolene’s TEDx talk: https://www.healthydiscoveries.com/tedx-talk/ Listen to the Editing Our Drinking and Our Lives Podcast with Jolene Park & Aidan Donnelley Rowley Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson Website: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comInstagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloSomeday Listen to more podcast episodes to drink less + live more.