Letting Go of Shame and Finding Freedom | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 903

Does it ever feel like you know everything there is to know about why you drink, and none of it is enough to make you stop? You're not alone in that. In this episode, Coaches Hayley and Cole each sit with a Path member who's been carrying that exact weight. Audrey has 20 years of binge drinking, a ton of quit lit under her belt, and a shame so deep she's not sure she deserves to feel better. Savannah is eight days in and quietly discovering that figuring out how to stop drinking when you're lonely gets a little more possible when you stop white-knuckling it alone and actually lean into the community around you. 

Audrey discusses:

Why shame and isolation kept her stuck in the drinking cycle

The belief that alcohol was the only way to numb emotional pain

Reframing fear and staying open to new tools

Why community matters when learning how to stop drinking when you’re lonely

Moving from self-judgment toward self-compassion

Building a life that feels more aligned and less escapable

And more topics…

Savannah discusses:

Friday night cravings, loneliness, and the urge to check out

What she learned from experimenting with alcohol-free evenings

Why drinking brought only short relief and longer emotional lows

New insights around sleep, anxiety, and nighttime urges

Football games, routines, and breaking old drinking patterns

How community, curiosity, and small wins helped her practice how to stop drinking when you’re lonely

And more…

Hayley Scherders is a certified TNM Coach with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be and provides a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time.

Learn more about Coach Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Episode links: nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How To Deal With Loneliness | Reader Question | EP 130 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-130-reader-question-deal-loneliness/

Healing From Using Alcohol to Numb Emotional Pain | Coaching Questions | EP 564 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-564-coaching-questions-how-to-start-healing-from-numbing/

How to Break Routine Drinking Patterns | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 889 - https://thisnakedmind.com/breaking-routine-drinking-patterns-alcohol-freedom-coaching-ep-889/

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!