Alcohol: It’s hard to think of a social event in our culture that DOESN'T include some form of alcohol.
Brewery crawls. Wine tours and tastings. Birthdays, holidays, you name it - all served with drinks. There’s work Happy Hour meetups, workplaces with beer on tap, and so much more.
If you know me at all, you know I LOVE my wine. I also enjoy beer and am a huge fan of unique cocktails - I make lots at home and am perfectly happy paying what may seem obscene prices for a great specialty cocktail.
Alcohol has been a staple in my life for a long time. Heck, our wedding included a wine tour, one of the coolest souvenirs I have is a bottle of wine from North Korea (that I will probably NEVER drink), and we literally named our daughter, SONOMA, after the wine region in California.
I’m probably just about the first person my friends think of when they think of someone to have a drink with…
And as a result, I’m probably the LAST person you’d expect to talk about a subject like sobriety and alcohol free living.
I start this episode with a humble acknowledgement that my life experience does not include an alcohol addiction and I do not have anyone in my closet inner circle that does. I don’t want to downplay the severity and complexity of addiction. I am also not a professional in addictions.
The topic of addiction is REAL, valid, and important to discuss and to continue to bring awareness and respectful treatment options that are accessible for everyone.
If you’re looking for resources on addictions, we’ve put some together for you in the resources below.
In this episode, I’m joined by Meredith Garritsen for a discussion about alcohol free living and we’re going to talk more about our “area of expertise” – social drinking, and the drinking that many of us do on a daily or weekly basis.
You know - The stuff that “wine mom” memes are made of.
After going on my own health journey and exploring sobriety too, and coincidentally finding out my amazing friend Meredith is also doing it, I know we’re not the only ones who want to be more health conscious — AND also are curious about sobriety and creating a life of joy, fun, happiness, adventure, connection WITHOUT alcohol.
In this episode we talk about:
Why it can feel so hard to decline a drink in our culture, and how we’ve gotten over this
How intertwined alcohol is with our culture and what it looks like to start to change this in our personal lives and the wider culture
What some of the surprising benefits of going sober, or being sober curious, are
Suggestions on how to tackle some of the biggest challenges: what to say to people, what else to do instead of drink, and how to focus on presence without alcohol
We also talk about alcohol alternatives - and YES there are recipes and links in the resources too
So, whether you’ve woken up hungover one too many times, said the wrong thing one too many times, are interested in improving your health, or just curious about sobriety and MINDFUL drinking might look like in your life, listen in.
And if you ever worry that it’s not as much fun, you won’t have as many friends, or be as social without alcohol, we hope this episode changes that, and encourages you to lean in.
Here are the juicy bits you can look forward to:
Meredith’s relationship with alcohol 2-3 years ago and what the past few years have looked like for her. (6:10)
When and why she started assessing her relationship with alcohol. (21:50)
The benefits Meredith experienced from not drinking. (28:50)
The paradigm of how alcohol is viewed in our culture. (40:20)
Meredith’s suggestions for navigating a newly found sober-life. (49:15)
Dating, sex, and sober-life. (56:45)
The tools she uses to navigate sober-life gracefully. (1:23:20)
How to have fun without alcohol. (1:38:20)
Lightning round with Meredith. (1:41:20)
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Resources:
Meredith Garritsen
Website: http://hervanacollective.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hervanacollective/
ALCOHOL FREE ALTERNATIVES + RECIPES:
Alcohol-free alternatives:
Kombucha. This fermented and naturally lightly sparkling drink is made from black or green tea and a sprinkling of bacteria.
Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine & Sparkling Juices
Booze-free beer: ie. Partake, Molson Prohibition, etc.
Mocktails
ALCOHOL FREE BRANDS:
Alcohol-Free Gin-like Spirit: https://enjoylumette.com/
Solbru: Mushroom elixirs: https://solbru.com/
Blume Teas: Great for winter. Lisa’s favourite is the Blue Lavendar. Save $10 by going to www.lisamichaud.com/blume
ADDICTION RESOURCES:
Links to AA: https://www.aa.org/
List of General Service Conference Area Website: https://www.aa.org/list-of-general-service-conference-area-web-sites-uscanada
Addiction center: https://www.addictioncenter.com/
Adult children of Alcoholics: https://adultchildren.org/
Consumer Affairs (Best Drug and Alcohol Centers): https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers/
State B: https://statebelevate.com
Crisis Text Line: Visit www.crisistextline.org/ or text “START” to 741-741.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
SAMHSA's Helpline: Visit www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Youth in BC 24/7 Crisis Line: 1-866-661-3311
Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566, or Text “START” to 45645
Kelty Mental Health + Peer Support: 1-800-665-1822 or keltymentalhealth.ca
Mental Health & Substance Use Hub: www.gov.bc.ca
Wellness Together Canada: 1-866-585-0445
Alcoholics Anonymous: Find a local chapter at www.aa.org
Quotes to Share:
Download and share the quotes you loved on your social and inspire those around you:
“I am incorporating more sober days into my life.” - Meredith
“We seek out and chase times that are simpler.” - Meredith
“Having a few lines in your back pocket is always helpful.” - Meredith
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Thank you so much for listening.
xo,
Lisa
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