“I’m stressed and drinking too much – any advice?”
In the ‘Dear Rach’ series I answer questions about drinking and alcohol. If you have a question you’d like me to answer, please email me. Dear Rach, My life recently has been very stressful. My husband and I are going through a rough patch, my teenage daughter has become very withdrawn and I’m worried that myContinue reading ““I’m stressed and drinking too much – any advice?””
“How much did you drink?” Why I realised that was the wrong question
When I first decided to take a break from drinking, a few people asked me how much I was drinking. They didn’t come right out and say it but I could guess they were thinking something along the lines of “Oh my God – I didn’t realise she was that bad”! I would guess thatContinue reading ““How much did you drink?” Why I realised that was the wrong question”
How can I change the way I drink?
The question – “How can I change the way I drink?” – was recently sent through to me and I thought it was one that many of you may have. It was certainly a question I struggled with. After years of trying to moderate my drinking (spoiler alert: it didn’t work) I finally changed theContinue reading “How can I change the way I drink?”
Podcast interview: How to give up alcohol and still have a social life
I really enjoyed my conversation on the Menopause, Marriage and Motherhood podcast chatting with Karen O’Connor about the reasons I chose to go alcohol free. why I chose to take a break from drinking, why you don’t have to hit a rock bottom to rethink your drinking and that your social life doesn’t have toContinue reading “Podcast interview: How to give up alcohol and still have a social life”
Ask me anything: Why am I able to drink more than I used to?
Many years ago I had a night away with a friend where, over the course of the evening, we polished off two bottles of wine. We were sharing our experiences of being newly separated single mothers who were struggling to make ends meet and, while it might sound a bit glum, we also had aContinue reading “Ask me anything: Why am I able to drink more than I used to?”
I knew my drinking had to change, I just didn’t know how to do it
For years I struggled with my drinking, wanting to cut back but finding it difficult to do so. The mental energy I spent on trying to figure out what I needed to do was exhausting. The conversation in my head went something like this: “But everyone around me drinks like me.” “It’s getting scary thatContinue reading “I knew my drinking had to change, I just didn’t know how to do it”
As a weekend drinker, long weekends were great … until they weren’t
When I was trying (and failing) to moderate I put all sorts of restrictions on myself, one of which was restricting myself to only drinking on weekends. Being a weekend drinker meant that long weekends were a real ‘treat’ as I was ‘allowed’ extra drinking days. This is actually how I bargained with myself –Continue reading “As a weekend drinker, long weekends were great … until they weren’t”
Acting like a 21-year-old at my son’s 21st
When I look back at my embarrassing drinking sessions there are a few – actually a few too many – situations that I am still hesitant to talk about. However, if you’re reading this you’re probably concerned about your drinking so I consider this a safe space. So, deep breath, here it goes. A fewContinue reading “Acting like a 21-year-old at my son’s 21st”
Take a break from drinking without white knuckling it
Whenever I would take a break from drinking, such as Dry January or FebFast, I would follow a similar pattern. The first few days I would be inspired and motivated so would find it fairly easy. “Nailing it” – I would think! But as each day went on, the novelty would wear off until byContinue reading “Take a break from drinking without white knuckling it”
Am I the only one who is questioning my drinking?
When I first started worrying about how much I was drinking and whether I was heading into dangerous territory, I thought I was alone. Friends and family who were drinkers fell into two groups: Those who barely drank – the ones who could sit on one glass of wine for two hours taking a smallContinue reading “Am I the only one who is questioning my drinking?”
Are you a keen exerciser but also enjoy a drink? You’re not alone
I saw the following post on my Facebook Memories the other day and it reminded me how I used to justify my drinking, even when I was trying to stay fit. The Facebook post, from nine years ago, reads: “Just finished Kokoda Grunt – a 13km run (7km uphill) with 26 challenges. The whole thingContinue reading “Are you a keen exerciser but also enjoy a drink? You’re not alone”
How I overcame my struggle to moderate my drinking
I can’t remember exactly when I decided that I wanted to moderate my drinking but I do know that period in my life was one of the most painful. I spent years trying all sorts of things to try to moderate wondering why it was hard and wanting to go back to being a ‘normal’Continue reading “How I overcame my struggle to moderate my drinking”
How to cope when it seems that chaos is on every corner
Right now it seems that the world is going to hell in a handbasket. A bit dramatic? Generally I try to be a glass-half-full person but it can be hard to stay positive when there is so much tragedy and chaos around. The Russia Ukraine conflict is devastating, COVID is still hanging around with threatsContinue reading “How to cope when it seems that chaos is on every corner”
Thinking of taking a break from drinking? Are you giving up or gaining?
Are you about to complete FebFast? Or maybe you are planning to give Dry July a go. If you’ve ever taken a break from drinking, how was the experience? Was it a month of feeling like you were missing out or did you enjoy it? When I was trying (unsuccessfully) to moderate my drinking, IContinue reading “Thinking of taking a break from drinking? Are you giving up or gaining?”
Ditching drinking – one of the biggest wellness trends right now
In an Australian Women’s Health story published this week, I shared my experience as an alcohol coach, commenting on the rise in people choosing to quit drinking. It certainly is something that I, and others in the industry, are seeing. I was quoted in the article, saying: “We are hearing from more and more peopleContinue reading “Ditching drinking – one of the biggest wellness trends right now”
How do you know if you’re drinking too much?
Have you ever Googled “Am I drinking too much?” or “How much alcohol is too much?”. A recent study published in the Drug and Alcohol Review journal, shows about 21 per cent of women between 45 and 60 are now drinking at ‘binge-drinking’ levels. That was definitely my situation but I didn’t consider it ‘bingeContinue reading “How do you know if you’re drinking too much?”
Unexpected benefits of taking a break from drinking
When I took a break from drinking I wanted to sleep better, no longer wake up with a hangover and never have hazy memories of what I said or did the night before! What I didn’t factor in were all the unexpected benefits of not consuming alcohol. It seems that your body and mind rewardContinue reading “Unexpected benefits of taking a break from drinking”
Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired?
Recently I was sick – not with COVID thankfully – but my symptoms did include headaches, fatigue and low energy levels. They were similar to the after effects of a night of drinking. Headaches from dehydration Fatigue from not sleeping well Low energy due to alcohol sapping my energy reserves When we are sick with aContinue reading “Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired?”
Ask me anything: Will taking a break affect my relationship?
Question: I want to take a break from drinking but I’m worried it will change my relationship with my partner. Any advice? Answer: One of my main concerns when I stopped drinking was how it would affect my relationship. I saw drinking as an important part of our lives and I was worried that thingsContinue reading “Ask me anything: Will taking a break affect my relationship?”
Why mangoes are easier to moderate than wine
Mangoes are my favourite fruit. Not only do they taste amazing, but the mere taste of mango also conjures up summer – holidays, sunshine and relaxation. So what does that have to do with moderation you may ask? Well, as much as I love mangoes I’ve never had to moderate my consumption of them. Sure,Continue reading “Why mangoes are easier to moderate than wine”
Ask me anything: “I’m never drinking again.” Until I do!
Question: I often wake up feeling awful after drinking too much the night before and think: ‘I will never drink again’ or ‘I’m going to take a break’. But by that afternoon or later that week I cave in and have a drink. Why am I so weak willed and how can I change thisContinue reading “Ask me anything: “I’m never drinking again.” Until I do!”
Six tips to help you go alcohol free this January
If you overindulged this festive season and have decided to take a break from booze during January, these top six tips will help you enjoy the experience rather than white knuckle it through the month. And, if you’re planning on taking a longer break from alcohol, then this may just be the kick start youContinue reading “Six tips to help you go alcohol free this January”
Six book recommendations for when you’re rethinking your drinking
Until I decided to take a break from drinking I didn’t realise there was a whole genre of books referred to as ‘quit lit’ (quitting drinking literature). They include memoirs, how-to guides and self-help books. I’ve listed my top six but there are many more. The common thread between my top six is that theyContinue reading “Six book recommendations for when you’re rethinking your drinking”
How is your end of year looking?
Are you feeling the joy and peace of the season or is it more a case of stress and overindulgence? In the past, this time of year for me was definitely the latter. Too much food, spending too much money and drinking too much. End-of-year parties, catch-ups with friends, Christmas itself – it was exhausting.Continue reading “How is your end of year looking?”
Using alcohol to numb the pain
When I look back to when my relationship with drinking changed, I realise it was when I started to use it as a crutch to deal with stressful situations. One of the most traumatic times in my life was when I separated from the father of my children and was going through the stress ofContinue reading “Using alcohol to numb the pain”
Ask me anything: How do I navigate end-of-year festivities?
Question: I’m taking a break from drinking but there are a lot of end-of-year parties and get-togethers coming up. Any tips for getting through this boozy period? Answer: Drinking is very much associated with the festive season. Work parties, end-of-year get-togethers with friends, Christmas lunches, holiday drinks. Whatever the social occasions you have on your calendar, this canContinue reading “Ask me anything: How do I navigate end-of-year festivities?”
Ask me anything: What does it mean to be sober curious
Question: What does it mean to be sober curious? Answer: The Macquarie Dictionary has shortlisted ‘sober curious’ for its Word of the Year 2021, defining it as ‘having an interest in reducing one’s consumption of alcohol or in giving it up altogether’. The fact that sober curious is being considered as a new term thatContinue reading “Ask me anything: What does it mean to be sober curious”
Ask me anything: How do I manage negative emotions without alcohol?
Question: I’m upset, sad or down. My first instinct is to reach for a drink to ‘drown my sorrows’. How do I cope with negative emotions without turning to alcohol? Answer: The fact that we have a phrase to describe how we drink to cope with sad feelings – drowning our sorrows – shows justContinue reading “Ask me anything: How do I manage negative emotions without alcohol?”
If it is good enough for Adele, it’s good enough for me
Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot in common with Adele. Great singing voice (Adele = yes, Me = definitely not) World-wide fame and adoring fans (Adele = yes, Me = sadly no!) Front-cover of both British and US Vogue (Adele = yes and wow!, Me = not anytime soon ever) However, what we do haveContinue reading “If it is good enough for Adele, it’s good enough for me”
Ask me anything: How do I switch off without a drink?
As a certified This Naked Mind coach, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about how you can take back control of your drinking. If you have a question please send it to me at rachael@inspiredtochange.com.au Question: My life is busy and I have a drink at the end of the day toContinue reading “Ask me anything: How do I switch off without a drink?”