Welcome to the Catholic sobriety podcast mini-soad . These shorter episodes provide quick tips and information that you can refer back to when you need it most so you can achieve and maintain your desired level of sobriety . I am your sobriety coach and host of this podcast , Kristy Walker . Let's get started .
Have you been questioning your drinking habits lately , Wondering if alcohol is starting to take up more space in your life than you'd like ? If you're nodding along , then you're in the right place . On today's mini-soad , we'll uncover eight signs why taking a break from alcohol might be just the breath of fresh air that your life needs right now .
So , whether you've tried alcohol-free challenges and found them difficult , or you're simply noticing some red flags in your drinking behavior , this conversation is for you . But before we dive in , I want to make one thing clear . This isn't about labeling anyone or diagnosing any problems in this podcast .
It's about sharing experiences and information that might resonate with you , Because , believe me , I've been there . I had to look at my relationship with alcohol at one time , realize the chaos that it was causing in my life and discern that I was better off without it . There were so many subtle signs that I went on ignoring for years until I couldn't .
So if you're sitting there wondering if it's time to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol , you are not alone . Many of us have been there , feeling like something's not quite right , but just unsure what to do about it .
So throughout this episode , we'll explore those everyday signals that might suggest that alcohol is maybe playing a bigger role in your life than you would like . And here's the good news . Recognizing these signs is the first step towards change . It's about taking control and making informed decisions and ultimately finding happier and healthier you . So let's dive in .
The first sign is an increased frequency of drinking . Have you found that you are reaching for a glass of wine or a cocktail far more often than you used to ? Perhaps what started as a weekend treat has suddenly become a daily routine .
If you've noticed a significant uptick in your alcohol consumption , it's a red flag that your relationship with alcohol may be changing in ways that require your attention . Number two using alcohol as a coping mechanism .
Alcohol consumption can easily slip into a coping mechanism for stress , anxiety or the pressures of everyday life , but for Catholic women , this behavior can conflict with spiritual teachings and our thoughts about ourselves as Catholic women .
So if you find yourself turning to alcohol for solace rather than your usual prayer practices or other healthier coping mechanisms , then it's time to pause and reflect on this shift . Number three impact on relationships . Does alcohol consumption affect your relationships ?
Whether it's causing conflict with loved ones , resulting in shaky professional relations , or impending your ability to be present and engaged in your interactions with your family or friends , problematic drinking can have a significant impact on your emotional intimacy and thus it impacts your relationships . Number four decline in physical health .
Overconsumption of alcohol doesn't just affect your mental well-being . It can also take a toll on your physical health . If you've observed changes such as unexplained weight loss or gain , uncharacteristic fatigue or illness , these could be signs that alcohol is impacting your body's normal functioning .
I would recommend going back and listening to my podcast episode with Leah Bruggeman on alcohol's effects on our hormones . She talks a lot about our overall health and how alcohol impacts our bodies and our hormones and our well-being . Number five emotional instability .
Shifts in emotional stability , such as increased irritability , mood swings or heightened anxiety , can be linked to alcohol consumption or alcohol misuse . For Catholic women who are striving to cultivate peace , joy and increase their connection with God and grow in their faith , alcohol can cause emotional turbulence , and that just warrants further examination .
Number six neglecting responsibilities . When our dedication to routine responsibilities wanes , it might be indicative of an underlying issue . This can manifest as misdeadlines at work , neglect of household duties or even the inability to stick to personal commitments . If alcohol is becoming a priority over your family or your obligations , it's time to reassess .
Number eight feeling guilty or ashamed . Do you find yourself feeling guilty about the amount of alcohol you consume or the behavior that it leads to ? Do you feel like you have to hide how much you're drinking from your friends or your husband ?
Shame and remorse can be powerful , but often overlooked signals that our relationship with alcohol is just not harmonious with our values and our vocation . Number eight when you tell yourself you're not going to drink , it causes fear deep inside of you . It terrifies you . It's true .
Oftentimes , when women come to me or I'm talking to them about decreasing or eliminating their alcohol consumption , fear is what comes up and it's loss of identity , worried that they won't have fun , worried that they're going to fail . But the fear of the unknown and the what ifs is keeping them stuck , and it might be keeping you stuck too .
As we wrap up , I just want to say that I hope that if you have experienced any of these signs , that you will take an honest look at your drinking behaviors and habits . Don't let fear hold you back and remember I'm here for you . I have a ton of resources . You can listen to past podcast episodes . Visit my website , which is theCatholicSobrietyCoachcom .
You can book a free call with me if you just want to talk through some of the things that are coming up for you . I also have a guide it's a drink less or not at all a Catholic guide to freedom . That is free and you can find the link in my show notes .
I also have a five day sobriety kickstart , which I'm actually in the process of redoing , but you can grab it now If you want . There's still tons of valuable information in it and then , when I have my videos all updated , I will let you know and you can look at it again .
I mean even the workbook alone in that five day sobriety kickstart is absolutely amazing . It has questions in there . It's like 12 pages or so of all sorts of tools that I actually use with my clients , and you can use them too . So that wraps up today's episode of the Catholic sobriety mini-sode .
Thank you so much for joining me and please be sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss a thing . And remember I am here for you , I am praying for you . You are not alone .