Gray Area Drinking and Our Relationship with Alcohol
Gray Area Drinking and Our Relationship with Alcohol
In this week’s episode of The Baggage Reclaim Sessions, Jolene Park, wellness coach, speaker, and former Baggage Reclaim student, joins me for a necessary conversation about gray area drinking. We delve into how our relationship with alcohol intersects with our emotional and psychological well-being.
Jolene shares her personal journey with alcohol, how it ties into dealing with anxiety, and the physiological aspects of drinking. I also share my personal journey with alcohol. We discuss the impact of trauma, societal norms around drinking, and the importance of addressing underlying issues. Whether you’re a gray area drinker or curious about your own relationship with alcohol, this episode provides valuable perspectives and practical advice.
IN THIS EPISODE…
- 00:48 On being an Adult Child of an Alcoholic
- 04:39 Introducing Jolene Park
- 07:49 What is gray area drinking?
- 09:55 Jolene’s story
- 13:35 Personal biochemistry, including GABA, and the effects of alcohol on the body
- 19:47 “That’s how I drink” – Connecting with our stories and experiences
- 21:23 The going back and forth on ourselves
- 23:25 The decision to quit alcohol
- 26:46 Relationship sobriety and Build Your Self-Esteem
- 30:49 Natalie’s story of her relationship with alcohol
- 32:21 Cultural and familial influences on drinking
- 37:39 The pivotal moment in Natalie’s twenties that began to shift her relationship with alcohol
- 38:38 Health challenges and sobriety
- 39:02 Social perceptions of drinking
- 40:12 Changing relationship with alcohol
- 40:56 Reflecting on alcohol’s impact
- 42:39 Evaluating personal alcohol use
- 53:40 The definitive line about alcohol from medical research
- 54:34 GABA, high histamine response, blood sugar responses and depletions and deficiencies
- 56:38 Fight, flee, fawn and freeze plus attachment and abandonment’s influence on why we drink
- 59:00 Societal comparisons and personal health
- 01:12:05 Next steps for addressing alcohol Use
- 01:14:19 Conclusion, final thoughts, and resources
