Drinking The Social Anxiety Away With Alcohol... Does It Even Work?

Alcohol & Social Anxiety: Your Best Friend or Your Frenemy?

We’ve all been there—you want to be social, have fun, and connect with people, but your social anxiety is doing everything in its power to hold you back. Then enters alcohol, promising to be your new best friend, taking the edge off and making socializing easier. But sometimes, alcohol isn’t the friend you think it is. In fact, it can be more like a frenemy—seemingly helping you in the moment but making things worse in the long run.

Does Alcohol Really Help Social Anxiety?

If you experience social anxiety, your goal in social situations is probably to decrease your inhibitions—something alcohol is known to do quite well. But here’s the catch: alcohol doesn’t come with a fine-tuned dial to adjust just how much inhibition gets lowered. Instead, it can throw that dial all the way to the extreme, leaving you vulnerable to missteps you wouldn’t normally make.

Alcohol can make you feel funnier, more charismatic, and charming, ...

Continue Reading...

Overwhelmed by Your Business? How Alcohol Can Be Your Worst Enemy

The Hidden Struggle: Why Entrepreneurs Are at High Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder

Nearly 15 million people in the United States struggle with an alcohol use disorder, and entrepreneurs are particularly vulnerable. The journey of building a business is exhilarating, but it comes with intense pressure, high stress, and often, a culture that normalizes drinking. If you’re an entrepreneur who finds yourself reaching for alcohol to unwind, you’re not alone—but there is a way out.

The High-Stress Reality of Entrepreneurship

Starting and running a business is more than just a job; it’s a lifestyle. Entrepreneurs don’t have the luxury of clocking out at 5 PM. Instead, they’re constantly thinking, strategizing, and problem-solving. The responsibilities are immense:

  • Financial Burden: Not only does your family rely on you, but your employees and their families do too.

  • High-Stakes Decision Making: Every choice could make or break your business, often with no one to guide you.

  • Is...

Continue Reading...

The Truth About Alcohol and Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle

The Truth About Alcohol and Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle

For many of us, a drink at the end of a hard day feels like the easiest way to unwind. Whether it’s a couple of cocktails after work, a glass of wine to pair with dinner, or a weekend toast with friends, alcohol often becomes the go-to solution for stress and anxiety relief. But here’s the thing—while it might feel like alcohol calms your nerves in the moment, it’s actually setting you up for more anxiety in the long run.

I know that’s not a popular message but stick with me. I’m going to explain the science behind why alcohol isn’t the anxiety cure it seems to be and how it can actually make things worse. Trust me, you’ll want to understand this if you’re serious about breaking free from the anxiety-alcohol cycle.

Why Alcohol Feels Like It Helps (At First)

When you take that first sip of alcohol, your brain gets a temporary “chill pill.” Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows things down in you...

Continue Reading...

Addiction, Abuse, and the Courage to Let Go: A Personal Story of Healing and Hope

Dear Amber,

 My story begins nine years ago. I was a 45-year-old divorced woman who had been single for five years. I dated a few men during that time but was emotionally unstable and drinking a lot of wine. Though I was friends with my ex-spouse, and we had two wonderful grown children, I had never fully healed from the divorce. I thought we were building a spectacular life together - we met in art school at 21, got married, had kids, and started a joint business that did really well. Life was magical.

That is until I found out on our last anniversary that my then-husband had been massively unfaithful for our entire marriage. One of his five girlfriends had posted about it on social media, outing him on my page. She was enraged because she was tracking our relationship on Facebook. My whole world fell apart in an instant. We were home when I confronted him, and he turned into a different person, laughing and mocking me, calling me stupid, and saying he'd had many affairs for years. ...

Continue Reading...

The Crushing Reality of Being Married To An Alcoholic

Dear Amber,  
 
The details (names and places) mentioned in this email you are about to read have been changed in order to protect the interests of both myself and my former wife.  Although the story I'm going to share with you may seem outlandish and at times would be hard for any reasonable person to believe, it's most certainly true. This is my account of my 14 year relationship with my former spouse/wife who struggled with addiction to the detriment of our wonderful future together.  This is an account of everything I can remember, how our relationship started, the first drink she ever took and the eventual 5-7 breakups prior to our divorce as well as the 7-9 breakups (15 total heartbreaking separations) after our divorce and the final ending of our relationship on Jan 1, 2024.
 
 

Falling in Love

My wife and I worked in healthcare and began dating after working with one another for about 2 years.  I actively pursued her by stopping, talking and eventually asking her out on a...
Continue Reading...

This Is Why People Can't Stop Drinking Alcohol

The Subtle Danger of Alcoholic Denial: Why It’s Different and How to Recognize It

Denial is a common trait among those struggling with addiction, but alcoholic denial is a unique beast altogether. It's trickier to identify and even more challenging to confront. If you're wondering why someone with a drinking problem doesn't see it—or if you suspect you might be in denial yourself—understanding these nuances can be the first step toward change.

In this post, we’ll explore 6 reasons why alcoholic denial differs from denial in other types of addiction and how it often goes unnoticed.

1. High Functionality Masks the Problem
One of the biggest reasons alcoholics often don’t realize they have a significant problem is because they’re highly functional in many areas of life. Unlike other addictions where the effects are more immediate and visible, alcohol can allow a person to maintain a seemingly normal life for years. They might hold down a demanding job, manage their household, or even ...

Continue Reading...

How To Stop An Addiction On Your Own

You CAN Overcome Addiction On Your Own: My Top 4 Tips for Success

In the world of addiction recovery, the prevailing belief is that you can't overcome addiction on your own—you need help, support, and intervention. But I'm here to tell you the opposite. Not only can you stop an addiction on your own, but it's often the most effective way to achieve lasting recovery.

I know you might be skeptical, but stick with me. By the end of this post, you'll see that self-reliance in addiction recovery is not just possible—it's powerful. Plus, I'll share my top four tips for boosting your self-control, which is crucial for overcoming any addiction.

Who Am I?

For those of you who are new here, I'm Amber Hollingsworth, a Master Addiction Counselor. I've dedicated my career to helping people overcome addiction, and on this blog, we challenge the idea that you're powerless against addiction. We believe in empowering you with the science and psychology of addiction so you can stay five steps ahea...

Continue Reading...

How To Start Living The BEST Life With Sober Lifestyle

 Embracing a Sober Lifestyle: The Path to True Happiness

Initially, the idea of living a sober lifestyle can feel pretty scary and quite intimidating. Our brains immediately start to think about what we're going to miss out on and the events that won't be the same without alcohol. For some of us, it even feels like giving up alcohol means giving up the idea of ever having fun again.

But luckily, none of that is true. In fact, it's pretty much the opposite of the truth. I want to explain to you what a sober lifestyle is really like, and keep reading because I'm also going to give you some pointers about how to take your sober lifestyle to the next level and live your best life.

For those of you who are new here, I'm Amber Hollingsworth. I'm a Master Addiction Counselor. I've been helping people overcome addiction for more than 20 years now. I've seen people get sober in every way you can imagine, and I can wholeheartedly tell you that once people get sober, they are muc...

Continue Reading...

What To Expect During Alcohol Detox: Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal: What You Need to Know Before Quitting Cold Turkey

If you think you have an alcohol problem and you're considering stopping, that's wonderful news. Taking this step is a huge move towards reclaiming your health and happiness. However, before you go cold turkey, it’s crucial to understand how the process works and the potential dangers involved. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, so please read through this entire post to ensure you're informed and prepared.

Why Alcohol Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous

There are ten main symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that can vary from mild to severe. Understanding these symptoms can help you gauge whether your withdrawal experience is mild or something more serious that requires medical attention.

For those of you who are new here, I'm Amber Hollingsworth, a master addiction counselor with over 20 years of experience helping people and families overcome addiction. This blog, along with my Y...

Continue Reading...

This Illusion Is Why It's Hard To Break Addictions' Hold

Understanding Short-Term Sobriety: What It Means and How to Navigate It

Are you witnessing your loved one embark on short bursts of sobriety, only to falter when it comes to committing long-term? This is a perplexing situation, leaving you questioning the reasons behind these cycles and how best to support them. In today's discussion, we'll delve into the various dynamics at play, helping you decipher these behaviors and offering insights on how to approach them effectively.

1. Setbacks in Long-Term Sobriety: Sometimes, individuals genuinely aspire for lasting sobriety but encounter setbacks along the way. Identifying triggers or unresolved issues is crucial in breaking this cycle and fostering sustained recovery.

2. Testing Self-Control: Others may engage in short-term sobriety as a self-validation exercise, attempting to prove they aren't bound by addiction. However, true addiction lies in the inability to control usage, not intermittent breaks consistently.

3. Exploring Sobrie...

Continue Reading...
1 2 3
Close

50% Complete

Two Step

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.