“When you drink, it’s all about you and your story that night, never others.”

I discovered today that I have a great deal of shame about identifying myself as, “sober”. Johnny and I have been sober since September after a serous health scare. I choose not to drink in support of Johnny who lives with an addiction to alcohol. Since, we have started giving away our alcohol paraphernalia (wine openers, glasses, etc.). I had no idea that would be so difficult. My identity had been wrapped up in wine culture. Having to redefine myself is a challenge not expected. In today’s episode, I share my sobriety and shame journey in hopes it will help others as they remove alcohol from their lives.

FMP 81 – Shame and Sober Identity

1. What We Do:
   
   • Behavioural Medicine and Health Psychology
     
   • Providing easily accessible content designed to help you design your own transformative experience.
     
   
   
2. Today:
   
   • Why do I feel uneasy, even shameful about declaring my sober identity on social media and Finding My Psych?
     
   • I discuss my own story arc with my relationship with alcohol and eventual sobriety.
     
   
   
3. How to Listen:
   
   • Can find this episode on podcast apps such as iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, etc.
     
   • Can watch on YouTube soon after each episode drop.
     
   
   
4. Want to be a Guest?
   
   • Email our team at podcast@findingmypsych.com
     
   
   

Shame and Sobriety – Full Disclosure

1. What happened today:
   
   • My hesitancy felt overwhelming.
     
   • I realized I was experiencing shame.
     
   
   
2. My prior relationship with alcohol:
   
   • Not an alcoholic.
     
   • Typical drinking story in my youth.
     
   • Bad events that shook me all related to alcohol.
     
   
   
3. What made me change?
   
   • Johnny got sober.
     
   • I wanted to support him.
     
   • I was ready for a big change.
     
   
   
4. My prior identity as a wine drinker:
   
   • Sideways.
     
   • Alcohol focused items in our home.
     
   • Expensive wine equals status.
     
   
   
5. My new identify as sober:
   
   • I’m still figuring that out.
     
   • My life is even more focused on longevity and health.
     
   • I am not an alcoholic. I choose sobriety #normalizesobriety.
     
   • I don’t hang out with folks too much where the focus is alcohol.
     
   
   
6. Where the shame comes from:
   
   • My elitist attitude (I’m not like that…).
     
   • My own family history (I’m really not like that!)
     
   • FOJ – Fear of judgement from healthy others.
     
   • FOJ – Fear of judgement from those suffering with substance use.
     
   
   
7. YouTube Channel – Jon Kuhn
   
   • “The wound is where the light enters.”
     
   • “Vulnerability is a way underrated strength. Keep going!”
     
   
   

Closing Remarks – Thank You!

1. Hope today’s episode was helpful.
   
2. Please continue to provide us feedback about content you are interested in.
   
3. Check us out on YouTube as well – Regular videos and livestreams.