Welcome back to the "Mommy's New Medicine Podcast," where we unravel the threads of motherhood, mental health, and self-improvement. I'm your host, Monica, and today in Episode 4, we're joined by a very special guest, Hillary. Together, we're peeling back the curtain on a topic that's often glamorized in media but hides a less shiny reality — the journey to sobriety from alcohol.

In this heart-to-heart conversation, Hillary opens up about her pivotal moment of clarity and the negative impact her drinking had on her loved ones. From strained relationships to facing the discomfort with traditional recovery programs, we dive into what sobriety really looks like and the tools that have kept us on track. We tackle the common misconceptions of functional alcoholism and challenge the societal norms that make us reach for that next drink.

As two women who have navigated the murky waters of alcohol dependency, we share the sincere advice that you shouldn’t wait for a catastrophic rock bottom to seek help. Instead, embrace sobriety as an act of self-care and discover the underlying reasons behind excessive drinking. Whether it’s through journaling, sipping on mocktails, or finding personal solace in THC seltzers, we're here to show that life can be even more fulfilling without the crutch of alcohol.

So, pour yourself a cup of tea, or perhaps a fizzy seltzer, and join us on this deeply personal and transformative episode as we dissect the highs and lows of our sobriety journeys. From emotional breakthroughs to the challenge of social expectations, this conversation is an open invitation to anyone looking to understand or embrace a sober lifestyle. Let's get started.

00:00 Envious of social life, feeling shame, jealousy.

03:58 Expressing gratitude for sharing personal experiences openly.

09:03 Brave decision to set boundaries after overdrinking.

11:30 Sobriety benefits mental and physical well-being.

15:13 Struggling to hide alcohol problem, recommended AA.

18:08 Seeking connection and relief through alcohol struggles.

22:08 Alcohol companies target teens with trendy topics.

24:57 Struggle with religion, but used Alcoholics Anonymous.

27:17 Meetings were interesting, but lacked lasting impact.

29:12 Being sober can be a personal trigger.

34:21 Rediscover life after alcohol in a new world.

38:35 Therapy helped reframe negative thoughts and alcohol.