Season Finale!

Warning: It's very sweary.

Party culture in college and wine mom culture in later years makes drinking to excess look fun and funny. As we say in this episode, it's fun until it isn't. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, long term heavy alcohol use forces the brain to change its chemistry to function normally in the presence of alcohol. When alcohol becomes absent, neurotransmitter balance becomes harder because the brain has adapted to alcohol's presence. This is a just a very simplistic breakdown of the science behind alcoholism.

Pandemic drinking, a short-term coping mechanism for some, may be a slippery slope for others. Women, in particular, have been affected by this. In the months to come, I'm going watch the data on the prevalence of alcoholism among women. 

My friend and podcast wife, Lisa McColgan is a highly creative individual. She is the creator and co-host of Stay Scary, where I co-host with her, a musician and singer in Boston area's B-52's cover band Bikini Whale, and a content creator on Tik Tok @LisaMcColgan70. Lisa has been in recovery for 18 years.

In this episode, Lisa shares her story, and how we can support friends who are already sober, or trying to get sober. 

Ten Ways to Support Your Sober Friend: 

1. When your friend tells you they're not drinking, whether it's that day or forever, don't be weird.

2. Don't second guess the decision. Be supportive.

3. Learn what alcoholism and addiction really is. Suggested reading- Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp.

4. Understand the over-normalization of alcohol consumption.

5. There is a difference between sober tourism and what it means to be a recovering alcoholic.

6. Jokes about problem drinking aren't funny.

7. Respect your friend's need to talk with other people in recovery or their therapist.

8. It's not your job to fix your friend.

9. Do not probe for details about their illness and do not police their behavior.

10. Adapt and adjust activities.

Here are links to Lisa's creative endeavors:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-scary/id1474635131

https://www.facebook.com/bikiniwhale

https://www.tiktok.com/@lisamccolgan70?lang=en