Is drinking again after a break something you've experienced and felt ashamed about?
Angela's story proves that the stop-start cycle isn't a failure—it's part of the journey. After losing her brother and struggling with childhood trauma from abusive parents, Angela spent decades using alcohol to numb her pain. She tried to quit many times, even achieving six months of sobriety before returning to drinking. But her final attempt four years ago led to a complete life transformation. In this episode, Angela returns to share how she built new habits one tiny step at a time, rediscovered joy and creativity, and created a marriage deeper than ever before, proving that lasting change isn't about perfection—it's about persistence.
In this episode, Hayley and Angela discuss:
What Angela learned from drinking again after a break
The truth about stop-and-start sobriety and why it’s normal
Why drinking felt like a “chameleon friend” and how it changed over time
How grief and career stress deepened her reliance on alcohol
Why she didn’t do any emotional healing during her first year sober
The difference between choosing numbness and choosing freedom
Quitting alcohol alongside her husband—and how it changed their relationship
Inner child work, Gabor Maté, and parenting the past self
Feeling guilty about missed moments with her kids—and how she’s healing
And other topics...
Episode Links:EP 147: Naked Life Story – Angela - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-147-naked-life-story-angela/
Related Episodes:
E12:Reader Question – I’m Drinking Again – How Do I Stop? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-12-reader-question-im-drinking-again-how-do-i-stop/E741 - Overcoming the Fear of Drinking Again: Erin’s Naked Life - https://thisnakedmind.com/overcoming-the-fear-of-drinking-again-erins-naked-life-e741/
EP 570: Reader’s Questions – Why do I keep going back to drinking? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-570-readers-questions-why-do-i-keep-going-back-to-drinking/
Ready to take the next step on your journey?
Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!
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