Kicking Habits

Are you peri-menopausal or menopausal? In this episode I talk about the things I wish I had known about menopause when I was drinking! Impact of Alcohol on Menopause Symptoms: I discuss the discomforts of menopause, including hot flushes, memory issues, and more. Explanation of how alcohol exacerbates menopause symptoms, particularly hot flushes. I explain what vasodilation is and its connection t...

It's important that everyone finds their own path when it comes to taking back control of their drinking. In this episode, Sally shares her journey to recovery and sobriety through AA. She recalls her early exposure to alcohol at a young age and how she quickly developed a fascination with it. As she grew older, her drinking escalated, and she found herself immersed in the club scene, using su...

In this week's episode, Carol dives into the world of alcohol, revealing its secrets and hidden truths. Carol challenge the conventional beliefs and stigma surrounding drinking habits, empowering listeners to explore a new perspective on this addictive substance. Join Carol as she shares her dedication to a local charity where she offers a life-changing 30-day program. Discover the transformat...

There are various reasons why when we decide to just have the one drink & then get sucked into having more. In this episode I talk about: Impact on the Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and executive functioning. Alcohol affects this area immediately, even with just one glass. This impairment makes it challenging to moderate drink...

Introduction In this engaging episode, we tackle a common issue that many of us have experienced – waking up in the middle of the night. We'll shed light on the unsuspecting night time habits involving alcohol and the potential impact on our sleep. The Evening Routine with Alcohol When the evening comes, it's tempting to unwind with a beer, a glass of wine, or a gin & tonic while watch...

Alcohol amplified Coles struggles and pushed him further into darkness and depression. He reflects on being the life of the party and pushing others to drink, driven by insecurities. Over time, he realized he needed to break free from the prison of alcohol and prioritize his physical and mental well-being. Cole shares his experience of continuing to socialise without alcohol and embracing a new wa...

Introduction: It's July 2023, and in today's episode, Carol welcomes listeners to delve into Alcohol Awareness Week, a significant opportunity for us to examine our drinking habits.   Personal realization: Carol shares a personal experience that triggered a shift in her relationship with alcohol. After a wake-up call incident, she recognized the need for change, moving from "should&qu...

Why is it such a challenge to take a break from drinking? Many people ask me this question, and the answer lies in the intricate workings of our brain and the chemistry behind its signals and subconscious processes. When I first decided to take a break from alcohol, I didn't intend to quit forever. I simply wanted to take a 30-day break and reassess. During that time, I immersed myself in book...

Introduction: Aunee shares her experience coming from an Asian background, where societal expectations and the pressure to maintain a perfect image are damaging. Despite being believed by everyone, that her uncle has sexually abused her she finds herself silenced and dismissed. Aunee expresses her desire to be seen and heard despite the struggles. The Impact of Asian Society: Aunee reflects on how...

Socialising without Alcohol Introduction: Welcome to the podcast episode on socialising without alcohol. In this episode, we'll explore helpful strategies for those taking a break or deciding to quit drinking. As the summer season approaches, with barbecues, holidays, and various celebrations, it's essential to have tools to navigate social situations without relying on alcohol. These stra...

Cravings and Resisting the Urge to Drink Cravings can show up in different ways, both physically and mentally. It's important to recognize and understand these cravings to effectively resist the urge to drink. Seek medical advice if you suspect a physical dependency on alcohol, as abruptly stopping can be dangerous without proper guidance and support. Cravings serve as signals, indicating a di...

Welcome to another episode of my podcast, where I dive deep into the world of self-talk and its incredible influence on our lives. Today, I'll explore the importance of being mindful of our inner dialogue and how it shapes our beliefs and experiences. Episode Highlights: Cherishing the Beauty of Early Mornings: Rise and shine! Take a moment to bask in the beauty of a tranquil early morning and...

🎙️In this episode Carol discuss the concept of moderation and how it relates to alcohol consumption. 🎙️How moderation depends on an individual's relationship with alcohol. 🎙️Carol shares her personal experience of trying to moderate her drinking for about a decade. 🎙️Why decision fatigue plays a role in the difficulty of moderation. 🎙️The impact of tolerance on moderation is discussed, and I s...

Gordon and Stella were my two best friends for many years and I don't know if you've ever had a time when you were at work or something's happened and you're just like, I just need to get with my two best friends. I look back on my life, interestingly enough, alcohol and I had an incident when I was 15. I suppose my drinking really began as a kid because it was part of being part o...

In this episode, we are going to focus on tactics and on things that you can do proactively when stressful things come up in your life.   When you think about stress as being something that's harmful, it actually shuts you down. It just wants to protect you. Which is when you are most likely to reach for something to numb out with, such as alcohol.   When your mind is racing, you can start to...

Is stress good for us or bad for us? Its all about perception & how you see stress. Your brain can’t tell the difference between reality & something that’s made up when it comes to your thoughts. Stress can be used to get things done in a positive way. We can be programmed to avoid stress at all costs. Some stress can help us to learn & grow. I have lots of gold medals for failing in m...

Part 1 Stress is something we all have to deal with. If we don’t learn how to deal with it or manage the stress or uncomfortable things in our lives we can turn to alcohol.   Why can one person control their drinking & another one can’t?   You have a drink for the very first time & ‘All the lights go on’ & you get that alive for the very first time feeling.   Maybe you use alcohol to g...

Henry Ghijben shares his personal journey of addiction, talking about how he started drinking heavily in his teenage years and how it escalated into addiction. He shares his rock bottom moment and how it motivated him to seek help and make a change.

A brief outline on Kicking Habits, who it's aimed at & the content.