Natalie Tysdal
How to Tell if Drinking Is a Problem for You, with Colleen Freeland Many midlife women find themselves rethinking their relationship with alcohol as they navigate new stressors, changing hormones, and shifting priorities. If you're in your 40s, 50s, or 60s and noticing that alcohol plays a different role in your life than it used to, you are not alone.
In this episode, I sit down with Colleen Freeland, founder of Emotional Sobriety Coaching and host of the Not About the Alcohol podcast, for a direct and honest discussion about high-functioning women, drinking habits, and the cultural narratives that shape how we cope in midlife. We move past labels and shame, getting practical about how women can check in with themselves, rewire unhelpful habits, and find healthier ways to handle stress.
We discuss:
Why high-achieving, goal-oriented women often turn to alcohol to unwind
How stress, productivity, and perfectionism impact women's health in midlife
The difference between drinking to enhance an experience and drinking to tolerate discomfort
Why the "am I an alcoholic?" label can be less helpful than you think
Practical strategies like the "delay, don't deny" method for interrupting automatic habits
The importance of mindfulness and self-compassion in making sustainable changes
How to set boundaries around drinking in relationships, including with partners
CHAPTERS
00:00
02:26 The Love-Hate Relationship with Alcohol
04:52 Mindful Drinking and High Functioning Women
07:55 The Impact of Labels: Alcoholic vs. Casual Drinker
10:40 Recognizing Personal Accountability and Boundaries
13:33 Understanding Alcohol's Role in Coping Mechanisms
16:06 The Delay, Don't Deny Method
21:59 Building Mindfulness to Change Drinking Habits
28:06 Self-Care and Checking In with Needs
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DISCLAIMER:
Natalie Tysdal is a health journalist, not a licensed medical professional. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.