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Ever found yourself swearing off alcohol only to cave in a moment of weakness? That dreaded "fuck it button" moment is something both of us know intimately—and it's exactly what we're tackling in this raw, unfiltered conversation about the cycle of drinking, quitting, and drinking again.

Ali opens up about her journey through hypnotherapy to address the root causes of her drinking—feelings of unworthiness and abandonment—only to face a critical test at a colleague's wedding where champagne flutes and old habits threatened everything she'd worked for. Meanwhile, Meg shares how five months of sobriety in 2018 evaporated with one impulsive decision on Valentine's Day, leading to two more years lost to alcohol.

What makes this episode different from typical sobriety talk is our focus on practical strategies that actually work in those crucial moments when willpower isn't enough. From "surfing the urge" techniques that help you ride out cravings to finding unexpected accountability partners (Ali's daughter became her unlikely ally), we share the real tools that finally helped us break free after countless attempts.

The most powerful insight? Your motivation to quit has to become bigger than your reason to drink. For Meg, it was visualizing where her life would be in one, five, and ten years if she continued drinking. For Ali, it was recording a brutally honest video to herself after a relapse. Whatever your motivation, we're here to remind you that everyone who's successfully quit has likely hit the fuck-it button multiple times along the way. The only way you won't succeed is if you stop trying.

Feeling stuck in the cycle? Listen in, grab some tools, and remember—you're choosing yourself when you choose sobriety. And that's worth fighting for.

Contact Us:

https://www.meganwebb.com.au/podcast-1

Ali

insta: https://www.instagram.com/idontdrinkfullstop/

Meg

website: https://www.meganwebb.com.au/

insta: https://www.instagram.com/meganwebbcoaching/

bookclub: https://www.alcoholfreedom.com.au/unwinedbookclub

Connect AF: https://www.elizaparkinson.com/groupcoaching

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The question arrived in our inbox from a listener with a familiar fear: "Will I lose my friends if I stop drinking?" It's a concern that keeps countless people trapped in cycles of alcohol use despite wanting to quit. After all, drinking culture permeates nearly every social gathering—from parent meetups to barbecues, Friday celebrations to weekend festivities.

Drawing from our combined eight years of sobriety, we explore how friendship landscapes truly transform when alcohol exits the picture. The surprising truth? While some connections naturally fade, these aren't "losses" but revelations about which relationships were authentic versus which were merely drinking partnerships. As we share our experiences, we unpack how many drinking friendships were based on mutual enabling, negativity, and what we call "pity parties"—gatherings where everyone validated each other's misery while avoiding addressing the real issues.

What becomes crystal clear through our conversation is the profound irony of alcohol: we drink seeking connection and belonging, yet it prevents the very depth we're searching for. Without alcohol, we form deeper bonds more quickly, have conversations we actually remember, and discover parts of ourselves that were always there but obscured by drinking. The embarrassing late-night drunk calls, blackouts, and memory gaps give way to authentic conversations and genuine presence.

Perhaps most encouraging for those considering sobriety is how our social worlds expanded rather than contracted. We reconnected with people we'd previously dismissed because they "didn't drink enough," found new communities through shared interests rather than shared bottles, and discovered that true friendships adapt—switching from evening drinking sessions to morning walks, meaningful dinners, or creative pursuits.

Whether you're sober-curious or supporting someone who's making changes, this episode offers hope that a richer social life awaits on the other side of alcohol. What connections might you discover when you're fully present? What authentic relationships are waiting to deepen when you're no longer numbed by drinking? We'd love to hear your experiences—reach out to us on Instagram at Laughs Without Lager or through our website.

Contact Us:

https://www.meganwebb.com.au/podcast-1

Ali

insta: https://www.instagram.com/idontdrinkfullstop/

Meg

website: https://www.meganwebb.com.au/

insta: https://www.instagram.com/meganwebbcoaching/

bookclub: https://www.alcoholfreedom.com.au/unwinedbookclub

Connect AF: https://www.elizaparkinson.com/groupcoaching

Send us a text

Ever wondered when to tell people you've stopped drinking? That seemingly simple question leads us down a fascinating rabbit hole of social expectations, personal growth, and the unexpected gifts of sobriety.

As two women with over seven combined years of alcohol-free living, we've navigated countless awkward explanations, invented excuses, and eventually found our authentic voices. From Ali's clever "one-year no beer challenge" deflection to Megsy's podcast revelation, we share the evolving ways we've announced our sobriety to friends, family, and even potential employers.

What's most striking is how society demands explanations from non-drinkers while never questioning those who drink. This double standard reveals alcohol's powerful grip on our culture, even as both of us discovered something revolutionary: all those qualities we credited to alcohol—being funny, creative, confident—were actually within us all along. Alcohol wasn't enhancing our personalities; it was masking them.

The transformation from FOMO (fear of missing out) to JOMO (joy of missing out) marks a pivotal shift in sobriety, as does the realization that we didn't "give up" anything valuable—we gained ourselves back. Through personal anecdotes ranging from hilarious misadventures to profound moments of clarity, we illustrate how sobriety unveils our authentic selves and reconnects us with our true values.

Whether you're sober-curious, newly alcohol-free, or simply interested in understanding loved ones who don't drink, this conversation offers both practical guidance and heartfelt encouragement. Ready to explore the freedom that comes when you no longer feel compelled to explain yourself or pretend to be someone you're not? Listen now, and discover what awaits on the other side of drinking.

Contact Us:

https://www.meganwebb.com.au/podcast-1

Ali

insta: https://www.instagram.com/idontdrinkfullstop/

Meg

website: https://www.meganwebb.com.au/

insta: https://www.instagram.com/meganwebbcoaching/

bookclub: https://www.alcoholfreedom.com.au/unwinedbookclub

Connect AF: https://www.elizaparkinson.com/groupcoaching