Are you struggling with how to stop using alcohol as a crutch when it’s all you’ve ever known for comfort, confidence, or escape? When alcohol becomes the go-to for numbing pain, soothing nerves, or simply making it through the day, letting it go can feel like losing a lifeline. Mark leaned on alcohol to suppress decades of emotional trauma and mask neurodivergent traits that made emotional expression difficult. Glenn turned to beer as a buffer against social anxiety and the constant pressure to fit in, using it to quiet a mind that never stopped spinning. In this episode, Coaches Hayley and Ruby help both men uncover the deeper beliefs that shaped their drinking behaviors—and explore how discovering healthier emotional tools can lead not just to freedom from alcohol, but to a more grounded, present, and emotionally connected life. In Mark’s session: Exploring childhood trauma and emotional suppression The connection between neurodiversity and alcohol reliance Why alcohol became a long-term emotional safety blanket How to stop using alcohol as a crutch and find new emotional tools Body scan practices to access suppressed feelings Visualization and the emotion wheel as tools for emotional insight The difference between masking emotions vs. processing them Recognizing progress even when it doesn’t look like expected healing Finding alternative ways to self-soothe and cope and more… In Glenn’s session: Growing up in a home where alcohol was a symbol of adulthood Using beer to manage social anxiety and introversion The rise in drinking during isolation and how it became a daily habit How to stop using alcohol as a crutch for connection and calm The emotional highs and lows of early alcohol-free living Discovering joy in ordinary moments and accepting melancholy Letting go of perfection in mindfulness and meditation Rewriting social rules and embracing introversion Building confidence through small steps and self-acceptance and other topics… Hayley Scherders is a certified TNM Coach with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be and provides a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time. Learn more about Coach Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/   Ruby Williams is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach dedicated to helping people rethink their relationship with alcohol. With 19 years of experience in the wine industry, Ruby understands how alcohol can become a regular part of life, especially in social or stressful situations. After finding freedom in 2019, she was empowered to improve her health, lose weight, and achieve lifelong goals. Ruby uses thoughtful questioning to help clients shift their mindset and build a more balanced, fulfilling, and healthier relationship with alcohol. Learn more about Coach Ruby: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/ruby-williams/