Why does alcohol feel like the only way to quiet your mind? Drinking to deal with sensory overload and overwhelming 'white noise' was a daily necessity for Scot. After growing up surrounded by generational alcohol use, he turned to alcohol early in life, finding it was the only thing that allowed him to overcome shyness and function socially. It wasn't until later in life, after receiving a diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, that Scot finally understood the true battle he was fighting—a fight against his own neurodivergent needs that led him to a devastating cycle of returns to old patterns and regret. Scot and Coach Cole discuss: Scot’s early years in a family shaped by heavy drinking and loss How local drinking culture and “always up for it” expectations influenced his choices Using alcohol as “Dutch courage” to socialize as a shy, neurodivergent teen Discovering autism and ADHD as a lens for self-understanding instead of self-blame Nightly wine, hidden bottles, blackouts, and the impact on his partner and kids His vivid description of mental “noise” and drinking to deal with sensory overload The moment with his daughter that sparked a clear decision to quit for good Embracing neurodivergent strengths and navigating social events alcohol-free And more… Related Episodes: I drink to f*ck my brain up, just for a little while. Can you help? | Reader Question | E80 | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-80-reader-question-drink-fck-brain-just-little-can-help/ I Drink To Fit In | Nat’s Naked Life | E439 | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-439-naked-life-story-nat-x/ Highly Sensitive People and Alcohol Use | Halima - Where Are They Now? | E703 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-703-naked-life-story-hayley-where-are-they-now-halima/ 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!