Have you ever woken up at 3:00 a.m. with a racing heart, feeling a sense of regret and frustration, only to look around and see everyone else drinking just like you? You might be a gray area drinker.
In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Jonathan and Ellen dive into the "messy middle"—that space where you’re drinking more than you want to, but you don't necessarily fit the stereotypical label of an "alcoholic." We discuss why the current labels often keep people stuck in a cycle of shame and why you don’t need to hit "rock bottom" to make a positive change.
By understanding the science of how alcohol affects the body and utilizing effective liminal psychology (as taught in This Naked Mind), you can change your relationship with alcohol from the inside out.
In this video, you’ll learn:
What gray area drinking (or "middle lane drinking") actually is.
Why the term "alcoholic" can be a barrier to seeking help.
The reality of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as a spectrum.
How to separate your identity from the substance.
Why the life you imagine without alcohol is actually more fulfilling than the one you have now.
Connect with us: 📩 Have a story or a question? Email us at: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com ✨ Subscribe to the channel for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth.
🕒 Chapter Timestamps
0:00 - The Internal Shift Needed for Real Change
1:10 - Defining "Gray Area Drinking"
2:02 - Ellen’s Story: The Lonely Space of the "Messy Middle"
4:08 - The Stigma of the Label "Alcoholic"
6:17 - Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as a Spectrum
8:00 - High-Functioning Drinking and Hiding the Problem
10:58 - Why External Actions (Rehab/Meetings) Aren't Always the Answer
12:02 - The Importance of Community and Support
13:37 - Methodology: Changing How You Want to Feel
15:30 - Understanding the Science of Alcohol in the Body
18:27 - Decoupling the Substance from the Self
20:45 - Signs You Might Be a Gray Area Drinker
22:25 - The Myth of the "Rock Bottom"
24:16 - Hope and Life After Alcohol
#GrayAreaDrinking #SoberCurious #ThisNaked Mind #AlcoholMyth #AlcoholFree #Sobriety #PersonalGrowth #AlcoholUseDisorder #MentalHealth
Looking for community? Support? Reach out! We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.
Send us an email at thealcoholmyth@gmail.com
Or check out our websites
https://alcoholmyth.com/
Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/
Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/
