A Life-Changing Diagnosis: Epilepsy, Health Anxiety & The Alcohol Addiction Cycle That Followed
The Sober SeatShow Notes
In this week’s episode of The Sober Seat, I sit down with Kate to explore the devastating cycle of hangxiety, anxiety, binge drinking, and alcohol addiction. After receiving an epilepsy diagnosis in her early twenties, Kate found herself struggling to process the fear, uncertainty, and anxiety that followed. What she didn’t realise at the time was how much this diagnosis would shape the next decade of her life, including her relationship with alcohol. What began as drinking to cope, to feel normal, silence anxious thoughts, and escape the intense hangxiety after nights out, gradually developed into a much deeper and more dangerous relationship with alcohol. Together, we talk openly about binge drinking, alcoholism, the shame that comes with losing control, and the cycle of drinking to relieve anxiety, only for alcohol to make that anxiety even worse the next day. Kate shares the Sundays she promised herself she would stop, the panic and dread that followed drinking, and how alcohol slowly took hold of her life in ways she could no longer ignore. If you have ever used alcohol to cope with anxiety, struggled with binge drinking, navigated a medical diagnosis, or questioned your relationship with alcohol, this episode will resonate deeply. Through raw stories and honest conversations with people who have rebuilt their lives, The Sober Seat explores sobriety, recovery, mental health, and what it means to rebuild a life beyond alcohol. For the high-functioning, the hidden struggles, the sober curious, the affected others, and anyone who has ever felt unseen or misunderstood. Because addiction doesn’t always look like addiction. It can look like success, a busy life, a social person, a career, or someone who simply drinks to cope. And what a sobering thought it is… that there are seats waiting for you at tables you’re yet to discover, and you’ll quickly realise they’re exactly where you belong. So pull up a chair. Come sit with us. You can find us on socials: Host | Aish IG - Aish_thesoberseat TT - Aish_thesoberseat Guest | Kate IG - @katestaceyyy TT - asoberexperiment
More from The Sober Seat
Cam takes a seat on The Sober Seat to share her honest story of alcohol addiction, Hangxiety, college binge drinking, and getting sober in her 20s.
In Part 2 of this Episode of The Sober Seat, Izzy Rose picks up where her story left off. So if you haven't listen to Part 1, go give it a listen.
Izzy Rose was detained in solitary confinement inside a Japanese prison after a ketamine addiction slowly took control of her life.
Holly was just 26 years old when doctors told her she had six months to live. By then, she was drinking up to three bottles of gin a day after becoming dependent on alcohol at just 22 years old. In this episode of The Sober Seat, Holly shares her raw and honest story of alcohol addiction, alcoholism, getting sober, and what it really takes to rebuild your life after addiction. What started as drinking in her early twenties quickly spiralled into 24/7 alcohol dependence, leaving Holly physically addicted to alcohol and fighting to survive daily alcohol withdrawal. She opens up about the devastating reality of severe alcoholism, being told she had just six months to live, and the long road of overcoming addiction and choosing sobriety. This episode explores what it means to live a sober lifestyle, the challenges of getting sober, navigating early sobriety, and why recovery is about so much more than simply quitting alcohol. Holly shares the highs, the lows, and what a day in the life of sobriety really looks like after surviving alcohol addiction. This is a conversation about addiction recovery, sobriety, healing, resilience, and hope. Holly's story proves addiction doesn't always look like we expect it to. Topics covered: alcohol addiction, alcoholism, alcoholic recovery, how to get sober, getting sober, sober lifestyle, sobriety journey, sobriety day in the life, day in the life sober, overcoming addiction, addiction recovery, alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal, sober curious, mental health, women and alcohol, high-functioning alcoholic, recovery community, sober motivation, alcohol recovery, life after addiction, and healing from alcoholism. If you've ever searched "how to get sober," wondered what life is like after alcohol addiction, or you're trying to build a healthier relationship with alcohol, this episode is for you.
What started as social drinking gradually became morning drinking, alcohol withdrawal, and a life Amanda no longer recognised. Like so many people, she mistook the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal for anxiety, never realising how deeply addiction had taken hold. Because addiction doesn't always look like addiction. It can hide behind successful careers, loving families, busy routines, or be dismissed as stress, anxiety, or "just enjoying a drink." In this episode of The Sober Seat, Amanda shares what it's really like to live with alcohol addiction. She opens up about how alcoholism cost her everything: her home, her job, her confidence, and ultimately herself. As her world became smaller, instant alcohol delivery services made it easier than ever for addiction to thrive behind closed doors, fuelling the isolation that kept her trapped. After multiple attempts to stop drinking, Amanda reached a point where she knew she couldn't do it alone. In 2024, Change Grow Live (CGL) offered her a lifeline. Through a medically assisted alcohol detox and ongoing support, Amanda began rebuilding a life she never thought was possible. Today, Amanda leads SMART Recovery meetings at CGL, helping others take the first steps she once thought she'd never be able to make. Alcohol took everything from her, but sobriety has given her more than she ever imagined. This is an honest conversation about alcohol addiction, alcohol dependency, withdrawal, mental health, anxiety, recovery, grief, and rebuilding life after addiction. Amanda also shares why she believes urgent action is needed to tackle alcohol harm and the ease of instant alcohol delivery. Topics covered: alcohol addiction, alcohol dependency, alcohol withdrawal, alcoholism, recovery, sobriety, mental health, grief, addiction awareness, public health, Change Grow Live (CGL), SMART Recovery, alcohol delivery services, campaigning, Alcohol Change UK, End the Delivery Trap, UK alcohol policy, and alcohol harm. If you've ever wondered why someone can't "just stop drinking", or you've watched someone you love become trapped by alcohol addiction, this episode is for you. Whether you're sober, sober curious, supporting someone in recovery, or simply want to better understand alcohol dependence, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and proof that recovery is possible. So get comfy. Pull up a chair. Come sit with us. This is The Sober Seat. 🎧✨ Where to find us TikTok: @aish_thesoberseat Instagram: @aish_thesoberseat Guest: @beyond__sober Campaign: End the Delivery Trap (Alcohol Change UK) https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/end-the-delivery-trap Support: Change Grow Live (CGL) https://www.changegrowlive.org/about-us