When It’s Not About the Alcohol: Why High-Achieving Women Overdrink & What Actually Needs Fixing with Colleen Freeland | 413
This Is Woman's Work with Nicole KalilShow Notes
Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t another “just drink less” conversation. Because if it were that simple, you would’ve solved it already.
In this raw, honest, and slightly uncomfortable episode, Nicole sits down with intuitive drinking coach Colleen Freeland—host of the It’s Not About the Alcohol podcast and a former high-functioning overdrinker herself—to unpack what’s really behind overdrinking, especially for high-achieving women who “have it all together”… on paper.
It’s not about willpower. It’s not about discipline. And it’s definitely not just about alcohol.
It’s about what you’re trying to escape.
Colleen breaks down why alcohol is often just the symptom—not the problem—and how coping mechanisms like perfectionism, overworking, and even “healthy habits” can be just as numbing if we don’t address the root cause.
What We Talk About:
Why alcohol isn’t the problem—it’s the signal
The real reason high-achieving women overdrink (hint: it’s not lack of discipline)
Why removing alcohol doesn’t fix the issue—it just replaces it
Nervous system regulation: the skill no one taught you (but you desperately need)
How to rebuild self-trust after patterns you’re not proud of
Why feeling better starts with admitting you don’t feel okay
This conversation flips the script on everything we’ve been taught about drinking, self-control, and “fixing” ourselves.
Because the goal may not be to eliminate the coping mechanism… maybe the goal is to build a life you don’t constantly need to escape from.
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Connect with Colleen:
Website: https://www.emotionalsobrietycoaching.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thehangoverwhisperer/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hangoverwhisperer
Podcast: https://www.emotionalsobrietycoaching.com/podcast
Related Podcast Episodes
Stop Saying “I’m Fine”: Nervous System Regulation for High-Achieving Women with Michelle Grosser | 372
How Our Dysregulated Nervous Systems Are Impacting Us with Victoria Albina | 244
Sober Curious with Amanda Kuda | 270
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This episode breaks down why overdrinking isn’t about alcohol—it’s about emotional regulation, stress, and self-connection, giving high-achieving women a smarter, deeper way to change their habits for good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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