Are there any podcasts that talk about drinking due to domestic abuse?

[Elchoclo]

Im trying to find podcasts about how to stop drinking. But they all seem to refer to either the ‘wine o clock’ culture, drinking to be sociable, or the ‘yummy mummy’ wine drinking culture.

I drank because I wanted to block out the fact that I was in a coercive, manipulative and gaslighting relationship. I’m out of it now, but my ex-h is still a part of my life due to having kids. And, I’m still drinking because if I don’t, I get horrific nightmares which echo ex-h’s behaviour when we were together, and menopausal night sweats. Every morning I wake up and think ‘right, today is the day I’m going to stop, I can’t feel this shit every morning any more’. But then it gets to 5pm and I’m feeling better and reality hits…and off I go and buy a bottle of gin ;(

I'm sorry I don't have any podcast recommendations - I have read every sober/recovery book I could get my hands on and celebrated 2 years sober yesterday so it worked for me. I was drinking vodka in the morning at the end of my drinking days. Some books I think might suit you;

Blackout - remembering the things I drank to forget Sarah Hepola

Between breaths - a memoir of panic and addiction - Elizabeth Vargas

Also more general ones;
The unexpected job of being sober - Catherine Greyson
Annie Grace - this naked mind

And ones that spoke to me the most and I wanted to mention but might not be for you;
Drinking a love story - Caroline knapp
You left early - Louisa young

There is plenty more I can recommend I realise you asked for podcasts so sorry if this isn't helpful but I just wanted to share in case it is.

Podcasts that helped me were not so much to do with addiction but fearne cottons happy place gave me a lot of good ideas and hope for a life I might have and dr alex George stomp cast calmed me in moments.
Sending strength I know how hard it is.

Following with interest as this sounds like the position I’m in. My ex was an emotionally abusive bully and I drank but now he’s gone I’m drinking even more than ever.

Absolutely there are yes, but you have to pick through the episodes to find the ones that speak to you. So I think both One for the Road and Behind the Smile deal a lot with trauma. There are some incredibly powerful ones. You might have a look at Recovery from Anything as well. It's hosted by a recovering alcoholic/drug addict, but it focussed more on recovery from traumatic experiences.

The reality is though that almost anyone who has a drinking problem is drinking to deal with something. So for a lot of people it's dysfunctional childhood/family relationships, and you may still find those stories helpful, because toxic abusive relationship with a parent is not that dissimilar in a lot of ways from a toxic abusive relationship with a partner. The healing you have to do is the same. Problem drinking is about filling up the hole with booze instead of healing it, so I wouldn't get too caught up on what caused the hole that you find an excuse not to do the work of healing, if that makes sense.

@Elchoclo

I just wanted to check if you're ok.

You've been through such a trauma - and obviously he's still around in some ways, even harder.

I don't have personal experience of DV but Women's Aid might be a good place to find support?

www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/the-survivors-handbook/ive-left-and-i-need-support/

Good luck and well done for getting out 💕

How are you doing? I’d second Women’s Aid too. Also AA, I called them and someone local had called me back within the hour. Took me to a meeting the next day, this is my third day sober. You can you this 💪🏼

I’m doing ok. I called a counsellor and I can have trauma counselling if I stop drinking for a couple of weeks min. So I’ve self referred to a local alcohol support group, waiting to hear back. Also made a dr appointment to ask for sleeping tablets.

Thank you for caring, everyone, it actually means a lot that people I’ve never met are asking if I’m ok.

Hello @Elchoclo,

Thanks for posting. Those are really positive steps - massive well done.

@BA25

Great job on your 3 days sober - maybe 4 now x