When Numbing Feels Normal
A Better Way to Think About Drinking
“Not every drink is a disaster... but the ones that silence pain are laying a trap.” – Nate Herlean
We were a few minutes into the appetizer when my phone rang.
I told her ahead of time… I might need to step away. A client was in a hard place. When the call came, I took it. Fifteen(ish) minutes later, I returned, fully expecting the air to feel a bit off… like something shifted while I was gone.
But instead, she said:
“So… you’re the one of those people turn to when their world’s falling apart?”
It made me pause. Because... yeah… I guess I thought that. Well... Kinda. But it was strange to hear it said out loud like that.
I don’t have all the answers. But I’ve walked thousands through this work... men, women, teens, entire families. I don’t carry their pain but I walk beside them. I help them find footing when everything feels upside down.
And here’s what I’ve learned:
Addiction isn’t always the problem.
It’s the solution someone found when they didn’t know what else to do.
Some people drink because they’re overwhelmed. Some use because they’re anxious. Some just want to stop feeling so damn much. And for a moment… it works.
But... Not every drink is a disaster... but the ones that silence pain are laying a trap.
If you’re using alcohol to manage your nervous system, to escape a memory, or just to feel okay in your own skin… that’s not just casual drinking. That’s a dangerous agreement you’ve made with something that doesn’t love you back.
And no, you don’t have to call yourself an alcoholic to start changing.
You don’t need a label to walk away from what’s hurting you!
The question isn’t “Do I have a problem?”
The better one is: “What am I trying to avoid... and is this helping or hiding it?”
Whether it’s occasional, heavy, or full-blown dependence… If alcohol has become your medicine, your escape hatch, your emotional off-switch...
Decide to change... even if you’re unsure right now how to do it.
Reach out. I’ll help make sure the first step is the right one.
I’ll meet you wherever you’re at. Private. Confidential. No judgment.
Holding Doors services are independent from my work at Throttle & Thrive and focus solely on recovery coaching and education. These services are educational in nature and not a substitute for medical care. Holding Doors does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe. Always consult your physician for medical advice or treatment. Phone/video sessions are not medical consultations.
