How Alcohol Took Over My Life – Regina’s Naked Life

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered, “How did I get here?” Regina remembers whispering to herself, “I don’t understand how alcohol took over my life.” What began as harmless fun with friends slowly became her way to cope with stress, grief, and overwhelm. But her story doesn’t end there—because the moment she decided to break free, everything changed. Today, Regina is thriving in her alcohol-free life—and her courage has inspired her husband and best friend to go alcohol-free too. Here’s how she reclaimed her life, her joy, and her freedom.

The First Sip That Opened the Door

My story with alcohol started when I was about twelve. I was at a family friend’s house, someone I admired so much. She didn’t even drink, but that night she offered vodka to me and my friends. We were just kids, and I had no idea what to expect. We got drunk, and I remember crying—just sobbing—as everything I had been holding in came spilling out.

My mom had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was five. She was in and out of the hospital, and my older brother had started using drugs and drinking. There was so much chaos swirling around me, and that night alcohol felt like a release. It broke down walls I didn’t even know I had. It let me talk about the things that felt too heavy to carry. And for the first time, I felt connected.

Drinking to Belong, Not Realizing the Risk

In middle school and high school, alcohol became something I used to bond with friends. We’d sneak beers from parents’ fridges or ask older kids to buy us alcohol. There were bonfires, fields, and long late-night talks. It didn’t seem dangerous because it wasn’t daily. To me, the people who had “problems” with alcohol were the ones whose lives were falling apart. My mom had gone to AA and gotten sober, but at the time, I thought, That’s not me.

Looking back, I see how those patterns were quietly setting in. I used alcohol to connect, to feel grown-up, and to escape from the noise inside my head. It wasn’t really about having fun. It was about numbing pain I didn’t know how to face yet.

When Alcohol Became My Crutch

As I got older, I convinced myself I was in control. I was going to college, running my own business, traveling the world. On the outside, I looked like I had it all together. But on the inside, I was crumbling. In 2014, I lost both of my grandmothers within three months of each other. My friendships were shifting. My stress was sky-high. That’s when my drinking really ramped up.

I tried everything to prove I wasn’t dependent—cleanses, “sober curious” stretches, drink counter apps, only drinking on weekends, cutting sugar, even stopping while on antibiotics. But no matter what I tried, I would always end up back where I started. I thought I was proving my strength. In reality, I was proving how alcohol had taken control. I was slowly realizing how alcohol took over my life—and how little power I actually had while it was still in it.

The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything

Everything shifted after I had my daughter. I went through a manic episode that turned into postpartum psychosis. I was hospitalized, and my psychiatrist told me I should stop all substances—including alcohol. That conversation shattered the illusion I had built. I didn’t want to end up like my mom or my brother. I didn’t want alcohol to take everything from me like it had from my uncle.

That was my moment of clarity: alcohol wasn’t helping me cope anymore. It had become the thing I was coping with. And I wanted out.

Finding Freedom Through This Naked Mind

In June of 2021, I made the decision that changed everything. I searched for books about quitting drinking and found This Naked Mind. The part about cognitive dissonance—the mental tug-of-war between what you believe and what you know—completely cracked me open. I realized I didn’t actually enjoy drinking. I just believed I needed it.

Initially, I read the book once and stopped drinking for two months. After a slip on vacation, I came home determined. I read it two more times, plus three or four other books that This Naked Mind recommended. Slowly, the fog lifted. I saw alcohol for what it really was—a substance that had been stealing my peace and my joy.

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Download the first chapter of This Naked Mind for free and discover the same mindset shift that helped me break free. That first chapter was the spark that changed everything for me—and it could be for you too.

Life on the Other Side

I’ve now been alcohol-free for nearly five years. Even more amazing? My husband quit six months after me, and my best friend just celebrated her first alcohol-free year. Watching the people I love find freedom because I went first has been one of the most powerful parts of this journey.

Today, I feel alive. Present. Free. I don’t wake up with regret or shame or hangovers anymore. These days, I laugh more, love harder, and think more clearly. I have more energy, more patience, and more confidence than I ever imagined possible.

And you know what? Life is actually more fun now. I don’t miss out—I show up. Every concert, holiday, girls’ night, or family vacation I do without alcohol reminds me just how strong I am. I don’t need a drink to make moments special. They already are.

If I could go back and tell my old self one thing, it would be this: You don’t need alcohol to cope with life. You are so much stronger than you think. And letting it go will be the best gift you’ll ever give yourself—and everyone who loves you.

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