This week in the Share Shed there is a message from someone who feels properly stuck.

It’s whisky, and it’s creeping earlier. What used to be evenings has slowly shifted… to afternoons… and now sometimes mornings. Just a quick swig out of the bottle to steady the nerves.

They’ve been listening to the podcast, quietly questioning things, knowing deep down something isn’t right… but still lying to themselves and everyone around them.

And this is the first time they’ve ever said it out loud. If this resonates maybe the best thing you can do is just tell one person?

The Share Shed is where listeners send in their funniest, cringiest and most unbelievable drinking stories. It’s not about judgement, it’s about recognising how wild things could get when alcohol was in charge, and laughing about it now we’re on the other side.

If you’ve got a story you’d like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or slightly ridiculous, you can send it to Vic at:

vic@soberawkward.com

Anonymous is absolutely fine. In fact - for legal reasons - probably preferable!!

and if you feel like you are in need of some extra support and you live in Australia - here are some people you can call -

📞 SUPPORT & RESOURCES

If anything in today’s Shame Shed felt familiar, or you’re worried about your drinking, there is support out there. You don’t have to do this on your own.

🇦🇺 Australia

National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline

📞 1800 250 015 (24/7)

Free, confidential advice and support

🌐 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/alcohol-and-drug-information-service

Lifeline (if you’re feeling overwhelmed or in crisis)

📞 13 11 14 (24/7)

🌐 https://www.lifeline.org.au

Hello Sunday Morning / Daybreak App

Online support programme and community

🌐 https://hellosundaymorning.org

🌐 https://daybreakapp.com.au

Clean Slate Clinic

Telehealth support for detox and recovery from home

🌐 https://www.cleanslateclinic.com

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Drinkline (NHS Alcohol Helpline)

📞 0300 123 1110

🌐 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/

Alcohol Change UK

Advice, tools, and support

🌐 https://alcoholchange.org.uk

We Are With You

Free, local and online support

🌐 https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk

🌍 International

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Find local meetings worldwide

🌐 https://www.aa.org

SMART Recovery

Science-based support groups (online and in person)

🌐 https://www.smartrecovery.org

💬 A gentle reminder

If you’re drinking in the morning to cope, especially with anxiety or withdrawal symptoms, it’s really important to speak to a doctor or medical professional. Stopping suddenly can be unsafe for some people, and support can make a huge difference.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

You just have to start somewhere.

💛 Other Resources & Links

📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted Sundays

A brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.

👉 Buy the book here

🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes

👉 www.soberawkward.com

🫖 Join The Cuppa Community

Our private, supportive online space for sober folk

👉 www.cuppa.community

📘 Get the Sober Awkward Guide