Angie Thompson grew up in a turbulent home, where shouting, swearing, slammed doors, and harsh words were the norm.

But when she quit drinking, she uncovered a truth that changed everything—her past wasn’t just something to escape from; it held the key to her transformation.

Welcome to The Next Round, where we explore what happens after the last drink—because sometimes, understanding why you drank in the first place is the first step to discovering a new purpose. For Angie, that purpose became clear: by healing herself, she could help others do the same.

When Angie Thomson decided to quit drinking, she had no idea it would lead to a complete transformation -not just in her own life, but in the lives of others. Nearly two years into her alcohol-free journey, she’s now a trauma-informed coach, guiding people through the deeper reasons behind their drinking.

“Take that leap of faith and just go for it. You won’t regret it – you’ll never look back.”

For Angie, sobriety wasn’t just about removing alcohol. It was about understanding why she drank in the first place. That realisation pushed her into a new career, one rooted in healing.

Finding the ‘Why’ Behind the Drinking

Angie describes herself as the life of the party -the first to arrive, the last to leave, always pushing others to drink just as much as she did. But behind the fun-loving image was something deeper.

“Drinking was something to stop myself feeling all of that trauma people tend to suppress.”

Like many, she didn’t initially connect her drinking to her past. She grew up in a volatile household, where shouting and name-calling were the norm. As a child, she internalised it. “We don’t think logically as kids. We think, ‘My parents are arguing because of me.’” Those feelings of unworthiness followed her into adulthood, shaping her drinking habits.

It wasn’t until she stopped drinking that she recognised the underlying wounds that alcohol had been numbing.

“Trauma isn’t what happens to you. It’s what happens inside of you because of what happened to you.”

You can find out more about Angie at angiethompson.thementalwellbeingcompany.com/ and on instagram @AngieMWC

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