In a recent NYT article, women's alcohol consumption during the pandemic in the US for coping has risen upwards of 60% to Men. 
What does this say? 

The underlying implication is even in our modern world, with a home full of luxuries and technological advances, (this even exists at the poverty level),
basic needs being met, the tools for inner resilience and coping, ability to be with ones' self without distracting, are lacking.
People are still putting vodka in their coffee.

An inability to accept "what it is". 
When you deny reality, you suffer.
When you alter your state waiting for that maybe-someday time when it will all be the way you want it,
you miss out on life happening in front of you.
When you add more to an already good time, it becomes harder, chemically, to produce normal levels of feel good hormones.
Even ONE DRINK, alters the chemicals in your body, and strengthens the habit of drinking. 

When you grow your awareness about the habit of alcohol,
You learn to recognize the thoughts that create negative emotions.
You learn to process the emotions that need to be felt.
You learn your list of "why it's ok", aren't actually true if you cary it to the end result.
You learn, that NOTHING outside of you can crate your happiness, it's always your thoughts about it.

It takes on average 66 days to form a habit.
This habit comes with a concentrated, addictive substance.

None of this is abnormal.
What goes uncovered is the potential.
The thriving.
Access to your inner light that makes this life what you came here for:
To EXPERIENCE love, connection and nature.

The wonder, awe and playfulness possible without it.
And the ability to solve any problem, on your own.
To get to know yourself in the most INTIMATE way, because you NEVER solve an emotion by avoiding it.

You offer yourself your most undying love and support to the end.

When we stop drinking we gain more access to the abundance of life, 
rather than fear.
We make decisions about how to focus our attention, in a way that creates the results we most want.
Everything is optional.
Why choose to spend your time focusing on that which creates negative emotions?
Only to not be able to cope?

If you have ever googled, How much is too much?
OR what's the "acceptable" limit for drinking.. 
You are not alone. 
Take a listen to the podcast for this week, ep. #69, I'll tell you the answer.  

All hearts on deck,
Mary

PS: If you are ready to really get ahold of this habit, and put an end to simply "taking a break", it's time for a new approach. My 6 month 1:1 coaching program is designed as a 5 module course to help you gain more awareness, learn about the habit with new tools and step by step strategy to balance the chemicals of the body, and nervous system. Then apply everything in practice and evaluate it all with unlimited support, from me and live coaching. Alcohol has already taken away too much of your invaluable time.
Click HERE to find out more.