How to Stay Close When Your Drinking Starts Changing w/ Dr. Darcy Sterling

How to Stay Close When Your Drinking Starts Changing w/ Dr. Darcy Sterling

June 4, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 253

About this episode

Dr. Darcy Sterling discusses how couples can navigate changes in drinking habits and maintain closeness in their relationship.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Darcy Sterling, relationship expert, licensed clinical social worker, and host of We Need to Talk. We talk about what happens when one person in a relationship starts drinking less, especially when alcohol has become part of how a couple connects. For many couples, drinking is woven into date night, vacations, and reconnecting at the end of the day. So when one person starts wanting less of it, the other partner may feel judged, confused, or afraid the relationship is changing. Dr. Darcy explains why alcohol can sometimes become like a third person in the relationship, how to bring up drinking less without creating defensiveness, why support can turn into policing, and how couples can build new ways to stay close. This is a practical conversation about communication, resentment, support, and what it looks like to grow without leaving your partner behind. CONNECT WITH SUNNYSIDE: Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3 Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinsunnyside/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinsunnyside/ Twitter: https://x.com/joinsunnyside…

People in this episode

Host: Sunnyside

Guest: Dr. Darcy Sterling

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sunnyside

Books & works: We Need to Talk

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