About this episode

Vic discusses the struggles of social anxiety and alcohol dependence through the lens of a letter from a listener named Allison.

Vic is flying solo today, with no guest and a letter she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. You’ll hear from Allison, a woman who started drinking to hide her shyness. She has relied on alcohol for so long that she no longer knows who she is without it. Loads of women have been sharing similar stories in the Sober Awkward Facebook group. They drink before parties, dates and dinners because socialising is fucking hard. Perhaps that’s one of the biggest reasons any of us start drinking. A few glasses quieten the voice telling us we’re boring, awkward or about to say something ridiculous. Unfortunately, that temporary confidence can become the only version of ourselves we trust. Vic looks at social anxiety, identity and the strange business of meeting your sober personality after years of hiding her. There’s some science, plenty of honesty, a penis-shaped teabag holder and a deeply questionable vag spoon. You might never become brilliant at parties. Who cares? Stay for an hour, talk to one nice person, eat the crisps and go home. 📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted Sundays A brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze. 👉…

People in this episode

Host: Vic

Topics covered

• social anxiety
• identity
• alcohol dependence
• shyness
• sober living

Keywords

• social anxiety
• alcohol
• shyness
• sober
• identity
• confidence

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: A Thousand Wasted Sundays, Mumming - A year of Trying (and Failing) to be a better parent

More episodes of Sober Awkward

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• The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · September 2, 2026 · 7 min
• Finding Levity in Sobriety - With Audrey · August 30, 2026 · 56 min
• The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · August 26, 2026 · 8 min
• The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · August 19, 2026 · 7 min
• Does Your Sobriety Have Seasons? with Kate Baily & Amy Doyle · August 16, 2026 · 42 min

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