Peta’s story
Peta, a 49-year-old lawyer, has built her career in a high-pressure, high-stakes environment. For years, the way she unwound from long days in court or late nights preparing cases was with wine. At first, it felt like a reward; eventually, it became a nightly ritual, with a bottle of wine consumed most nights.
Though it helped her switch off in the moment, Peta began to notice the longer-term effects. Her moods dipped, anxiety spiked, she was waking at 2am in a cold sweat with her mind racing and her mental clarity at work was suffering. She felt ashamed, caught in a cycle of self-criticism and secrecy, unable to admit her struggles to colleagues, friends or even her GP. Despite reading countless ‘quit-lit’ books and trying everything from abstinence to moderation strategies, Peta couldn’t find a sustainable path forward.
When Peta connected with EmpowerHer, her coach provided something she hadn’t had before: a safe, non-judgemental space to talk openly. Together, they began by exploring the psychological and behavioural drivers behind her drinking—stress, perfectionism, imposter syndrome and the need to quickly ‘switch off’ after relentless workdays. Naming these triggers was the first step toward loosening their grip.
From there, Peta and her coach built practical, compassionate strategies:
Introducing alternative rituals to unwind at the end of the day.
Tracking her drinking patterns, not for punishment or shaming, but to spot trends and celebrate progress.
Experimenting with alcohol-free days, supported by tailored stress-management tools to make those evenings easier.
Using reflection and journaling to shift her self-talk away from shame toward curiosity and self-compassion.
Reconnecting Peta with activities she enjoyed but had neglected—such as yoga—which gave her new outlets for stress relief and fulfilment.
Providing Peta with a curated selection of proven and evidence-informed resources (books, websites, apps, communities and podcasts) on ‘grey-area drinking’ and ‘alcohol-use disorder’.
Over several months, Peta gradually reduced her alcohol intake. She felt less trapped by shame and more open to seeking medical and therapeutic support when she needed it. She has described feeling clearer, more even-tempered, and more confident in both her work and personal life.
For Peta, the most powerful change was not simply cutting back on alcohol—it was reclaiming her sense of agency. With coaching, she discovered that she didn’t have to do it alone. By addressing both the practical and emotional drivers of her drinking, she was able to make lasting, meaningful changes that supported her wellbeing.
‘I felt trapped by my nightly drinking and ashamed to talk about it. My coach helped me understand the triggers behind it, gave me tools and strategies to manage those triggers in healthier ways, and guided me step-by-step, without judgement. She was on hand to cheer me on, but also to comfort and support me when I felt like a failure. Feeling supported was the key I needed to unlock the change I wanted.’ — Peta
