Have you ever woken up after a night of drinking with your heart racing, convinced you’ve embarrassed yourself, upset someone, or somehow ruined your entire life? That awful feeling has a name: hangxiety.
This week, Victoria is joined by Millie Gooch, founder of The Sober Girl Society and author of the brilliant new book, Hangxiety. Together they dive into the reality of hangxiety, what it felt like for both of them as “normal” drinkers, the university drinking culture that taught them it was all just part of growing up, and why so many of us accepted feeling awful as the price of having a good time.
They also explore the science behind alcohol and anxiety, the rise of the sober curious movement, and why giving up alcohol can be one of the kindest things you ever do for your mental health.
Trigger warning: This episode includes a discussion about self-harm, which some listeners may find distressing.
And finally, Vic and Millie tackle one of the biggest myths about sobriety: that life becomes boring. They chat about why the sober community can sometimes feel a little bit like a cult… except nobody’s making any money, nobody’s trying to recruit you, and definitely nobody’s having sex. It’s simply a group of people discovering that life can be surprisingly brilliant without alcohol.
TikTok: @milliegooch / @sobergirlsociety
Instagram: @milliegooch / @sobergirlsociety
Website: sobergirlsociety.com
Buy Hangxiety here - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/827960/hangxiety-by-millie-gooch/
Have you got a story, weird drunk confession or a question for Vic and Ulrika?
Email vicandulrika@soberawkward.com. Your message could inspire a future episode.
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Victoria’s brutally honest and hilarious memoir about motherhood, anxiety and ditching the booze.
👉 Get A Thousand Wasted Sundays
A Year of Trying (and Failing) to Be a Better Parent—Vic’s funny and painfully relatable memoir about the messy reality of motherhood.
A 30-day sobriety kickstart filled with relatable support, practical tools and plenty of awkwardness to help you begin life without booze.
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Sober Awkward shares personal experiences and community support, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
If you are physically dependent on alcohol, suddenly stopping can be dangerous. Please speak to a doctor or alcohol-support service for advice on withdrawing safely.
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