“I’m going to tell you something about myself that I’ve felt ashamed of for a long time. I don’t talk about this with others. It’s about my use of alcohol. I drink more than what my family or friends see. I drink on my own before and after I drink with others. I have a shot of whiskey before I go out to feel more outgoing. When I get home, I drink more to relax, unwind, and forget my concerns.
I worry about other people discovering this about me, because they would see immediately that I can’t control myself and that I really need help. I would be ashamed if my family, friends or coworkers were to think that I’m an alcoholic. I want to be happy, but deep inside, I feel sad all the time. I’m a failure. I think I can get my drinking under control before others see how much I drink. But being ashamed makes me feel stuck, with no confidence or possibility to change things. Consequently, I keep drinking the same as before.” —Stephanie
Lamberghini-West, A., & Karlen Triplett, P. (2025). Tipsy: A Woman’s Self-Guided Method for Managing Alcohol. US: Aysen Wellness.