Episode Details

Binge drinking, gray area drinking, childhood pain, shame, and the hidden reasons we reach for alcohol with Life Beyond the Binge author Colleen Clifford.

You don't drink every day. You don't drink alone. You can go weeks without alcohol. So you couldn't possibly have a drinking problem... right?

In this episode of the Adult Child of Dysfunction Podcast, I sit down with Colleen Clifford, author of Life Beyond the Binge: A Commercial Fisherwoman's Journey Home, for an honest conversation about binge drinking, gray area drinking, shame, and the stories hiding underneath the behaviors we use to escape what we're feeling.

For years, Colleen could easily rationalize her relationship with alcohol because most of the time, drinking didn't create a problem. She calls it her “95/5 factor.” But that small percentage when things went too far carried risks that could change her life—or someone else's—forever. Eventually, one frightening experience forced her to ask whether alcohol was worth that risk.

But this conversation isn't really just about alcohol.

It's about the story beneath the behavior.

Colleen shares how she eventually uncovered an old painful belief that she wasn't lovable—and how that belief had quietly influenced her choices for years. We talk about why adult children often reach for alcohol, food, scrolling, relationships, or other quick sources of relief when uncomfortable emotions surface.

We also explore shame, the inner critic, self-worth, accountability, relapse, learning to celebrate progress instead of demanding perfection, and why getting curious about a behavior can be far more powerful than judging yourself for it.

Colleen offers one beautifully simple question:

“How is it working for you?”

If a behavior repeatedly leaves you feeling ashamed, afraid, disconnected, or wondering what happened the night before, maybe you don't need another excuse for it.

Maybe you need to become curious about what's underneath it.

And sometimes, saying yes to yourself is the first step toward changing everything.

Colleen offers listeners a FREE Self-Guided Journey Workbook designed to help you begin exploring the story beneath your behavior.

She also offers a free call after completing the workbook to talk through what you discovered.

Visit Life Beyond the Binge + Get Colleen's Resources

Colleen also discusses The Exhale, her intimate women's retreat planned for Bali in April 2027, centered around exploring the story beneath your behavior, reconnecting with who you are, and beginning to rewrite where your story goes next.

Hey there, I’m so glad you’re here and tuning in! If this episode spoke to your heart, just know there’s even more support waiting for you.

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