E13 - Why the Pain? with Nadine Pittam, Counsellor & Psychotherapist

In this powerful and compassionate episode, Lisa and Christal are in conversation with Nadine Pittam, a counsellor, psychotherapist, to explore what really lies beneath our drinking habits. Together, we dig into the deeper emotional roots of alcohol use—and the liberation that comes from finally facing the pain that alcohol has been masking. So often, alcohol isn’t the problem—it’s the solution we’ve turned to in order to silence discomfort, override our feelings, and survive in a world full of social expectations. But what happens when we stop drinking alcohol and all those emotions rise to the surface?In this episode, we unpack:Why alcohol is often used as a coping strategy rather than the core issueThe social expectations around drinking and how they keep us stuckWhat we lose when we avoid uncomfortable emotions—and what we gain when we face themHow therapy can help unpick the inner stories, patterns, and past experiences that shape our behavioursThe role of shame, fear, guilt, and pain in addictive cycles—and how we begin to heal themThe idea that addictive behaviours might have been trying to save us all alongHow therapy acts like an emotional audit, helping you trace the thread from what was true in the past to what’s true nowWhat to do when shame keeps resurfacingHow to sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of running from themHow to begin rewriting the stories that keep us feeling small or stuckWhy therapy can be a powerful act of reclaiming your voice and your truthWe can’t bypass the pain. If we do, we miss the lesson and the healing. We explore scenarios, guided by Nadine’s gentle insight, including:This episode is a reminder that recovery isn’t just about putting down the drink—it’s about picking up yourself. Whether you're newly sober, questioning your relationship with alcohol, or years into your journey, this conversation is a compassionate companion on your path. Connect with Nadine Pittam https://www.nadinepittam.comThe Sober Freedom podcast is hosted by Christal Dauncey and Lisa McGinnis.To leave comments, ask questions and interact with the show, follow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @sober.freedom on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Please also subscribe, rate and leave comments wherever you listen to help us reach more people!The show is recorded at KUPOD Studios in Oldham and produced by Matt Dean, with video production from Eddie Corteen for KUPOD Productions. For more information visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kupod.co.uk⁠⁠⁠