Rethinking Our Relationship With Alcohol

Alcohol is woven into many people’s daily lives as a way to unwind, connect or mark the end of the day. For some, it can also become a way of managing difficult emotions, stress or disconnection, often without feeling like a “problem” in the traditional sense.In this episode, Dr Lee David speaks with Navneet Singh – psychotherapist and addiction specialist – about how people develop relationships with alcohol and why those relationships can be hard to change, even when drinking starts to feel unhelpful.They explore what alcohol offers emotionally and socially, and how it can act as a short-term way of regulating feelings such as overwhelm, shame or boredom. Navneet describes how drinking patterns are often shaped by earlier experiences, trauma, identity and the need for connection.The conversation also looks at why knowledge alone is rarely enough to create change, and how boredom, disconnection and loss can increase the pull towards alcohol. Together, they reflect on the role of compassion, curiosity and supportive relationships in creating more choice and flexibility around drinking.This is a thoughtful discussion about understanding what alcohol does for us, noticing patterns gently and finding alternative ways to meet underlying needs.Key moments 00:00 Exploring our drinking patterns 02:13 How alcohol fits into culture and social interaction 04:50 Language, shame and why labels can get in the way 07:18 Alcohol as pleasure, avoidance and emotional regulation 12:46 Trauma, shame and alcohol as an unhealthy medicine 16:29 Why change is hard and often slow 17:56 Boredom, disconnection and the pull towards alcohol 23:48 Choice Pause – creating space around urges 27:09 Why support and community are so important 40:12 Choice Space Takeaway – inquiry, connection and small steps About the guestNavneet Singh is a psychotherapist, group facilitator and addictions specialist. He works with NHS Practitioner Health and in private practice, bringing an integrative approach shaped by clinical experience, leadership roles and long-term personal recovery. His earlier career in hospitality and involvement in establishing a residential rehabilitation programme in India inform his understanding of high-pressure environments and culturally sensitive care. He holds an MSc in Addictions from King’s College London, is a registered member of UKCP, BACP and Addiction Professionals, and works with clients in English, Hindi and Punjabi. You can contact Navneet via his websites: www.addictionsrecovery.co.uk www.navsinghpsychotherapy.comAbout the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david