Ever found yourself anxious about how you'll handle summer gatherings without overdoing it on alcohol? You're not alone. That mental game of "How will I manage vacation drinking?" or "What will people think if I skip the wine?" plagues many Catholic women who are trying to be more mindful about their relationship with alcohol.

In this honest conversation, I share why summer can feel particularly challenging for those working to drink less. Drawing from both personal experience and client stories, I explore how those seemingly reasonable plans to "just enjoy a few drinks" can quickly spiral into broken promises, guilt, and missed moments with loved ones. One client powerfully described her vacation experience: "I thought I was supposed to be relaxing, but instead I felt completely out of control."

The good news? Having thoughts about drinking doesn't mean you must act on them. Through building awareness and resilience, it's possible to notice those urges without spiraling or panicking. This discovery led me to create a new (SUPER affordable!) Summer Challenge for Catholic Women—a structured yet grace-filled approach to drinking less without sacrificing joy or connection.

Summer truly can be both sacred and fun—and you absolutely can drink less while being more present more. Visit thecatholicsobrietycoach.com to secure your spot today - or click on the link below.

Join the Sober-ish Summer Challenge for Catholic women!
https://courses.drinklessornotatall.com/courses/soberishsummer62

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☀️ 62-Day Sober-ish Summer Challenge for Catholic Women:
https://courses.drinklessornotatall.com/courses/soberishsummer62

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https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

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https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Have you ever battled that sinking feeling of discouragement while trying to change your relationship with alcohol? That overwhelming sense that maybe your efforts don't matter, that progress seems impossible, or that your excuses are simply too powerful to overcome?

In this deeply vulnerable episode, I share my recent struggle with discouragement in my own ministry. Despite years of helping women find freedom from alcohol dependence, I found myself questioning if my work was making any difference—if anyone even cared about the message of alcohol freedom. This raw conversation reveals how discouragement functions not just as an emotion, but as one of the enemy's most powerful weapons against our growth and freedom.

Discouragement thrives on fear, doubt, and obstacles. It zeroes in on our vulnerabilities and tries to blind us to the truth of who we are and whose we are. The enemy wants us to fixate on our failures, forget God's goodness, and believe we're incapable of meaningful change. But there's profound hope in recognizing this spiritual attack for what it is.

Whether you're just beginning to question your relationship with alcohol or you're well along your sobriety journey, this episode offers comfort, solidarity, and practical wisdom for those moments when discouragement threatens to derail your progress. Remember: God's grace is sufficient, His power is made perfect in weakness, and with His help, you can push through even the toughest days.

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Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

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"How much can I drink before it becomes a mortal sin?" This provocative question, posed by a young man to his priest, opens a doorway to profound spiritual reflection about our relationship with alcohol. The priest's answer was transformative: drink as much as you want, provided it's compatible with loving God with your whole heart and loving your neighbor as yourself.

This question frames our thoughtful exploration of Catholic teaching on alcohol consumption. Drawing from the Catechism, we discover that while the Church doesn't condemn alcohol outright, it emphasizes temperance and warns against the dangers of drunkenness. We examine when drinking might cross the line into mortal sin, requiring grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent.

Scripture offers us a balanced perspective, acknowledging both wine as a gift that "gladdens the heart of man" and the warnings against drunkenness that "leads to debauchery." Through the wisdom of saints like Augustine, Benedict, and Thomas Aquinas, we gain insights into how temperance isn't about restriction but about freedom—saying yes to the greater joy of union with God rather than temporary pleasures.

This isn't about judgment or shame but discernment and living in alignment with God's call. I invite you to reflect on how your drinking affects your relationships with God, others, and yourself. Are you making an idol of alcohol, or is it serving as a substitute for the peace only God can provide?

Whether you're questioning your relationship with alcohol or seeking deeper understanding, remember you're not alone on this journey. Visit thecatholicsobrietycoach.com to explore resources that can support your path toward spiritual freedom.

Article: How much can I drink before it becomes a mortal sin? by Dr. Christopher Kaczor - Word on Fire https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/how-much-can-i-drink-before-it-becomes-a-mortal-sin/

Video: Catholics, Alcohol, and Drinking with Fr. Mike Schmitz
https://youtu.be/5OMO0JDxuPU?si=IjnsKuxLgm1akIcB

Drop us a Question or Comment

Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

🔥 JOIN the FREE FIRE 50 Challenge - bit.ly/4jNqoJM

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie