Balancing Life and Health: Dr. Sherry Price on Breaking Free from Over Drinking

In today’s fast-paced world, many women find themselves juggling the demands of professional careers and the responsibilities of home life, often without time to care for their own health and well-being. This pressure can sometimes lead to unhealthy habits, like using alcohol to unwind after a long day. In the podcast episode Breaking the Cycle of Over Drinking with Dr. Sherry Price, Dr. Price shares her personal experience with over drinking and how she transformed her life by adopting healthier habits and a balanced mindset.

Dr. Sherry Price, a pharmacist, certified life and weight loss coach, and host of the Health, Habits, and Epic Living podcast, is passionate about helping women take charge of their health. Through lifestyle changes, mindset shifts, and new habits, Dr. Price empowers women to overcome the same struggles she once faced. In this episode, she dives deep into her journey of breaking free from using alcohol as a crutch and regaining control of her health. Let’s explore the key takeaways from her story and her advice on how others can do the same.

The 5 O’clock Itch: A Familiar Struggle

Dr. Price begins her story by describing what she calls the "5 o'clock itch." This phrase refers to that all-too-familiar moment after a long workday when many women transition from professional life to home life, facing the pressure cooker of balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities. For Dr. Price, like many others, the natural reaction to stress became pouring a glass of wine.

After a hectic day of managing work and then coming home to play the role of “mom,” wine felt like the perfect solution to relax. It quickly became part of her daily routine, a way to unwind and cope with the overwhelming feelings of balancing multiple roles. However, this habit led to feelings of shame and confusion. Despite being a healthcare professional who knew the risks of excessive drinking, Dr. Price found herself stuck in a pattern she knew wasn’t serving her well.

This “5 o’clock itch” is a common experience for many women, especially those with demanding careers and families to care for. It highlights the challenges of finding a balance between personal well-being and the various roles women are expected to fulfill.

The Shame of Secret Struggles

One of the most powerful aspects of Dr. Sherry Price’s story is how she shares the emotions she felt during this time. She knew that her drinking was becoming a problem, but the idea of seeking help felt impossible. As a healthcare professional, she feared that reaching out for support could jeopardize her career. In her mind, admitting she had a problem with alcohol felt like it would be seen as a sign of weakness—something she didn’t want to expose in her professional life.

This fear kept Dr. Price’s struggles hidden for years, locked away in secret. She realized that “secrets grow in darkness.” The longer she kept her difficulties with drinking hidden, the harder they became to overcome.

This part of her story resonates with so many people who deal with over drinking in silence. The shame and stigma associated with alcohol abuse, especially for professionals, can prevent people from seeking the help they need. Dr. Price’s transparency about her experience shines a light on the importance of addressing these issues openly and without judgment.

A Turning Point: Finding Purpose in Parenting

The real turning point in Dr. Sherry Price’s life came when her five-year-old daughter was diagnosed as neurodivergent. For many parents, learning that their child has special needs can be a transformative experience, and for Dr. Price, it became a pivotal moment of self-reflection. She realized that in order to be the best mother she could for her daughter, she needed to address her own habits and mindset.

Dr. Price began learning more about herself, her daughter, and life in general. The diagnosis pushed her to look deeper into how she was coping with stress and emotions. She realized that continuing to use wine as an emotional crutch was not serving her or her family. She needed to make lasting changes, not just for herself, but for her daughter as well.

This experience also helped her understand the power of self-compassion and growth. It wasn’t about judging herself for drinking but about recognizing the need to create healthier habits to support a better life for both her and her family.

Breaking the Cycle: Dr. Price’s Approach to Over Drinking

Once Dr. Sherry Price made the decision to change her relationship with alcohol, she didn’t follow the traditional all-or-nothing approach. One of the most refreshing aspects of her message is that she encourages women to break free from the idea that overcoming over drinking requires complete abstinence. Instead, Dr. Price advocates for a balanced, mindful approach to alcohol.

For many people, the idea that they have to give up alcohol entirely can feel overwhelming and even impossible. Dr. Price teaches that it doesn’t have to be black or white. Instead, she focuses on moderation, healthy habits, and addressing the root causes of why someone may be over drinking.

In her coaching practice, she helps women understand the triggers behind their drinking and teaches them healthier ways to manage stress, emotions, and life’s challenges. Whether it’s developing a stronger mindset, creating new habits, or focusing on wellness and self-care, Dr. Price’s approach is holistic. She believes that by focusing on improving your health and happiness, you naturally begin to drink less, and over time, the cycle of over drinking can be broken.

Managing Stress and Building Better Habits

A significant part of Dr. Sherry Price’s message is that managing stress is key to breaking free from over drinking. Women often turn to alcohol as a way to cope with stress because it provides temporary relief. However, this relief is short-lived, and in the long term, it can exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety.

Dr. Price teaches her clients that instead of reaching for a drink to cope with stress, there are better ways to manage those emotions. Building healthier habits like mindfulness, exercise, and positive self-talk can be powerful tools in reducing the desire to drink.

She emphasizes that creating lasting change isn’t about willpower alone. It’s about addressing the underlying reasons why people drink in the first place and replacing those habits with healthier alternatives. Her approach to habit change is not about deprivation but about learning to live an epic, healthy life without relying on alcohol as a crutch.

Embracing Health and Wellness

At the core of Dr. Sherry Price’s message is the importance of health and wellness. For her, breaking free from over drinking was not just about reducing her alcohol consumption—it was about embracing a whole new way of living. By focusing on her physical, emotional, and mental well-being, Dr. Price was able to create a life that no longer revolved around alcohol.

Now, as a certified life and weight loss coach, Dr. Price dedicates her time to helping other women do the same. Her podcast, Health, Habits, and Epic Living, explores topics like wellness, mindset, and habit change, providing her audience with tools and inspiration to take control of their health.

Final Thoughts: Finding Balance

Dr. Sherry Price’s journey is a testament to the power of self-awareness and habit change. Her story shows that breaking free from over drinking doesn’t have to mean giving up alcohol entirely—it’s about finding balance, understanding your triggers, and creating a life that’s centered on health and well-being.

For anyone who has struggled with using alcohol to cope with life’s stresses, Dr. Price’s approach offers a hopeful and practical solution. By focusing on healthier habits, managing stress, and embracing wellness, it’s possible to break the cycle of over drinking and live a more balanced, fulfilling life.