My Purpose
To help people rediscover their authentic selves, by living alcohol free.
My Beginning
I learned to drink in high school and binge drink during college. Upon graduating from college, I moved to New York City to begin my career in advertising and I drank socially (sometimes to excess) in my early professional years. As a natural introvert, alcohol made it easier for me to hide my discomfort and social anxiety.
Alcohol is an elixir for introverts.
Why I drank
I battled my anxiety and discomfort as my life and career developed. I met my wife, Heidi and we were blessed with two beautiful children, Natalie and Lucas. We moved to the suburbs and everything was fine, on the surface. But I continued to struggle with anxiety and imposter syndrome, and drinking became a more frequent behavior, particularly on weekends to release these pressures.
Alcohol helps us mask our inner struggles.
My Habit Grows
As I reached my 40’s, my career responsibilities and pressures increased. My children grew up, my parents grew older and required more attention and care. It was at this time that my drinking increased to a regular habit. Drinking dulled my natural filters, and I often became the life of the party, while still performing my responsibilities at work and home. In retrospect, this balance was not sustainable.
Habits often become entrenched as our responsibilites increase.
I’m Trapped
As an empty-nester, my drinking became heavier and my tolerance grew, as did my erratic behavior. I always failed at my self-imposed attempts at “moderation”. Life became a series of late nights, disrupted sleep, “hangziety”, and exhaustion. This was a pattern of behavior that I knew was hurting me, but I was unable to control or stop.
Over-time, alcohol’s addictive nature traps us.
My Path to Change
When my corporate career ended, I dedicated myself to making the big change, kicking alcohol out of my life. I’d had enough and knew that continuing my ways would ultimately have severe health consequences, as it had for my father. I tried quitting with willpower alone, but couldn’t make it last. My search led me to Annie Grace and her book “This Naked Mind” and her approach to behavior change “Affective Liminal Psychology”. It has changed my life. Becoming alcohol free was challenging at first, it was a deeply ingrained habit. But with time, my willingness to have an open mind, and the right tools and techniques, I began to feel like myself again. The self that I was before alcohol.
I lost alcohol, and rediscovered my authentic self.
Qualifications
I’m Barry Silverstein, a certified coach in Affective Liminal Psychology and This Naked Mind. I have been coached, trained and certified by Annie Grace, founder of This Naked Mind and Affective Liminal Psychology and a leader in the global Alcohol-Free movement.
There’s no magic pill for alcohol, but there is new learning and tactics that can eliminate your desire for alcohol.
If I can succeed, you can too!
