The Bibliotherapists

Emily Syphas: Alcohol helped me escape my neurodiverse brain


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In this episode Toni is joined by Sober & Social founder, Emily Syphas. Once 'Head of Nightlife' for the world's largest concierge service, Emily went sober as a way to manage her mental health in 2018, but didn’t want to lose her (quite spectacular) social life, so used her skills and experience in hospitality to found Sober & Social in the same year.


She now organises super stylish alcohol-free events and parties, as well as workshops for brands and companies, and she’s a huge believer that going alcohol-free doesn't mean we have to miss out or compromise on life.


In this episode we discuss:


- How Emily started drinking problematically from the age of 12, and taking drugs from 17


- How drinking helped her escape from her dyspraxia and a neurodiverse brain


- The pain of the cognitive dissonance that comes when you want to quit drinking but you also think you love drinking and can't imagine life without it


- The growth that comes from discomfort


- Emily's many previous Dry Jans and sober stints, including signing up to church, running a marathon and juice cleanses as a way to keep her on the straight and narrow


- Why when it comes to self-care she believes there is nothing better we can do for ourselves than stopping drinking for an extended period


- How the micro choices we make lead to macro lifestyle habits




**NB there are a couple of swearwords in this episode - in case of little or sensitive ears**




PODCAST NOTES + LINKS:



  • Tickets to the Dry Jan Sober & Social Mix n Mingle event in London (Weds 17th Jan)

  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Sober & Social Website⁠

  • @soberandsocial on Instagram





  • Join the (free) Shelf Help Club community over on the Shelf Help Club App





  • INCASE OF EMERGENCY - PLEASE CALL 999



  • SAMARITANS – 116 123

  • SHOUT CRISIS SUPPORT - TEXT SHOUT TO 85258



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The BibliotherapistsBy Toni Jones & Tanya Lynch