Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

Ep 48. The anxiety that comes with being a socially acceptable binge drinker, with Victoria Vanstone


Listen Later

In this week’s episode I’m chatting with author, podcaster and mum of three Victoria Vanstone.

Vic grew up in the UK, in an environment where drinking and socialising went hand-in-hand. As a result, Vic developed an identity as “the party-girl,” and was forever surrounded by people who drank the same way she did.

Vic continued drinking and partying into her thirties however the impact on her mental health was starting to take its toll. Crippled with anxiety and a looming sense of guilt and shame, she knew she needed to take a break from booze.

On the day she quit drinking, Vic started writing and she hasn’t stopped. Five years on, Vic has created an online sober community called Cuppa and is the co-host of the wildly hilarious podcast, Sober Awkward.

Through sharing her story, Vic shows that you don’t have to hit rock bottom to change your relationship with alcohol.

We had a brilliant chat and covered a range of topics including:

  • Hiding your truth and people pleasing – 4:22
  • Wearing different masks – 13:00
  • Being a socially acceptable binge drinker – 23:27
  • Anxiety and mental health wobbles – 27:30
  • Asking for help and starting a new life – 34:15
  • Loneliness in sobriety – 40:30

  • To see Vic’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

    You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss


    You can find Vic using the links below:

    Website: Drunk Mummy Sober Mummy

    Instagram: @drunkmummysobermummy


    If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

    • A healthcare professional

    • Alcoholics Anonymous

    • Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

    • CheckPoint (global)


    If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:

    ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssBy Ashleigh Butterss

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    29 ratings


    More shows like Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

    View all
    This Naked Mind Podcast by Annie Grace

    This Naked Mind Podcast

    2,553 Listeners

    A Sober Girls Guide Podcast by A Sober Girls Guide

    A Sober Girls Guide Podcast

    447 Listeners

    Alcohol Free Life - Janey Lee Grace by Janey Lee Grace

    Alcohol Free Life - Janey Lee Grace

    126 Listeners

    Over The Influence: The Alcohol Free Podcast by Over The Influence

    Over The Influence: The Alcohol Free Podcast

    95 Listeners

    The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women by Casey McGuire Davidson

    The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women

    674 Listeners

    Alcohol-Free Lifestyle by James Swanwick

    Alcohol-Free Lifestyle

    209 Listeners

    Sober Powered: The Neuroscience of Being Sober by Gillian Tietz, MS, CPRC

    Sober Powered: The Neuroscience of Being Sober

    1,173 Listeners

    How I quit alcohol by Danni Carr

    How I quit alcohol

    184 Listeners

    Alcohol Tipping Point by Alcohol Tipping Point

    Alcohol Tipping Point

    133 Listeners

    One For The Road by David Wilson

    One For The Road

    72 Listeners

    Sober Awkward by soberawkward

    Sober Awkward

    362 Listeners

    Sober Stories from Everyday People by sassysobermum

    Sober Stories from Everyday People

    64 Listeners

    2 Sober Girls Podcast by Erinn + Michaela

    2 Sober Girls Podcast

    183 Listeners

    Happiest Sober Podcast by Madeline Forrest

    Happiest Sober Podcast

    184 Listeners

    Soberly Speaking by Julia Rangiheuea

    Soberly Speaking

    6 Listeners