It's Not About the Alcohol

EP219 Minisode: Anxiety is an alarm


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Most of us see anxiety as a personal flaw—something to fix, medicate, or avoid. But what if anxiety isn't the problem at all? What if it's the invitation?

In today's episode, Colleen breaks down the two types of anxiety as explained by Dr. Russell Kennedy—foreground alarm and background alarm—and shares a personal story of how unresolved fears and childhood programming were quietly driving Colleen into burnout... even though her mindset looked great on the surface.

This isn't just about alcohol. It's about understanding the real source of your stress, shifting from self-bullying to self-trust, and learning how to work with your nervous system instead of against it.

Whether you're drinking to deal with anxiety or simply tired of pushing through life at full speed, this episode will help you stop fighting the wrong battle—and start healing what's actually underneath.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
  • Foreground anxiety is triggered by perceived threats—usually created by your thoughts.

  • Background anxiety is rooted in unresolved emotional trauma, often from childhood.

  • Even when your mindset is strong, your body can still hold onto old fear patterns.

  • The real solution isn't doing more—it's slowing down to listen and release.

  • Emotional sobriety is the power to choose your response, not just manage your reaction.

Give yourself permission to rest, slow down, and check in with your body instead of overriding it with more effort.

If you are ready to get support from a community of women who are co-creating this change with intention and clarity— Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL.

Do you want help from Colleen with a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question for Colleen's NEW Q& A episodes. Your name will not be mentioned on air!

Find me on

TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer

Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer

X: @NotAboutTheAlc

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It's Not About the AlcoholBy Colleen Freeland

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