This episode of Conversations for Health features Gray Area Drinking expert Jolene Park. Jolene stopped drinking in 2014 and has studied the functional impact of food, emotions, environments, and movement in relationship to our physical bodies, which she speaks about in her TED talk about gray area drinking. She founded Healthy Discoveries in 2001 and created Craving Brain private coaching for individuals, the Sober Choice online course for the public, and the NOURISH Method training program for coaches and healthcare practitioners who would like to specialize in Gray Area Drinking Coaching.

In our conversation, Jolene addresses the key characteristics of gray area drinking. She offers tactics for practitioners who are supporting patients and clients as they evaluate their alcohol intake, including the questions to ask patients that will quickly and accurately assess their alcohol consumption. She highlights her personal experience with quitting alcohol, the supplements that helped her through the process, and the positive impact that sobriety has had on her health. Jolene offers resources, information, and encouragement for practitioners as they guide patients through gray area drinking toward a healthier lifestyle.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Key Takeaways:

[2:15] Jolene defines gray area drinking as the space between two extremes of drinking.

[4:17] Alcohol use disorder varies from alcoholism in one very specific way.

[6:24] Tactics for quickly identifying patients as gray area drinkers.

[8:54] Key risk factors that contribute to drinking alcohol include stress in relationships, work, or sleep.

[12:05] Inappropriate advice about stress management and alcohol recommendations from therapists.

[15:38] Jolene's personal experience with quitting alcohol consumption.

[19:00] 80% of Jolene's clients are healthcare experts including therapists, naturopaths and nutritionists, and doctors.

[20:40] The physiological response to alcohol intake and comparable substitution options.

[25:00] The biggest change that Jolene has seen in her own health since abstaining from alcohol.

[27:04] A comprehensive approach to supporting gray area drinkers in their non-drinking journey.

[30:09] Supporting healthy neurotransmitters with nutrients and supplements.

[33:10] The negative impact of alcohol on perimenopause and menopausal women.

[35:00] Nutrient recommendations including inositol and Jolene's favorite herbs for anxiety support.

[37:15] Additional tools including Dr. Braverman's personality questionnaire and tactics for living sober in an alcohol prominent environment.

[44:33] Making connections between anxiety, overall health, and drinking alcohol.

[47:28] Reframing the decision not to drink in a way that makes you feel empowered.

[49:20] Jolene's personal favorite supplements, favorite health practices, and her new opinion on beans.

[55:00] Jolene's practitioner training program and resources for practitioners who want to guide patients through gray area drinking.

Episode Resources:

Jolene Park

Gray Area Drinkers

Gray Area Drinking TED Talk

Dr. Braverman's Personality Questionnaire

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health

Blog: Alcohol and Nutrient Depletion

Blog: Impacts of Stress, Sleep, and Loneliness on Immune and Mental Health

Blog: GABA, Tyrosine, and Taurine: Amino Acids to Support a Healthy Mood

Blog: Recent Review Explores Potential Link Between Inositol and Mood Health

Blog: Lemon Balm and Its Many Uses

Blog: April Showers Bring May Flowers

Blog: The Calming Properties of L-Theanine

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