156: A Conversation with Meghan Hanes

From Social Anxiety to Two Bottles a Night: Meghan Haynes on Alcohol Recovery, Treatment, and Sober-Curious SupportOn Rock Bottom with Ryan, guest Meghan Haynes (sober date February 19, 2023; alcohol; raised in Washington, now in Central Oregon) shares how perfectionism, social anxiety, and not fitting in led her to love alcohol after her first drink in high school. In college at the University of Washington, loss of control contributed to severe anorexia and hospitalization; therapy helped, but later her drinking escalated through Greek-life culture, grad school isolation in Denver, and solo nightly wine—often up to two bottles—while working in mental health crisis roles. After pancreatitis, a DUI, repeated IOP failures, and probation, she entered 30-day treatment, where she found relief, began addressing codependency, self-worth, and coping, and met her future husband. Now an Oregon LCSW, she offers trauma-focused therapy (including EMDR) and sobriety coaching for sober-curious women to reduce stigma, build community, and support change without needing “rock bottom.”

00:00 Small Town Roots01:09 Podcast Intro01:38 Sponsor Message02:39 Meet Meghan Haynes03:50 Gymnast Identity05:14 Social Anxiety Emerges08:20 First Drink Relief11:38 College Expectations Crash13:20 Anorexia Takes Over16:04 Therapy and Alcohol Return17:11 Greek Life Drinking Culture24:49 Grad School Isolation28:23 Living Alone Spiral30:02 Functional Drinking Rewards31:16 Solo Drinking Spiral31:41 A Day in Addiction34:04 Isolation and Family Signs35:38 Health Scare and DUI40:25 Treatment Turning Point42:28 Recovery Insights and Self Worth45:27 Love and Life After Rehab47:01 Therapist in Recovery48:37 Sober Curious Explained51:09 Women and Recovery Challenges55:04 Advice and Closing Resources