Do you ever feel like you’re going along with the crowd just to fit in? Patrick C. liked drinking because it made him more social. Instead of being the shy, quiet kid he used to be, alcohol made him feel more fun and confident. But when he started feeling worse every time he drank, Patrick realized he wasn’t drinking because he wanted to. Rather, he was drinking to please people and not let them down. In this episode, Patrick talks to Annie about his journey to a healthier lifestyle, his struggles with anxiety, and how he finally overcame the fear of explaining his choices to others. While Patrick was already on his way to freedom before his mother gave him a weathered copy of This Naked Mind, the book inspired him to finally open up and share his story with his loved ones. In this episode, Annie and Patrick will discuss: - Patrick’s experience with anxiety - The pressure young people feel to drink in social settings - How Patrick handles his anxiety now - Facing the fear of life without alcohol - Worrying about being judged for not drinking socially - How This Naked Mind inspired Patrick to write his story - How setting boundaries helps with his new social life - Other ways he has fun with friends now - How choosing yourself first makes it easier to do it again - Why it’s important to teach kids about alcohol - How Patrick now inspires his friends and family - Annie’s kids’ book, Buzz to Buzz Kill - The problem with the message “drink responsibly” - The role alcohol plays in the economy - And other topics… Related Episodes: EP 655: Naked Life Story – Maria Warner: https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-655-naked-life-story-maria-warner-2/  EP 684: Reader’s Question – Why Does Drinking Alcohol Make Me Anxious?: https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-684-readers-question-why-does-drinking-alcohol-make-me-anxious/  EP 523: How To Talk To Your Kids About Alcohol TNM Parents: https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-523-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-alcohol-with-scott-pinyard-and-tnm-parents/  Other Resources: Is Drinking Alcohol Part of a Healthy Lifestyle? – Decoding the Buzz: https://thisnakedmind.com/is-drinking-alcohol-part-of-a-healthy-lifestyle/  Let's Talk About The Idea of "Drinking Responsibly": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnHkRs0V3xQ  Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!