For Dusty, military life came with layers of stress, isolation, and overwhelming responsibility. With her husband frequently deployed and the pressures of raising children, caregiving, and working full-time, alcohol began to feel like the only way to cope. What started as a weekend escape soon turned into drinking to deal with deployment—a habit that left her stuck in shame and exhaustion. But Dusty’s story didn’t end there. By finding This Naked Mind and joining The Path, she discovered the power of brain science, a holistic approach, and a supportive community that welcomed her without judgment.
Early Exposure to Alcohol
I grew up around alcohol. My mom struggled with it, and it only got worse as she got older. My first sip came when I was just a kid—I’d sneak a taste from her Bacardi Strawberry Daiquiri when she left it on the table. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, other than, “Wow, that tastes good.”
In high school, I was focused on soccer and getting into college to play, but I didn’t feel like I fit in socially. I avoided drugs because I was terrified of a dirty drug test, but alcohol felt safer. Drinking gave me confidence, made me more social, and for the first time, I felt like I could fit in with the other kids.
When Alcohol Became a Coping Tool
It wasn’t until about 13 years ago that I started to realize alcohol was becoming a problem. My husband was stationed with the 5th Ranger Training Brigade in Dahlonega, GA. The community was small, and alcohol was the culture. I was miserable in my marriage, trying to figure out who I was, and I poured everything into drinking on the weekends.
That was the beginning of drinking to deal with deployment. Alcohol became my escape from frustration, stress, and loneliness. But instead of helping, it led me to make choices I regret. It caused fights, created more distance in my marriage, and left me feeling worse when the buzz wore off.
Deployment, Isolation, and Escalation
When we PCS’ed to Ft. Campbell, things intensified. My husband was deployed, I had a full-time job, young children, and I was caring for a family member. I used to describe my stress level as a 50 on a scale of 1 to 10.
On weekends, another military spouse and I would start drinking in the morning and keep going. It was how we coped. When COVID hit, it got worse. I was drinking out of boredom and to manage my frustration. I thought I was relaxing, but really, I was just numbing myself and adding to the cycle.
Failed Attempts to Control Drinking
I tried different ways to control my drinking. There was the time I attempted Dry January. I tried to limit how much I had in one night. When my husband expressed disappointment, I started hiding it instead. None of these things worked. I felt stuck and ashamed, and I didn’t see a way out.
These failed attempts only increased my shame and made me feel more isolated. As a licensed professional counselor, I knew better intellectually, but emotionally I felt trapped in a cycle I couldn’t break. The very thing I was using to cope with stress was creating more stress in my life and relationships.
Finding This Naked Mind and The Path
One day I started searching online and following alcohol-free people on Instagram. That’s when I came across This Naked Mind. I read the book, started listening to the podcast, and joined the Five-Day Challenge. I realized this was exactly what I needed.
As a licensed professional counselor, I already understood cognitive behavioral therapy and how the brain works, and that’s why this program resonated so much with me. This Naked Mind combines brain science with a holistic approach that looks at the whole person. What made the biggest difference for me was the community. For the first time, I had a group of people who understood me, who didn’t judge me, and who encouraged me.
That’s why I joined The Path—to finally gain control of my relationship with alcohol. It wasn’t about willpower anymore; it was about learning how my brain worked, having the right tools, and being surrounded by support.
Ready to Transform Your Relationship with Alcohol?
If you’re caught in the same cycle—if you find yourself drinking to deal with deployment—know that you’re not broken. You’re coping the best way you know how, but there is another way.
I joined The Path to gain control of my relationship with alcohol, and it gave me the community, tools, and compassion I needed to start changing my life. It can do the same for you.
What My Life Looks Like Now
I’m not totally alcohol-free yet, but I’ve had more alcohol-free days in the past seven months than I’ve had in the last 15 years. That’s something I never thought I’d be able to say. Instead of living with constant negative and insecure thoughts, I now know that change is possible.
I feel hopeful for the first time in a long time. I know I’m on the right track, and I know I’m not alone.
What I Would Tell My Younger Self
If I could go back, I’d tell myself there was nothing wrong with me. I married young, became a caregiver for my husband’s family, raised kids, worked full-time, moved multiple times, and tried to hold everything together while my husband was gone. Of course, I was stressed, and of course, I turned to alcohol to cope.
But I would also tell myself that drinking didn’t solve anything—it only made life harder. I’d remind myself not to lose hope, to reach out for therapy, and to know that everything would eventually come together.
Share Your Story
Did you stop drinking to deal with deployment using our books, the app, the podcasts, or another program at This Naked Mind? We want you to share your story here and inspire others on their journey!
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