156: An Interview with Meghan Hanes

From Social Anxiety to Two Bottles a Night: Meghan Haynes on Alcohol Recovery, Treatment, and Sober-Curious Support

 

On 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 Roots 01:09 Podcast Intro 01:38 Sponsor Message 02:39 Meet Megan Haynes 03:50 Gymnast Identity 05:14 Social Anxiety Emerges 08:20 First Drink Relief 11:38 College Expectations Crash 13:20 Anorexia Takes Over 16:04 Therapy and Alcohol Return 17:11 Greek Life Drinking Culture 24:49 Grad School Isolation 28:23 Living Alone Spiral 30:02 Functional Drinking Rewards 31:16 Solo Drinking Spiral 31:41 A Day in Addiction 34:04 Isolation and Family Signs 35:38 Health Scare and DUI 40:25 Treatment Turning Point 42:28 Recovery Insights and Self Worth 45:27 Love and Life After Rehab 47:01 Therapist in Recovery 48:37 Sober Curious Explained 51:09 Women and Recovery Challenges 55:04 Advice and Closing Resources