Are You Scared of Going Sober?Are You Scared of Going Sober?
Sober Awkward
Vic and Ulrika challenge some of the biggest fears and myths around giving up booze.
55:11•4 Oct 2026
Are You Scared of Going Sober? Vic and Ulrika Take on the Myths
Episode Overview
- Common fears about sobriety often stem from assumptions rather than reality, including worries about being boring, excluded or losing identity.
- Alcohol may feel like a coping tool for anxiety, but both Vic and Ulrika describe how it ultimately worsened their fear and panic.
- Quitting drinking can bring unexpected benefits such as calmer mornings, genuine pride and more time and energy for meaningful experiences.
- Sobriety involves gradually learning new ways to relax and cope with life, instead of relying on alcohol for every emotional shift.
- Getting sober can start at any age and is a step-by-step process focused on small wins, self-kindness and questioning old beliefs about booze.
“I genuinely thought my entire personality came in a wine glass.”
What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? In this chat, Vic (Victoria Vanstone) and Ulrika Jonsson get honest and hilarious about one huge sticking point: being scared of going sober. This episode is aimed at anyone hovering in that "maybe I should stop drinking… but absolutely not" phase.
Vic remembers that fear clearly: "The fear of giving up was greater than the fear of carrying on." Together, they walk through four common worries that keep people clinging to alcohol: being boring, not fitting in, not knowing how to relax, and feeling like they'll lose their identity. You’ll hear them swap stories of blackout mornings, shame-soaked anxiety and friendships that faded "quicker than a fart in a hurricane" once drinking stopped.
Ulrika talks about using alcohol to calm the terror of fame and everyday life, describing it as "the most hellish, vicious cycle" where booze both fuels and numbs her anxiety. Vic shares how she once saw sober people as "smug wankers" – until her sister’s joyful, alcohol-free night out planted the first seed of change. The tone stays light and self-deprecating, but the message is serious: sobriety doesn’t make life smaller.
They describe gaining time, genuine pride, calmer mornings and the slow process of actually liking themselves. Ulrika says giving up at 56 was the moment she finally started "the journey of liking myself," while Vic jokes that what she really lost were red wine teeth and pub-toilet vomit. Rather than preaching, they nudge you to question whether your fears are based on reality or assumption, and to treat sobriety as something you can simply try, step by step.
If you’ve ever thought your personality lives in a pint glass, could it be time to ask what’s really underneath it?
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