The Hidden Struggle of the High Functioning Drinker - with James Swanwick

The Hidden Struggle of the High Functioning Drinker - with James Swanwick

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This chat between Vic and Australian coach and entrepreneur James Swanwick shines a light on the often-missed group of people who look like they’ve got it all together – careers, houses, gym memberships – yet quietly worry about that nightly bottle of wine.

The episode focuses on high-functioning drinkers: those who are smashing it at work, holding families together, and still thinking, “I should be able to fix this on my own.” James explains how that very mindset keeps people stuck in a stop–start loop, saying, “Two very different things, quitting and staying quit.

Two completely different modalities.” He shares research showing it can take a decade before people finally reach for support, often because their identity as “successful” clashes with the idea of needing help. You’ll hear practical tools rather than lofty theory. James talks about his “daily 20” gratitude practice, using it as a way to shift from a life of constant expectations to one of appreciation, reducing stress and cravings.

He gets delightfully nerdy about visible cues too – putting the journal on the kitchen table or even in the bathroom so you can’t ignore it. There’s a softer side here as well. James describes how quitting alcohol helped him move from awkward handshakes to real hugs with his dad, and how being alcohol-free lets him be more present with his young daughter, even if he sometimes has to remind himself to put the phone down.

For anyone who’s outwardly “fine” but inwardly exhausted, this conversation shows how stepping away from alcohol can protect careers, repair relationships, and make space for simple joys like early-morning walks and actually noticing the trees. Could giving up those evening drinks be less about loss and more about everything you stand to gain?