From Pain to Power: Healing, Drinking, and Reclaiming Your Life After Divorce

How To Navigate Social Drinking, Emotional Healing, and Find Your Spark Again

Hey there, beautiful souls—it’s Erica here, host of The Crazy Ex-Wives Club podcast.

If you’ve ever clutched a glass of wine after the chaos of divorce or felt caught in the web of “mommy wine culture” as you try to rebuild, you’re not alone.

On a recent episode, I had the honor of talking with Jeannette Levitt, a woman whose journey struck a deep chord for so many listeners. Together, we unpacked the emotional tug-of-war between healing and social drinking—and how to reclaim your story from the cultural script that tells us to “pour another glass and push through.”

Today, I want to expand on that conversation and share some hard-won lessons—straight from my heart and our Crazy Ex-Wives Club community. Because while the path to emotional freedom and a healthier relationship with alcohol isn’t easy, it is absolutely possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.

Giving Yourself Permission to Feel—Not Just Numb

After my divorce, I was shocked by how quickly a glass (or two) of wine became my nightly coping tool. Jeannette shared the same story—hers just lasted longer. Like so many of us, she used alcohol to dull the pain, quiet the noise, and fast-forward through the messy middle.

But numbing is a short-term fix. The real transformation starts when we let ourselves feel. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s excruciating. But it’s also where empowerment begins.

Pause & Reflect: Next time you reach for a drink, ask yourself:

“What am I really needing right now?” Comfort? Relief? Connection?

Journaling Prompt:

“What emotion am I trying not to face?”

Write without filters, without judgment.
By noticing your patterns, you start to loosen their grip.

Understanding the Social Drinking Trap

Nobody plans to have a drinking problem. We tell ourselves, “A couple of cocktails is totally normal for someone handling all the chaos of divorce.” Jeannette echoed that same belief—a cultural narrative that tells women fun, friendship, and even flirting all happen over drinks.

What we don’t realize is how quickly “social” becomes subconscious, and then habitual. That glass of wine stops being about joy—it becomes avoidance dressed up as self-care.

Awareness Exercise:
Track your drinking for two weeks—when, where, with whom, and why.

Redefine Socializing:
What if your next “happy hour” was a hike, a creative workshop, or coffee with a friend? Social connection shouldn’t hinge on a cocktail.

Redefining What Coping Looks Like

This isn’t about perfection or pressure—it’s about presence. For me, balance means honoring my body’s boundaries (and mine hates regular drinking). For Jeannette, true freedom meant choosing sobriety and helping other women do the same.

Either path is about staying true to yourself, not punishing yourself.

Healthy Swap Ideas:

• Mocktails with fresh juice, herbs, and sparkling water

• Journaling, meditation, or movement when cravings hit

• Honest conversations with friends who “get it” (hello, The Club!)

You’re allowed to celebrate, grieve, or unwind—just choose ways that nurture your healing instead of numbing it.

The Power of Community: Finding Your Tribe

If there’s one truth I’ll shout from the rooftops, it’s this: We heal better together.

Whether it’s Jeannette’s support group or our own Crazy Ex-Wives Club community, surrounding yourself with understanding, judgment-free women changes everything.

Inside The Club, we offer:

• 3 live connection circles each month for real talk and tools

• A private online space to vent, laugh, and connect daily

• Resources to help you rebuild your confidence and joy—on your terms

You don’t have to carry it alone. It’s time to share your story, be witnessed, and let support in.

Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Grace

Healing isn’t linear. Some days, you’ll set healthy boundaries and say no to that extra glass of wine. Other days, you might pour one anyway—and that’s okay.

Every moment of honesty, every act of awareness, every small “no thank you” is you reclaiming your power—one choice at a time.

If you need resources, check out Jeannette’s info in our show notes, explore the free This Naked Mind 30-Day Challenge, or—my favorite—come join us inside The Club.

You deserve joy, connection, and peace—on your terms. Here’s to healing, together.

💕 Join The Club: Where Healing Gets Real

If you’re ready to be seen, heard, and supported by women who truly get it, come join The Club.

Inside The Club, you’ll find:

• Weekly connection circles to share and heal in a safe, private space

• Tools and coaching to help you rebuild confidence and joy

• A sisterhood that listens without judgment—and celebrates your growth

✨ Join The Club today  and give yourself the gift of being heard. You deserve it. ✨

With love and grace,
Erica Bennett
Founder + Host, The Crazy Ex-Wives Club