Michelle Smith
A Few Words from a Female, Professional, Non-Practicing Alcoholic
My personal and professional confidence was all a show: inside, I was a terrified, self-loathing mess, unable to deal with criticism, confrontation, or my own feelings. I just knew that sooner or later, the ‘real me’ would burst out of my painstakingly constructed disguise – and then I’d lose everything that I had worked so hard for.
…I am what is called ‘a high-functioning alcoholic’. If you had seen me when I was drinking actively and enthusiastically to blackout point most nights, you would have been dazzled by my ‘perfect’ life.
At my alcoholic absolute worst, I had a high-paying job in Hong Kong, an amazing wardrobe, a big apartment. Any pangs of worry I had about my drinking were silenced by the fact that I had my MA in International Business, spoke three languages, and was well-respected by my colleagues….
…But my personal and professional confidence was all a show: inside, I was a terrified, self-loathing mess, unable to deal with criticism, confrontation, or my own feelings…
…Recent studies show some disturbing trends: that the biggest jump in alcoholic drinking has taken place in professional women….
Read more of Michelle’s story here on HotMommasProject.org, the world’s largest women’s case study library.
Michelle joins the Sisterhood of Success, shares her story and – in doing so – offers lessons learned which benefit us, or someone we might know (or even someone we don’t).
Read More from Michelle about her experience writing a Hot Mommas Project case.
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