114: Spirits and Spirit: Alcohol, Drinking and Spirituality
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In this episode, we explore the nuanced and often tender relationship between alcohol and spirituality.
Is alcohol sacred or does it disconnect us from our truest selves?
We’ll look at how alcohol has been used in spiritual traditions throughout history from the wine of Christian communion to the abstinence teachings of Islam and how our own rising consciousness can shift our desire to drink.

This conversation isn’t about fear, shame or extremes but about awareness, intention and honouring your own unique path. Whether you’re sober curious, re-evaluating your habits or simply seeking a better understanding, this episode invites you into a more conscious relationship with yourself, your energy, and the choices you make.
Resources from today's episode
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Spirits & Spirit: Alcohol & Spirituality
Hi my love, thank you so much for tuning into this week’s episode. Today’s conversation comes straight from your requests and I’m going to dive deep into something many of us have wondered about: the relationship between alcohol and spirituality.
Is alcohol sacred or is it a barrier to the sacred? Let’s explore this together with honesty, curiosity and compassion.
Alcohol has played a complex role in spiritual traditions throughout history. In Christianity, for example, wine holds powerful symbolism—it represents the blood of Jesus Christ and is a key part of the sacred ritual of communion, inviting believers into a shared experience of grace and transformation. Yet, across many other faiths, alcohol is viewed very differently. Islam, for instance, forbids drinking altogether, reflecting concerns about its potential to cloud the mind and spirit.
This creates a fascinating tension: on one hand, alcohol can bring people together, marking celebrations, rites of passage, and moments of community. It can be part of joyful ceremonies and sacred gatherings. On the other hand, alcohol also carries the risk of disconnection, addiction, and harm. So, when we look at alcohol through the lens of spirituality, the question becomes = does it serve as a bridge to the sacred or does it sometimes stand in the way?
In today’s episode, we’ll explore both sides of this paradox and uncover what it means to approach alcohol with mindfulness and self-awareness on your spiritual path.
The energy of alcohol and drinking
Let’s talk energetics for a moment.
Alcohol lowers inhibition, yes. It opens us up. It also numbs the nervous system, distorts perception and can disconnect us from our inner compass if we’re not careful. It’s not just about what we feel physically, but also what’s going on beneath the surface in our subtle bodies.
If you’re someone sensitive to energy—you’ve probably noticed this. A drink might feel light and joyful at first, but too much… and suddenly your intuition goes blurry. Your dreams are off. Your morning meditation feels a little more dull. That doesn’t mean alcohol is “bad.” It means you’re tuning in. When we tune in, we get to choose more consciously. Not from fear, but from alignment.
We all have this energetic field around called your aura that acts like a protective bubble. It keeps us steady and helps us hold our own energy. Alcohol and other things that disrupt our natural rhythm can create little weak spots in this field, making us feel more sensitive or vulnerable to outside influences. It’s kind of like your personal energetic shield getting a tiny crack.
If you’re someone who tunes into your intuition or works with psychic or energetic senses, you might notice that alcohol creates a kind of haze, making it harder to connect clearly—to yourself, and to others on a deeper level. It’s why many spiritual practitioners like myself recommend steering clear of alcohol before doing any kind of energy work, channeling or meditation.
None of this is about judgment or fear. It’s about understanding how alcohol interacts with our energy, so you can make choices that feel aligned and right for you.
The rise of being spiritually sober
These days many people rethinking their relationship with alcohol for spiritual reasons. Perhaps you want clarity. You want presence. You want a higher connection.
Now, here’s my truth: I don’t really drink much anymore. Like, I’ll go months at a time without touching a drop. Not out of restriction or rules or shame. It’s just… I don’t crave it. I don’t need it. I don’t even want it. I want to arrive fully present no chaser to speak. I’ll take my suffering raw because I have a regulated nervous system, I have the tools and know how to regulate my nervous system.
These days, I’m way more of a kombucha girl. Give me something fizzy, fermented, with that tangy little punch, and I’m happy. Honestly, it feels better in my body, and it keeps my channel clear—you know what I mean?
There’s no rule or big declaration behind it. It’s not a moral thing, and it’s definitely not shame-based. It’s just that I’ve found, over time, that when I’m clear—when my system is clean—I can hear myself better. I can feel the Divine more directly. My body says thank you. I’m not anti-alcohol. I don’t believe in extremes. I think there’s space for moderation—and even celebration—in a spiritual life.
I’ve had some beautiful, sacred experiences having a glass of of champagne to celebrate a business win or just soaking in pleasure in the markets in Spain with one of my best friends oysters and red wine, divine.
If I drink I don’t drink to get out of my body. I drink to be in it. Taste it. Breathe. Stay awake. Present. I also know my limits and honour those.
A life coach's perspective on drinking alcohol & spirituality
From my perspective as a life coach and personally the most important think is to be aware of your mindset when consuming alcohol and doing so with respect. When we look at ancient philosophical views Aristotle advocated for moderation in all things, including pleasures like wine, suggesting virtue lies between excess and deficiency. In the field of stoicism, some stoics permitted moderate drinking if it didn’t compromise self control, emphasising intention and inner discipline.
If you’re walking the “less alcohol” path like I am, here are a few soul-honouring alternatives as I mentioned kombucha, mocktails and cacao which I adore – Sacred, heart-opening, and deeply grounding. I’ve had some of my most connected, spiritually rich evenings with a mug of cacao and a candle—not a drop of alcohol in sight.
Why you want to drink less as you become more "spiritual" and self aware
As we grow in awareness and deepen our connection to ourselves and the world around us, something naturally shifts inside. Our cravings for things like alcohol often start to fade — not because of strict rules or pressure, but because our inner landscape is changing. We begin to crave clarity, presence and genuine connection more than any temporary escape. The subtle energies within us become more sensitive, and we start to notice how different choices affect our mood, our spirit soul and our overall sense of wellbeing. With this rising consciousness, the desire to drink lessens, replaced by a natural preference for experiences that truly nourish and uplift us.
Drinking is human
It’s also vital to take a moment to be realistic.
Drinking is human. It’s woven into our stories, our cultures, our celebrations. It’s the wedding toast, the birthday clink, the long night of laughter with friends doing rounds and sometimes it’s also the quiet glass alone after a long day, or the reach for relief when things feel a little too much.
While yes, we can talk about being aware, intentional sipping, ritual and reverence—we also need to hold space for this truth: Alcohol is not great for your body. Alcohol does have a chemical impact on your nervous system, your body, your energy. That’s real.
The science is clear. Even moderate drinking can:
- Disrupt sleep
- Increase anxiety
- Impact liver and heart health
- Raise the risk of certain cancers
- Dull cognitive clarity—both short-term and long-term
If you’re on a spiritual path—where presence, intuition, and energetic sensitivity are part of the practice—those effects can feel even more amplified.
So why do we still drink? Because we’re human. Because it’s social. Because it’s a habit. Because it’s comforting. Because sometimes, the need to numb can feel louder than the call to heal. And that’s okay. This isn’t about guilt. This isn’t about shame. This is about compassion—for ourselves, for the parts of us that reached for the drink before we had better tools, and for the ways we’ve coped while learning to soften without shutting down.
Why do you drink alcohol?
It’s okay to hold both truths I know this isn’t great for me and I’m on a journey to meet my needs in kinder, clearer ways.
What matters isn’t perfection: it’s awareness. It’s asking yourself, What is this drink doing for me right now? Is there something else I truly need?
Sometimes the answer is connection. Sometimes it’s grounding. Sometimes it’s simply a pause.
And guess what? Those are all things you can create with or without the wine.
Healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s not about never drinking again. It’s about learning to listen to yourself more honestly, and choosing from a place of love and consciousness —not fear.
Questions to consider drinking alcohol as a spiritual person
Ultimately there isn’t a right answer. For some, alcohol is a sacred part of ritual and joy For others, it’s an escape and numbing tool which blocks something deeper. What matters is your intention and your awareness.
So if you’re someone who’s questioning your relationship with alcohol not from a place of shame, but from a place of alignment—I see you. You don’t have to label yourself. You don’t have to make it a thing. Just ask yourself: Does this support the life I want to live? Does this support the spirit I want to embody?
Here are a few things to think about when you’re approaching drinking and spirituality.
When you drink, what are you seeking?
How does drinking impact your connection to yourself, others and spirit?
What does spiritual clarity mean to you?
Compassion and curiosity are key in drinking alcohol and spirituality
As we wrap up today’s conversation, I want to invite you to lean into this journey with gentle curiosity and kindness toward yourself. Whether you choose to drink or not, the most important thing is that you do it from a place of awareness—honouring your body, your spirit, and your unique path.
Let’s work together to cultivate a more conscious relationship with alcohol and all our choices. When we bring presence and compassion to these everyday decisions, we open the door to deeper.
If this episode resonated with you, , I’d love for you to share it with someone who might need to hear this message and I also invite you to take it a step further by working with me one on one in coaching. Together, we can deepen your connection to yourself, support your healing, and create the freedom to live your truth fully.
Remember: your journey is uniquely yours, and you’re never alone on the path.
Until next time love & positivity