By: Tom White

“The solution to alcohol use disorder may be a feeling. When you feel good about yourself, you tend to drink like someone who feels good about themselves.”

That quote from Colleen Freeland Kachmann, Founder and CEO of Emotional Sobriety Coaching©, cuts straight to the heart of her approach. Her message is simple but thought-provoking: Get happy, not sober.

As an Intuitive Drinking Coach and host of the globally recognized podcast It’s Not About the Alcohol, Colleen is helping high-achieving women see alcohol in a different light. Her method isn’t about restriction or rigid rules but emotional freedom. It’s about discovering what makes you feel whole, stable, and worthy so that you may no longer feel the need to escape through drinking.

A Personal Journey, A Professional Mission

Colleen understands the pressure of maintaining appearances. For over 20 years, she was a high-functioning daily drinker. She sought help in traditional abstinence-based programs, only to realize that sobriety as a lifestyle can sometimes fuel an all-or-nothing mindset.

“I realized that alcohol is no more the problem for people who drink too much than razors are for people who cut themselves,” she reflects. “People who feel fulfilled tend not to drink themselves into a stupor.”

The shift from behavior-based change to identity-based change became the foundation for her seven-figure coaching business. “The goal is to become the version of you who can trust herself—not to be perfect but to practice self-compassion when you make a mistake. Because learning new skills is difficult when you’re in a state of fear and shame.”

Emotional Sobriety Coaching: An Alternative Approach

With Emotional Sobriety Coaching©, Colleen has created a space for professional women to reduce alcohol consumption by approximately 80 percent without demanding full abstinence. She says that ‘drinking less’ is often a natural side effect of feeling more connected to a deeper sense of purpose.

“We don’t focus on the problem. We create potential solutions.”

Backed by an MSc in Health Coaching, a BS in Biology and Chemistry Education, and certifications in addiction recovery and integrative wellness, Colleen brings scientific understanding and lived experience to her coaching. She integrates neuroplasticity research and cognitive reframing, focusing on self-connection and emotional processing.

Her approach meets women where they are—in their careers, parenting, and day-to-day overwhelm—and helps them address the emotional disconnect that often accompanies chronic stress. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all system. It’s a personalized exploration of what might bring relief and confidence.

Reframing the Issue with Drinking

“Alcohol isn’t necessarily the enemy,” Colleen explains. “It’s a tool many have learned to use as a coping mechanism for perfectionism, anxiety, and burnout.”

She teaches that overdrinking often stems from caring more about performance and productivity than physical and emotional well-being. Her clients learn how to shift away from external metrics of success and instead find pleasure and satisfaction in being present with their experiences.

A signature part of her work is a viral quiz called “Do you have a drinking or thinking problem?” The quiz helps women uncover limiting beliefs that may act as a ‘kill-switch’ to motivation needed for healthier habits. It often serves as a lightbulb moment.

Offering Alternatives to Sobriety Culture

Rather than asserting that sobriety is the only valid path, Colleen presents moderation as a potentially effective and evidence-informed alternative. She encourages women to explore customized solutions instead of strictly adhering to the disease model of addiction.

“High-achieving women who manage other areas of their life may require different guidance than those struggling with severe dependency,” she notes.

“Alcohol was not my problem. It was my solution,” she reflects. “And believing I couldn’t control myself made things more difficult, not better.”

Her work encourages women to take responsibility for their happiness rather than blaming others or waiting for external changes. By addressing emotional patterns that keep them stuck, clients often find increased peace and a sense of personal empowerment.

Beyond Coaching: Sharing Stories and Insights

Through her podcast, It’s Not About the Alcohol, Colleen continues to share honest conversations that resonate with women who may feel overlooked by traditional methods.

Her mission is to help women elevate their consciousness to a level where the desire to overdrink diminishes. She defines “emotional sobriety” as the state when you are no longer afraid to experience your feelings and when you control your thoughts rather than letting them control you. “Many possibilities open up when you stop believing everything you think,” she says.

To learn more, visit Emotional Sobriety Coaching.

It’s not just your relationship with alcohol that may need to change. It’s also your relationship with yourself.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Emotional Sobriety Coaching© and the approaches described are not substitutes for professional medical or psychological treatment. Individuals struggling with alcohol use or addiction are encouraged to consult qualified healthcare providers for personalized diagnosis and treatment. Results may vary depending on individual circumstances.