The Drinking Dilemma: Hotline Caller

After The Tones Drop

In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Erin and Cinnamon take on a question from a hotline caller who is a newly minted 21-year-old firefighter who's asking something we don't hear often enough: “Should I even start drinking when I see what it does to everyone around me?”

We know how it goes in the first responder world—drinking is practically a rite of passage. But what if it doesn’t have to be? What if you could dodge the hangovers, the regret, and the potential slide down a very slippery slope? That’s exactly what we’re getting into today.

Erin and Cinnamon dive deep into a hot-button issue: alcohol use and its place in the culture of first responders. They're calling out the BS, like how not drinking can sometimes make you feel like an outsider or a “pussy” just because you’re smart enough to know the risks. They’ll also tackle some big questions—like, is swearing off booze just another extreme response to trauma, or is it a sign of wisdom beyond your years?

And let’s talk boundaries—real boundaries. The kind that make people think twice before giving you grief for choosing not to drink. Erin and Cinnamon are here to tell you that being proactive about your mental health isn’t just okay—it’s essential. They’re laying it all out there: the good, the bad, and the ugly about why so many first responders use alcohol to cope, and why it’s perfectly okay if you don’t want to be another statistic.

Plus, they’ll share a few laughs and stories about how they stay sober, stay sane, and still manage to be the most entertaining people in the room—without a drop of alcohol.

Whether you’re someone who’s already sworn off the sauce or just thinking about cutting back, this episode’s for you. It’s real talk, straight from the heart of the first responder community, with a mix of humor, hard truths, and no-nonsense advice.

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We want to invite you to Join us and Dr. David Griffin from the Charleston 9 at the 28th Annual Jackson Fire Expo in Massillon, Ohio, on January 18 & 19! This is a must-attend event with hands-on labs, breakout sessions, and EMS continuing ed credits. Don’t miss out—register now at jacksonfirefighters.com! See you there!

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DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information.

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat):

• https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR
• https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM
• https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE
• https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS
• https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74
• https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus
  License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR
• https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough
  License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE