Sober Cast: An (unofficial) Alcoholics Anonymous Podcast AA Topic: Practicing Recovery Principals in Intimate Relationships
Jan 12, 2026
Mary Beth shares her journey of navigating intimate relationships in recovery. She discusses early chaotic relationships and the fear of abandonment. Meeting her partner in AA reshaped her dating choices, leading to surprising marriage expectations. Practical advice includes creating space for personal growth and respecting differences. Emphasis is placed on trust, patience, and maintaining a balance between community involvement and couple time. Mary Beth highlights the importance of understanding each other's perspectives for a healthier bond.
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Early Family Shaped Relationship Barometer
- Mary Beth describes growing up with a troubled intimate relationship with her mother and lacking a barometer for healthy relationships.
- This background left her ill-equipped for adult relationships and influenced her early patterns with alcohol and partners.
Panic And Control In Early Recovery Dating
- Mary Beth recounts dating a merchant marine in early recovery and her panic before his departures.
- She used control and panicked behaviors to try to keep him, which never worked.
Honeymoon Anxiety Revealed Old Patterns
- She shares honeymoon tension where small demands (like placing bags outside) triggered big anxiety rooted in past trauma.
- The episode revealed persistent patterns despite years of therapy and sobriety.