Addiction Unlimited Podcast

Using Sober October to Build Real Change That Goes Beyond Day 31 In this episode, I’m getting honest about what “just taking a break” really means. Whether you’re trying to reset, test your willpower, or prove something to yourself, I want to help you go deeper — and actually get what you came here for. I’ll walk you through the two times I took breaks (30 and 60 days), how I convinced myself I was in control, and why both times led to even worse drinking. You’ll learn how to spot when your relationship with alcohol has gone too far, why 30-day challenges don’t create lasting change, and what to do instead if you want to stop starting over. If you’re waking up on Day One of Sober October with mixed feelings — hope, fear, uncertainty — this episode will give you a plan and a path forward. HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: 1️⃣ Taking a break isn’t proof of control. It’s often a sign you’re already negotiating with something that has too much power. 2️⃣ 30 days won’t fix what alcohol was covering up. The real transformation comes after the “break” ends — when you’re building a life that works without alcohol. 3️⃣ You need a plan that holds you. Structure, self-trust, and emotional support are the foundation for lasting change — not just willpower or white-knuckling. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: If you’re serious about making this stick — not just in October, but in real life — you need more than good intentions. 📓 90-Day Focus Planner – Built for sobriety, mental clarity, and next-level focus 💬 Book a Free Call for Private Coaching – 6 weeks of strategy, mindset, and full support 🎧 More Podcast Episodes MORE FROM ANGELA Follow me on Instagram → @addictionunlimited Join the Facebook Group Book a Clarity Call if you’re ready to stop spinning and start building SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Love this episode? Take a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps us reach more high-functioning adults who are ready for real change. 🎙 Thanks for listening to Addiction Unlimited. See you next week!

Ever find yourself pouring a drink thinking, “I don’t even want this…”? In this episode, we’re going deep into the neuroscience of cravings, the patterns behind self-sabotage, and most importantly — how to get back in the driver’s seat of your brain. You’ll learn exactly what it takes to interrupt the pattern, rewire your brain, and take back authority over your decisions — even in the hardest moments. Whether you’re early in sobriety or stuck in “start-over” mode, this is your guide to finally feeling clear, confident, and in control of your recovery — without shame and without starting over. This one is packed with science, strategy, and the real-talk I wish I had in early sobriety. You’ll hear: Why your survival brain overrides logic (and how to interrupt it) How to rewire reward loops and stop white-knuckling every craving 3 coaching tools to break the pattern without breaking yourself How to lead yourself with clarity instead of fear And if you’re ready to stop spinning in start-over cycles and finally feel in control of your sobriety — this is your roadmap.   🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode 💬 Book your free clarity call with Angela Ready for real change and fast results? Let’s get clear on what’s keeping you stuck and map out your next steps together. 👉 addictionunlimited.com/call 🛏️ Shop Cozy Earth + Get 40% Off Upgrade your recovery routine with the bedding that feels like a full-body exhale. Use code ANGELA for 40% off! 👉 cozyearth.com 🎧 Episode #372 – The Real Reasons You Self-Sabotage Your Sobriety (And How to Stop) This episode pairs perfectly with today’s show if you want to go deeper on the patterns that keep you stuck. 👉 Listen here   💬 Rate, Review & Follow on Apple Podcasts If you loved this episode, leave a 5-star rating and review! It helps other listeners find the show and join us on this journey. Just scroll down in Apple Podcasts, tap ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and leave your thoughts! And don’t forget to follow the show — so you never miss a new episode, bonus trainings, or juicy real-talk about recovery.

3am wakeups after quitting drinking? Let’s fix your sober sleep—for good. You jolt awake at 3am.Your heart is racing.Your brain is going 100 miles an hour.You know you’re exhausted—but you’re wired and wide awake. Welcome to the 3AM Club, my friend.It’s not just you. And it’s not just early sobriety. Sleep issues can hit you at any point in recovery—whether you’re 30 days sober or 30 years in. And in this episode, I’m going to show you exactly what’s going on in your brain and body when it happens—and give you real tools to quiet that 3AM mind. Because here’s the truth:This isn’t a “you problem.”It’s a nervous system issue.And you don’t need to panic—you need a plan. In this episode, I walk you through the hidden causes of those middle-of-the-night wakeups (ADHD, anxiety, sugar, trauma, overstimulation… just to name a few), and I hand you my 3AM GET-YOUR-CALM-BACK PLAN—the exact system I use to calm my brain, get grounded, and take my power back. No more shame spirals.No more doom scrolling.Just strategy, structure, and the truth about what’s really happening behind the scenes. 🔊 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:(03:22) Why waking up at 3am isn’t just an early sobriety thing (and why it still happens years later)(08:55) The truth about ADHD, anxiety, sugar, and your overloaded nervous system(16:33) How cortisol, trauma, and hangxiety hijack your brain in the middle of the night(25:40) What your brain needs to finally feel safe enough to rest(29:12) My full “3AM Calm-Back Plan” to stop the spiral and get grounded fast(41:20) The biggest mistakes to stop making when you wake up anxious(46:44) How to rewire your beliefs about sleep—and start trusting your body again This isn’t about chasing 8 perfect hours. It’s about regulating your body, reclaiming your calm, and learning to rest without sedation. 👉🏼 Listen now and start building your 3am strategy—because a regulated brain is a rested brain. 🔗 Links & Resources Related Episode: Guaranteed Ways to Make Sleep Easier for You Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela : addictionunlimited.com/call

Numb, Anxious, or Overwhelmed: What the F Is Going On With Your Feelings After You Quit Drinking?* The hardest part of sobriety isn’t cravings… it’s the F-word. No, not that one. (Although you know it’s a personal favorite.) I’m talking about feelings. The ones you spent years numbing. The ones that come flooding in after you stop drinking. Or… the ones you can’t seem to feel at all. Whether you feel numb, anxious, totally overwhelmed, or like your emotions are playing hide-and-seek with your brain—this episode is for you. 💥 In this episode, I’ll walk you through: What’s really going on when the Pink Cloud fades Why your emotional overwhelm (or shutdown) is actually a sign of healing What Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) has to do with it How emotional avoidance becomes emotional disconnection Why this phase is where many people relapse—not because of cravings, but because they don’t have the tools to deal And 3 powerful tools to help you feel again—without drowning in it You’ll walk away with a deep understanding of why your nervous system is acting up, the real reason you can’t explain how you feel (and why that’s perfectly okay), and my favorite strategies for handling emotions without shutting down, blowing up, or reaching for a drink. This is the work I do every day with my coaching clients. We don’t just “talk about feelings.” We build the emotional skill set that alcohol took away. So if you’re done screwing around… and ready to build real sobriety, confidence, and peace— 📲 Book a free coaching call with me. Let’s talk about what support could look like for you.   🔗 Resources + Links 🎧 Quitting Drinking & Post-Acute Withdrawal 🎧 5 Signs You’re Dealing With PAWS 🎧 The Science of Sobriety & How to Feel Better Faster 👩‍💻 Book your free call with Angela Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I should be managing this better…”—this episode is for you. Between work, family, caregiving, and trying to keep your sober routine intact, it’s easy to feel like life is spinning and you’re barely holding it together. You’re showing up, doing the work, and still questioning if it’s enough. That’s not failure—it’s a sign you’re at capacity. And your sobriety doesn’t break in those moments. It’s actually being built in them. In this episode, we’re talking about what emotional sobriety looks like in real life—not the highlight reel. You’ll learn how to stay grounded when everything feels out of control, and how to reset without spiraling, starting over, or white-knuckling your way through it. We’ll unpack: What control really looks like in high-functioning sobriety Why over-functioning isn’t strength—it’s survival mode The 3-step emotional reset to reconnect with yourself (without doing 10 things) How to calm the chaos and stay sober without shame Why these messy moments are proof that you’re growing—not slipping This isn’t about checking every box perfectly.It’s about leading yourself with presence, not pressure. Whether you’re 30 days sober or 3 years in, you’ll walk away with tools to breathe again, anchor into your why, and feel strong—even when life is anything but easy. 🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode: 🎧 Related episode: What to Do When Sobriety Feels Like a Constant Battle 📞 Free call about coaching (2 spots open): addictionunlimited.com/call

Listen On: You’re not failing—your method is. You’ve already tried harder.You’ve done the dry weeks.You’ve poured bottles down the sink.You’ve promised yourself, “Just weekends. Just one. This time it will stick.” And yet, here you are… back in the same shame spiral, asking yourself: “Why can’t I get it together?” In this episode of Addiction Unlimited, we’re burning down the biggest lie in sobriety: that if you just had more willpower, you’d finally quit drinking for good. 👉 Spoiler alert: willpower is a faulty system. Every. Single. Time. What you actually need is a system—one that gives you structure, support, and solutions so you can stop starting over and finally move forward. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: 🧠 Why willpower fails (and always will) — the science behind anxiety, decision fatigue, and why your brain defaults to alcohol when it’s overwhelmed. ⚙️ The 3 Pillars of Lasting Recovery — my proven framework: Science, Strategy, and Self. 📌 How to design your sober system — calming rituals, accountability, and practical tools that give you relief without a drink. 🚫 The ego trap of “testing yourself” — why it’s total BS and guaranteed to keep you stuck. 💪 Radical personal responsibility — the boundaries you must set with people, places, and yourself to protect your sobriety. By the end, you’ll understand exactly why trying harder has never worked for you—and how to replace the endless loop of Day Ones with a system that actually sticks. 🎧 Hit play now, because you don’t need more motivation. You don’t need another Day One. You need a system. And this is where it starts. 🔑 Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode: Listen to Ep. 275: Relief Not Relapse Book your free call: addictionunlimited.com/call Cozy Earth — Use code ANGELA for 40% off: CozyEarth.com

Loneliness and substance use often go hand in hand. But what most people don’t realize is that loneliness can follow you into sobriety—and if you don’t address it, it can quietly push you toward relapse. Sobriety means growth. It means changing your habits, your identity, and your relationships—and often, that kind of change means losing the people and places that once made you feel connected. And it’s not just about early sobriety. Sometimes it’s the next chapter:Maybe your kids are grown and gone, and the house is too quiet.Maybe the marriage didn’t last. Or the friendships didn’t make it.Or maybe… you just don’t feel like you anymore. You’re not drinking. You’re doing the work.But you still feel disconnected—from your people, your purpose, maybe even from yourself. If you’ve ever thought, “Why do I feel so alone in sobriety?”This episode is going to answer that. We’re unpacking the real reasons loneliness shows up in recovery—and exactly what to do about it so you can protect your peace, support your growth, and create a connected, fulfilling life that feels aligned with who you are now. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ Why loneliness is common in sobriety—even years in✅ How identity shifts, life stages, and personal growth create disconnection✅ 5 powerful ways to rebuild connection in recovery✅ Why waiting to feel better doesn’t work—and what to do instead✅ How to stop relying on old social circles that no longer fit your life✅ The role of community, consistency, and aligned relationships✅ Why being of service is one of the most healing tools you have✅ How to stop living in emotional isolation and start feeling supported again Most people in early sobriety experience loneliness because their life is changing faster than their social circle is. But others feel it later on, when life transitions—like divorce, empty nest, or major growth—create emotional distance from the people they once leaned on. This isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong.It’s a sign you’re evolving.And that’s exactly why you need a new kind of connection to support who you’re becoming. 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE 🎧 The Identity Crisis No One Talks About in Sobriety (Podcast Episode) 📞 Book a Free Call with Angela – Let’s talk about where you are, what you need, and how I can support you with coaching or other resources. 💻 Join the Addiction Unlimited Facebook Group – A powerful, free community of people just like you.

If you’ve ever told yourself, “If I could drink in moderation, I would do it all the time,” this episode is going to feel like I’ve been eavesdropping on your thoughts. Maybe you’ve tried switching to beer, only drinking on weekends, skipping alcohol at home, or limiting yourself to “special occasions.” And for a short time, it works—until the rules bend, the “just one more” slips in, and you’re right back where you started. The truth is, you’re not weak. You’re not broken. Your brain is doing exactly what it’s wired to do: protect what feels familiar, even when it’s holding you back. In this powerful episode, I’m breaking down: Why your brain keeps selling you on moderation—even when you know it doesn’t work The hidden mental, emotional, and physical costs of the moderation loop The shift you need to make if you truly want freedom from alcohol We’ll pull apart the survival brain’s “safe compromise” pitch, expose the decision fatigue moderation causes, and talk about how it chips away at your self-trust over time. You’ll see why moderation isn’t about control—it’s about delay—and how it quietly steals your energy, your confidence, and the life you want to live. By the end, you’ll have a new target: freedom, not control. You’ll learn how one clear decision can remove hundreds of tiny exhausting ones, and how to focus on what you’re gaining—not what you’re giving up. If you’re ready to stop starting over and step into real freedom, I can help. Book your free clarity call today at addictionunlimited.com/call. Together, we’ll create a plan that works—without willpower games or endless “rules.” Because you deserve more than managing your drinking. You deserve to be free. Links Mentioned in This Episode: Book your free Clarity Call: addictionunlimited.com/call Join the Addiction Unlimited Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Related Episode — Should I Moderate or Quit? addictionunlimited.com/should-i-moderate-or-quit  

If your witching hour feels like a daily emotional ambush—when the stress, noise, and cravings all collide—you are not alone. That 4 or 5PM pull toward wine or alcohol isn’t just a bad habit… it’s a wired-in loop your brain has learned over years. And breaking it takes more than willpower. In this episode of Addiction Unlimited, we’re diving deep into why 5PM is such a trigger—and how to interrupt the craving cycle before it takes over. Angela unpacks what’s really happening when that evening craving hits, from decision fatigue to emotional overload to the brain’s need for relief. This isn’t about being broken—it’s about building a new system that supports you when your brain and body are done. What You’ll Learn: Why your brain cues up cravings before you even leave work The truth about decision fatigue and emotional depletion How to use the “Interrupt Ritual” to break autopilot The 5PM Flip: Replacing your reward without punishment How to identify emotions using H.A.L.T. and stop numbing with alcohol What neuroplasticity means—and why small shifts change everything Angela also shares a powerful story from her early sobriety behind the bar, proving that the craving loop can be broken—even when it’s deeply ingrained. This episode is a real-world, neuroscience-backed guide to help you stop surviving your evenings—and start leading them with intention and power. Links Mentioned in This Episode:  👉🏼 Related Episode: Relief Not Relapse – Ep. 376💥 Want Support? Book a call with Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Listen On: If life feels messy and sobriety feels like an uphill battle — this episode will give you relief, language, and a path forward. Let me guess…You thought quitting drinking would solve most of your problems. You figured, once the alcohol was gone, things would finally calm down.You’d feel happier, more stable, less overwhelmed.But instead — sobriety hit, and life still feels like one giant mess. Here’s the thing no one really talks about:Life doesn’t stop life-ing just because you quit drinking. There are still bills, breakups, bad days, and unexpected chaos.The difference is, now you’re trying to face it without your old escape button. And that’s not because you’re doing sobriety wrong — it’s because life is still life, and your nervous system is still learning how to handle it. This episode is all about learning how to deal with the hard stuff — curveballs, chaos, and everyday stress — without unraveling.I’m going to show you how to build the kind of emotional endurance that helps you stay calm, grounded, and clear… even when life gets messy. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why just not drinking isn’t enough to feel better The real reason you still feel stuck or triggered How to stop getting derailed by every curveball The coping tools that actually work — and how to start using them What it really means to “do the work” in recovery If you’re sober (or trying to be) but life still feels chaotic, overwhelming, and exhausting — this is your episode. It’s not just about not drinking anymore.It’s about learning to live — really live — without running, numbing, or blowing up your life. 🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode: What It Really Means to Be a Dry Drunk (And How to Change)https://addictionunlimited.com/what-it-really-means-to-be-a-dry-drunk-and-how-to-change Book a Call With Angelaaddictionunlimited.com/call Join the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited