Addiction Unlimited Podcast

Mind Chatter -  Does your brain start chattering and seemingly never stop? Do you feel distracted and unable to focus, like your brain just won’t shut up and it can be so noisy up there it’s overwhelming? I’m right there with you, my friend. The constant mind chatter that analyzes every single thing about you and your life, your circumstances, your fears, and all of your shortcomings. Reflecting on your problems and noodling over solutions is one of the best ways to move forward in life even if it's not the most pleasant way to spend your time. But sometimes all that mind chatter in our heads gets mean. We beat ourselves up for the slightest things, talk ourselves out of doing things we should actually do, or get stuck in a loop of worry or shame. We have brains that have a life of their own, and they have all kinds of thoughts and ideas they want to share with us all day every day. And there’s no question it can be overwhelming. It’s like background noise that never ceases, from the moment you wake up to the moment you lay down to go to sleep. It can even prevent you from falling asleep. Here are some of the questions we’re going to answer in this episode: Figuring out the balance of life and recovery to lessen the mental chatter Understanding healthy boundaries The difference between sobriety and recovery and how it helps you Powerful tools to use to quiet your mind   Links mentioned in this episode:  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Episode with Matt Jerr: The Myth of Rock Bottom When You’re High Functioning   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Sobriety -  When you think about your sober future, what kind of life do you dream of living? What kind of impact will you have on your family? If you don’t think it’s possible to feel crystal clear on how to take your recovery and use it to build your dream life, happiness, and have a powerful impact on your family… you’ve never met Veronica Valli. Veronica is a busy mom and wife who passionately splits her time between her podcast, Soberful, writing books, and being the leader of her coaching business helping people build happy recovery. Veronica is on a mission to change the narrative on sobriety with 23 years of personal experience and a long career of helping people get sober, find happiness, and change their lives. Just like she has.  Relocating from the UK to the US, raising kids, figuring out how to make sobriety fit in the mix, and growing a business is just another day in the life for Veronica. She doesn’t just talk the talk — she walks the walk. And in this episode, Veronica is breaking down how she connected all the pieces over the years to build strong long-term sobriety and purpose in her life. Together, we talk about: How she ‘accidentally’ got sober How 23 years of sobriety started with a commitment to just 30 days The key to lasting sobriety for anyone and everyone and so much more! So grab your headphones and click to listen — just wait ’til you see what’s possible!   Links mentioned in this episode:  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Get the Soberful book: https://amzn.to/47zGjFg   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Alcoholism and Relationships -  If you think being an alcoholic is hard, try being in a relationship with one! You’ve heard me talk about relationship dynamics from time to time, and just how important it is to communicate with the people around us and to be patient with one another. But I’ve never really talked about what this looks like for the family, friends, and partners. On their own, keeping your sobriety in tact and navigating a relationship are tough. Put them together? It’s an entirely different beast. The fact is, addiction brings a very different dimension to relationships. People that don’t struggle with addictions or compulsions are baffled by how our brains work and they usually have more support and empathy from friends and family members for their trials and tribulations in life. Alcoholism can be very isolating, which is one reason it’s more challenging to get support, and even harder to ask for help. So today, we’re getting into the details from both sides. In this episode I’ll tell you: Why getting sober is harder than our friends and family realize Some of the thoughts and fears your partner is having about your sobriety that they aren’t telling you How to give each other what you need, EVEN during the most stressful times What recovery requires to be long-lasting Your relationships can be as awesome as you want them to be, but it does take everyone pitching in and being part of the team. And everyone has to be willing to pause, and see the other person’s point of view. You might be surprised by all the information you get from this episode! This is every bit as important as planning your next recovery meeting or your next attempt at sobriety. You’ve got to understand what’s happening for the people around you with the same passion and intensity that you put into your recovery. Go listen now, then share this episode with the people closest to you - they will thank you for it, I promise ;-)   Links mentioned in this episode:  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Sober Retreat in Bali: addictionunlimited.com/bali   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Rock Bottom -  You’re all familiar with the concept. You see it in movies, all over television, and we read it in books. Someone’s life is spiraling out of control - they are getting DUIs, getting arrested, getting fired, going to prison – and when they are at their all-time low, they land at their rock bottom moment and decide they have to change their lives. The problem with this picture of addiction and rock bottom is – it doesn’t leave space for all of you that haven’t had any of those consequences. It doesn’t give you, the high-functioning person, an opportunity to see yourself and see how you fit in sobriety and what your path might look like. To be clear, not everyone destroys their lives before getting sober. You can be living a life with a nice roof over your head, a job, relationship, kids, drinking a latte and working out regularly and still have a substance problem. You may even relate to my situation where I was a little bit of both – I had some tragic moments that definitely got my attention – but the truth is, I was totally high-functioning. I made plenty of money. I lived in a beautiful home. I had an expensive car and a Louis Vuitton handbag. And none of those things had any impact on my drinking problem. It did allow me to avoid the seriousness of my problem and continue putting off taking action. Unfortunately, when it comes to understanding “rock-bottom,” there’s a lot more misconception than truth. You may know my guest from The Sober Friends Podcast – Matt J is with me to talk about what ‘rock bottom’ looks like, when you’re a high-functioning person.   Links mentioned in this episode:  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Sober Vacation: addictionunlimited.com/bali Sober Friends Podcast: https://www.soberfriendspod.com/   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Quit Drinking Alcohol -  You may feel like alcohol helps with feelings of stress, anger, worry and sadness, but it isn't what it seems and can actually have negative effects both in the short-term and long-term. Let’s get into this topic about your mental health -  how you improve when you stop drinking, are the effects of substances permanent or is it fixable, and what that journey looks like. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the surprising effects of substance use on mental health and how it impacts your overall well-being. Unlock effective strategies to improve your mental health and reclaim control of your life. Learn about the fascinating impact of alcohol on neurotransmitters and how it can disrupt your brain's natural balance. Explore practical ways to increase dopamine levels naturally and experience greater happiness and motivation. Gain insights into maintaining sobriety and how it can lead to significant improvements in your mental health. Also listen in to get the 3 most powerful ways your brain changes once you quit drinking alcohol, and eight simple (and mostly free) actions you can take today to improve your mental health and boost your dopamine and serotonin naturally.   Links mentioned in this episode:  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Post Acute Withdrawal Episode:  addictionunlimited.com/200   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

The podcast delves into the topic of betrayal trauma, discussing how it can come from parents or romantic partners, and how it affects self-esteem and relationships; Licensed therapist Kristen provides insights and guidance on navigating relationships after addiction and betrayal; Communication and seeking help are emphasized, along with the importance of intentionality and having a plan; Stabilizing the home environment and setting boundaries is highlighted before trauma treatment; The power of courageous vulnerability and the potential for rebuilding stronger relationships are explored; The universal benefits of the 12 steps are discussed, dispelling misconceptions and highlighting their relevance for non-addicts.

Addictive Behavior -  Have you ever felt like you have an addictive personality? Like you don’t have an off switch in anything. When you start something new it becomes your sole focus, you’re 100% in, and if it feels good and you like it, you just want to do more of it. I’m willing to bet, you’re nodding your head yes right now and I’m right there with you. The good news is, there’s nothing wrong with you. And you may be surprised by how many people struggle with addictive behaviors. Here's what you'll take away from this episode: What are the characteristics of addictive behavior? What does it mean? How do you know if a behavior has become addictive? Millions of people worldwide struggle with various forms of addiction, from substance abuse to gambling and even internet addiction. Addictive behavior is more common than you might think. Links mentioned in this episode:  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Sober Retreat Bali 2024: addictionunlimited.com/events   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Moderate Drinking Wherever you may be in your journey, attempts to moderate drinking are a part of (almost) everyone's story. It's a relationship we spend years nurturing. It has your back, it's always there, and it always gives you what you need. Until it doesn't. You may know today's guest as the superstar host of the Hello Someday Podcast. And, believe it or not, she had all the same fears and anxieties that you have when she was facing the thought of quitting drinking. She worked at a Fortune 500 company, had the husband, and the kids and had a hard time wrapping her head around a drinking problem. Like you have probably done over and over again, she first tried to moderate drinking. You know what I'm talking about, all the rules you put in place for yourself to try to force you to not drink too much. I'll only drink on the weekends I won't drink until after 5 I'll only drink beer, NO liquor Only on special occassions! I know, my friend, I did it, too. Lucky for us, Casey started her journey with baby steps. She decided to quit for a little while then built her alcohol-free life from there. Little by little she eased herself into long-term sobriety and you can hear all about what worked for her, and what didn't, and what might work for you in this episode.   Links mentioned in this episode:  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Hello Someday Podcast w/ Casey Davidson: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/podcast/ Other Podcast Episodes About Moderation: Moderation, Gray-Area Drinking, and the Stages of Alcoholism Signs You Should Stop Trying to Moderate Your Drinking Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Sober Travel -  What do you have planned for your next trip? A family vacation? A family reunion, a work trip, or a camping trip? Days on the beach? Nights on the town? It's hard to imagine doing any of it without a drink in hand, especially if you are new to sobriety or, if you are facing your first ever sober travel. Going on vacation usually means relaxing and being carefree. And for many of us, relaxing meant excessive consumption of alcohol or other substances. I was exactly the same. Every trip I ever took was a drinking trip. Honestly, everything I did was about drinking whether there was a trip or not. One of the greatest things about being sober is that my whole world expanded. I mean that, literally. I’ve gotten to travel the world and see beautiful places and have phenomenal experiences that I couldn’t have done in my drinking life. But as a sober person, traveling is full of triggers, and that can feel a bit daunting. This episode gives you a play-by-play of exactly what to do to keep your sobriety firmly in tact while you travel, and still have the time of your life. Sober travel is empowering - it is a way to establish your independence as a sober person — that you don’t need to be afraid of alcohol or have it limit your life any more. If you do the things you need to do to keep your recovery strong, and if you plan ahead, the only question really is: Where do you want to go?   Links mentioned in this episode:  Sober Retreat in Bali:  addictionunlimited.com/events Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Ever wonder what’s possible when you change your life? In this episode, we’ll get into the amazing success story of Will Thatcher, a sober guy and published author. Will, the author of Killing Hurt, has taken his recovery to new levels by harnessing a passion that was already inside of him but had been hiding quietly for years. I understand that feeling of wanting to do things, have fun in your life, and be passionate about something – when I got sober, I had no idea who I was or what activities I liked! But let me assure you, it changes the game and can transform your sober life, just like it did for Will. And here’s the thing: You don’t have to be a pro with years of experience with something or have a ton of money to spend to find what lights you up. In this episode, Will shares it all. Including how his life was forever changed in one family vacation and what he did to get it together, to be a better father, husband, and now author. Even if you are on the fence about the power of living sober, Will’s story will empower you to dig deep to see what may be already inside you to make your alcohol-free life even better. A sneak peek: How his private drinking problem all of a sudden became very public  What he did to stop How he fell in love with a new genre of books, Addiction Fiction When he knew he wanted to have more fun in sobriety The process of writing a book for the first time So if you’re eager to unlock the potential of sobriety and have more fun, pop in your earbuds and give this episode your full attention!   Links mentioned in this episode:  Get the book, Killing Hurt: https://amzn.to/44ZyKpG Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”