Addiction Unlimited Podcast

My whole life I was a quitter. I’d work out for awhile then quit. I’d lose a few pounds then quit and gain it back. I’d start a new thing I wanted to do, and as soon as it was hard I’d quit. I was so scared to fail and scared to feel embarrassed and scared what people would think of me that I wouldn’t even try. But in a single moment I knew, the pain of changing was nowhere near the pain of staying the same. For me, sobriety was a huge self-esteem builder because my sobriety is the only thing I had ever been fully committed to, other than drinking. It was the first time I said I was going to do something, and I actually did it. I followed through every day, I showed up every day, I made it a priority, I treated it as the most important thing in my life, and I did it. I had never done that before. Self esteem feels so challenging because it isn’t a tangible construct- it’s not something you can read the manual, go do the steps, and you’re all fixed. It’s psychological. It’s your true thoughts about yourself, who you are as a person, how you handle your life, how honest or dishonest you are, how strong or weak you believe yourself to be, and how much you trust yourself. Self-Esteem is an inside job.   Join us in the Facebook group for the after-pod conversation by clicking here.  Get the free resource library here: addictionunlimited.com/206

Be happy in your relationship even if your partner won't do a thing! Are you in the midst of a relationship rough patch or trying to heal from the last one? No relationship is free from ups and downs, but we often lack the skills to jump in, do the work, and make it better. And with the last couple of years of people being stuck at home with a lot of togetherness, anxiety being at an all-time high and the state of the world in general distress... we can all use some support. Today's guest is super funny AND super experienced! Relationship expert Abby Medcalf is teaching us how to create a happy and connected relationship even if your partner won't do a thing! 3 major points of this one are: shifting your relationship and communication mindset connect to correct and an amazing tool to make your communication feel easy breezy Abby shares a simple phrase to help you communicate your thoughts more clearly and help your partner understand where you're coming from. Join us in the Facebook group for after-the-show conversation, click here.

Delve into the complexities of codependence and discover how it affects your self-esteem and recovery. Unravel unhealthy coping mechanisms and learn the vital distinction between being responsible to someone versus for someone. Explore emotional patterns that often mask deeper feelings with humor or anger, and recognize the necessity of setting healthy boundaries. Gain insights into self-care and the importance of emotional self-sufficiency in fostering genuine connections. Transform your discomfort into a pathway for healing.

Gambling is addictive because it stimulates the brain's reward system much like drugs or alcohol can. In fact, gambling addiction is the most common impulse control disorder worldwide. THAT... is a bold and frightening statement from addictioncenter.com and I feel like I'm still a little in shock from reading it. Not enough people are talking about this, and the effects of gambling addiction on our families and relationships is devastating. It's also a huge companion to alcoholism.  That probably doesn't come as a shock when you think about it! Jamie, creator of the After Gambling Podcast, was a competitive golfer, honor student, and math whiz. In this particular situation those math skills did not help the situation... He walks us through the signs and symptoms of crossing the line from fun to problem behavior common triggers for gambling addiction and how a pocket dial to his fiancé brought his world to its knees... oops To learn more about Jamie, you can find him here: https://www.aftergambling.com/ Join us in the Facebook Group for ongoing conversation, support, and friendships: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

When you don't set healthy boundaries with the people around you, it sends a crystal-clear message... and it's one you may not be aware of. There are several types of boundaries you are setting everyday without even realizing it. When you ignore a phone call because you are in the middle of your morning routine and getting kids out the door... that's a time boundary. You don't have time in that moment to deal with that call. When you are standing in line at the store and someone steps too close to you, you move away. That's a physical boundary and establishing comfortable personal space. We set time, physical, emotional boundaries, as well as relationship boundaries and others. Setting healthy personal boundaries is how you communicate to others that you have self-respect, self-worth, and you won't let people walk all over you. Do you feel: pushed pressured bullied controlled If any of that list feels familiar, this episode is for you! And there's another trap with unhealthy boundaries! You don't set healthy boundaries, you overextend yourself and that makes you tired and grumpy, other things in your life suffer because you spread yourself too thin, then you want to be mad at the person you didn't set boundaries with like it's their fault! Oh. My. Goodness. But that's the cold hard truth, my friends. We get angry at the person because we didn't have the courage to step up for ourselves and say "no". This is how anger and resentment starts to brew... and if you want to live a healthy and happy life, there is no space for anger and resentment. Listen to this episode, then join us in the Facebook Group for the after-the-show conversation!

Michelle Farris, a California marriage and family psychotherapist and recovering addict, dives deep into the world of codependence. She sheds light on how prioritizing others can lead to self-neglect and resentment. With personal insights, she emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and boundary-setting for healthier relationships. The conversation also touches on the challenges of early recovery and the role of support groups like Al-Anon in navigating these complex dynamics. Farris’s journey from adversity to empowerment inspires listeners to embark on their own healing paths.

There's a bit more to drug and alcohol withdrawal than just the physical symptoms and discomfort. The initial withdrawal or, detox, period is mostly about your body's healing and purging the poison. The next phase is all about your brain. Post Acute Withdrawal happens after that initial couple of weeks when you quit drinking and lay low to get over the physical withdrawal. But PAWS is what happens as your brain begins to heal and adjust to this "new normal" without substance. It can happen a few weeks into recovery or a few months down the road and it is a temporary condition lasting anywhere from a few months up to a year. The scary part is, PAWS is a driving factor in relapse. Your natural feel-good chemicals are all out of whack and your brain is in a major reboot phase. And if your natural feel-good chemicals aren't firing right... how good do you think you're going to feel?? We're digging in to all the details of PAWS. What is it, why does it happen, what are the symptoms, and what the heck can you do about it?!? AND... I made you a PAWS Quick-Start Guide: Feel Better Faster, you can get that by clicking here. Don't forget to join us in the Facebook group for all the insider info, deals, steals, and strategies!

Our relationship with food has become disordered and  borderline obsessive. As we ring in the new year we ring in new promises to ourselves to "be better", "try harder", and make all those changes we thought about last year. But, it doesn't have to be such a struggle to learn good eating habits. Especially if you have a healthy understanding of how to do it, and how to set your expectations appropriately. Did you hear that? AP-PRO-PRIATELY. Say it again. In this episode, food and fitness expert, Adam Gilbert, sets the record straight on the most common pitfalls of making lifestyle changes and how to overcome them. And this isn't the same old stuff you hear and read everywhere - Adam digs in to the good stuff that helps you create the change you crave. Three lightbulb moments to listen for: discomfort is our compass the truth about self-sabotage (omg... blew my mind and changed everything!) support & accountability to really change the game Adam's view on his health changed drastically after watching his father struggle with health issues, then get diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In that moment he began to understand the importance of what goes in our bodies and how we treat them. And, although he was young, he started his own journey into wellness. Now, he's the Founder of My Body Tutor, an online coaching and accountability platform that matches you with your very own coach for daily support as you move toward your health goals. Find Adam here:  https://www.mybodytutor.com/ Join the Addiction Unlimited Facebook Group here!

You know you want to change. You know you need to change. Yet, you resist change for some reason you have yet to understand. This episode's for you. But that old saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks", just isn't true. Not saying you are old... or a dog... The truth is, old habits are hard to break. And new ones are challenging to create. But if you follow these 6 easy steps, you'll be a healthy habit champion in no time! I'd love to tell you, "Just believe in yourself!", but we aren't always good at that. Especially if you've been battling the same ugly habits for years and losing. What I will tell you is... believe in your ability. Because you are able, and capable, of doing anything you want. And I'm happy to show you how. Listen in for my lightbulb moment that gave me a HUGE perspective shift, the 6 easy steps, and one of my super secret keys to success. See you in the Facebook group, click here to join.

Drinking less and feeling better is the desire of struggling drinkers everywhere. It's why we start this journey in the first place, right? Less alcohol consumption, better life. My guest on today's episode, Gillian Tietz, changed her life forever when she was forced to take a hard look at her drinking habits and as a result, her quest for moderation came to a halt. But then, the unthinkable happened. Gill experienced the relief she was seeking with no alcohol at all. And she's breaking it all down during our conversation in this episode. In it, Gill is throwing a wrench in the whole concept of moderation for alcoholics. So, if you've been looking for guidance on whether or not you are someone who can moderate, or someone who needs to quit altogether, you're in the right place. In this episode, Gill and I talk about: Exactly what Gill went through in her moderation journey How to recognize how badly you feel (instead of trying to sweep it under the rug and power through) How us problem-drinkers can begin to shift our perspective on getting help, instead of continuing to hide and be miserable You don't have to ride the train all the way to a dramatic and tragic rock bottom. In fact, you won't get better if you can't get real. So hang up your drunken dancing shoes, my friend, and listen to my less-is-more conversation with Gillian Tietz.   If you don't want to miss a beat, get all the freebies, announcements, and special events then join us in the Facebook group!