Addiction Unlimited Podcast

You can't drive your car looking in the rearview mirror so why do you live your life that way? If you want to move forward and create a new life, you have to look forward. In this episode, I'm bringing you a BIG solution to a BIG problem. It's big solution because it is so necessary for success in this journey. Not only the recovery journey, but the life journey! I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY. But it's totally worth the effort. Bottom line: Forgiving yourself helps you build self-esteem, trust with yourself, and creates self-respect.  AND - if you are working on forgiveness and acceptance on a regular basis, you won't have to work as hard when poo hits the fan. Meaning, it's easier to get quick relief when you are practicing healthy actions daily. So no more excuses. Let's do this. Trust me when I say, this could be the biggest game-changer for your sobriety. And to help you make a commitment to action, I'm giving you a step-by-step process to follow that breaks down a system and tells you exactly how to get started. If this was easy, everyone would do it and stay sober the first time they tried. You are with me right now because you want something more for your life. And, forgiving yourself is a foundation piece that is a must to grow your recovery. It doesn't happen overnight, but if you start taking action TODAY, I promise you great things can happen. Join us in the Dry January Kickstarter: A 30-Day Bootcamp

There’s a really good reason you hear “the struggle is real”. Alcoholics and the alcohol-free alike hear the word “struggle” and think, “Ah, my familiar friend. I know exactly what the struggle feels like.” It feels like poo. 💩 You could *genuinely* love your recovery! But the hours it takes from the other areas of life that need you… plus the feeling there’s always something missing… are enough to steal the joy right out of the sobriety and life you love. So I'd like to introduce you to my guest on today's episode, Christi Cripps.  Christi's life changed when she was forced to face the fact that her drinking problem had taken over her life. And when she did… she experienced more growth in her life than ever before. When I heard this, I was like... ... I have to share this with my people! And man, oh man, my friend, she's sharing it all ❤️ On today’s episode, Christi and I talk about: Exactly how Christi recognized her problem AND what she did about it How to identify what the heck is happening (instead of convincing yourself that “it’s fine”... when it’s not.) How us achiever-types can begin to get comfortable getting help, instead of avoiding all the help out of pride (GUILTY) I don’t want you to build a successful recovery lifestyle only to arrive at the place you’ve always dreamed of being… and then wish you were anywhere else because you aren't getting relief. You don’t have to suffer all the way to sobriety. In fact, you won’t get to maintain sobriety if you feel like every step of the journey is a struggle. So hang up your sober-curious cleats, and listen to my empowering conversation with Christi Cripps.  Join the Dry January Kickstarter: A 30-Day Bootcamp with Angela Pugh  Get in the Facebook Group here.

Do you wish you had more balance and control over your feelings and moods? Tens of millions of people around the world struggle with anxiety, depression, and general overwhelm with life. And, although these feelings are now more common, many find it hard to understand what they're feeling and how to find the right solutions for them. Rest assured there are solutions to this common discomfort and that's what we're talking about in this episode. You need support, emotionally and physically, and with a little guidance anyone can banish the panic that comes with not being able to identify feelings and manage them. Identify, understand, and balance your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress and anxiety, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. If you're on the email list, you'll get my free feelings guide, too! And if you're ready for the Dry January Kickstarter: A 30-Day Bootcamp with ME.... sign up here!

Are you frustrated with having to face a partner who is still drinking or using drugs, when you've made the decision to change your life? My guest on this episode is a master at putting together a powerful conversation with the partner you love, who is still on the drinking train. Beverly Buncher is a person in recovery, a family recovery life coach, and innovator of the BALM method- a program designed for families impacted by substance and other use disorders. In this episode, Beverly joins me to discuss what really works when trying to live with someone is stuck in their addiction. We talk about the specific type of conversation that works to propel change, and what doesn't. But more than that, Beverly and I also talk about how recovery gives us much more power in our lives than just the ability to stop suffering in addiction. When we direct our efforts, we have more freedom to decide on our next steps and building our future. Find Beverly here: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyRecoveryResources Join the Addiction Unlimited Facebook group here.

Skills, strategies, tools for your emotional toolbox… coping skills are anything, any activity that is good for your mental wellness. Let’s start with the dictionary.com definition of “coping mechanism”, then we’ll go deeper- an adaptation to environmental stress that is based on conscious or unconscious choice and that enhances control over behavior or gives psychological comfort. Coping skills are things that we can do in the moment, when we are feeling something, to help us turn down the volume of our emotions and avoid getting overwhelmed. They help us to get through stressful situations with a little more ease, and without doing something we’ll regret later on. Coping skills aren’t going to solve the deep, underlying issues. Having healthy coping strategies isn’t going to cure WHY you have the anger, resentment, or general discomfort in life. It doesn’t take all of that away. What it does, is allow you to create more calm in your life so you can start to dig in to those things and understand them better. Powerful coping skills allows you an entry point to get deeper into what’s really bothering you. Different coping skills serve a different purpose, too, so let's dive in to the coping strategies that will change the way you live. Check out the Holiday Gift Guides here: Join us in the Facebook group here.

It can be hard to figure out how to spend your time when you leave booze and alcohol behind. At the same time, if you're willing to step out of your comfort zone and make use of that extra brain power, that's all it takes. In this episode Henry Ward talks about his recovery and this feeling of, "Is this it??". How do you find your passion in recovery? How do you figure out what you like to do again and then balance it all with life and family and work? If you've ever asked those questions, you'll love Henry's story of getting comfortable being uncomfortable, navigating the surprise twists and turns of life, and learning to love yourself and your new life, post-addiction.

If I'm being totally honest, I was a quitter my whole life. I didn't want to do hard things. I didn't care about being committed to something, and I was too selfish to get off my buns and show up for something when I didn't feel like it. I had so much fear of embarrassing myself, people not liking me, messing things up... I isolated and fed my fear then, whenever I did try something... I quit as soon as it was inconvenient or hard. It's easy to quit things when they feel difficult or uncomfortable. Some days I want to quit work! I just don't feel like recording a new episode or responding to emails. If I had my way, I would lay on the couch with Henry binge watching The Real Housewives and researching new skin care products. But that wouldn't get me too far in my life, lol. And when it comes to recovery, quitting is not an option. One of the reasons I fell in love with recovery so quickly was because it was the first thing I had ever been committed to other than drinking. As we roll into this holiday season and stress is at an all-time high, I don't want you to quit and give up on your recovery. In this episode we'll talk about 6 things you can do to keep your sobriety strong through family gatherings, travel, and holiday shopping. And, of course I made you a cheatsheet! Get over to the Facebook Group and I will post the cheatsheet there. Snap a pic on your phone and keep it close by so you have solutions at your fingertips. Be a fighter, not a quitter. Join the Facebook Group here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Related posts:  #83 Stay Sober During the Holidays & Social Situations  #139 Protect Your Sobriety Through Holiday Stress

Food Addiction Need a confidence boost when it comes to overcoming addiction and the overwhelm of food cravings that come with it? It's important for you to know what's really going on with your food, and how it affects addiction. If you would have told me 15 years ago about emotional eating and the physical effects of food,  I probably would have bailed on the whole thing. Clear thought process, more energy, looking better... all on the other side of understanding food? Not sure I could have done it. But after 15 years of using food for everything from fun, comfort, and connection... I have good news for you. You don't have to fall down the shame spiral of wondering what the heck is wrong with you because you want to eat every cookie, donut, and XL plate of food you can find. And you don't have to be perfect. But understanding the ins and outs of food, what's in it, and how it's manipulating you will give you more confidence and allow you to make better choices for your life. And in this episode, that's what we're doing. Dr. Joan Ifland is spelling it out for you. After years of personal experience, research, and writing a textbook, she's giving you all the insider information on what the food industry is really up to. And it's not good. If you are food challenged and in need of a little confidence boost when it comes to choosing how to treat yourself for maximum energy and brain power, I recorded this episode with you in mind :) And I'll tell you now, I was shocked by what I learned and more motivated than ever. To continue the discussion after the show, join us in the private FB group here.

You’re cruising along in your day feeling good, just minding your own business, when all of a sudden the thought of a drink pops in your head. What the heck?!? You don't want to drink, you know it tried to ruin your life and you don't do it well, so why is your brain thinking about it?!? Then, your brain wants to take it to a whole other level telling you you can do it! Maybe you can control it now. You could drink today and no one would even know. You could just have one, that’s easy to hide. Here’s the deal- cravings are totally normal. Having a craving doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you or that you are doing it wrong- it doesn’t mean you are weak or that your program isn’t working. It's just your brain, doing brainy things! Three key takeaways from this episode: Cravings are NORMAL. Cravings are brought on by triggers. Studies show that an average craving lasts around 20 minutes. To continue the conversation join us in the Facebook group here! Find the Relapse Triggers episode here.

Addiction Unlimited has an incredible, supportive Facebook group and today’s episode is one of our listeners, and one of my MVPs in the FB group. I plucked him right out of the crowd to come on and do an episode with me to share his journey, his struggles, and his strengths. Stephen shares how his sobriety made him feel ostracized from the gay community because his identity had revolved  around bars and clubs. Just like you and me. As his sobriety grew, his new identity began to form. He is proud to be sober and wants to share all the great things he’s experienced living a recovery lifestyle. And he didn’t just sit back and wish he had a new sober community… he created his own! You can find him on Facebook at Sober Gay Socials and if you’re around Manchester in the UK you have a sober family to laugh with! This episode is full of laughs, and a true celebration of the gifts of sobriety. For so many years you feel trapped, like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. It feels lonely, like you’re different from everyone and don’t fit anywhere. That’s the drinking part of the story. Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Break free from all that's holding you back... and live. Join us in the Facebook group here.  Sober Gay Socials on Facebook here.