Addiction Unlimited Podcast

If you’ve quit drinking but still find yourself frustrated, low-energy, or stuck in “what’s next?” limbo… this episode is exactly what you need. Because… you don’t need another lecture on willpower.You need to understand the real ways you’re still sabotaging yourself — even if you’re doing everything “right.” In this powerful episode from the Addiction Unlimited archives, I’ll break down 3 sneaky patterns that silently kill your momentum in sobriety. These are the mindset traps and emotional blind spots that no one talks about — and they’re probably the reason you still feel like something’s missing. Whether it’s unrealistic expectations, lack of direction, or mistaking emotional overwhelm for alcohol cravings — this episode pulls back the curtain and helps you take your power back. This is the kick-off of the Unlimited Life™ Series — bonus episodes released every Friday through the end of the year — where we bring back the most-loved episodes that laid the foundation for this movement. They’re not just throwbacks.They’re tools to help you build structure, confidence, and personal power in life after alcohol. 🎯 If you’re ready to stop coasting through sobriety and start building something real — this one’s for you. 🔗 Links & Resources from this Episode 📄 Grab the Free Daily PlanStart building structure and focus into your sober life today.👉 addictionunlimited.com/plan 💬 Join the Conversation in Sober Society (Free FB Group)Surround yourself with high-level sober support — connection, clarity, and real talk.👉 Facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited 🎯 Book a Free Coaching CallIf you’re ready to stop surviving sobriety and start leading your life — let’s talk.👉 addictionunlimited.com/call

Ever found yourself wondering, “Why me?” Why can’t I drink like other people? Did I inherit this? If I’d made different choices, would it have turned out differently? If these questions have kept you up at night, you’re not alone — and this episode is your answer. Inside, I’m breaking down the real, full-picture WHY behind alcohol addiction — not in vague theories or shame-based clichés, but with a powerful, science-backed model that makes everything finally make sense: the Bio-Psycho-Social Model of Addiction. We’re going deeper than “you drink too much.” We’re unpacking what drove you to seek relief in the first place — and how you can finally start to untangle the layers keeping you stuck. If you’ve ever felt confused, exhausted, or like sobriety still isn’t working the way you hoped — this episode is your wake-up call. In this episode, you’ll learn: The truth about addiction: why it’s not just genetics, trauma, or stress — it’s the collision of all three. What most people get completely wrong when trying to stop drinking Why “just quitting” isn’t enough — and what to do instead The exact factors that make some people more vulnerable (and how to take your power back anyway) The one thing I tell every client about where to start when recovery feels overwhelming 🎧 Ready to finally understand your drinking — and start rebuilding from clarity, not confusion? Press play now and discover how to reclaim your power with truth, structure, and ownership. Links Mentioned in This Episode: 📘 The Recovery Starter Kit: A self-paced online course to help you build the foundation of a strong, sustainable recovery lifestyle. Tools for cravings, triggers, boundaries, emotional regulation, and more. → Get instant access here 📄 The Daily Plan: The #1 free resource to help you stay focused, clear, and on track every day — because structure is freedom. → Download it here 🤝 Work with Angela: If you’ve tried everything, you’re exhausted, and you’re ready to get serious — you can always book a call to see if we’re a fit to work together. → Book Your Call here

What No One Tells You About Life After Sobriety — Until You’re In It Whether it’s been 10 days or 10 years — if you’ve found yourself stuck in a cycle of blah, you are not alone. You’re not counting days.You’re not struggling to stay sober.But something’s still missing — and you can’t quite put your finger on it. If you’ve ever thought: “I thought I’d be happier by now…” “What’s wrong with me — shouldn’t I be better by now?” “Why do I feel so bored, stuck, or disconnected?” This episode is going to help you breathe a big sigh of relief. Because there’s nothing wrong with you.You’ve just outgrown the survival chapter of your recovery — and now it’s time to build something deeper. This isn’t another episode about early sobriety tips or why alcohol is bad.This is about what comes after — the emotional flatness, the boredom, the floating — and how to get out of it. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why that “off” feeling isn’t a setback — it’s an invitation to rebuild The truth about boredom in recovery (and why it’s not what you think it is) Why ownership starts the minute the pink cloud ends How to shift from just being sober… to living with structure, direction, and personal power 💬 If you’re ready to stop circling and start rebuilding… Book a free call with Angela to talk about what’s next for your recovery journey:👉 addictionunlimited.com/call This is where The Unlimited Life™ begins. 🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode: Book a Free Coaching Call with Angela👉 https://addictionunlimited.com/call Download the Free Daily Plan to Stay Sober👉 https://addictionunlimited.com/plan Join the Facebook Community👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

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.