Addiction Unlimited Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Your Step by Step Guide to Stay Sober During the Holidays Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

The holidays are right around the corner - along with extra stressors and temptations. But staying sober doesn't have to mean missing out on all the fun. So, how can you navigate the holiday parties and events with less stress and without taking a drink when it feels like everything centers around alcohol?? That’s exactly what I’m going to tell you in this episode. I’m giving you a step-by-step process that you can actually apply. Not more of the same stuff that comes up in a Google search over and over again. I’m here to give you the tools you need to get the results you want. You've worked so hard to get this far in your sobriety - don't let the holidays derail your progress. With some planning and the right support system, you can enjoy all the wonders of the season without compromising your sobriety or wellbeing. I've got a step-by-step plan to keep you sober during this holiday season in a way that is simple and effective. Map it Plan it Do it And you'll get farther in your journey with a lot more happiness if you have a buddy to help you through. So, as you're listening, be thinking about someone you can share this episode with so you can go through the plan (and the events) together. A quick text helps stay on track when willpower alone won't cut it. You've got this - stay strong, remember why you chose recovery, and most of all be proud of how far you've come! Happy holiday season, my friend! Links mentioned in this episode: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Other Sober Holidays Episodes: Stay Sober During the Holidays & Social Situations Protect Your Sobriety Through Holiday Stress 6 Tips to Stay Sober During the Holidays Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

10 Healthy Habits That Make A Difference Nov 29, 2023

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Healthy Habits - What if I told you there are a handful of simple actions you can take right now that will definitely improve your life? Would you be willing to try? Even if you "don’t feel like it"? We’re supposed to eat healthy, get 10,000 steps a day, work, sleep, take care of your family, exercise, go to your support group meetings, do self-care… and...seriously?!? Well, I’m here for you, my friend! I found a list of some of the best tools out there and they are free, proven, and at your fingertips. Creating a life you love takes work. But, contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to be hard, or miserable, or expensive. Get your ear buds in and be ready to take some notes because this is a list of tools that will change your life... starting now. Links mentioned in this episode: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Related Episode: The Science Behind Making and Breaking Habits Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Tools You Can Use to Quiet the Never-Ending Mind Chatter Nov 22, 2023

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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.”

Long-Term Sobriety Success Story Nov 15, 2023

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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: Navigating the Impact of Addiction on Personal Relationships Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

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 Related Episode: Love Addiction & Co-dependence Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

The Myth of Rock Bottom When You’re High-Functioning Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

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 Friends Podcast: https://www.soberfriendspod.com/ Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

How Your Mental Health Improves When You Quit Drinking Alcohol Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

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.”

Unmasking Deception: Insights on Betrayal Trauma Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

Betrayal Trauma - If a parent or romantic partner violates your trust, you may experience betrayal trauma. Any betrayal can cause emotional distress and that trauma may affect your self-esteem, emotional health, and relationships with others. Psychologist Jennifer Freyd first introduced betrayal trauma in 1991. She described it as a specific trauma that happens in key social relationships where the betrayed person needs to maintain a relationship with the betrayer for support or protection. Most people with addiction struggles also have trauma and most people, in general, have some traumas. What is interesting in betrayal trauma is that we have it because of our parents and partners, but we also cause it in our active addiction. Lying, deceiving, hiding details about life and addictions, these are all causes of betrayal trauma. Kristin Snowden is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and one of her specialties is addiction recovery. She's going to shed some light on betrayal trauma, what it looks like, and what to do about it. Some interesting facts you'll hear about betrayal trauma are: It can come from a parent or other childhood caregiver it can come from a romantic partner you may be willing to accept the betrayal for your sense of safety and security The struggle is real, my friend! And this topic hits close to home. We also touch on all the fears our partners experience when sobriety comes into our lives and how to change the disruptive stories you tell yourself about what will happen or how things will end. This episode is full of lightbulb moments that will change how you view your relationships, and yourself. Links mentioned in this episode: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Kristin Snowden YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KristinSnowden Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

Six Major Characteristics of Addictive Behavior Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

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 Related Episode: If You Have An Addictive Personality, You May Behavior Addictions Too Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

What You Do When Moderate Drinking Fails Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

Drinking in moderation 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.”

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