Sunday, December 28, 2014

Relapse Triggers

When people stop using alcohol and drugs they are given a second chance on life. Some embrace this new life and never look back. Others find living without alcohol and drugs to be a struggle every day.
Regardless of your experience, we are all susceptible to triggers which can cause us to relapse. Recognizing and managing these triggers is important to maintaining our sobriety.

So what are triggers? A “trigger” of addiction involves any high-risk situation or stressor that “cues” a thought, feeling, or action to use alcohol or drugs. There are two types of triggers: internal, which occur within us, and external which occurs outside of us.

On this episode we explored common triggers and discuss ways to counteract these unhealthy reactions and develop an action plan to keep ourselves safe and sober. Listen below or follow the tab at the top of the page to subscribe to our podcast.
 



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Sunday, December 21, 2014

Shame Does Not Define Us - Tools, Tips & Advice for Working Through Shame

All alcoholics and addicts feel shame. It’s impossible to avoid, and while shame is painful and can keep many of us stuck in the throes of addiction, there is hope.  We do not have to be defined by our shame, and indeed learning tools to cope with shame and learn and grow as people is an integral part of recovery.

To begin with, though, it’s important to define shame.  One way to do this is to clarify the difference between shame and guilt.  Guilt is feeling badly about something we’ve done, and shame is feeling badly about who we are.   Guilt is based on actions, and shame is built on feelings.  Another way to put it is this:   When we feel guilty we feel we made a mistake.  When we feel shame we feel we are a mistake.

In this show, we talked about building tools to identify shame, build awareness of it, talk about the importance of reaching out to reduce the power shame holds over you, and discuss the power of story and voice in reducing and even eliminating the hold shame has in your life.

Listen to the show below:


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Sunday, December 14, 2014

Sober Fun - "We Are Not a Glum Lot!"

A common fear of getting sober is that we won't ever have fun again. Our memories of celebrations, nights out, socializing with friends typically include alcohol, so we can't imagine what we will do without it. Will our friends still want to hang out with us? Will we still laugh? What on earth will we DO now that we don't drink? Join us for a discussion that will quell those fears! Sober life opens the door to a life of fun and laughter that we never contemplated. As a famous recovery saying goes, "we are not a glum lot"! Come have some Sober Fun with us!




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Sunday, December 7, 2014

Holiday Survival Guide for People in Recovery

The months of December through January are a hectic time of year that are chock full of stress, expectation and temptation. It can be a particularly challenging time of year for people in recovery, especially early recovery, as we can feel vulnerable and be blindsided by triggers and cravings. Even people with long term sobriety can find themselves susceptible to the pressures of this busy time of year.  It is a time for us to prioritize self-care so we don't become complacent.  Preparedness is the KEY to surviving the holidays with our sobriety (and our sanity) intact!

On this episode of The Bubble Hour, we discussed the difference in strategies required depending on one’s stage of recovery.



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Sunday, November 30, 2014

Intimacy & Sex in Recovery

Intimacy…allowing ourselves to be vulnerable with another person, can be very difficult. Many of us have used alcohol or other substances to help remove our fears intimacy so the thought of being intimate while SOBER can be terrifying. Some of us were sexually abused as children. Some of us engaged in unhealthy sexual behaviors as a result of our substance abuse and still hang onto feelings of shame about our sexuality. Some of us were afraid of getting sober because we thought it would be the end of our intimate relationship with our partner. Some of us simply find it hard to let go.  On the other hand, some of us have found intimacy to be much more fulfilling and, well…intimate in sobriety.

We are thrilled to have a very special guest, Tanya Cole-Lesnick, LCSW, life coach and psychotherapist, to help us with this topic. We have four guests joining us on the show to share their experiences with intimacy in sobriety and Tanya will offer insights based on her experience with this topic.

Tanya Cole-Lesnick, LCSW, is a life coach and psychotherapist since 1995, in private practice since 2000. She works with people who are stuck. People who know their lives could have more meaning, ease, excitement, or… something different from the way they’re living at the time they seek out her services. She has also worked in mental health settings over the years with people suffering from various psychiatric diagnoses. With all her clients her approach is the same.  She calls it The One Agreement, which is a commitment she encourages us all to make to show up for ourselves, whatever that means for each of us, no matter what. Her philosophy is that we should always be checking in with ourselves to make sure that how we’re living aligns with who we are and what matters most. She helps her clients to identify where they’re not aligned, then helps them to break down old habits that no longer serve them and build up new habits that do. 

She is also in the process of a new exciting venture—creating weekend retreats in upstate New York where her clients can pamper themselves and do some life-changing emotional work at the same time. 

And, by the way, she has her own personal connection to the topic of Intimacy and Sex in Recovery, with a history of using substances to help remove the fear of intimacy, figuring out the hard way that it’s a problematic approach…

You can find more information about Tanya at: www.tanyacolelesnick.com .You can also find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/tanyacolelesnickcoaching and Twitter: https://twitter.com/tcolelesnick



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Sunday, November 23, 2014

The Power of Gratitude

It seems to us that Gratitude just might be the answer to even the most complex life problems. We know for sure that it keeps us sober by shifting our perspective just enough to get us out of stuck-mode (self-pity, blame, defiance, anger) and into action (service, connection, honesty). Join us on this episode as we share our experiences with the power of gratitude in recovery and offer suggestions on how to build an active gratitude practice. Gratitude just might become the most potent tool in your recovery toolbox!




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Sunday, November 16, 2014

Surviving & Striving During The Holidays for Recovering People Pleasers

Are you ready? Because here comes holiday season – the most wonderful time of the year say many and for those of us in recovery, possibly also the most triggering time of the year. There are a lot of contributing factors to the challenges we face over the holidays, but tonight we will zero in on “people pleasing” and how it undermines our ability to enjoy the festivities.




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Sunday, November 9, 2014

Understanding PAWS (Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

Most people are aware that alcoholics, whether they are heavy drinkers or not, will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, both physical and emotional, when they first get sober. Some of the more obvious signs of this “acute” or early withdrawal include: shaking, sweating, racing heartbeat, muscle twitches, insomnia and acute anxiety. These symptoms are mostly physical and may last as long as 2 weeks, but we are prepared for them and if we stay sober, most people think it will be smooth sailing going forward. It is true that people may feel better after the first couple of weeks, however it is the sobriety–based symptoms, known as Post-Acute Withdrawal (PAWs) that cause many people to relapse. PAWs may last as long as 2 years, so understanding what it is and learning ways to manage these symptoms is critical to maintaining long-term sobriety. On this episode of The Bubble Hour we will discuss these symptoms are share ways to deal with and relieve the effect of PAWS. Whether you’re just getting sober or have been sober for a while, this is a very important show for YOU. 



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Sunday, November 2, 2014

Speaker/Discussion "Meeting" with Lisa

In recovery meetings it is common practice for one person to share their experience, strength and hope and then to pick a recovery topic for the group to discuss. We thought it would be great to recreate that concept here on The Bubble Hour. Hearing that there are other people just like us...with the same experiences, thoughts and feelings is revolutionary. Tune in to this week's episode to hear our guest Lisa's story and our discussion. 



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Sunday, October 26, 2014

Addiction In The C-Suite: High Functioning Alcoholics

High-powered executives can be some of the most notoriously difficult people to treat for alcoholism and addiction. What can we learn about addiction and the “C-suite” to inform our own recovery? On the next Bubble Hour, we will chat with a recovery coach about the particular challenges of the high-functioning alcoholic.

You can listen through the widget below, or follow the instructions to subscribe to our podcast! 




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Sunday, October 19, 2014

An Open Discussion About Rehab - Why, When and How To Go

You think you have a problem with alcohol, and you have tried everything you can to stop on your own, and nothing works. You vacillate between “I’m not that bad”, and “I need help”, but don’t know how to go about getting the help you need.  You think you may need to go to a detox and/or a rehab, but you are afraid.

What would it be like? How do you get in? Who do you ask for help and what resources are out there?  How long do you need to stay?  Do you need a medical detox?  What IS a medical detox?  How do you juggle the complexities of work and/or family life while you are there?  How can friends and family be helpful, and what is their role?

On this episode, co-hosts Ellie, Amanda and Jean, along with special guest Lisa, discuss their own experiences going to detox and/or rehab, answer the questions above, and also discuss the common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab, the difference between a detox and a rehab, and more.





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Sunday, October 12, 2014

I Relapsed: Now What?

On this episode, we talk about defining relapse, getting honest with ourselves and our loved ones, finding help and support, and starting over. We touch on the early warning signs of relapse and how to quell that little voice that wants to rationalize its way into a drink. Our guests share their recovery journeys through relapse, which show us that recovery is always waiting for us, without judgment or fear. We can always return to our true, sober selves, so we must never give up hope.



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Sunday, October 5, 2014

Sober On Stage

Many people share a common fear of standing before an audience . Whether giving a wedding toast, a sales pitch or a musical performance, alcohol is a frequent antidote for the jitters. Does sobriety make taking centre-stage harder or easier? Are we doomed to sweat and stammer without the use of liquid courage? Must we stay out of the limelight, or does sobriety make us perform better in other ways? Join us as we discuss our experiences in front of an audience, both before and after recovery.



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Sunday, September 28, 2014

Special Guest: Dr. John Kelly - The Science of 12 Step Facilitation

What Does Science Tell Us About The Effectiveness of 12 Step Treatment and Other Mutual Help Organizations In Addiction and Recovery? 

The most widely recognized 12 Step recovery organizations globally are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).   Most people who seek to get and stay sober are referred to a 12 Step recovery program at some point, and some people resist attending based on fear, shame, or the idea that 12 Step programs “don’t work”. 

Even within the 12 Step recovery community there is discussion, sometimes, about the effectiveness of these programs. Statistics are thrown around –both for and against – but what does the science say?  How effective are these programs?


Dr. John F. Kelly
On this episode, we were honored to have Dr. John F. Kelly as our guest.  Dr. Kelly is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, the founder and Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the Program Director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS) and the Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH.

Dr. Kelly discusses with us how 12 Step recovery groups impact an individual’s recovery from a scientific perspective.   How well do these programs work?  Is there a difference in their effectiveness for early versus long-term recovery?  Are they more effective following a treatment program?  What studies have been done to demonstrate “success” rates of 12 step group members, and how exactly is “success” defined in this environment?

If you participate in a 12 Step recovery program, are considering participating or believe they don’t work but are curious to learn more, this show is for you.  



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Sunday, September 21, 2014

Strength in Numbers: How Community Helps Us Stay Sober

When we find we have the desire to stop drinking, we may have the urge to get sober alone. "I can do this by myself" is a common refrain in early recovery. But the solo route is a difficult trek through the thickets of recovery. At worst, it may set us up for relapse; at best, it's a lonely row to hoe. Connection with other sober people creates a safe landing place where we can wiggle out of isolation and fear and into a community where we are loved and supported. Building a network of sober friends is one of the great joys of recovery. Community helps us stay sober, as we learn from each other: we learn about the disease of alcoholism, about how to stay sober, about being of service. On this episode of The Bubble Hour, we talk about how to build and belong to a sober network - from the "new kid" jitters, to the anniversary celebrations, to the gifts of sober meet-ups. Join our podcast community, and let's stay sober together!


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Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sober "Firsts" - Part 2

Early recovery is full of sober "firsts”. They seem to come fast and furious in the initial weeks and months, and can be overwhelming at times. Eventually, the “firsts” are fewer and further between, but their infrequency can make them feel more jarring.

This episode is a continuation of an earlier show called, Sober "Firsts” - Part 1, which turned out to be such a rich subject that we continued the discussion. We covered everything from going to meetings to going to work and we even talked about sober s-e-x.

Note: We had so much to talk about, this show ran over our normal hour and is 1.5 hours long. 




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Sunday, September 7, 2014

Special Guest: Greg Williams, One Year Later

A year ago, in September 2013 we interviewed Greg Williams and discussed his ground-breaking film, "The Anonymous People", which had just begun showing in theaters through a "theatrical-on-demand" format where individuals were able to request a showing at their local theater and then invited their communities to view the film. Word of this life-changing film spread quickly throughout the recovery community and screenings are being held all over the country and the world. 

On this episode we talked with Greg about the emerging recovery movement and the changes he has witnessed since the release of this powerful film. We also discussed his new project, Generation Founda transformative community story about the people of Houston who are fighting to save young people from the leading cause of death of their generation. Generation Found is a powerful story of young people, families, and their community believing not just in the individual process of recovery – but the community’s power to fertilize the soil of change.  To Learn More Visit: tinyurl.com/GenerationFound


Greg Williams is a person in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drugs since age seventeen. He is a health policy advocate, and award-winning documentary filmmaker who specializes in the creation of compelling and purposeful content. At age 30, "The Anonymous People" is Greg’s first independent feature-length film. His new film is bringing lasting solutions to the screen for one of America’s top health problems. "The Anonymous People" has already received widespread critical acclaim and a variety of industry awards.


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Sunday, August 31, 2014

Re-Broadcast: Let's Talk About Rehab

Thinking of going to rehab?  Wonder what it might be like?  How you get in? Whether or not you need to go? What to expect once you're there?

Co-Hosts Amanda and Ellie discuss their own experiences going to detox and/or rehab, answer the questions above, and also discuss the common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab, the difference between a detox and a rehab, and more.

Please note:  we are not addiction therapists, counselor or medical professionals.  The information we share on the show is based on our collective experiences only.  If you are concerned about your drinking or think you may need a detox or rehab facility please contact your physician, go to an emergency room or seek professional help.

We are also honored to have four women who shared their experiences with rehab, detox, interventions, and other alcohol education programs.
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Sunday, August 24, 2014

Getting Sober When You Live With Someone Who Drinks

When most people are looking for their partner in life, they look for someone with similar interests so for many of us who drank, that means our partners drink too. On The Bubble Hour, we often talk about ways to protect our sobriety. We have suggested removing all the alcohol from your home and avoiding events where there will be alcohol served. But what do you do when you live with someone who drinks? Whether they are a normal drinker or a heavy drinker, this can be very challenging. On this episode we talk with our guests about how they handled getting sober while living with someone who drinks. 



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Sunday, August 10, 2014

Service In Recovery

When we were drinking, we felt afraid and lonely. We craved isolation on the one hand, but on the other hand, we were terrified at how alone in the world we felt. Now, in sobriety, we have learned to let down our guard. Vulnerability and honesty make room for authentic connections with our family and friends, with other people in recovery, with our communities. Building a true network fills us with joy and a new sense of safety in the world. How do we make this good stuff last? How do we keep our fears and our egos from busting up our serenity, especially in a way that threatens our sobriety? The answer is simple: Service! Join us for this episode to find out why service to others is fertile soil where our recovery takes root.


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Sunday, August 3, 2014

Re-Broadcast: Special Guest - Greg Williams, Creator of the The Anonymous People

We were very excited to have Greg Williams, Creator of the full length documentary film The Anonymous People on our show!

The Anonymous People is a documentary film about the over 23 million Americans living in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction. Social stigma have kept recovery voices silent and faces hidden for decades. Courageous addiction recovery advocates have come out of the shadows and are organizing to end discrimination and move toward recovery-based solutions.


The Anonymous People story is told through the faces and voices of citizens, leaders, volunteers, corporate executives, public figures, and celebrities who are laying it all on the line to save the lives of others just like them.

Learn more about the Anonymous People by going to the website HERE, and/or liking their Facebook page HERE and be sure to check out the movie trailer below:

Sunday, July 27, 2014

The Gift of Desperation

When most people hear the word “desperation”, they certainly don’t think of a gift. In fact, the dictionary defines desperation as, “a strong feeling of sadness, fear, and loss of hope”. But as with so many other things in recovery, like surrender, vulnerability and powerlessness, desperation has an opposite meaning.

Taking that first step in stopping drinking is extremely difficult for most of us. We can’t even begin to imagine how to live our lives without alcohol…until we become desperate. When we are in enough pain, when we become desperate...we make a change. We surrender. We ask for help. This is why we call it, “The Gift of Desperation”.

On this episode we will discuss what the gift of desperation felt like for us and how we use that same gift as a tool in maintaining our sobriety.



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Sunday, July 20, 2014

Re-Broadcast: Sister Addictions: Food & Alcohol

Alison Ross, LMFT
Many people in recovery struggle with both alcohol AND food disorders. This issue is so common you often hear food addiction referred to as a "sister" addiction to alcoholism.

We have had many requests for a show that addresses the particular challenges for people in recovery who struggle with both, so we are thrilled to welcome Alison Ross, LMFT to our show!

Alison is a licensed psychotherapist and the Founder of Center for Eating Recovery where she helps women and men of all ages heal their relationship with food and become body-confident. In addition to her work at the Center, she is a consultant for Harmony Place a drug and alcohol treatment center, and formerly Beit T’Shuvah, where she helps to create an environment in which women can heal their relationship with food and body while adjusting to sobriety.

On the show, Alison and Carissa, an Eating Coach at the Center, discuss three cultural narratives that keep us stuck in food addiction and body image distress and how to break free and get healthy from the inside-out.



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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Special Guest: Lotta Dann of “Mrs D is Going Without”

Lotta Dann aka Mrs. D


Lotta Dann’s readers know her best as “Mrs. D”: the formerly anonymous sobriety blogger (Blog: Mrs. D Is Going Without) who stepped forward as a recovery advocate with the recent New Zealand release of her book, “Mrs D is Going Without”. Lotta shares her story and chats with us about life before and after she found her way to living alcohol free.


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Sunday, July 6, 2014

Re-Broadcast: Let's Talk About Asking For Help

One of the most important things we do to get sober is to ask for help.  We've probably tried everything we can to stop drinking on our own, but when we finally realize we need help - how do we ask? Who do we ask? What works and what doesn't?  Who is safe to turn to?

On this show we explore how we asked for help - when we finally surrendered, what we did, how it went, what happened.

We also talk about asking for help to STAY sober - otherwise known as accountability.  How do we keep accountable? What does that mean to us? Who is in our support network?  What happens when we do (and don't) stay accountable?

Please join us for this important conversation on what is perhaps the most important part of getting and staying sober.




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Thursday, July 3, 2014

Summer Announcement

For the summer months, we will be broadcasting live shows every other week, instead of every week.

During the "off" weeks, we will re-broadcast popular or topically relevant shows - for example, this Sunday we will be airing "Let's Talk About Asking For Help".

The show will air on Sunday, July 6th, at 9pm EST, 8pm Central, 7pm Mountain and 6pm Pacific.

Go HERE to see the show's page on Blog Talk Radio!

Sunday, June 29, 2014

In Recovery, We Find Freedom!

"Looking back, we see that our freedom to choose badly was not, after all, a very real freedom."*

When we romanticize our drinking days, we may feel like they were carefree and we had the freedom to do as we pleased. We liked doing things our way (and we don’t like being told what to do!). Then again....on further reflection, we remember that alcohol didn’t leave us with many choices - no matter how hard we tried, no matter our best intentions, and no matter the consequences, it always called us back. It left us with shame and sadness. And, we see now, drinking was either at the root of or exacerbated all of our problems!

In sobriety, we come to find that life is for living, not enduring! We are no longer burdened with “feeding the beast,” which leaves room for a full life. We make authentic connections with our true selves and with others. We have clear sight about how to show up for our lives, without fear! In recovery, we find freedom!

*reference: The Grapevine, May 1960



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Sunday, June 22, 2014

Sober "Firsts" - Part 1

Early recovery is full of “sober firsts”. They seem to come fast and furious in the initial weeks and months, and can be overwhelming at times. Eventually, the “firsts” are fewer and further between, but their infrequency can make them feel more jarring. On this episode of The Bubble Hour we look at “sober firsts” of three major types:

  • “Mixing with the Normies” – going back to the places and situations where drinking is part of the milieu, now as a person in recovery
  • “Engaging in Recovery” – new places and situations you encounter once you quit drinking
  • “Sober and Solo” – the things you go to or through on your own.

Join us and our guests as we talk about what these experiences were like for us and some tips for navigating these challenges of early sobriety.

We had so much to talk about on this show we couldn't get to it all, so stay tuned for Part 2!



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Sunday, June 15, 2014

Codependency: Detaching With Love

Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to maintain a healthy relationship? Do you feel like people take advantage of your kind heart and generosity? Do you feel a sense of responsibility for your loved one's happiness? If any of these questions ring true for you, you may be a codependent.

Codependency is an emotional behavior that affects our ability to have healthy, mutually-satisfying relationships. It is often found in individuals who are in a relationship with an addicted person or someone with a mental illness. Codependents often have low self-esteem and look for anything outside of themselves to make them feel better…including drugs and alcohol or other compulsive behaviors so you can see why this is an important topic for us to understand and address.

On this episode of The Bubble Hour we dig into the nature of a codependency and discuss how we can “detach with love” so that we can enjoy healthy, happy relationships with our loved ones.


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Sunday, June 8, 2014

Perfectionism

When we are active in an addiction, we can feel like there is no one else in the whole world like us. “Alcoholics are screw ups and losers,” we tell ourselves, “whereas I seemed to have developed this drinking problem in spite of doing everything else in my life to a high level of excellence. I am the most unlikely alcoholic ever.” In fact, alcoholics share many common personality traits, and surprisingly that includes perfectionism. On this episode we discuss the various ways perfectionism can manifest in our lives, why it is so common to those who struggle with addiction, and some suggestions for easing perfectionist ways.



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Sunday, June 1, 2014

Speaker/Discussion "Meeting" with Jo

In recovery meetings it is common practice for one person to share their experience, strength and hope and then to pick a recovery topic for the group to discuss. We thought it would be great to recreate that concept here on The Bubble Hour. Hearing that there are other people just like us with the same experiences, thoughts, feelings is revolutionary.  Tune in to this week's episode to hear our guest's story and topic of discussion. 



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Sunday, May 25, 2014

Re-Broadcast: Am I or Aren't I?

Am I an alcoholic?  Or not? This is one of the most frequent questions we're asked from people who are wondering about their drinking. The only person who can answer this question, though, is the person asking it.

Alcoholism is a disease that relies on the patient to diagnose his/herself. Even though our factual experiences/stories are different, we find out in recovery that we share some common experiences and emotions (commonly known as "signposts") as we progress down the road of addiction. The hardest signs to recognize are the sneaky, subtle ones that happen earlier on in the 'drinking arc'.  As the disease progresses, the signs become more obvious, but many of us normalize it somehow, or are simply in straight out denial that our drinking is becoming a problem.

This show features special guest Michele, who shares some of her own signposts, and Lisa and Ellie contribute some of theirs as well.

There is no one way to define "alcoholic".  In fact, that label keeps many people stuck and alone.  In this show we focus on the common feelings and experiences - things we wish we'd known along our own path were warning signs.

It's not how much or how often you drink, it's what it does to you that matters.

That's what this episode is all about; our similarities, and the fact that you're NOT alone.



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Sunday, May 18, 2014

Beyond Our Best Thinking: Surrendering the Ego in Recovery

We all want to be individuals and to present an image to the world that we are capable, in control, and essentially put together.  Besides, the world is a scary place:  vulnerability and honesty might put us in danger if people really knew us. Our egos say, “I am responsible for your survival.  Trust me.  I’m in control.”  

This is our best thinking.  

We hang on to it even though our Egos can lead us to feel angry, resentful, defensive, frightened.  Or completely alone and fraudulent, afraid that people will find out who we really are at our core.  We scramble to maintain the image that we’re in control.  We want to do things our way, on our own steam.  We are still cautious about letting people in.

This kind of thinking can persist even in sobriety and can present a danger to our recovery.  Join us as we talk about how Ego-thinking contributed to our drinking and disturbed our peace of mind, and how connection, compassion, and authenticity  brought us serenity and keeps us sober.




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Sunday, May 11, 2014

Motherhood & Recovery: Perspectives on Telling our Kids

Although there are many common truths and shared experiences in addiction and recovery, family dynamics may differ from person to person. When it comes to motherhood, there is no magic formula or handbook for anything including talking to our kids about recovery. What we can do is share our experiences and perspectives with one another, and be willing to thoughtfully consider the best fit for our family. This episode explores a variety of positions, from being completely open to selectively shielding our children from our experiences, and why those choices make sense.




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Sunday, May 4, 2014

Re-Broadcast: As They Say - A Grateful Heart Will Never Drink

Google the phrase 'the power of gratitude' and you'll find many links to articles and research that show how living a life in gratitude can increase our sense of well-being and optimism and can decrease our levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

Those benefits alone would make this a worthy topic - who doesn't want to feel happier? - but for the alcoholic and addict, an active gratitude practice can be a game changer. Alcoholism and addiction are characterized by a mental obsession. Our behaviors and thought patterns can defy logic, such as when we drink or use despite consequences or vows to stop. We may feel justified in our drinking or using by anxiety, worry, anger, depression. We may get stuck in this thinking with self-pity, shame, and blame, and the painful cycle continues.

Gratitude is the fastest way out of the despair caused by this cycle! This is why many people in long term recovery subscribe to the notion that an active gratitude practice is an essential part of their sobriety. Join us as we discuss with our guests the ins and outs of a gratitude practice - the ways it helps them stay sober, examples of its benefits, and how to build a practice. In sobriety, we can have Thanksgiving every day!"


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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Early Sobriety - Am I Ever Going To Feel Better?

When we stop drinking most people experience physical withdrawal symptoms (acute) which can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It's not fun, but most people expect it and are rewarded with immediate physical benefits once the alcohol or drug is purged from their system. Our lives begin to improve and we are happy, BUT then there are other things that seem to be getting worse - mood swings, anxiety, irregular sleep, etc. - and we want to scream, "I did NOT get sober for this!"  

The good news and bad news is this is completely normal. What we are experiencing is called PAWS or Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, which feels like an emotional roller coaster. PAWS can be very difficult to deal with and is a huge trigger for relapse, but drinking will only make the process start all over again and who wants to do that?!!!  So how do we get through it? How do  we manage the roller coaster ride of early sobriety? 

Join us on this episode of The Bubble Hour as we talk to our guests about their experience with early sobriety and the tools they used to alleviate PAWS symptoms. 



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Sunday, April 20, 2014

Re-Broadcast: The Importance of Balance

We all strive for balance in life - a manageable blend of things we have to do and things we want to do is the ideal.  We also all know what it feels like when things get out of whack - too much work, not enough play or relaxation, not enough of the important things we do for ourselves to stay happy, healthy and sane.

We decided to do this show on balance because all three of us are struggling with it at the moment - year-end school activities, big work projects -- everything is busy.
We only announced the show today because we've been so busy we didn't have time to plan a topic.  We figured this was a clear sign from the universe that we needed to do a show on balance

Listen to the three co-hosts - Lisa Amanda and Ellie - talk about why balance is important in recovery, how we know when our balance is off, and ways we try to re-prioritize things like self-care which are so important in sobriety.




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Sunday, April 13, 2014

What Do You Put In Your Recovery Toolbox? (Part 2)

This week on The Bubble Hour we continued our discussion about what to put in your Recovery Toolbox. In Part 1, we discussed some great reading materials, and in Part 2 we extended the conversation to comfort food, activities, self-care practices and music. Listen and discover ways to support your recovery in all that you do! 




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Sunday, April 6, 2014

Special Guest, Dr. John Kelly: Changing the Stigma of Addiction Through Science

Many people think that recovery from drug and alcohol addiction is a lost cause when in reality there are approximately 25-40 million people who consider themselves to be in active, stable long-term recovery. Based on those numbers, most people probably interact with someone in recovery on a daily basis, but they don't even know it because it's not talked about openly. Dr. Kelly and the Recovery Research Institute's mission is change that stigma and show people, through science, that recovery is not only possible, but it is the likely outcome. 

On this episode we will talk to Dr. Kelly about addiction, stigma and recovery and how understanding the neuroscience of addiction will help alleviate that stigma.


Dr. John Kelly is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, the founder and Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the Program Director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS) and the Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH. Dr. Kelly is President of the American Psychological Association (APA) Society of Addiction Psychology, and is also a Fellow of APA. He has served as a consultant to U.S. federal agencies such as the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the national Institutes of Health (NIH); to non-Federal institutions, such as the Betty Ford Institute and the Hazelden Foundation; and internationally to the British Parliament Drugs Misuse Taskforce. He is currently an Associate Editor for the journals, Addiction, and the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and chapters in the field of addiction. His clinical and research work has focused on addiction treatment and the recovery process which has included specific research on the effectiveness of mutual-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, as adjuncts to formal care. His additional research endeavors have focused on the translation and implementation of evidence-based practice, addiction and criminal justice, addiction treatment theories and mechanisms of action, and reducing stigma associated with addiction. He is a licensed clinical psychologist actively working with individuals and families with alcohol and other drug use disorders.

The Recovery Research Institute (RRI) is a scientific enterprise that will push the agenda for addiction recovery forward by both synthesizing the current evidence base and conducting high quality, novel recovery relevant research. The goal is to disseminate the results such that they may enhance the effectiveness of addiction treatment and empower individuals, families, communities, and our broader society to address these endemic problems with greater impact and efficiency. 

In recognition of the increased medical, social and economic burden attributable to substance use disorders, the department is redoubling efforts to expand general knowledge of treatment and recovery to alleviate suffering associated with addiction.

Under the leadership of Dr. John F. Kelly, the RRI will begin to push the agenda for addiction recovery forward by conducting high quality, recovery relevant research, and disseminating and implementing results for the benefit of our communities and broader society. The RRI will become a center for training promising scientists for careers in addiction and recovery research. 

To learn more about the Institute and the work they’re doing, you can go to their website www.recoveryanswers.org


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Sunday, March 30, 2014

From Self-Medicating to Self-Care

“I need a drink” is a common catch phrase people use to sum up a bad day.  The culture is rife with advice that a “nice glass of wine” is all it will take to feel better about whatever challenges life dishes up.  So, when we are faced with big health issues, like anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses; physical illness or changes in our physical health; or stress caused by any social or familial changes or losses, it can seem like an easy fix to pick up a drink to “take the edge off.”

As alcoholics, this response becomes our go-to.  We come to depend on alcohol to deal with our problems.  It becomes a vicious cycle as our bodies and brains are stressed from processing the alcohol, as we stuff our emotions deeper and deeper down inside, and as we become dependent on the drink to fix us.

We find great freedom from that dependence in sobriety, but it can be daunting to realize that even though we are now sober, we still have the same issues we had before we sought relief in the bottle - the same anxiety, the same depression, the same hormonal changes, the same trauma.  On this show, our guests share their experiences about how they found new and better ways to deal with their lives.  From menopause to dual diagnoses, we can move from self-medicating to proper self-care!


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Sunday, March 23, 2014

What Do I Drink If I No Longer Drink?

Julie Elsdon-Height

It's a simple question that can cause a person in recovery to stammer incoherently: "What would you like to drink?" After years of ordering a go-to favorite that is now forbidden, it can be hard to answer that question truthfully. What DO people in recovery drink on social occasions? In restaurants?  At parties?  At home after a hard day? Can anything bring the same satisfaction that alcohol once did???



Julie Elsdon-Height, author the recipe book "Mocktails and More" and the blog www.SoberJulie.com will join us as we discuss practical answers to the much asked question, "What do I drink if I no longer drink??!"




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Monday, March 17, 2014

Re-Broadcast - Sarah Allen Benton, Author of "Understanding The High Functioning Alcoholic"

Sarah Allen Benton is author of the book, 'Understanding the High Functioning Alcoholic' , and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and therapist at McLean Hospital in MA.
She has been featured in a NY Times article by Jane Brody, has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey ShowCBS Early Show, NPR, is a blogger for PsychologyToday.com and more.
Sarah is a recovering alcoholic and has been sober since February of 2004. She gives lectures and trainings on the topic of high-functioning alcoholics at colleges, boarding schools, and at professional conferences including Harvard’s Treating the Addictions.
Please visit her website The High Functioning Alcoholic for more information about Sarah, her book and additional resources.
In this episode Sarah tells a bit of her own story of alcoholism and recovery, and answers questions about High Functioning Alcoholism, including how to define it, what common personality traits and drinking patters are found with high functioning alcoholics, and steps people who fit this description can find ways to get help.
Listen below, or look in the tab above to learn how to subscribe to our podcast! 

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Sunday, March 9, 2014

A Little Willingness Goes A Long Way

As the song says, "Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start..." For those in recovery, the starting point of every day is willingness. Willingness to be honest about our relationship to alcohol and about our behavior and thought patterns. Willingness to rearrange our lives and our relationships. Willingness to show up for our lives by being present instead of escaping into addiction. It's as essential a mindset for the newcomer as it is for someone who has been sober for years. Join us as we share our experiences around this fundamental building block of recovery. Remember: a little willingness goes a long way!

 
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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sobriety Bloggers

The earliest stages of recovery are marked by an inkling that something needs to change, and a budding curiosity emerges to ask such questions as: “What is normal drinking?” “How much is too much?” “Am I an alcoholic?” And “how do I quit drinking?” From behind the safety of our computers screens we pose the uncertainties that trouble our souls, seeking information and all that comes with it: guidance, comfort, direction, and hope. So it is that many stumble upon the frank world of sobriety bloggers: others in recovery who chronicle the ups and downs of their own personal journeys, sharing the experience as both an exercise in healing and in service to others. Join us as we speak to the authors of four popular recovery blogs: Mrs D is Going WithoutBye Bye Beer and UnPickled.




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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Special Guest: AnnMarie McCullough, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Canada

AnnMarie McCullough
What image comes to your mind when you hear the term 'alcoholic'? A man with a bottle under a bridge?  A woman with smeared lipstick who drinks every day, can't hold a job and doesn't take care of her kids? Unfortunately, our society has created this stigma for alcoholics and it's simply NOT true.  There are more people like us than not, but many people don't get help because of this stigma and they are dying. 
On this episode of The Bubble Hour we talk with our very special guest AnnMarie McCullough, co-founder of Faces & Voices of Recovery Canada, about what the face of an alcoholic really looks like and why it's so important that we change the way society treats this disease. 
Recovery advocate Ann Marie McCullough is a maven of reinvention with a serious social conscience and a need to give back. A certified Project Manager with over 20 years experience in a variety of roles within the Healthcare and IT sectors, she now works as the Director of Communications and Community Relations at the Orchard Recovery Center.  AnnMarie combined her background in project and event management with her passion for recovery to help launch the REEL Recovery Film Festival in Vancouver and initiate the first RECOVERY DAY in Canada. Her latest projects: co-hosting Vancouver's first Recovery Radio show and co-founding Faces and Voices of Recovery Canada.
In long-term recovery herself since 2008, she inspires with her energy and enthusiasm, embodying hope for others who struggle with addiction.

Please listen below, or see the tab above for how to subscribe to our podcast!


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Sunday, February 16, 2014

What Do You Put In Your Recovery Toolbox? - Part 1

As we begin to change our lives in recovery, we find that “not drinking” is about so much more than what is in the glass we raise to our lips. The tools for recovery include the books we read, the activities we enjoy, and the new healthy indulgences we discover. While there is no definitive list, we’ll discuss some of our favorite things, why we love them, and how they support our recovery. Grab a pencil and paper, because you’ll want to take notes! Join Amanda, Catherine, and Jean for a lively discussion as we examine all the goodies inside our respective “Recovery Toolboxes”. 




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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Adult Children of Alcoholics

Did you grow up in a home with a problem drinker? If you did, you may have been impacted more than you know. Adult Children of Alcoholics share several common characteristics. They tend to feel different or isolated and uneasy with other people. They are intimidated by authority figures or people who are angry. They seek approval from others and lose themselves in the process. They are people-pleasers.
They feel responsible for other people and put their needs before their own. They are terrified of abandonment, and will do almost anything to maintain a relationship even (or especially) if it is unhealthy. They tend to hide their feelings both as children and as adults. They often confuse love with pity and tend to love people they can rescue. They thrive on drama rather than healthy relationships because that is what they grew up with. They often become alcoholics, marry alcoholics or both. The list goes on.
On this episode of The Bubble Hour our guests share their experience both with growing up in an alcoholic home and in a home with someone in recovery. 
Please listen below or click above to learn how to subscribe to our podcast! 


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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Staying Sober While Traveling

You're doing great:  you've built a secure sober bubble at home.  You've dumped all the booze, you've built a network of sober people to support you, you're praying and reading about recovery, you've stocked up on candy or started an exercise program.  You feel good!  You feel prepared for anything...until you have to leave your bubble....

The vacation looms with its open pool bar.  Or the cruise with the flowing cocktails.  Or your best friend's wedding in Napa.  Or maybe your work requires travel with its temptations of hotel mini-bars and boozy client dinners away from judging eyes of family and friends.

Fear not!  You CAN stay sober while traveling.  Join us as we discuss the pitfalls and triggers of travel, how to sidestep them, and how to carry your sobriety bubble with you no matter where you are in the world.
 
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Sunday, January 19, 2014

The God Thing - Spirituality / Religion / Humanism

We have experienced the far-reaching impact of our addictions on every aspect of our lives.  We have heard that the damage is physical, mental, and spiritual.  It stands to reason that our recovery should expand to encompass and heal all the hurt parts - physical, mental, and spiritual.  The latter is a fluid and perhaps unknowable thing.  Spirituality is a shape-shifter, taking different forms for different people.  Some find the structure of a religious practice to provide comfort and guidance; others prefer a more undefined spirituality; and still others do not identify with a Higher Power.  On this show, our guests will share how their personal views on this rich subject have informed their recovery.  We can all learn from their varied experiences in our own recovery journeys.



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