Signposts of Alcoholism, And An Honest Conversation About "Hitting Bottom"

On Sunday's show Ellie, Amanda and Catherine talked about early warning signs and symptoms of alcoholism, as we reflect back on our own sobriety journeys.  

We also have an honest conversation about "hitting bottom", what it means to hit an 'emotional' bottom, and some of the different challenges faced by people who get sober before any dire legal, financial, familial or medical issues occur.

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Speaker Discussion "Meeting" with Liz F. - Getting Sober When You're Young

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 have recreated this concept here on The Bubble Hour. Hearing that there are other people just like us...with the same experiences, thoughts and feelings is revolutionary.  

On this show, our guest Liz F., who is currently 23 years old and got sober young, will share her story and the impact recovery has had on her life.

Liz's message of recovery applies to any age, but if you are young and struggling, or newly sober, or if you are the parent of a young person who is struggling, or new to recovery, this message is particularly relevant for you.

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Teaching People How To Treat Us - Setting Boundaries in Early Recovery

Setting boundaries is an essential skill in life, especially for people in recovery. Alcoholic and addicts often have dysfunctional boundaries: either too rigid (leading to suppressed emotions or distant relationships) or too enmeshed (depriving us of a sense of personal identity). If we don't learn how to create and maintain healthy boundaries interpersonal relationships may continue to be defined by old roles and patterns, increasing the risk of relapse.

As part of recovery, we learn how to set boundaries and to respect other people’s boundaries in return. 

But, especially in early recovery, this can be daunting.  An important aspect of setting healthy boundaries is learning, simply, how to say "no".  Another important part of setting boundaries is identifying how we are feeling; something that can take practice when we are newly sober. We can't teach other people how to treat us if we can't identify our own thoughts, feelings and emotions.

On this show we discuss what boundaries are, why they are important, and share tips, tools and advice on ways we identify, build and strengthen them, with an emphasis on how to do this when you are newly sober.

Re-Broadcast: 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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Plan Ahead for a Sober AND Fun Holiday Season!

The holiday season is upon us once again, starting (for those of us in the US) with Thanksgiving this week. In light of this, we thought it was timely to revisit tips and strategies for not just surviving the holiday season, but also reaping the gifts, choices and freedoms we enjoy as people in recovery!

If you are newly sober, there is no doubt this can be a challenging time.  On this episode show we share tips, tools and advice and our own personal stories of what worked for us - and some things that didn't - when we were newly sober, as well as what we do today.

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How To Navigate The Dating World When You're Sober

Dating is confusing enough, at times, but it can be especially tricky to navigate when you're sober. 

On this episode we talk about Sober Dating. We will address questions like: 

• When/how do I tell someone I'm sober?
• How do I maintain healthy boundaries and keep focus on self-care/program of recovery?
• What about dating in early recovery?
• The person I'm dating is sober, too, which is great, but what pitfalls should I look out for?

What do I do if the person I'm dating drinks? 

And more...

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Let's Talk About Recovery Meetings

On the Bubble Hour we do not endorse or promote any particular program or pathway to recovery.

We honor the traditions of twelve-step programs, and as such we do not discuss them by name, and we will continue to honor this policy.

We receive emails from listeners who are considering going to a recovery meeting, or who have gone and have questions.  We have received requests to do a show about what recovery meetings are like.  

On this episode, our co-hosts will talk about recovery meetings, with the following important caveat: we can only share our own experience, strength and hope. We do NOT speak on behalf of any program, nor do we endorse any one pathway. 

On the Bubble Hour we strive to create community, which to us is the cornerstone to all forms of recovery. We honor and recognize that for many - but not all - this community is found in twelve step meetings.  Many listeners message us that they made the decision to try a recovery meeting to seek community.  Others tell us they are curious but fearful and want to know what to expect.

If you are considering a twelve step recovery meeting, this episode is for you.  Please bear in mind, though, that nobody speaks on behalf of ANY twelve step program, and that all meetings are different based on culture, location and each group's conscience. 

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