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.

Discover Lifestyle Internet Radio with The Bubble Hour on BlogTalkRadio

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 Without, Bye Bye Beer and UnPickled.

Popular Lifestyle Internet Radio with The Bubble Hour on BlogTalkRadio

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

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 most recent show features special guest Michele, who shares some of her own signposts, and Lisa and I contribute some of ours as well. 

If you can identify with anything you hear tonight, please click on the tab above that offers some sober resources with information and community you may find helpful.

There is no one way to define "alcoholic".  In fact, that label keeps many people stuck and alone.  In this show we want to 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. 

Here's the episode, but you can also listen to it on our sidebar.  Click on the tab above to learn how to subscribe to our podcast as well:

Online Lifestyle Radio at Blog Talk Radio with The Bubble Hour on BlogTalkRadio

Episode 9 - Special Guest Sarah Allen Benton, Author of "Understanding the High Functioning Alcoholic"

Episode 9:  Special Guest Sarah Allen Benton, Author of "Understanding the High Functioning Alcoholic"

Sarah Allen Benton

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 Show, CBS 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.

A very informative episode, and we thank Sarah for her time, and for being such a valuable resource in helping educate us all about this aspect of what is a confounding disease for so many.

Listen to this episode here (or click on the picture in our sidebar to subscribe to our iTunes Podcast):

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Episode 8 - The Power of Truth and Story - Shame and Alcoholism

One major issue that keeps people stuck in the cycle of alcoholism, even when they know they have a problem, or a niggling doubt that their drinking is getting worse, is SHAME.

On this episode we heard from six women who are brand new to sobriety, have had more than one Day One recently, but who are still out there swinging, talking to people, becoming part of community, and telling their story - bravely - to offer hope to others and to help heal themselves.

The antidote to shame is truth.

Through the power of story we share our truths; we're not trying to give answers, or how-to's.   They are sharing their stories to demonstrate that the only thing anyone can do wrong is not try at all, not reach out for help, not love yourself enough to face their drinking head-on.

What we hear in their stories is the commonalities we face - some of the things we do when we're still drinking, the ways we try desperately to hide it from loved ones, from ourselves, and then the freedom and community we feel when we finally tell our stories, talk about our feelings and find people who understand. 

It doesn't matter what stage you're at with your own drinking.  If you're still drinking, wondering about your drinking, newly sober or been sober awhile; we ALL have something to contribute through the power of our truths.

A common theme we heard was that when we finally told our truth, whether it was to an online community, a real-life community, a friend or family member (or even a doctor), we felt a weight lift off our shoulders.  That is the weight of shame and secrecy.  

The old adage is true, that the truth will set you free. Our mission at The Bubble Hour is to provide stories to help people know they aren't alone; that there IS hope, and if you join a recovery community - either online or offline (or both .. see tab above for resources) you will feel a PART OF, instead of stuck and alone. 

Here's tonight's powerful episode: 

Listen to internet radio with The Bubble Hour on Blog Talk Radio

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 most recent show features special guest Michele, who shares some of her own signposts, and Lisa and I contribute some of ours as well.

If you can identify with anything you hear tonight, please click on the tab above that offers some sober resources with information and community you may find helpful.

There is no one way to define "alcoholic".  In fact, that label keeps many people stuck and alone.  In this show we want to 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.

Here's the episode, but you can also listen to it on our sidebar.  Click on the tab above to learn how to subscribe to our podcast as well:

Listen to internet radio with The Bubble Hour on Blog Talk Radio