Rebroadcast: Co-dependency - 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 rebroadcasted 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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Dropping the "A" Word - Moving From Contemplation to Action

We get a lot of emails from people saying they are still drinking but are concerned they may have a problem, or are trying not to drink and listen to this show as one of their tools. We are so grateful that the show helps people on their journey towards, or in, sobriety.  One pattern we see is that the arc of contemplating “am I or aren’t I an alcoholic?” looks very similar for most people.  This is especially true of people who are earlier on in this process and who have yet to experience many outward ramifications from their drinking.

We can spend a lot of time thinking about whether or not we are truly an alcoholic, and this is an obstacle to taking action about your drinking.

On this show we talk about what this contemplative arc looks like, for many people, and provide a few resources that can be helpful in finding community that can help (because, as we talk about all the time on this show, community is the key to getting sober).

We mention the following online communities in this show, and we encourage you to check them out! If you want more information on the Booze Free Brigade ("BFB") and how to join this private FB community, please email us at thebubblehour@gmail.com and we can tell you how.

The other resources we mention on the show are as follows: 

www.soberrecovery.com

www.intherooms.org

www.womenforsobriety.org 

www.hazeldensocial.org 

You can listen to the show below, or go to the tab above to subscribe to our podcast! 

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.

Listen through the link below, or follow the information in the tab above to learn how to subscribe to our podcast: 

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!

Listen below, or follow the instructions in the tab above for how to subscribe to our podcast! 

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.

Listen below, or click on the link above to subscribe to our podcast! 

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...

 Listen through the widget below, or follow the link above to learn how to subscribe to our podcast.  Thank you! 

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. 

Listen below, (or follow THIS LINK as the widget has been giving us trouble) or follow the instructions on our page for how to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes: 

Speaker Discussion with Debbie B at One Year of Sobriety

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 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.  

The first year of sobriety is full of emotional upheaval, struggles, victories and many "firsts". On this episode we talk to Debbie B., who recently celebrated one year of recovery, about what her journey was like in her first year.

Listen below, or follow the instructions above on how to subscribe to our podcast:

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Special Guest Dana Bowman, Author of "Bottled: A Mom's Guide to Early Recovery"

We are so excited to have special guest Dana Bowman, Author of "Bottled; A Mom's Guide To Early Recovery" on the show! 

About "Bottled":

"An unflinching and hilarious memoir about recovery as a mother of young kids, Bottledexplains the perils moms face with drinking and chronicles the author’s path to recovery, from hitting bottom to the months of early sobriety—a blur of pain and chaos—to her now (in)frequent moments of peace. 

Punctuated by potent, laugh-out-loud sarcasm, Bottled offers practical suggestions on how to be a sober, present-in-the-moment mom, one day at a time, and provides much needed levity on an issue too often treated with deadly seriousness."

This book is fantastic, and we highly recommend it for anyone in recovery, who is struggling with drinking, or who loves someone who is in recovery or dealing with addiction.

Dana's prose is poignant, vulnerable, honest and funny; this book is a must-read for anyone navigating early sobriety. 

You can check out more of Dana's writing at her blog: Momsie Blog: Motherhood is Hard. Laughter Is Easy.

Listen below, or click on the tab above to subscribe to our podcast! 

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Back From Break! And An Honest Discussion About Balance

We are back from our summer hiatus, and excited to start a new season of The Bubble Hour!

We talk a lot about the importance of balance and self-care, and tonight we are going to have an honest conversation about making decisions in our lives that put recovery and balance at the top of our priority list. Sometimes it's hard to take a step back from things we love in order to keep balance in check, and sometimes we have life circumstances that require us to take on more, and maintaining balance can be a challenge.

Co-hosts Ellie and Amanda talk about why balance is important, about how we make decisions - even in the face of a lot of change - to maintain our recovery.

We also talk about this upcoming season of The Bubble Hour, and some changes we're making to the show based on your input

Listen through the widget below, or follow the tabs at the top of the page to subscribe to our podcast! 

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Early Sobriety - Am I Ever Going To Feel Better?

For the month of August the co-hosts of The Bubble Hour are taking a break to refresh, renew and focus on our own self-care.  We will be back in mid-September with a fresh new format!  Until then, we are re-broadcasting some of our most popular and informative episodes.

Early sobriety can be challenging in many ways - lots of ups and downs and experiencing emotions for the first time without the numbing effects of alcohol.  On this episode we discuss tools and tips for getting through those first few days, weeks and months of recovery.

Listen to the show through the widget below, or follow the information in the tab above to subscribe to our podcast: 

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On Isolation - Interview with Andrea Owen from "Your Kick Ass Life"

Do you find yourself mistaking isolation for strength? This is a common pattern among people in active addiction and the habit can persist into recovery. There is a saying in recovery rooms which states, “Addiction is the only disease that tells you that you are alright.”, so when we isolate, we are putting our recovery at risk.

On this episode of The Bubble Hour we discuss the issue of isolation with Andrea Owen, certified life coach and author of “52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life”.

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Re-Broadcast: 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.

Listen through the widget below, or follow the link above to subscribe to our podcast! 

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Speaker Discussion "Meeting" with Lisa N. (Co-Founder and Former Co-Host of The Bubble Hour)

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.  Our featured guest on this show is a voice many of you will recognize - Lisa N., one of the founders and former Co-Host of The Bubble Hour. 

Listen through the widget below, or follow the link above to subscribe to our podcast to hear our guest Lisa N's story and our discussion. 

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Feeling Our Feelings: A Brave New World

While we are active in our addictions, we are numbing all of our feelings.  Although the initial impulse might be to dull the hard emotions - fear, anger, hurt - the actual result is that we dull of our emotions, limiting our experience of joy, contentment, and connection.  When we get sober, we find a crazy new rush of feelings - good and bad - that can be overwhelming.
 
On this episode, we discussed our experiences with our emotions and techniques for processing them.  Sobriety is a brave new world, which includes the full range of human feelings.  We're glad to be showing up for them all! 
 
Listen through the widget below, or go to the tab at the top of the page to learn how to subscribe to our podcast!

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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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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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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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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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