Through The Glass Recovery

New podcast episode alert!

If you've quit drinking, only to find that another unhealthy behavior has taken its place - we see you, and this episode is for you!

First - you're not alone. It's REALLY common to find that your addiction has transferred to some other substance or behavior.

Think: exercise, social media, sugar, work, cannabis, shopping...

In this episode, we and our guests dive into cross addictions, why they keep popping up, what causes them, and most importantly - what to do about them.

Listen now:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/cross-addiction/

Or search for Through the Glass Recovery on any podcast app.
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What cross addictions have YOU had crop up? ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Tell us in the comments!

Check this out! Every conversation, every bit of shared information, every shared story - they're all making a difference. Thank you to each of you for what you do.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/19/health/drug-overdoses-sharp-decline/index.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawFaSL1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSoajCgFReVxGwG5zDmmDc07im9zTVZ1CUeYLF4CgcWu_d6gDK-SkKPkeQ_aem_XfQmoTjwI3gY98aX2xE5vA

US overdoses have fallen sharply in recent months, a hopeful shift in trends | CNN Federal data shows that overdose deaths in the United States are the lowest they’ve been in three years, and a new analysis suggests that some downward trends indicate “unprecedented” progress in the fight against the drug epidemic.

This is what I was missing when I first started trying to quit drinking.

So many people will string together a few days here, maybe a few weeks, sometimes a month... but always fall back into the same cycle.

It's because they're just trying to remove the alcohol, without dealing with the stuff underneath that's making them want to be numb.

If you're ready to start digging into all that other stuff - developing a solid sense of self worth, no longer being affected so much by the people around you; and creating a healthy relationship with yourself so you don't feel like you need alcohol anymore - that's what we do around here.

If you haven't yet, check out the podcast, come join us at a free Zoom meeting, or visit our website for details about the one-on-one coaching services we offer.

throughtheglassrecovery.com

Quitting alcohol is the necessary first step... but it's really only the first step. And that's the part we love talking about!

How much are you getting in your own way?

Whether it's keeping you stuck in a drinking cycle, or it's holding you back from living the life you truly want, self sabotage is almost always the culprit.

And it comes in so many forms. Negative self talk. Comparing yourself to others. Refusing to be honest with yourself. Fear of taking the next step forward. Avoiding discomfort.

If you feel like self sabotage might be the reason you're not making forward progress, check out this week's podcast episode! Leah, Sean Lawrence and Rick Warner ( https://www.facebook.com/rick.warner.12 ) join us to share all the ways they realized they were self sabotaging, and also what they've done to stop it.

You can stream the episode online here:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/self-sabotage-addiction-recovery/

Or search for Through the Glass Recovery on any podcast/music app.

Three years sober.

I'm such a different person, I barely even recognize myself.
Over and over in my journal, I used to write, "Why can't I just be happy?"
My life was beautiful. A loving husband, two beautiful kids, a small farm in the mountains of Colorado. A stay at home mom, I spent my days homeschooling, managing our home and farm, working on hobbies.
Why couldn't I just be happy? Why couldn't I be grateful? Why did it feel like there was such a giant, empty hole in my life?
I couldn't answer those questions, so I drank them into silence.
I thought something was wrong with me. I always, always thought something was wrong with me.

Three years later.

The drinking was only ever a symptom. Once I removed it, I was able to see clearly.
I see all the reasons for the giant hole in my life. I see why I was never really happy. And I've found ways to fill that hole, so I don't feel like an empty shell of a human walking through a beautiful life anymore.
I stopped trying to be perfect, and let others see my flaws.
I stopped hustling for people to tell me I'm good enough, and learned to love myself instead.
I stopped pretending things were fine when they weren't.
I started looking at my relationships, and being a lot more picky about which ones got my energy.
I came to understand why I am the way I am. There's nothing wrong with me. I just didn't know how to exist in this world in a healthy way.
I worked on changing all the beliefs I carried about myself.
I found people who loved and accepted me for exactly who I am - perfectly imperfect.

The work doesn't end. Those challenges, those beliefs still pop up from time to time.
At 3 years sober, I can't remember the last time I had a craving, or even thought about drinking. But I also know that I can't stop moving forward, addressing the issues as they come up. Because above all else - I never want to see that old version of me again.

What do you do when you feel STUCK??

That's what we asked this week's group of guests on Through the Glass Recovery Podcast.

Feeling stuck is really common, and also really frustrating. If you've been there - or you are there - this episode is for you!

Click the link in our bio, or search for Through the Glass Recovery on any podcast player. 

What do you do when you feel STUCK?? 🤔

That's what we asked this week's group of guests on Through the Glass Recovery Podcast.

Feeling stuck is really common, and also really frustrating. If you've been there - or you are there - this episode is for you!

🎧Listen here:

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/stuck-in-a-rut/

Or search for Through the Glass Recovery on any podcast player.

Season 3 is here!

New episodes, new guests, new topics - and we can't wait to share it all with you!

This week, we welcome Peggi Cooney, Ian Cochrane, and Ben Whelden to chat about dealing with boredom, and how to fill your free time once you quit drinking.

Because let's be real - when you quit drinking, it suddenly feels like evenings drag on forever. In this episode, you can hear how all five of us dealt with all those extra hours - and walk away with some new ideas and tips that you can put into practice TODAY.

You can listen to this, and all of our other episodes, by searching for Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, or visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com

This week's podcast episode:

If you have kids, talking to them about things you did when you were drinking can be really squirmy. Kids are curious - they ask questions that make us uncomfortable all the time. So what are you supposed to say?

In this re-release, we're joined by , , and Julie's sixteen year old daughter Cora, and we talk about what your kids really need to hear from you - about your addiction, and about your recovery.

If you missed this episode when it first came out, make sure you have a listen. It's a really special, wisdom-packed episode perfect for all parents.

Search for Through the Glass Recovery Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Celebrating 100 Podcast Episodes with something a little special. We decided to celebrate by giving you all an inside peek into what it's like being a podcaster, we reminisce on how far we've come, our challenges and we talk about some new things we are working to share with YOU!
We also recorded video, unedited, just Julie and Steve having a conversation!
This doesn't happen without you, our supporters and listeners. You help us keep going more than you know. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
We hope you enjoy!

https://youtu.be/c0Zyj676M28

Huge Shout out to a man we've had the pleasure of getting to know for the past 10 months. Les congratulations on 43 years sober today!

You are an inspiration to us every day by showing us your heart, your honesty, and your pure love and kindness.

Thank you for being you!

What do you do when a craving hits? Here are our top 3 favorite tools:

#1: Play the tape forward. And be honest about it. What will really happen after that first drink? Where will it lead? How will you feel? How will you feel in the morning, knowing you chose to drink tonight?

And don't forget to flip that, too - how will you feel if you choose NOT to drink? What will the night look like? How will you feel tomorrow?

#2: Create a cravings toolbox. Make a list of 5-10 things that you'll do if you start feeling a craving. Some ideas: call a friend, go to a meeting, write in your journal, take a hot/cold shower, play with your pets, go for a walk or get some exercise, eat a healthy meal, play a video game, pray or meditate. You know what will work for you. Make that list, and start on it as soon as a craving hits. We can pretty much guarantee you'll notice the craving is gone before you get to the bottom of your list.

#3: H.A.L.T. One of the most well known cravings tools of all time - because it works. When you have a craving, it is often because your body is telling you it needs something. Instead of just throwing alcohol at the need, try figuring out what the need is, and meeting the need instead. Call a friend and go out for coffee. Eat something nutritious. Take a nap. Journal or exercise and get some anger out. Do whatever works for you - but meet that need, don't just silence the craving.

What tips and tools do you have that have helped you get through a craving? Drop a note in the comments below and share your ideas! Let's build a list of tools for others to use.

And make sure you SAVE this post for when you get challenged.

As we take our summer break from podcasting, we're re-releasing the most popular episodes from Season 2 each Monday. Check this one out! 😊

It doesn’t matter if you’re a few days sober or ten years sober – cravings happen. At their best, they are annoying. At their worst, they sneak up on you when you least expect it and smack you upside the head and suddenly everything is spinning and you don’t know which way is up. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a whole new stack of tools ⚒️🔨🪛 to add to your sober toolbox, and you’ll realize that cravings aren’t actually something to fear or feel bad about at all.

To listen 🎧, visit throughtheglassrecovery.com or search for Through the Glass Recovery Podcast on any podcast listening platform. - or just click the link below ⬇️

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/beat-alcohol-cravings/

We never really know how a podcast episode is going to turn out. We invited guests, give them the topic and let the conversation flow.

This one, Episode 94 season 2 finale was epic in so many ways. This episode will bring you to tears and leave you inspired all at the same time.

Don't miss this one.. it's 30 minutes of your life you won't regret using!

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/how-do-i-know-if-i-need-to-stop-drinking/