Recovery Rebirth Podcast

What is (Addiction) Recovery?

What Is Recovery?    In this episode of the Recovery Rebirth Podcast, we attempt to define recovery. One very straightforward definition is “an improved quality of life”.  However someone improves their quality of life, it must be self directed, people can’t be coerced or coddled into recovery. Recovery should look at root causes, look for a future episode on this topic.    Dom provides an overview of the concept of a recovery coach and the components of recovery: self-directed, empowering, a holistic approach, focuses on the person’s strength, peer support, focuses on the person’s strength, a sense of hope.   Jillian reflects on her early days in recovery when she felt disempowered and had a victim mentality. She shares t her experience with recovery, which has included learning to implement boundaries not being emotionally reactive when triggered by someone’s addiction. She observes that recovery is not allowing others behaviors/choices nor her own maladaptive coping mechanisms (rooted in codependency) dictate her life. It’s no longer operation on autopilot.   Recovery is a lifelong process. Just as people exercise their entire life to maintain their health and fitness, recovery has to be maintained to sustain recovery. Just as people have coaches in sports, recovery coaches understand “the game” and are honest about where you’re lacking and help hold you accountable. A good coach also helps you remove obstacles and problem solve.    We touch on harm reduction, an incremental approach primarily focused on saving lives. Medically assisted treatment (MAT) is another component of harm reduction. Removing barriers to housing and breaking stigmas is also crucial to recovery!  We also discuss the concept of micro moves that lead to dramatic change and an improved quality of life.    You are not alone and recovery is possible! We’re rooting for you!  #WeDoRecover    Resources Recovery Rebirth Episodes  Boundaries https://www.vivacityventures.com/boundaries/ [https://www.vivacityventures.com/boundaries/] Recovery Sponsorship and Accountability https://www.vivacityventures.com/recovery-sponsorship-and-accountability/ [https://www.vivacityventures.com/recovery-sponsorship-and-accountability/] Coping with Homelesness https://www.vivacityventures.com/coping-with-homelessness/ [https://www.vivacityventures.com/coping-with-homelessness/]

Rebirth of the Recovery Rebirth Podcast

We’re baaaaaaaack!  Hello beloved listeners, we apologize for the unplanned hiatus.  Life got very lifey & our regular recording/release schedule was disrupted. We hope you’ve been well while we’ve been away. In this episode, we update on what’s been going on in our lives the last several months. Jillian talks about transitioning to life as a single empty nester, work overwhelm, navigating dynamics on a family vacation and the recent ending of the healthiest relationship she’s experienced. She reflects on her recent relationship & absence of her typical maladaptive coping mechanisms, (e.g. the compulsion to rescue/ fix). For the first time, she experienced emotional safety & open, honest communication. Healing instead of being wounded in a relationships was unprecedented. She still struggles with letting go, a core trait of codependency. But having a support system through recovery is allows her to accept more and suffer less. As always, the tools of recovery are helping her to accept life on life’s term. Dominick provides an update on big life changes, including moving and taking a new job after over 20 years of being self-employed. He was reaching a point of burnout and exhaustion with work and his living environment was becoming increasingly unsavory. The fact that he works from home meant there was no escape from an undesirable environment. After some very intentional prayer, he made some drastic changes. Today, he’s living in a serene environment and working for a holistic treatment center. He avows that these blessings coming to fruition were in part to him strongly & consistently putting his desires out to the universe.   We underscore the necessity of recovery  housing as access to safe and affordable housing is central to thriving in life.  Thank you for your patience & grace while we were away, we look forward to continuing the conversation about myriad topics through the lens of recovery.  We’re excited to share resources to support your recovery journeys, just as you support ours. We’re rooting for you!

Coping with Holiday Stress

This time of year can be a joyous occasion or it can be a trigger for stress and anxiety. The Recovery Rebirth Podcast is sharing our take on the Holiday Season. Many people also struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the winter months. It’s no secret that many in recovery are already prone to anxiety and/or depression, the lack of sunshine can amplify feelings of sadness & hopelessness. This can also be a time of year where we feel acute sadness about loved ones we’ve lost through either death, estrangement or separation. The rates of relapse & suicide are sadly higher during what is supposed “the most wonderful time of the year” In reality, it can be the most stressful & depressing time of the year. Our families of origin can be a tremendous source of anxiety and stress during the holidays. Some of us find our family of choice through our recovery programs. We find safe spaces to share our experience, strength & hope among others who understand & don’t judge us. Unlike family gatherings where we may experience anger, resentment & shame, we can feel acceptance, serenity & support with our recovery families. We also touch on the pitfalls of social media during the holidays. It can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing our lives to others. Social media isn’t real life.  It is not an accurate reflection of the full scope of what’s going on in other people’s lives. It’s often the carefully curated highlight reels that we see. A social media break can be an excellent form of self-care for those of us prone to the “compare & despair” mentality. We talk about strategies to combat stress during the holidays (or any time of year) Simplifying and not doing things out of obligation is one way to reduce stress at the holidays. We realize it’s easier for some people than others to simplify during the holidays, but encourage you to simplify wherever possible.  Remember, there are always meetings available, even on the major holidays, where you can be among fellow travelers. It’s a safe space to connect with folks who share & understand your concern, frustration, resentment & feelings of hopelessness. The holidays are a great time to practice boundaries & also letting go of things outside our control (spoiler:most things are outside our control!). It’s also a prime opportunity to connect with our Higher Power or God of our Understanding.  We’re wishing you a serene & joy-filled holiday season full of memories you’ll cherish for years to come. No matter what the holiday season may hold, we lovingly suggest you to take it One Day at a Time. And please remember you don’t have to get through it alone. Recovery is a “we” program.   Resources Websites https://www.samhsa.gov/ [https://www.samhsa.gov/] https://www.recoveryanswers.org/recovery-101/ [https://www.recoveryanswers.org/recovery-101/] https://www.aa.org/ [https://www.aa.org/] https://al-anon.org/ [https://al-anon.org/] https://www.swmichiganal-anon.org/ [https://www.swmichiganal-anon.org/] https://coda.org/ [https://coda.org/] Previous Episodes https://www.vivacityventures.com/suicide/ [https://www.vivacityventures.com/suicide/] https://www.vivacityventures.com/dealing-with-anxiety/ [https://www.vivacityventures.com/dealing-with-anxiety/] https://www.vivacityventures.com/recovering-from-grief-part-1-of-3/ [https://www.vivacityventures.com/recovering-from-grief-part-1-of-3/] https://www.vivacityventures.com/recovering-from-grief-part-2-of-3/ [https://www.vivacityventures.com/recovering-from-grief-part-2-of-3/]

Relapse Prevention

In this episode of the Recovery Rebirth Podcast, we delve into relapse prevention is a prevalent topic in the world of recovery. While people often think relapse only happens with substance use disorder, anyone in recovery can fall prey to emotional/mental relapse. We highlight the phases leading up to relapse and myriad behaviors that foretell relapse could be imminent (e.g. neglecting self-care, being filled with resentment)   We underscore the difference between a slip and true relapse. Early in recovery, it’s easy to slip back into the addictive behavior, while relapse is having a sustained period of sobriety and falling back into addictive behaviors and using people, places or things in an addictive way. Stress and boredom can trigger relapse. Some people relapse even when things are going well in their lives. Addiction can flare up at any time. Regardless of the addictive behavior people are struggling with, there is hope for sustainable recovery.  We’re rooting for you!   Resources Recovery Rebirth Episodes  Triggers https://www.vivacityventures.com/recovery-from-unworthiness/ Red Flags in Recovery  https://www.vivacityventures.com/red-flags-in-recovery/

Dealing With Overwhelm and Burnout

In this episode of the Recovery Rebirth Podcast, we discuss overwhelm which often leads to burnout. We all experience episodes or seasons of life where the deluge of stressors is too much for us. In these times, we could really benefit from self-care, but are also most likely to neglect ourselves because our reserves are depleted.  Jillian reflects on her experiences with overwhelm, including her first panic attack. She also talks about the overwhelm she felt while in a relationship with an active alcoholic and acting like an “emotional drunk” prior to recovery.  Dom shares about the anxiety he’s experienced since he was a child, including panic attacks. Being self-employed and running three businesses can cause him overwhelm and concerns of impending burnout. Being a perfectionist and having incredibly high expectations of ourselves, amplifies anxiety.  A sign of burnout can be lack of enthusiasm for activities you typically love to do. Some of the self-care options we discuss are deep breathing exercises, taking a break/walking away from your desk at work), and walks in nature. When you’re in a calmer frame of mind, writing down affirmations we can revisit when our anxiety/stress flares up again. If life feels overwhelming, pause, see how you’re feeling, take a break and see if you can identify the source of the overwhelm. We hope this episode can offer some insights and resources that will help when you find yourself overwhelmed and approaching burnout. While we are proponents of living One Day at a Time, in times of extreme overwhelm, sometimes we need to focus on one moment at a time. You are not alone in this recovery journey!  We’re rooting for you!   Resources Self-Care/Self-Compassion https://self-compassion.org/ Breathing Techniques https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/breathing-exercises-for-anxiety [https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/breathing-exercises-for-anxiety] https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/breathing-exercises-anxiety/ [https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/breathing-exercises-anxiety/] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324417#:~:text=The%204%2D7%2D8%20breathing,the%20practice%20of%20breath%20regulation. [https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324417#:~:text=The%204%2D7%2D8%20breathing,the%20practice%20of%20breath%20regulation.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEmt1Znux58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7uQXDkxEtM Recovery Rebirth Episodes  Recovery from Unworthiness https://www.vivacityventures.com/recovery-from-unworthiness/