Podcasts about recovery happy hour

Send us a textJoin us for an illuminating conversation with Trisha Lewis, host of the Recovery Happy Hour podcast and advocate for inclusive sobriety. In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of recovery, challenging traditional notions of what it means to be "alcoholic" and exploring the diverse paths to sobriety in today's world.Trisha shares her personal journey and insights on:Why you don't need to hit "rock bottom" to choose sobrietyThe role of non-alcoholic beverages in recoveryNavigating trauma and mental health in sobrietyBreaking free from rigid recovery labelsThe importance of finding your own path while staying connected to communityWhether you're sober curious, in recovery, or just interested in understanding modern approaches to sobriety, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on creating a life beyond alcohol. Discover why sobriety isn't just about survival—it's about learning to thrive.Do you find value in what the Sober Friends Podcast does? Consider buying us a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/soberfriendspod. Your donation helps us with hosting and website fees and allows up to maintain our equipment. You keep us on the air for the new guy or gal.Support the show

In this inspiring episode of Confident Sober Women, host Shelby welcomes Tricia Lewis, creator of the Recovery Happy Hour podcast. Tricia shares her journey through addiction and into long-term recovery, offering valuable insights for women seeking sobriety and personal growth.Key Highlights:Tricia's path to sobriety, starting in November 2016The challenges of being an overachiever in recoveryBalancing work, life, and recovery in the restaurant industryTransitioning from workaholic tendencies to a more balanced lifestyleThe importance of self-awareness and addressing self-centeredness in recoveryStrategies for managing anxiety and ADHD in sobrietyThe power of gratitude and mindfulness in maintaining long-term recoveryPractical tips for setting boundaries and honoring personal needsTricia emphasizes the value of slowing down and listening to your body, a crucial skill for women in recovery. She discusses how her journey led her to focus on service work, including art therapy with foster children, highlighting the importance of giving back in sobriety.The conversation touches on the challenges of identity shifts in recovery, especially when facing unexpected life changes. Tricia and Shelby explore how long-term sobriety provides tools for resilience and adaptability, essential for navigating life's ups and downs.For women struggling with anxiety or considering therapies like neurofeedback or EMDR, this episode offers hope and practical advice. Tricia's experience with managing ADHD in sobriety provides valuable insights for those dealing with co-occurring disorders.This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and practical strategies for maintaining long-term recovery, managing mental health, and finding purpose in sobriety.Connect with Tricia: Website: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Instagram/Facebook: @recoveryhappyhourSupport the showSupport the showOh, and by the way, if you didn't know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

Well hello my sweet listeners and welcome to Decidedly Dry! This is your pal Jess and with ALL the feels - this is the last episode of the show.Today, I'll walk ya through why I made this tough decision, all the things I'm incredibly grateful for and celebrating, and what's next.First, in true Decidedly Dry fashion - let's focus on the good. This podcast was created months after my very favorite podcast, Recovery Happy Hour shared her final episode. I remember heading out for a run one day, I was about a year and half into my sobriety at the time, I put my headphones in, pushed play, and started pounding away on the pavement. This was a ritual of mine. Plugging in and listening to others share their sober stories was extremely helpful for me. I was about a minute into the episode and I heard the words, “This will be the final episode of Recovery Happy Hour”. I'm not kidding you guys… tears began streaming down my cheeks! How could my favorite show be ending?! How could this be?! Now being in a similar place as a podcast host, I completely get it, but at the time I was heartbroken. Towards the end of the episode, Tricia said something on the lines of, “We need more recovery podcasts. If you've been thinking about starting one - do it!”And that my friend, is where the seed was planted. I quickly researched what it took to start a podcast, reached out to some resources, and the show was published in January of 2022. Yes, that means we celebrated our 2 year milestone this month. Since hitting that record button for the first time, we've published 85 episodes, became a top 1.5% globally ranked show, and most importantly, brought incredible individuals behind the microphone to share their sober stories. We ranked every single week on Apple Podcast's charts and were downloaded not only in the US, but in Canada, the UK, Australia, Ireland, and more. I dabbled in coaching, met amazing individuals, and if I'm being completely honest, hosting this here show has played a pivotal role in my own sober journey. It kept me alcohol-free and motivated me to continue serving YOU.Last December I celebrated 4 years of living alcohol-free. Was it a cake walk? Absolutely not. Has it be worth it? Absolutely yes. And if I'm being real with you, which is exactly what I've always promised to do, I'm getting to a point where I'm not feeling like I need to talk about sobriety as much. My friend Michelle, you know here as Recovery is the New Black, reassured me that this is so common and something she see's all the time in the sober space. Individuals catch their stride, sobriety becomes part of who they are, and they get to the point where they not only want to talk about other things, but are ready to begin new exciting chapters. And friend, that's exactly where I'm at. I've spent the past four years serving the sober community and I'll tell you what - I don't regret it for a single moment. But the time has come for me to pass the mic and hopefully inspire someone else to start recording and serving this space, just as I did.It's funny, I was talking with my sister yesterday and told her I was going to be recording my last episode this week and she laughed. A very supportive laugh I might add, but she said to me, “Jess, you are so funny. You have this tendency of always trying new things, doing really, really, REALLY well. Then it's like you're at the top and you're like, whelp - think I'm done here.” I laughed out loud and agreed with here 1000% percent. She completely gets me. After thinking about what she said, I laughed again and thought to myself maybe that's why I like hiking so much?! Hear me out. I study what I need before I go, check out what hikers have said about the trail conditions recently, I arrive, typically work really hard on the way up, pausing from time to time to enjoy my surroundings, and then I hit the top. I come to a full stop and take in the beautiful view, am grateful for all the work I put in, and soak up all that I can see from the peak. Then I cruise down and start planning my next adventure.Speaking of my next adventure, you might be wondering what's next for me? Friend, I'm not sure. And that's a really exciting feeling. For as long as I can remember, I've been the girl whose friends consistently say, “I don't know how you do it all, Jess!” I've spent a very long time taking on all the things and lately, I've had this beautiful shift in my mind (and life) to do less. To say “no” more, seek balance, rest, take care of myself even more, and  prioritize family over everything. In fact, those are words I say to my family often: “Family comes first always.” And while deciding to be alcohol-free definitely makes me present, it also frequently encourages me to always level up and find other areas in my life where I can do better and BE better. So it's time to unplug the mic, close the laptop, and savor these moments with my family.I think it's also important to mention that the episodes will live on! So if you're new around here, I definitely encourage you to go back and listen to the library of episodes that are available. If you've been tuning in for a while, perhaps consider revisiting past episodes. Sometimes depending on your mood, where you're at in your sobriety, or even where you're at in life - things might sound or hit differently the second time you hear it. Just sayin'.Before I sign off, I just want to say thank you again. You all mean the world to me and I wouldn't be where I am today without your support. If I could ask one last favor of you - if this show helped you in anyway, whether it inspired you, maybe helped you string some sober days together, or whatever - would you possibly consider emailing me? I'd love to hear how this show touched you and where in the world you were tuning in from. I think that would be the icing on the cake for me - especially with my big 40th birthday this Thursday. It'd be one heck of a birthday gift and could help me close this chapter with a big ol' smile on my face. My email is: decidedlydry@gmail.com Please note: Paying Substack Members: I'm planning on continuing to write. If I do decide to stop writing, we'll take care of making sure you're not charged a monthly fee. You have my word.It's literally impossible for me to put into words how much I appreciated your support of the show and my message. You might not know it, but you made a huge difference and I'm sending huge monster hugs your way.Alright loves - this is it. Thank you for pushing play, for focusing on the good with me, and lastly, if you are working on your own sober journey and struggling - just focus on today, talk to a friend, and jump into the sober community with both feet. Today is a perfect day to start your alcohol-free journey.Love to you all. Good night! Get full access to Decidedly Dry with Jess Steitzer at decidedlydry.substack.com/subscribe

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates life beyond the bottle and what happens after we quit drinking.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we discuss recovery, gray area drinking, and what's current in sober culture. Topic: Where are they now?  Tricia gives updates from former RHH interviewees Episode Sponsor: Better Help Links: Recovery Happy Hour  Get 10% off your first month of Better Help   Beth's Update: Listen to Beth's Episode Beth's Instagram Dave's Update: Listen to Dave's Episode Nick's Update: Listen to Nick's episode Jenn Sober Sis's Update Listen to Jenn's episode Sobersis.com Sober Sis retreat in April Jen's book "Look Alive, Sis!" Shelby's Update: Listen to Shelby's episode Shelby's podcast Confident Sober Women Shelby's website Shelby's book "Recovering in Recovery" Jamie's Update: Listen to Jamie's Episode Jamie's Insta Heather's Update: Listen to Heather's episode Ditched the Drink Jen Elizabeth's Update: Listen to Jen Elizabeth's episode Learn about the Sidewalk Project Read Jen's book "Shape of a Woman" Emily Lynn Paulson's Update: Listen to Emily's episode Emily's website Sober Mom Squad Courtney's Update: Listen to Courtney's episode Courtney's Sober Vibes podcast Courtney's website Courtney's book Tawny's Update: Listen to Tawny's episode Tawny's website Read Tawny's book "Dry Humping" Drink (parentheses) James' Update: Listen to James' episode Connie's Update: Listen to Connie's episode Email her at customerservice@conniesmcmillan.com Elizabeth's Update: Listen to Elizabeth's episode Elizabeth's Instagram

In this week's episode of Wellness As A Way of Life I am chatting with Heather Lowe from Ditched the Drink on Why Alcohol is Not the Glue You Need to Hold it All Together This Holiday Season! We chatted about:   Social norms that teach us that alcohol is liquid courage and helps us ‘connect' with others How alcohol silences our inner voice, our intuition and our ability to connect with ourselves and others How alcohol makes the holidays more exhausting because we our system is constantly recovering How alcohol starts to interfere with your natural ability to create your own feel-good hormones How being Sober is so much more enjoyable over the holidays How to navigate corporate gifting and events in a sober-inclusive way Tips on how to not get overwhelmed with social engagements Living in the full emotional spectrum Other ways to enjoy the holidays that actually allow you feel to well rested, connected and present Not dumbing down the joy Alcohol consumption as self-abandonment Extra support during the holidays if you are ditching the drink: her online community: INSIDER of which I am a part! Heather Lowe is the Founder of Ditched the Drink, a wellness company dedicated to helping professionals move away from alcohol and towards their highest selves. Heather is a Certified Professional Life and Recovery Coach, Certified Addiction Awareness Facilitator, and the Director of Marketing Consumer Products for the International Center of Addiction Recovery Education (ICARE). Driven by her education as a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), a Professional of Human Resources (PHR), and Yale Certificated in the Science of Well Being, Heather provides content, knowledge, coaching, and education to individuals and organizations seeking to be more alcohol free. Heather is passionate about coaching, connecting people with alcohol free resources, and creating a positive sober community. Heather shares the bright side of sobriety as an influencer in the social media sober space @ditchedthedrink. Heather's writing has been published in Thrive Global, Monument- Tempest, The Fix, Mashable, Corporate Wellness Magazine, Employee Benefit News, and more. She has been featured on many podcasts including Recovery Happy Hour, Redesigning Wellness, Alcohol Tipping Point, Energetically You, Sun and Moon Sober Living, Hello Someday, Sober Motivation, Decidedly Dry and more. Heather, in partnership with the Association of Professional Recovery Coaches also recruits, mentors, and trains new coaches.  Heather lives in Chicago's western suburbs as a proud girl mom to two teenage daughters, Lily and Charlotte, her husband Darin of 20+ years, and their adorable black and white cocker spaniel, Rocky. Heather is a voracious reader, a new-ish hiker, and a seasoned yogi. For more visit https://www.ditchedthedrink.com/   Thank you for listening! When you are listening please take a screenshot and share it on social media and tag me @meganswanwellness !  We would really appreciate it.   Connect with Megan Swan http://www.instagram.com/meganswanwellness http://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-swan-wellness www.meganswanwellness.com   ELEVATE + LEAD 8 Sessions to Embodied & Sustainable Leadership for Women in Corporate A strategic leadership development experience for women to enhance their capacity– a comprehensive approach to optimizing, retaining, and developing resilient executive leadership in corporate spaces.  https://beboldgroup.myflodesk.com

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with a group of Recovery Professionals.A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) is a professional who uses their personal experience with addiction or mental health conditions to assist others in their recovery journey. They undergo specific training and certification, which can vary by jurisdiction. They provide services like motivational support, resource linking, skills training, and crisis support, playing a vital role in helping individuals on their recovery path.A Registered Peer Supervisor is a professional who oversees the work of peer recovery specialists or peer support workers. They provide guidance, support, ensure quality of services, and help with professional development opportunities. They often have previous experience as a peer recovery specialist, and must usually complete specific training and meet certain criteria to earn their supervisor certification. However, exact titles and requirements can vary based on location and specific regulations.Here are links for you to bookmark, save, follow, memorize, write down, and to share with others:Addiction Connections Resource – The connection for reclaiming hope and healing lives (acrhelps.org)FacebookAddiction Connections Resource (@acrhelp) | InstagramThis episode is sponsored by Rage Against AddictionHere's a podcast that I recommended – Recovery Happy HourGet your story told and book written. Schedule a call with Mike Ulmer at Select a Date & Time - CalendlyRage Against Addiction Rage Against Addiction is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting addicts and their familiDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFollow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett & Harford County LivingFacebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett & Harford County LivingInstagram – Harford County LivingTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTok Sponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Recorded at the Freedom Federal Credit Union StudiosHosted on BuzzsproutRocketbookSquadCast Contests & Giveaways Subscribe by Email ...

Host: Viv, aka Sober_iThrive Guest: Heather Lowe    Heather Lowe is the Founder of Ditched the Drink, a wellness company dedicated to helping professionals move away from alcohol and towards their highest selves. Heather is a Certified Professional Life and Recovery Coach, Certified Addiction Awareness Facilitator, and the Director of Marketing Consumer Products for the International Center of Addiction Recovery Education (ICARE).   Driven by her education as a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) a Professional of Human Resources (PHR), and Yale Certificated in the Science of Well Being, Heather provides content, knowledge, coaching, and education to individuals and organizations seeking to be more alcohol free. Heather is passionate about coaching, connecting people with alcohol free resources, and creating a positive sober community. Heather shares the bright side of sobriety as an influencer in the social media sober space @ditchedthedrink.   Heather's writing has been published in Thrive Global, Monument- Tempest, The Fix, Mashable, Corporate Wellness Magazine, Employee Benefit News, and more. She has been featured on many podcasts including Recovery Happy Hour, Redesigning Wellness, Alcohol Tipping Point, Energetically You, Sun and Moon Sober Living, Hello Someday, and Decidedly Dry.   Ditched the Drink offers Becoming 1:1 Coaching, INSIDER Monthly Membership with mobile app, and Jumpstart: 6 week Digital Class. Heather, in partnership with the Association of Professional Recovery Coaches also recruits, mentors, and trains new coaches. Schedule a call to discuss getting coaching support, becoming a coach, or offering workplace resources.   Heather lives in Chicago's western suburbs as a proud girl mom to two teenage daughters, Lily and Charlotte, her husband Darin of 20+ years, and their adorable black and white cocker spaniel, Rocky. Heather is a voracious reader, a new-ish hiker, and a seasoned yogi. For more visit https://www.ditchedthedrink.com/     Viv, aka Sober_iThrive, is a Certified Addictions Recovery Coach My Sober Recovery Story #252  If you have any questions or You would like to book a FREE 30-minute consultation with me, you can visit my website https://www.soberithrive.org I'm Certified in Addiction Recovery Coaching and Life Coaching:    • Life Coaching Essentials, Work/Life Balance  • Co-creating a New Sober Lifestyle  • Addiction(s) Recovery  • Neuroscience of Brain Function & Joyful Recovery  • Roots of Addiction(s)  • Alcohol/Drugs and their Effects  • Right Thinking in Recovery  • Family Issues in Recovery     And so much more…   My communities are:   • Sobertownpodcast.com   • I Am Sober Community (IAS) - @Sober_iThrive  • Sobertown Facebook Group   • “Valiants We Thrive” – Sober Women Telegram Group  • Instagram: @Sober_i_Thrive  www.soberithrive.org (https://www.soberithrive.org/) Certified and Licensed Addiction and Recovery Professional Online Sober Coaching for all of your addiction and recovery needs by a Internationally Certified and Licensed Sober Coach & Life Coach   No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com  

Today's interview is with the one and only Tricia Lewis. Tricia was the host of the podcast Recovery Happy Hour. She recorded, edited, and published over 130 episodes! She's had dozens and dozens of meaningful conversations that remind us that sobriety is worth celebrating, and that life doesn't stop when you stop drinking. Tricia stopped drinking in November of 2016 and features a wide range of stories and perspectives on her podcast. Now I, along with thousands I'm sure, were heartbroken last year when our beloved Tricia ended her show. I remember listening to that last episode over and over again, thinking to myself… “Noooo, maybe I heard it wrong… she can't really be done?!” I felt this way because her podcast changed my life. Her show provided me with hope, it inspired me, and it reminded me every episode that we're not alone in this. There's nothing wrong with us, this is just our thing. What I loved most about her show was that it focused on the good, kinda like what we've got going on here. She's been role model for me since day one and I will forever be grateful for the impact she's had on my life. Here's our chat…Ways to connect with Tricia:IG @recoveryhappyhourWebsite: https://www.recoveryhappyhour.comThings we mention in this episode: - Recovery Happy Hour Episode 130 with Jess Steitzer: Listen Here- Recovery Happy Hour Episode 49 with Jenn of Sober Sis: Listen Here- Recovery Happy Hour Episode 97 with Chris Marshall: Listen Here- Helpful tools from Tricia's website. To donate and/or learn more about the show head to: www.decidedlydry.com If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Support the show

Ellen Elizabeth is an author, sober twin mom, recovery advocate, and infertility warrior.  In today's episode, I chat with Ellen about her journey to sobriety and motherhood. And the radical honesty it took her to get there. Ellen shares her powerful journey of finding “love and drugs” in her late teens. Like many women, Ellen felt that the only way to be loved was to morph into the wants and needs of a partner. She did this by learning how to use drugs to please her partner. After breaking free from this relationship, Ellen swapped drugs for alcohol as a way of healing from pain. She also found herself in a loving relationship. And with a strong desire to have a family she found the courage to get sober. In this episode, we talk about the worst day of Ellen's life…the day she came face to face with her addiction. After showing up at work drunk and calling her husband for a ride , she shares the story of the intervention that changed her life. And how a life of self-loathing became a life of self-loveWith sobriety came the opportunity to pursue a pregnancy. Ellen also shares her story of infertility and IVF. She also shares the joy she is now experiencing as the mother of twins. Ellen's story of courage and transformation is inspiring. She is proud to ​​represent women who are dealing with the struggle and the shame that comes from feelings of inadequacy; not only feeling like they can't quit drinking but also not being able to bring a child into the world. She wants to inspire people to define who they want to be and to help people transform their demons into dreams through radical honesty.Ellen has been featured in podcasts such as Sober as a Mother, Recovery Happy Hour, Infertility & Me, & InfertileAF.She lives with her family of 5 (dog included!) in Colorado Springs, CO.  She loves speaking French or playing the flute and enjoy being a wellness influencer to anyone struggling with addiction, infertility, or parenting.Learn more about Ellen at:www.itsellenelizabeth.comhttps://www.facebook.com/itsellenelizabethhttps://www.instagram.com/itsellenelizabeth/

It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the moment.  Matt J had a storm come through his town of South Windsor, CT and it left him without power and without some siding.  It could have been worse as just feet from where he lives, trees were down damaging cars and homes.  Seeing his kids freaking out, Matt freaked out on the inside instead of calling people in the program or using his tool.John I joins him and they talk about how to be prepared for the unexpected moment and how to get through tough moments.  It always passes and it always works out so why wouldn't it this time.First, Matt talks about the end of a huge recovery podcast, Recovery Happy Hour by Trisha Lewis and what this means for the recovery community.If you like this podcast, please give it a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts.  We read each one and take your feedback seriously.  Share this podcast with someone who could benefit from it.

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. This is the final episode of the series.  It's been a pleasure and an honor to have happy hour with you all for the last 3 years.   Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Dear Listener, Interview: Briddick Episode Sponsored by: Better Help https://trybetterhelp.com/recoveryhour Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Better Help  https://trybetterhelp.com/recoveryhour Briddick on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/briddick Briddick on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/briddickwebb/ Clarity Breathwork https://claritybreathwork.com/

Episode 332 – Find More Joy   One of the biggest things that kept me drinking as I long as I did was that shame circle.  I would drink, do something stupid, embarrass myself, feel terrible and then drink again because I couldn't handle my feelings.    Brett is 27 years old, lives in San Francisco, CA and took her last drink on January 2, 2020.  This is her journey of living alcohol free (AF).      If you love our intro and outro music then check out the artist DJ NYE on Spotify, and that link is in the show notes. Also in the show notes are links to download, for free, our intro and outro music, That's with my voice sampling and ET Tolle's voice samplings.   DJ NYE on Spotify.   Intro and Outro Music. Intro Paul: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/recoveryelevator/RE_Paul_Intro.mp3 Intro Eckhart Tolle: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/recoveryelevator/RE_ET_Intro.mp3 Outro Paul: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/recoveryelevator/Paul_RE_Outro.mp3 Outro Eckhart Tolle:https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/recoveryelevator/Eckhart_Tolle_Outro.mp3     Today is June 28th. This Thursday, July 1st, is the start date of our intensive 13 session course for the month of July. We meet three times per week, Monday, Thursday and Sunday. Mondays and Thursdays are classroom style format, with intimate breakout rooms and Sundays are for guest speakers, Q&A, and we've for an AF Beverage workshop hosted by Kate (episode 315). We polled previous course participants and 72% of them remained alcohol free for the duration of our last course. How cool is that. You'll have course assignments and daily discussion prompts in your WhatsApp groups. This course is all about connection and having fun. Go to Recoveryelevator.com/restore or click the link in the show notes, to sign up and for more info.   And don't forget that land tortoises are the longest living animals on the planet and that TIB is still the best band in the world. One of those is fact, the other opinion but for the most part undebatable.     Okay, let's get started -   I'm going to cover two things today. 1. The importance of purposefully adding more joy into your life and 2. Recently while traveling, I came across the most vicious sports mascot ever. I still get goosebumps when I think of the deadly mascot.   Okay, let's talk about joy. And this may seem like common sense, but it's not because so many of us postpone, skip, or have forgotten about joy altogether. Like the “how to” part.  And now seems like a good time to insert a quote about joy.   “Joy does not simply happen to us - we have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” - Henri Nouwen   Let's look at a sample to do list. Drop package off at post office. Return mortgage papers to lender Take Ben to Vet Edit website copy for upcoming event. Play piano.   Now this may or may not be my to do list,  and yours may be similar,  And I'm referring to the order. I've got playing the piano last. We tell ourselves we need to get all the grown-up tasks done first. Kids, job, house, feeding the family, pets, why didn't my sprinklers turn on last night, then last on that list is US.   Here's my HARD ask of you. Make a point to do something every day that you find joyful. And here's the important part. Do it first. Before all the other stuff that has the potential to zap all the creative energy out of you.   About 3 months ago, I stared taking piano lessons. I went from chop sticks to now I can the Scientist and Clocks on the piano by Coldplay. Can't sing them yet because that's some major rubbing your tummy and patting your head type sh$t, but I'm working on it. At first, I would practice piano at the end of the day, when my mind was sometimes ready for a nap, and the mind is in high beta brain waves… borderline stressed from the day.   It worked, but some days I had to force it. Then I flipped the to-do list. I started playing the piano first thing in the morning. Before all the adulting took place. Here's what I found. When we do something we enjoy, there's a natural creative energy that arises, that makes things tolerable, even pleasant. Here's the important part. This energy, consciousness, will then overlap into the next task or project. I quickly found I was more effective at all remaining tasks for the day, and they all became more joyful. So, I try to practice piano or music every morning. This flip has had a big impact on my quality of life.   Let's tie this into sobriety. When we are doing something we enjoy, we enter into a flow state where time and our problems seem do disappear. Flow states, or when we are fully mentally immersed in a task, are healthy because we aren't thinking about how the F, we're going to quit drinking. Another way to say this, is the neural connections that fortify an addiction begin to soften and something else is strengthened, be it gardening, reading, hiking, or whatever. Again, our mental energies aren't “in” the addiction, or the “story.” You're like - “A crap, this guy is back with his getting out of the story stuff again.” And for the record, this will be the 245th time I've said you can't think yourself out of an addiction.   Joy solo is great, for example playing the violin. But if you have the option, play the violin with another violinist, or a cellist - bonus points.   You know how most dogs are a nudge away from playing? That's how human beings are as well, we're just living a life that's been filled with so much muck and noise that we must make a point, and effort to get back to this natural state.   If you're like, “Hey Pablo” I recently quit drinking, and I have no clue what I like to do for fun anymore. Well, that's the work. Find out again. Rule 22. Have fun and lighten up.   Okay, one more thing I want to cover, and I'm trembling with fear while I write this. On my way back from our Atlanta Meet-up, thank you Alan (episode 267) for such an awesome weekend, I saw a bunch of large dudes, in the security line at the airport. They were all wearing matching jackets,  and sweatpants, so I assumed they were part of a sports team that probably involves physical contact. On the crest of the jacket was the logo… the mascot. When I finally saw it, I stopped dead in my tracks. It was as if I was frozen, unresponsive. No, it wasn't a ferocious eagle, hawk, wolf, shark, or bear, it something much worse, much deadlier, something that would perhaps cause the other team to not even take the field. I can image players on the other team saying, my uncle died from that beast,  their mascot has destroyed my family, and so forth. So, what's the mascot? It was Martini glass. It was the professional Los Angeles Rugby team “The Giltinis.” If you want to pick a mascot that leaves a devastating wake of wreckage on society,  well then, they nailed it, because my google search of has an “eagle” or “hawk” ever killed a human being, came up with nil. But alcohol on the other hand….   Okay, now let's here from Betterhelp and then we'll here from Brett.   Today's show is sponsored by Better Help.    Mental health matters, and as we continue to live through this pandemic and slowly go back to resuming activities such as going back to work or attending some social gatherings, it's important to have someone that can help us process all our emotions and life stressors. Betterhelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. Betterhelp provides a broad range of expertise available which may not be locally available in many areas. The platform is super easy to navigate - you can login into your account at any time and interact with your counselor by sending them a message. You'll get timely and thoughtful responses, plus you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions. Betterhelp is more affordable than the traditional offline counseling and financial aid is available.   Visit betterhelp.com/ELEVATOR and join the over 500,000 people talking charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional. Recovery Elevator listeners get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/ELEVATOR.        [10:38] Odette introduces Brett.   Brett took her last drink on January 2, 2020.    [11:07] How are you feeling?   Brett says she is feeling good.  Drinking feels like a very long time ago in a good way.   [11:40] Give us a little background on you.   Brett is originally from Rhode Island, but currently lives in San Francisco.  She is in tech consulting.  She is 27 and in a relationship.  She loves going to the Farmer's market, reading non-fiction, NA drinks, attending to her MANY plants and she hopes to adopt a dog this year.    [13:04] Tell us about your history with drinking   Brett had her first drink at 12 or 13 and was pre-gaming with her sister for her high school senior prom.  Her sister and a friend were drinking a clear liquid and laughing and getting a bit gigglier. She looked up to her sister, she was so cool, and Brett wanted to be part of the crowd.   At 14-15, alcohol became a social thing.   She went to a small Quaker school and early exposure to alcohol came from older siblings. Peer pressure was a big thing. Alcohol was a staple at all the parties.    Brett thought everyone was blacking out and it wasn't until age 21 that she understood you could drink without blacking out.  Her parents would pick her up from parties, then ground her and make her write essays on alcohol, how it was made, where it came from, etc.    [16:41] Where was your heart and your emotional state?   Brett said the cycle of shame kept her drinking for a long time.   She would drink, do something stupid, embarrass herself, feel terrible and then drink again because she couldn't handle her feelings.  She was going through a lot as a kid and has since been diagnosed as bipolar 2.  She was experiencing all those symptoms as a kid and didn't know what to do with them.  She was scared and wondering what was wrong with her, but not sure what.  She was also rebellious.   Value Bomb – Emotional regulation is something we don't learn about early enough.   [19:34] What happened after high school?   Brett said during her junior year, her dream was to get as far away from Rhode Island as possible (a geographic).  She applied to Hawaii Pacific University but ended up at Loyola in Baltimore because nobody from her school was going there.  It was the party school and Brett had a fake ID and she was the party girl.  She had good friends, nothing bad happened and she achieved a 4.0 GPA.  She transferred to Northeastern and found a good group of drinking friends.  She had her first depressive episode and called her mom during  a complete panic attack.  The school psychiatrist suggested she had bipolar 2.  She was in denial.  She tried to manage her ups and downs with alcohol and cocaine.  She really hurt some people during her episodes and needs to make amends.   [23:02] Can you walk us through what a bipolar cycle is like for you?   Brett said, bipolar is difficult to diagnose for many reasons and it presents differently for different people.  Her alcohol and cocaine use augmented the ups and downs and made diagnosis more challenging.  Brett's experience was feeling exhausted, tired, and unable to get out of bed.  She would rather pee in a cup than go to the bathroom.  She had muscle soreness and lots of tears, crying for no reason.  Suicidal ideation would come 2-3 days in, and she would circle a drain of worthlessness.  The booze turned the dial up and made the episodes longer. She also had blips of hypomania including high bursts of energy, talking fast and urgent shopping among other things.  She wasn't ready to hear about her diagnosis, but had challenges functioning and felt shame and guilt as a result.  She went to a dual-diagnosis rehab, which was very freeing for her.   [28:36] What led you to rehab?   Brett said she frequently texted her family members accusing them of not loving or caring about her.  In 2020, she messaged her parents, and her parents became alarmed.  Her mom called, bought her a plane ticket, and offered to come pick her up.  Her Mom was researching rehab programs.  Brett had severe withdrawal symptoms and called the rehab to understand the rules.  She described getting to the airport 12 hours early because she had no concept of time.  She did go to the ER to address her withdrawal symptoms.  A few days later they were in the car on the way to a rehab in Massachusetts.    Brett said the life she built for herself in 15 months of sobriety is what she always wanted when she was drinking and using.  She had been drinking and using for 15 years.  She appreciates how wild, weird, and wonderful that is.   [34:20] How long were you in rehab?   Brett said for two weeks, and she would go back if she could.   The food was amazing, and the staff was talented and supportive.  She said it saved her life and she enjoyed most of it.  Insurance only covered two weeks.  Brett wondered why things had to get so bad that she to put her life on hold to get better.  Figuring out the fundamental things has prompted her to check in with herself daily.  She said we can't be afraid to prioritize ourselves.    [40:00] How was leaving rehab and what was it like for the next 30 days?   Brett said after treatment she went home to her parents' home for over a month.  She took time away from work and it was a safe bubbled space.  She explored AA and Smart Recovery meetings.  She returned to work part time.  Upon returning to San Francisco, she entered her bedroom and the whole room was in shambled.  There were bottles and mess everywhere because she was in a blackout when she left.  It was hard, but not triggering.  She took it slow and found a therapist and a psychiatrist.  After the pandemic hit, she turned to Instagram.  She found Carla and Sober IRL (https://www.soberirl.com/) and that kickstarted her desire to stay sober.   She continued the medications that were prescribed at rehab and the medication journey was a short one.    [43:30] What tools worked for you?   Brett said in the beginning fear of withdrawal was a huge motivator.  As she got more time, AA meetings, podcasts (Café RE and Recovery Happy Hour), reading (This Naked Mind, The Four Agreements) and the Instagram community helped.  Brett said when you put yourself out there, people take you into their arms and help you find your people.    [46:36] What helped you overcome cravings?   Brett said she didn't have any physical cravings.  The itchiness with herself can be triggering and she learned to play the tape forward in rehab.  She leverages her sponsor, exercise, and leverages TIP exercises (https://dialecticalbehaviortherapy.com/distress-tolerance/tipp/) and baths/showers and cries.  Saying out loud she wants a drink and getting it out of her head gives it less power.    [49:42] What is your favorite NA beverage?   Brett said her current favorite is the Mikkeller Limbo Raspberry NA beer.   [53:10] Rapid Fire Round   If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say. I'm proud of you, it's going to be okay.   What's a lightbulb moment Sleep is restful   What's an unexpected perk of being sober? More money, disposable income   What's your favorite ice cream flavor? Ben & Jerry's Tonight dough   What parting piece of guidance do you have for listeners? Just do it, you are worth it!    You may have to say Adios to booze if … You have accumulated so much debt, you must Venmo borrow from yourself to get alcohol.    Odette's Summary   Odette reflects upon a recent reading of Gabor Mate where he says, ‘we continue to treat people who struggle with addiction poorly.  If you think about it, addiction is not a problem.   Addiction is a solution to a problem: our trauma, our suppressed emotions, our unhealed pain.'  Odette is grateful that Recovery Elevator is part of the solution.  We see you and we are here for you.  It all starts from the inside out.     Upcoming events, retreats, and courses: Bozeman 2021 (August 18-22, 2021) registration opens March 1! This is our flagship annual retreat held in the pristine forests of Big Sky Country, 10 miles south of Bozeman, Montana. During this 5-day event, you'll discover how to expand the boundaries of your comfort zone. You can find more information about our events    Affiliate Link for Endourage: For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout.    Affiliate Link for Amazon: Shop via Amazon using this link.   The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!     Resources:  Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee. Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here! Sobriety Tracker iTunes      “Recovery Elevator – Without the darkness you would never know the light - I love you guys”      

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Drinking & Exercise Interview: Mike Episode Sponsored by: Better Help  https://trybetterhelp.com/recoveryhour Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Recent podcasts Tricia has shared her story on: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tricia-lewis-host-of-the-recovery-happy-hour-podcast/id1514271988?i=1000525535186 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-happy-hour-life-beyond-bottle-tricia-lewis/id1508913688?i=1000525834739 Mike's Links: https://www.perfecttimingmultisport.com/about-us https://www.instagram.com/shipphappens215/ https://www.instagram.com/dmv.without.compromise/ RHH Episodes Similar to this One: Episode 18- https://recoveryhappyhour.libsyn.com/recovery-happy-hour-ep-18-creating-community-alicia Episode 124- https://recoveryhappyhour.libsyn.com/124-emotional-sobriety-henry

Are you worried you won't have fun without alcohol? Is FOMO (the fear of missing out) keeping you drinking?  Can't imagine what life would look like without happy hours? Wondering if there is (actually) life beyond the bottle? You're not alone! My guest today is Tricia Lewis, the creator and host of the Recovery Happy Hour. She's here to talk about the concerns a lot of women have about life without alcohol.   For years Trica was emotionally and physically addicted to alcohol but was really good at making it look like she didn't have a problem.  In November 2016, she decided that balancing a life of being an entrepreneur and a high functioning alcoholic was too much to handle.  She quit drinking and learned how to recover as hard as she drank without looking back.   I'm a huge fan of Tricia's podcast, The Recovery Happy Hour.    The Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction, gray area alcohol abuse and what happens AFTER you get sober.   For full show notes and to get the resources mentioned in this episode, head over to www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/62

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: People Pleasing  Interview: Eric Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 1-800-808-4317   Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Mocktail Party on Amazon Home podcast Recovery Elevator podcast Cafe RE This Naked Mind Quit Like a Woman Laura McKowen The Luckiest Club Tempest Sobriety School Insight Timer Meditation App RHH Episodes Similar to this one: RHH Episode 6- People Pleasing/ Nick RHH Episode 43- Driving Your Brain Without a License/ Josh Korda RHH Episode 79- Holly Whitaker RHH Episode 102- Inner Child Healing/ Ryan RHH Episode 120- People Pleasing, Revisited/ Jeremy RHH Episode 121- The Science of Journaling/ Michelle

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: I am Not a Guru Interview: The Sober Surgeon (Anonymous) Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America www.rcahelp.com/recoveryhappyhour Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com The Sober Surgeon on Instagram Holly Whitaker- Quit Like a Woman In the Rooms She Recovers Meetings Seltzer Squad 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery Similar RHH Episodes: 131- High Functioning Alcoholism 94- How I Lived My Double Life 79- Quit Like a Woman 61- How Do You Know if You're an Alcoholic? 49- Grey Area Drinking Pt. 2 37- Recovery Fatigue 19- Grey Area Drinking

Amber LaRock, LVT is an amazing human being. She travels the world volunteering for animal organizations and creates helpful content for veterinary and pet companies. She is also gracious enough to share her story of recovery from alcohol addiction with us today. THANK YOU, Amber, for your grace and generosity....A little bit about Amber-My name is Amber LaRock and I am a Licensed Vet Tech that has made traveling in this field my life. In search of a way to allow myself to travel full time, I created my veterinary writing business. I now get to create informative pet health content as my career, all while volunteering at rescues around the world. I am not only an advocate for stepping out of your comfort zone in your career, but doing so while advocating for mental health and wellness. Sobriety and mental health work saved my life, and I hope to offer hope to others who are struggling as well. Email: amberlarockva@gmail.comInstagram: @vettechandtravelThe Podcast (Let's Travel VetMed Style) she co-hosts: @letstravelvetmedstyle ...Resources we mentioned in the episode:The Virtual Assistant Course Amber recommendsOrganizations to check out:- Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society in Cambodia - Amicci Canis Animal Hospital in Ecuador - Bodhi Dog Shelter A Few Substance Abuse Resources:-A Sober Girl's Guide podcast-Recovery Happy Hour podcast-SAMSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has a ton of resources on their site      ~ SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities    ~Finding Quality Treatment-Substance Use Resources for Young Adults...More information about the Sustainability in Equine Practice Seminar and Retreat...Ways to connect with The Whole Veterinarian!Instagram: @thewholeveterinarianFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewholeveterinarian/Email: thewholeveterinarian@gmail.comwww.thewholeveterinarian.comSIGN UP for the The Whole Veterinarian Newsletter HERE!

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Sobriety vs. Recovery Interview: Kate Episode Sponsored by: Better Help Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Better Help   Kate's Instagram Recovery Elevator Podcast Cafe RE RHH Episode 121- The Science of Journaling

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: High Functioning Alcoholism Interview: Elizabeth Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 1-800-808-4317 Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Elizabeth's Instagram RHH Episode 2- High Functioning Alcoholics RHH Episode 13- Oops, Those Studies Were Wrong! RHH Episode 19- Gray Area Drinking RHH Episode 20- Stigma RHH Episode 61- How Do You Know if You're an Alcoholic? RHH Episode 49- Gray Area Drinking Pt. 2 RHH Episode 88- Maybe its Just Trauma, Not Alcoholism RHH Episode 91- Highlight Reel RHH Episode 115- Brown Paper Bag vs. Yeti RHH Episode 37- Recovery Fatigue

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Mommy Wine Culture, Revisited Interview: Jess Episode Sponsored by: Better Help  https://trybetterhelp.com/recoveryhour Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Decidedly Dry Jess on Instagram Annie Grace- This Naked Mind Sober Sis on Recovery Happy Hour Emily Paulsen on Recovery Happy Hour Michelle Smith on Recovery Happy Hour SoberSis.com Sober Mom Squad   

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Sobriety After the Pandemic Interview: Ellen Elizabeth Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 1-800-808-4317 Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com https://www.itsellenelizabeth.com/ Ellen on Facebook Ellen on Instagram

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Tricia Answers Questions from the Audience Interview: None Episode Sponsored by: Better Help Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Better Help #sponsored Clarity Breathwork RHH Episode 44: Brainspotting  Town & Country Mocktail recipes Mockups Mocktails RHH Episode 112: Forgiving Yourself

“The fear of missing out is what keeps so many of us from ever giving it a solid chance.  That fear is the biggest liar and it wasted so much of my time.”    This week, we are speaking with Tricia Lewis, Creator and Host of Recovery Happy Hour Podcast. For years, Tricia was emotionally and physically addicted to alcohol but was really good at making it look like she didn’t have a problem. Tricia took her last drink in November of 2016 and a life without booze has been so much better than she ever imagined.   According to Tricia, hearing stories we relate to is what gets and keeps us sober. Tricia believes that you don’t even have to identify as an alcoholic to question your relationship with alcohol. By sharing stories on her podcast, Recovery Happy Hour every Tuesday, her hope is that  you’ll hear these stories and realize that you can choose to live whatever kind of life you want and if alcohol is making your life worse, it’s ok to decide to stop.    In our conversation, we explore how to overcome FOMO through addiction recovery, how to live our best lives, and recognizing the things in life that bring us the most joy. Remember that life doesn't end after you break up with alcohol.  There is life beyond the bottle and it's a life worth living.       Topics Discussed:   Overcoming FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and living our best lives   Being addicted to controlling every aspect of our lives Making the decision to choose sober living  The importance of accountability throughout recovery Reevaluating the way you view addiction without the pressure of being an “addict” The bigger issue(s) behind the bottle & recognizing why we drink  Connect with Tricia Lewis: Website: https://www.recoveryhappyhour.com    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryhappyhour/    Listen to the Recovery Happy Hour Podcast! -  https://recoveryhappyhour.libsyn.com  Connect with Positive Recovery MD Podcast Website: https://www.positiverecoverymd.com  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/577870242872032  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcDF1gjlYch4V4iBbCgZg Connect with Positive Recovery Centers Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiverecoverycenters/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PositiveRecoveryCenters/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positiverecoverycenters/   Contact Positive Recovery Centers:If you or someone you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule an assessment. We are here to help. Call: 877-476-2743 Address: 902 West Alabama Street Houston, Texas 77006 Website: https://positiverecovery.com  Services: https://positiverecovery.com/services/  FAQ: https://positiverecovery.com/faq/  --- About Positive Recovery MD Podcast: The Positive Recovery MD podcast is hosted by Dr. Jason Powers, Addiction Medicine Specialist, and creator of Positive Recovery.    This podcast will not only inspire and motivate its listeners, it will provide the tools and foundation needed to thrive and flourish on their addiction recovery journey. Each week the Positive Recovery MD podcast community will come together to have authentic conversations around addiction, recovery and what matters – growth & progress, not perfection, all while developing positive habits for your life.    To join the community, visit https://www.positiverecoverymd.com to sign up to receive the daily Positive Intervention that we’ll review, as well as gain access to EXCLUSIVE Positive Recovery content available only to Positive Recovery MD listeners. About Positive Recovery Centers: Positive Recovery Centers is a strengths-based addiction treatment program with locations across Texas. We offer a full continuum of care, from medical detox to sober living all supported by an ever-growing alumni community network.    Our evidence-based curriculum blends the best of the old with the new, all supporting our mission: that Recovery is best pursued when meaningful, intentional positive habits are formed through empowerment and resilience instead of negativity and shame.   What is Positive Recovery?Empathy and compassion drive our mission. Positive Recovery uses strengths as a pathway to help others flourish in recovery, at work, and at home. This is our core purpose, our “why.” We creatively apply science in order to improve outcomes. Positive Recovery is not wishful thinking, it is not a magic pill, and it is not self-help.    Positive Recovery is an evidence-based addiction curriculum that links the best of the old with the new, integrating existing effective approaches to treatment with interventions that enhance well-being by cultivating its components: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement.

Listen as Tricia shares her story and some other helpful sobriety tools!

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Topic: Tricia Answers Your Questions  Episode Sponsored by:  Better Help Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Recovery Happy Hour Resources   Insight Timer  Episode 112- Forgiving Yourself   Episode 48- The Sugar Episode   Episode 119- Healing Your Body After Recovery with Bryan Bradford  Episode 19 on Gray Area Drinking Episode 49 on Gray Area Drinking  

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Sober Creativity Interview: Julia Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 1-800-808-4317 Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Kintsuji Julia's Art

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Tricia Answers Your Questions Interview: Amy Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 1-800-808-4317 Links: “The Feminine Face of God” Women For Sobriety “Sober for Good” by Anne Fletcher SMART recovery Dialectical Behavior Therapy Healthy at Every Size Christie Harrison- Intuitive Eating

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Emotional Sobriety Interview: Henry Episode Sponsored by: Better Help  Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com http://runningwithoutthedevil.com/ Henry's Facebook Page Henry's IG Page Running Without the Devil on Facebook  Running Without the Devil on IG

Why does alcohol seem so important to you, even when it doesn’t add any real value or meaning to your life?The experiences you are having are happening with or without alcohol, so what’s the deal?From the day we are born, we experience trauma. We are set to become "socialized", told we need to be different than how we would naturally act. Some of this to protect our lives, some of it to preserve the power over model. Alcohol is a way to numb what already feels so disconnected. Who you ARE and who you think you are "suppose" to be. Alcohol will never be what you want it to be. It is a temporary illusion. The real solution lives inside of becoming more of you, without apology. What you will take away from this episode:-How to see alcohol as neutral and choose on purpose from the place of nonjudgmental awareness.-Ways to add more meaning and value to your life.-how to override the narrative of the habit, that alcohol is important.-how to shift from the persecutive that life is happening to you, rather life is HAPPENING AS YOU.-rise above the noise that alcohol is a problem that needs to be solved.-how to process grieving the part of you that is attached to creating meaning out of alcohol.If you are ready to stop waiting for change and ready to make it happen: Schedule a complimentary alignment session HERE. Thank you for heading to Apple Podcast To Drop a 5 Star Review and What You LOVE about the show! Your presence means so much to me.

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Interview: Shelby Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 1-800-808-4317 Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com www.shelbyjohncoaching.com Shelby's Facebook Group- Sober Confident Women

When you are examining your relationship to alcohol, it's important to stay open to what works for you, what resonates with you deeply. As my guest today, Tricia Lewis, of Recovery Happy Hour explains, as you grow from alcohol, the way you show up to your life and recovery will too. Don't get stuck in a box. Tricia shares with us her story of perfectionism and having to detox from alcohol when she could no longer get away with being a functioning at the rate she was going. She discovered that you could be addicted to alcohol and look normal on the outside. As she explored various modalities of recovery, the one thing she knew she needed and didn't want to loose, was community after being in the service industry for so many years. She created the amazing podcast, Recovery Happy Hour, to support those on the journey of recovery and share the diversity of stories and ways to seek support so all people can find a way to connect and know they are never alone on this road. Thank you Tricia! Recovery Happy Hour IGRecovery Happy Hour SpotifyIf you are ready for support NOW, with high level, 1:1 coaching. Schedule a complimentary alignment session HEREThank you for heading to Apple Podcast To Drop a 5 Star Review and What You LOVE about the show! Your presence means so much to me.

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Marriage and Drinking Interview: John Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 1-800-808-4317 Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com The Power of Habit- Charles Duhigg Smart Recovery Recovery Elevator Podcast Armchair Expert Podcast w/ Dax Shepherd 

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: The Science of Journaling Interview: Michelle Smith Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 1-800-808-4317 Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com 83 Benefits to Journaling Tropicana OJ "Take a Mimoment" Campaign Press Release Tropicana OJ Apology www.recoveryisthenewblack.com Recovery is the New Black on Instagram Recovery is the New Black on FB Recovery is the New Black Women's FB Group www.sobermomsquad.com  Sober Mom Squad Private Moms FB Group Sober Mom Squad on Instagram

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: People Pleasing, Revisited Interview: Jeremy Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Signs You're a People Pleaser This Naked Mind Alcohol Explained Alcohol Explained Facebook Group Reddit Stop Drinking  

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Healing Your Body After Alcohol Interview: Bryan Bradford Episode Sponsored by: Better Help Links: https://www.recoveryhappyhour.com/ Sunflower Shoppe Find the supplements from today's episode here Listen to the Healthy Approach Podcast

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: It's a Wonderful Life Interview: Gigi Episode Sponsored by: Better Help Links: "50 Ways to Worry Less Now" by Gigi Langer Gigi Langer's Website Gigi on Facebook Gigi on YouTube Gigi on Instagram A Course in Miracles The Golden Key ACOA Tapping Cranial Sacrum Healing Radical Forgiveness The Power of Now When Things Fall Apart  

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Look at the Data & Not the Failure Interview: Mary Wagstaff Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 844-759-1188 Links: www.marywagstaffcoach.com   Stop Drinking & Start Living Podcast   Schedule at call for a free mini training to learn how to overcome any urge or craving in 3 easy steps   Instagram: @marywagstaffcoaching

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Cocktails & Yoga? Interview: Trish Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 844-759-1188 Links Mentioned: https://www.recoveryhappyhour.com/ Trish on Instagram Trish's Blog Trish Yoga on Facebook This Naked Mind

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Brown Paper Bag vs. Yeti Interview: Manon Mathews Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 844-759-1188 Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com The Brown Paper Bag/ Yeti post on Instagram Manon Mathews on Instagram Manon Mathews on TikTok Manonfestation on Instagram Buy "Funny How it Works Out" on Amazon Serious Butt Funny Podcast 

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Sober Holiday Survival Pt. 2 Interview: Michelle Episode Sponsored by: Recovery Centers of America 844-759-1188

Jamie took her last drink April 16, 2019. With 485 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).   Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You   She is currently re-reading The Compound Effect. The general idea is that baby steps add up into large rewards. Change is hard. Gaining momentum on a decision is hard. This applies to our alcohol-free journey: turning down drinks, one at a time. Once we reframe the idea of this being a sacrifice and think of it as an opportunity instead, the trajectory changes. We must think of all the things we can add into our lives without alcohol. Odette makes a list of the things she has room for in her life now. Why don’t you make one too?   [7:00] Odette introduces Jamie   Jamie is 35 years old and lives on Long Island, NY. Her immediate family lives close and she lives with her 2 black cats. Jamie is a social worker. For fun she likes to run, go kayaking, reading, cooking and hanging out with friends. Being in nature is the best, it’s where she finds her higher power.   [9:57] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?   Jamie said she started drinking at the end of high school. In college her drinking seemed normal. She found there were hills and valleys with her drinking. When Jamie lost her mother at the age of 22 she remembers she was in a club in Greece and she identifies the synergy with that happening. The last 3-4 years her drinking escalated. She was blacking out and making poor choices. Looking back she can see the pattern of co-dependency.     [12:57] Did you notice after your mother passed that you used alcohol to deal with your grief?   Jamie said at first, she was so busy taking care of her father and making sure he was ok that alcohol was a secondary thought. But once she had some time away and time with her own feelings, she could see she was using alcohol the same as her mother, to numb down any emotions.     [18:05] Tell me about the first couple weeks of your journey?   Jamie said this was really the first time she honestly tried to get stop drinking. She had been living on the river of denial before this. Growing up her family didn’t express feelings, they drank or got angry. So, the first few weeks were new. She started a 12-step program and therapy. Jamie only knew 2 sober people at the time and she spoke to them a lot.   [23:49] What did you do initially when you had a craving?   Jamie said she didn’t really have a craving for the drink, but it was an emotional craving instead. She used a new found self-awareness to explore the feelings. She would pause and ask herself some questions about why she was feeling that way.       [28:18] After making the decision to not drinking, did you talk to your friends and family about it?   Jamie said she told people very quickly. She said the safe sentence “I’m not drinking right now”. After about a month, she started to see how this could be a lifestyle for her. 5-6 months in she began to share very openly on social media.     [30:48] What’s been the hardest part of this journey for you?   Jamie said feeling her feelings and not fighting them. Allowing the feelings to just be there.      [34:27] What’s your morning routine?   Wakes up at 6am, feeds cats, reads and then moves her body. For the last 81 days (at the time of recording) Jamie has been running every morning. New Fashioned Sobriety and their Zero Proof Run Club hosted and a streaker challenge that she completed. Initially it was 41 days, which she completed. And now her pledge to herself is to move her body daily. She also makes sure to meditate daily.     [37:01] Did you used to have a witching hour?   Jamie said right after work, 5-7pm when before she would be at happy hour and now she fills the time with new routines. A fun mocktail, some tea, go for a walk, walk with a friend.     [40:13] Rapid Fire Round    What are you excited about right now?   Have her first sober healthy relationship.   What books are you reading right now?   Good Morning, Destroyer of Men's Souls: A Memoir of Women, Addiction, and Love   What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had in this journey?   I can do almost anything sober that I did drunk.   If you could talk to day 1 Jamie, what would you say?   Jamie you are a warrior, you are a force you have no idea what this is going to bring you. You can be a light for other people.   What is your favorite ice cream flavor?   Anything with chocolate or peanut butter in it and even together!   What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?   Café RE, Podcasts- Recovery Elevator, Recovery Happy Hour, Seltzer Squad, yoga, walking, running, kayaking and This Naked Mind and Sober Curious.   What parting piece of guidance can you give people thinking about ditching the booze?   You are a brave, gentle soul and I applaud you. I wish you so much fun on your journey. It’s about taking that pain and making it fun. Tell somebody.     You may have to say adios to booze...    You drank so much while living in your parents basement and you couldn’t make it upstairs to the bathroom, so you throw up in the washing machine.    Odette’s weekly challenge:   Think about your AF journey. How much have you been trying to hold onto things you think this journey will take from you? Is that realistic? Make a shift, start thinking about what you want to set out of this. About what you want to add to your life? Open your eyes, beauty is all around us. Choose you, stay sober, you’re also subscribing to abundance.    Upcoming events, retreats and courses: You can find more information about our events here.     Affiliate Link for Endourage: For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout.    Affiliate Link for Amazon: Shop via Amazon using this link.   The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!     Resources:  Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee. Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here! Sobriety Tracker iTunes  Sobriety Tracker Android  Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to  -info@recoveryelevator.com   “Recovery Elevator – The birds are singing and when we are sober, we can actually hear them – I love you guys.”

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in the culture of recovery and sobriety. Introduction: Sober Holiday Survival Pt. 1 Interview: Dr. Jason Powers Episode Sponsored by: Better Help Links Mentioned: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Positive Recovery MD Podcast Positive Recovery Website

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in sober culture. Introduction: Forgiving Yourself Interview: Mitchell  Episode Sponsored by: Better Help Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Sober. by Mitchell Canfield Mitchell on IG Brene Brown's Unlocking Us Podcast- Burnout Dharmapunx NYC Justin Michael Williams on Insight Timer Curable App  

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in sober culture. Introduction: Darkness Rising, Instagram Live, and General Podcast Housekeeping Interview: Cynthia Links: https://www.recoveryhappyhour.com/ Darkness Rising Getting Your Sh*t Together Podcast Cynthia on Instagram "Self Compassion" by Kristin Neff "Boundaries" by Dr. Henry Cloud "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brene Brown "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk  

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in sober culture. Introduction: Harm Reduction, Revisited Interview: James Links: https://www.recoveryhappyhour.com/ Recovery Elevator https://www.halcyonhealth.co/ https://www.cardamonecoaching.com/

DeeDee took her last drink May 5, 2020. With 91 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).   This weekend is Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is FREE for Café RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.   Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You…..   After watching the Social Dilemma on Netflix Odette has some thoughts about social media and its place in our lives. She wants us to continue to protect our energy and set boundaries.   Talk about it. Uninstall apps, unfollow people, unsubscribe from emails. Turn off notifications. Look for chrome extensions that removed clickbait. Fact check yourself. Delay giving devices to children. Try to have devices out of your bedroom.   [11:37] Odette introduces DeeDee.   DeeDee lives in Santa Barbara, California and is 29 years old. She lives with her finance and their 2 dogs. For work, DeeDee is the Director of Development for a non-profit. For fun she’s trying to figure that out still, but recently she’s begun crafting again and making candles.   [15:50] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?   DeeDee grew up being aware of alcohol because alcoholism runs in her family. Her father got sober 14 years ago. She didn’t drink a lot in high school. When she turned 21, she drank to fit in, but even then, didn’t really like alcohol. In the beginning of 2013, she noticed that she drew a correlation between being loved and being intoxicated. Her partner at the time only expressed love when he was drunk. In 2017 DeeDee realized she was drinking alone. In 2018/2019 she dabbled in sobriety for short periods of time. She got engaged in late 2019 and they used that excuse for more drinking to “celebrate”.   [22:11] Did you ever connect the dots of alcohol being a problem in your family and your own drinking?   DeeDee said she was in denial for a lot of it. She didn’t know a lot of women who had problems with alcohol, so she rationalized that it was only the men in her family who had a problem.   [23:38] Did you and your finance decide together to quit drinking?   DeeDee said they came to the conclusion of quitting drinking on their own, but also at the same time. During early sobriety they both experienced different things and she has learned how to set different expectations based on their own individual experiences.   [26:28] Tell me about the last 90 days.   DeeDee said in the beginning she was very focused on how to live a sober life and what that was going to look like for her. She was seeing changes in her thought patterns. DeeDee focused on finding out why she is the way she is. After a month or so, she began to try and find balance in her life and her recovery.   [31:17] How did the conversation go with your father when you told him you weren’t drinking?   DeeDee said it happened on May 5th 2020. He’s been incredibly supportive. The conversation was very matter of fact and easy for her. Both her parents were there, and they met her with understanding.   [32:52] What do you do when you get a craving?   DeeDee said she has more emotional cravings then physical cravings. Seeing people with a glass of wine on a patio on a Friday afternoon makes her want that feeling, not the wine. That connection and relaxation is what she’s looking for. Now she plays the tape forward, knowing that it will not ever just be one glass of wine. Instead now she chooses a different action, be it a walk or a podcast or ice cream.   [36:47] What’s your favorite AF drink now?   DeeDee said sparkling water and also making a fun mocktails.   [38:54] What you been able to identify any emotional triggers?   DeeDee said she’s learned that she has emotional triggers when she’s feeling had a difficult day or moment. She wants to sit on the couch and feel like the alcohol is helping her unwind. Leaning her emotions are temporary has been huge.   [41:46] Have you gotten any pushback from people?   DeeDee said she started posting on an Instagram account she had that was mostly filled with followers she didn’t know in real life. It was easier for her to open up and share, giving her confidence to move onto people in her real life. It was liberating when she decided to post on her “real” account where she was followed by people in her real life. She received awesome feedback and responses.   [45:57] Rapid Fire Round    If you could talk to day 1 DeeDee what would you say?   In this moment, exactly where you are, you are enough.   What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had in this journey?   The opposite of addiction is connection and how true this statement is.   What are you excited about right now?   Getting married and starting a life together and doing it without booze.   What is your favorite ice cream flavour?   Chocolate chip cookie dough   What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?   Recovery Elevator podcast, Recovery Happy Hour podcast, AA meetings, therapy.   You may have to say adios to booze...    If the first time you’ve ever been honest with a doctor about the amount your drinking AFTER you decided to stop.   Odette’s challenge this week:   Take inventory of the relationship you have with your smart phone. Be honest. Make a small list of boundaries you can put in place. Baby steps add up and came impact change.   Affiliate Link for Endourage: For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout.    Affiliate Link for Amazon: Shop via Amazon using this link.   Upcoming events, retreats and courses: Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is FREE for Café RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee. Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/10/20. It’s FREE for Café RE members. Not a Café Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee. You can find more information about our events here.     The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!     Resources:  Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee. Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here! Sobriety Tracker iTunes  Sobriety Tracker Android  Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to  -info@recoveryelevator.com   “Recovery Elevator – “Turn those f’ing notifications off, life’s too short to be looking down at your phone all the time – I love you guys”

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in sober culture. Introduction: Pain into Purpose Interview: Connie  Episode Sponsored by: Better Help Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com Connie McMillan's Website Connie on Instagram

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in sober culture. Introduction: You Can't Drink Something Fun Interview: Khadi from Sober Black Girls Club Links: https://www.recoveryhappyhour.com/ https://www.soberblackgirlsclub.com/ This Naked Mind by Annie Grace SBGC on Facebook   SBGC on Twitter   SBGC on Instagram   Email Address: hello@soberblackgirlsclub.com   CashApp: $SoberBlackGirlsClub   Donate to DBGC Medical Fund on PayPal here

Recovery Happy Hour celebrates inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray area alcohol abuse.  Hosted by Tricia Lewis, we look at life beyond the bottle and what's current in sober culture. Introduction: White People Go to Rehab, Black People Go to Jail Interview: Amy Dresner Links: www.recoveryhappyhour.com "White People Go to Rehab, Black People Go to Jail" www.AmyDresner.com Buy My Fair Junkie Rehab Confidential Podcast Amy on Instagram Rehab Confidential on Instagram