Sober Gratitudes

On Today's episode, we have award winning author, Gigi Langer, to discuss her second book, Love More Now; Facing Life's Challenges with an Open Heart." As it states on the backcover of her book, Gigi "illustrates how she overcame alcoholism, codependency, and trauma to discover the love at her center." She "shows you how to become a loving, open-hearted person (with firm boundaries). Langer holds a PhD from Standford University and has been sober for 37 years." It was a pleasure to have her back again to talk about her second book where you can "learn how to dissolve the negative beliefs restricting love for yourself and others." Jean McCarthy of "The Bubble Hour" Podcast says that Gigi "lays out a framework for change that is insightful and useful, without being prescriptive or overbearing." She first visited us in Season 1 Episode 10 ( https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/mtTxpPHYoyb ) where we learn about her own personal experiences with alcoholism and sex addiction. To purchase her book, visit gigilanger.com Blog - GIGI LANGER Love More Now: Facing Life's Challenges with an Open Heart: Langer PhD, Gigi: 9780999122051: Amazon.com: Books Amazon.com: 50 Ways to Worry Less Now: Reject Negative Thinking to Find Peace, Clarity, and Connection (Audible Audio Edition): Gigi Langer PhD, Robin Waters, Possum Hill Press: Audible Books & Originals If you feel you are in crisis, please dial 911 or go to Lifeline (988lifeline.org) If you would like to connect with me, email me at sobergratitudes@gmail.com I would love to hear from you. Warmly, Sarah

On today's episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Lisa Avelleyra, author of her first book, a memoir called "Get me to the Abbey."  ~~~~~~~~ Hi everyone and welcome to Sober Gratitudes! My name is Sarah and I am the creator and host of this podcast. I drank for over 20 years of my life and now have been sober for over 10 years. Because I am having an amazing life in sobriety, I decided to dedicate myself to helping others recover, and to share on this podcast, how you too, can recover and live a life of freedom, no longer enslaved to alcohol. For me, sobriety has created a life that is free of constant drama, chaos, conflict and turned it into a life that is calmer, more relaxed and peaceful. I couldn’t be more grateful that you decided to tune in today for an inspiring interview with, Lisa Avelleyra, Sober 6 years tomorrow as a matter of fact! Lisa is a gifted writer & now, author of her first book, “Get Me To the Abbey,” a memoir about her life in active alcoholism and getting sober at The Abbey, an addiction and treatment center located in Bettendorf, Iowa.  The Abbey Addiction Treatment Center - Drug And Alcohol Rehab, Drug Rehab Programs, inpatient Alcohol Rehab (theabbeycenter.com) Lisa is a true miracle. Found nearly dead on her kitchen floor from alcoholism, today she is happily sober in part to her month long stay at The Abbey and because of the connections she made there. I had the opportunity to read her memoir prior to our conversation and I was hooked at first sentence.  If you have not read her memoir, you will no doubt want to after you listen to this compelling interview.  Don’t worry, there are no spoilers! Please visit her to buy her book at Get Me to The Abbey - Lisa Avelleyra https://www.facebook.com/TheAbbey2017 https://www.instagram.com/getmetotheabbey/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you are in crisis, please reach out for help and dial 911 if you are in the United States for immediate care.  You can also get help through Global Services:  SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration The crisis hotline at Samhsa is Lifeline (988lifeline.org) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is so much to be grateful for when we get sober and stay stopped. If you like what you heard in this interview, please be sure to share this episode and subscribe to my podcast. Also, there are 3 years of interviews with other recovered alcholics on Sober Gratitudes that compliment my bonus series “A Daily dose of Hope.”  When you subscribe, it helps my podcast reach more people who are in crisis and need to know that there is a solution to active alcoholism.  I appreciate your help! I never believed it was possible, but it’s true: A happy life in sobriety is possible, if you are willing to accept help and commit to recovery. I finally believed I was worth it, and you are too. Love, Sarah

Trigger warning: Sexual assault is briefly mentioned early in the interview. Please be advised.  My friend, who was one of the recovered alcoholics who guided me through the 12 Steps & who we will call, "Mrs. Jones," shares about her experiences drinking, getting sober and today, a recovered alcoholic. She explains some misconceptions and some confusions about Alcoholism, AA and The Big Book through her own experience.  Her Cat , ‘Netty’ will often chime in during the interview. 😆 Some examples of what you will hear: ~Triggers - "dangerously underestimates what it means to have an alcoholic mind... " ~"Mrs. Jones."  ~What it means to be recovered (vs. recovering) ~If reason and logic keep her away from the first drink.   Listen to hear more.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Your life matters. If you feel you are at risk of self-harm, please click this link Lifeline (988lifeline.org) or call 911 for immediate help. If you would like to be connected with “Mrs. Jones” or myself, please email me at sobergratitudes@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This podcast discusses how a life with out drinking is possible, and how life on the other side of addiction is satisfying, fulfill and better. If you feel these areas of discussion would add value to your life, please subscribe to Sober Gratitudes Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Hello everyone!  Welcome to Season 4 with a very special guest.  Email me at sobergratitudes@gmail.com and I will write you back!

In this episode, my guest shares about suicide attempts. Please be advised before listening. If you need help, call 911.  _____________________________________________________________________ Hello Sober Gratitudes Community! I am so excited to have Tim, from Lodgen_Tim (@tlodgen) • Instagram photos and videos , on the show today. Tim drank for 27 years and finally accepted help and now lives a satisfying, peaceful and balanced life. If you are searching to hear hope and inspiration in sobriety, you will absolutely get all that and more here, with Tim. You will wish the episode was longer. I guarantee.  If you are struggling, reach out and accept help. There is no shame in admitting defeat. An amazing life after addiction/alcoholism is absolutely possible, if you truly want it.  ______________________________________________________________ email me at sobergratitudes@gmail.com   Sober Gratitudes Podcast (@sober_gratitudes_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos   Subscribe to my podcast here: @sobergratitudespodcast | Linktree    visit my Instagram account at Sober Gratitudes Podcast (@sober_gratitudes_podcast) •  Instagram photos and videos or   visit my website at Recovery Podcast | Sober Gratitudes | United States      ________________________________________________________________  Let's recovery together!!  It's so much easier getting and staying sober together.  Please join our community of amazing people, here, at Sober Gratitudes!  Until next time, I hope your day is exactly as it's meant to be.     Peace, Sarah

Today we get to hear from Laurie from Laur's World - YouTube  We discuss how addiction does not age discriminate & and healing in relationships because she got sober.  Subscribe to my podcast here: @sobergratitudespodcast | Linktree email me at sobergratitudes@gmail.com  visit my instagram account at Sober Gratitudes Podcast (@sober_gratitudes_podcast) •  Instagram photos and videos or visit my website at Recovery Podcast | Sober Gratitudes | United States     Let's recovery together!!    Until next time, I hope your day is exactly as it's meant to be.     Peace, Sarah

Trigger warning: details of sex abuse, grooming & suicide are discussed in the following episode . Please be advised . Mike from Silenced By Stigma shares details of his victimization as a youngster by an older woman & how he found recovery from both addiction & trauma. He is a fierce advocate for speaking out about ending stigmas. Please follow him @silencedbystigma on Instagram. If you are in danger and want to harm yourself , please call 911 or a crisis hotline RAINN at 800.656.HOPE , or call your doctor or any type of professional or referral , friend or family that can help & support you . THERE IS A SOLUTION!! THERE IS HOPE! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE! REACH OUT!

Trigger Warning: Please be advised that for the remainder of Season 3, my guests will share their experiences of sexual trauma and addiction. All will share how their lives improved when they uncovered the secrets of sexual trauma and became willing to do the work to heal.  In this episode, my dear friend, Forrest, shares how his honesty about his experience's have helped many people because it gives others the strength to open up having learned that they are not alone.  Forrest is a huge presence in the world of social media when it comes to both addiction and sex abuse. He is here to help anyone! He WANTS to help YOU!  You can reach him at Forrest Ferguson (@sober_texas) • Instagram photos and videos or his direct phone number 512-925-3469.

Kicking off Season 3 with the truth about how I healed from the inside out. How I am in a recovered state & relieved of the bondage of self. In my experience, True Sobriety is an inside job.  Disclaimer: Sober Gratitudes, its host and guests do not represent or promote any form of recovery.

My Labor Day weekend kicked off with getting progressive glasses for my aging sober eyes.  Holiday weekends and staying sober in early sobriety can suck. But it doesn't have to.  I'm so glad you are here. Let's hang out this weekend. Let me know and we'll zoom.  Email: sobergratitudes@gmail.com Instagram @sober_gratitudes_podcast

In today's episode, I share about how I learned that feeling sadness is ok and that holding onto those feelings negatively impacts people around me. Essentially, I become irritable, distant, and bitchy with others.  I am grateful I can honor my feelings and calmly share with my loved ones how I am feeling with out hurting them in the process.  What feelings are you holding onto today?  You don’t have to do this alone. Email me at sobergratitudes@gmail.com

I decided to share some thoughts on this saturday night- August 21, 9 years and 1 day sober - about how getting sober can have a huge impact on a marriage/romantic relationships.

Mike from @faithfullysober shares how bad it got in his alcoholism and brings us to present day and how he a completely changed man. All because he did MORE than put down the bottle. He allowed himself to dig beneath the service to identify the “why” layered under his drinking , his attitudes and behaviors.

My youngest son has autism. He is delayed in many areas of development but one thing we know for sure is that he embodies the ability to be genuinely friendly. He demonstrates how to be selfless while interacting with others. He gives unconditionally- with out any expectations of getting anything back (except that he is asked when his birthday is!) This morning he reminded me it is friendship day and he couldn’t be more excited to call people to wish them a Happy Friendship Day . This is one of the many reasons why I adore my son. So, of course, because of this, I decided to change the topic I was originally planning to discuss today and instead discuss Friendships in sobriety! How could I not ? This episode is dedicated to my beautiful boy, Cameron . DISCLAIMER: Sober Gratitudes Podcast does not represent or promote any forms of recovery . When my guests and I share about what keeps us sober , we are referring to our own unique experiences with the understanding and respect that many forms of recovery exist.

I began to heal from my alcoholism when I stopped fighting everyone and everything, including myself.  The battle became too exhausting; I needed to surrender to what I or not any other human power could not control .

A month before I celebrated 1 year sober, I started to feel very strange. My emotions were all over the place, I was moody, irritable and felt confused by this. Someone told me that this was a normal feeling before a sober anniversary, especially the first one. I discuss why that is the case and how now, as I approach 9 years sober on August 20th, my feelings about that has changed and why.  Please reach out. I'm here to help. DM me on Instagram, or Email me at: sobergratitudes@gmail.com

Chris, my friend and a retired police officer shares how letting go and asking for help saved his life from active alcoholism.

The moment I knew for sure that my sobriety was positively impacting my relationship with my son.

Today I share about how my life was not only saved because I stopped trying to control my drinking , but how I stopped trying to contour people and situations around me.

Daniele, my dear friend from IG account @lifeonthefoxstrum, got sober when a friend voiced concerns about her drinking. Since that day, she has not looked back and I have had the pleasure of becoming close friends with her myself! Daniele and I met because she listened to an episode I was in on podcast called Adventures In Autism with Megan Carranza. I spoke mostly about being an autism mom but I briefly mentioned at the end of the episode how grateful I was to have gotten sober as it made me a more present mother. Daniele identified and then joined a zoom group I started that meets every Tuesday called Sober Autism Parent Community and you can find out more about this unique group on Instagram. On this episode Daniele shares about how getting sober has changed her life in many positive ways and how she is so grateful she can be a more present mom to her 3 year old son Xander, who is on the Autism Spectrum.