A is for Alcoholic

Who am I? What is a personality? Is it simply a collection of memories and habit? Is this just my current avatar? Who knows? We are all changing and growing. Sometimes that growth is toward something or with someone. Other times our growth can shift us away from people and things. Change is the only constant. Acceptance is the only cure. Thanks for listening!!! Today we discuss how to deal with Ot...

Today we discuss how to deal with Other People's Problems. We can see resentments or we can see service and sometimes we need to just leave well enough alone. Thanks for listening! Original City Apothecary Newsletter: https://originalcityapothecary.com/blogs/news/the-dispatch-has-taken-flight CUT THE SHT apparel: https://teespring.com/cut-the-sht?pid=793&cid=103538 music: https://neglect.bandcamp....

Today we discuss Judith Grisel's book 'Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction'. What a book. If you enjoy understanding how your brain works especially around addiction then pick it up. Our favorite quote: "Recovery is a process of expansion not restriction". This and so much more. Highly suggest this read. Thanks for listening. Never Enough: https://bookshop.org/books/never-en...

Today we discuss the many layers and complexities of our alcoholism but more so about simply being human. There is so much going on right now in the world it could drive a person to drink. We also discuss our inner thoughts on Capitalism, healthcare and maintenance as they relate to our alcoholism. Jerry also gives us the caloric break down of marshmallows. Thanks for listening! Original City Apot...

Today we discuss the many paths to sobriety and to simply living a better life. We cannot hang our well being and recovery on any one person or thing but rather need to build ourselves and our own programs up to weather the many problems we will face both in alcoholism and in life. Thanks for listening!!! music: https://neglect.bandcamp.com/releases Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AIFA Website: h...

Tiffany is awesome! We talked about her time working on boats and the drinking habits of those that do. We talked about recovery and running which was a really treat but the big take away for me was the phrase "non negotiables". Whether in recovery, fitness, business or personal we need to define our non negotiables to achieve our goals. What a great talk. You can find hher at @onlyforwardprogress...

Today we are joined by our good friend Coda once again. We discuss how our perspectives have changed in recovery and what we have learned about ourselves. We also discuss how alcoholism is not a binary thing for some folks. The spectrum is vast. Some people can continue to drink with immunity it seems while others simply have to swear it off for good. I like to believe there is room for everyone i...

Today we dive into the musical psyche of John's alcoholism and sobriety with a Spotify playlist. Some sad, some joyful, all of them revolve around alcohol and his path to sobriety (at least in John's mind). Link to playlist below. Thanks for listening! John's Sobriety Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WOM5lnAs59U9fCXW7Wiyj?si=3vDOcsOqQaya6bd4cdZ9Ig music: https://neglect.bandcamp.com/re...

In active alcoholism we are so quick to blame our families, friends, the world, God and any number of things for our woes. It is not until we begin to take responsibility for our actions that we can begin to repair the damage we have done. Even in sobriety there is plenty to be outwardly outraged about but rarely are we able to find any peace without looking at our part in our own resentments. Tha...

Among a great many other things Chrissie Rivers runs Black Recovery Matters which "creates a space for Black people to connect with other Black people in recovery." She talked about the "frustration of being the only in a place intended for all." We talked about rehab, relapse, recovery and inclusion. It is so important to my recovery to listen to the stories and experiences of people I relate to...

There are so many ways to approach sobriety and recovery and thank God or other atheistic belief system you subscribe to. Some of these approaches can seem at odds with each other but we at AIFA believe that there is an approach for everyone. We don't need to feel defensive about works for us simply secure that it is working. Recovery can be confusing and difficult and options should be explored b...

Today I spoke with Julia K. She is a comedian, writer and actress. Online she goes by the name Rehab Girlfriend where she talks honestly about her struggle with addiction and touches on the dark humor therein. We had a great conversation on rehab, relapse, and recovery. It was a lot of fun. I know you are going to enjoy it. Thanks for listening! IG: https://www.instagram.com/rehabgirlfriend/ Tik T...

Today we go over some of the more painful parts of 2020 and look for the gifts. That pesky old changing of the perspective thing again. Tragedy without growth is just pointless suffering. We do our best with this gratitude list from one hell of a year. Thanks for listening! Our sponsors: Green Camel Press: http://greencamelpress.com A design firm with an old school aesthetic in a digital age. Go c...

Today I speak with Hayley from D.C. Getting sober in this strange and intense time is no easy feat especially in our nation's capital. Hayley is new to recovery but is fully committed. Her excitement is inspiring and her willingness reminds me what is needed to get passed the road blocks in my own recovery. Thanks for listening!!! music: https://neglect.bandcamp.com/releases Patreon: https://www.p...

It feels like a default setting in our alcoholic minds to zoom in and hyper focus. Hell we are even taught to "be present". And although this is important to manage the worry and anxiety we can forget to zoom out. 2020 has dealt us a multitude of crises both big and small, both collective and deeply personal. Looking back we can see patterns. We can see our slumps and ascensions. Reflecting on the...

Drugs. Bad, good and ugly. Ultimately it comes down to purpose and intention. Some of us need to stay away from even the slightest mood enhancing drugs while others incorporate psychedelics into our sobriety. If it helps you live a happier and healthier life then more power to you. That being said, cocaine is PROBABLY always gonna be the wrong choice. Thanks for listening. Our sponsors: Green Came...

As alcoholics we often have leftover feeling of worthlessness or loud voices imposing limitations on us. The habits that come with these thoughts can be hard to shake. But with time and intent we can let them go. We also talk about the self will run riot we have seen in this weeks historic events and doing our best to let go of resentments. Thanks for listening!!! Our sponsors: Green Camel Press:...

This time of reflections and fresh starts can be a springboard to new habits. As Jerry puts it I am coming out of a fitness relapse or slump. Although we spend a lot of time talking about food and fitness the same can be said for alcohol. Whether it is Dry January or wanting to run further a certain amount of objective self inventory needs to be taken and course corrections made. We can get where...

Happy New Year! We hope it finds you all well. If you listen regularly you know Jerry is back in AZ. We talk about the trip and adjusting to a new life. We also discuss growing out of and wanting more from your recovery. Thanks for listening!!! Our sponsors: Green Camel Press: http://greencamelpress.com A design firm with an old school aesthetic in a digital age. Go check em out! Really!!! Gluten...

Jerry is off this week doing a cross country move in the middle of a global pandemic. I am flying solo today. Just some thoughts about 2020, learning to recognize my triggers and implement the tools I have learned in recovery. It has been a hell of a year full of lessons and blessings. Merry Christmas everyone. ---John Our sponsors: Green Camel Press: http://greencamelpress.com A design firm with...

Today we talk about Christmas. It is a VERY different one for all of us this year but there are still pitfalls and perils for every recovering alcoholic out there. Mainly set your boundaries with the ones you love and if you feel isolation creeping in please reach out to a friend. Be safe out there and take care of yourselves. And don't forget to smell the egg nog before you drink it! Thanks for l...

Today we discuss being sober in this waking nightmare of a pandemic wrought with fear, anxiety and uncertainty. We also think that maybe things ain't that bad and perhaps there is some value in looking ahead and zooming out. Seeking joy and creating it when none exists. Also John has gout and Jerry is in the middle of a cross country move. There is plenty to complain about but maybe that isn't the...

We Alcoholics have a tremendous amount of strength. Whether it is the self inflicted hardships and heartaches or hangovers and headaches we have put ourselves through a lot. Some of the skills we have developed whilst drinking are transferable. Most of them need to be thrown in the trash as we learn knew ways of living and find resources and tap inner strengths we never knew we had. It is a hard r...

Today we discuss how our values have been shaped by drinking and sobriety. Often the resentments that lead us to drink and the subsequent behaviors are a direct violation of those values that lead to the shame and guilt that start the whole process over. We learn, we grow, we falter and we course correct to stay on a path that aligns with what we know to be right in life and recovery. We do our be...

Today we talk about self-inflicted pain. Whether through drinking, thinking or any number of ways we alcoholics punish ourselves needlessly. We also discuss some of the tools we use to usage that pain. One big one was writing goodbye or break up letters with alcohol. One of our listeners, Vinny G. sent us his in the form of a song. We couldn't be more honored. It takes a lot of guts to be vulnerab...