Addiction Unlimited Podcast

Does recovery give you a framework to follow to build a happy and fulfilled life? Pete Sousa definitely thinks so, and he’s here to tell you all about it in this week’s episode! In this episode , Pete breaks down his addiction step-by-step and shares all the things he did to get, and stay, sober. Pete is a news anchor in Texas, an ESPN broadcaster, and a powerful recovery advocate on his podcast T...

Being High-Functioning Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Have a Drinking Problem I understand why you feel that way and how easy it is to separate from the pack when your habits and struggles look different. It does create a sense of being different and not fitting in to traditional methods and programs. And it’s hard to call yourself an alcoholic when your picture of what an alcoholic is, is not good. But l...

The uncomfortable topic no one is talking about. Or, not too many people are talking about because it can be awkward and weird like everything else in life. But it’s so important for women to understand. And, there are some great recovery revelations in this episode that have nothing to do with life stages or being a man or a woman – but have everything to do with getting sober and living the life...

Many of us love to get annoyed with the AA one-liners and all the recovery phrases out there, but the truth is, they work. And if you get them, they can change your whole trajectory. When you understand what they mean, the few simple words take on a whole new meaning and it becomes its own shorthand language where you hear these few words, and you know exactly what to do. It’s a game changer. Espe...

What does an addictive personality actually look like? People always tell me, “I have a very addictive personality”. Well, I’m right there with you, my friend – if you struggle with substances, it just makes sense we will struggle with behavior addictions, too. Today we’re talking about having an addictive personality and the behavior addictions we can pick up along the way. If I do somethin...

Whether you’re in the early stages of sobriety or have been in recovery for a while, understanding post-acute withdrawal can help you navigate the ups and downs of addiction recovery more effectively. PAWS can be a challenging phase in the addiction recovery journey, and knowing the symptoms and signs can help you create processes and gather tools to get through it without relapse. 🔸What is it 🔸...

Recovery fears are the absolute worst, because let’s be real: all you want to do is get your life together and be present with your family, but you can’t stop thinking about all the ways your life will change and wondering if you can handle it. This can also come in the form of not wanting to engage so much with friends because you are feeling torn between two lives and totally uncertain abo...

Alcoholism, or Alcohol use disorder, is a brain disorder that impairs your ability to stop or control your drinking. Welcome to our first 30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery series where each week for the next 30 days I’m dropping an extra episode to answer some of the most confusing questions about this crazy alcohol issue we’re dealing with. Today we’re talking about the stages of alcoholism to...

You guys know me and how much I love simple strategies that get you exactly the results you’re looking for. Creating a life you love doesn’t happen overnight. Most of us are so wired for instant gratification that when we don’t get immediate results we get disappointed and discouraged and you can easily fall into thinking it’s too hard. Or, your brain will start justifying giving up by telli...

If you’re listening to the Addiction Unlimited show, I’m guessing you’re a fan of living a sober lifestyle, right? If you’ve ever thought about  going to a 12-step meeting  or wanted to  grow your sober community  to  have more support and fun , this is the perfect episode to get started. And I’m telling you – this conversation is not just for all of you; I also found so much value in this convers...

If you are trying to stay sober and change your life, I need you to understand this concept of Sponsorship – or Coaching. Do you feel a little weird about getting a sponsor or having a hard time finding a reliable sponsor? Maybe you have no idea what it is and don’t know if you actually need one. This episode is all about sponsorship for those in 12-Step programs, and Coaching for those who...

Anna David is the New York Times bestselling author of Party Girl (plus seven more!), she is the founder of Legacy Launch Pad Publishing and three-time TEDx speaker who has appeared on Good Morning America, Today Show, The Talk and dozens of other programs. As if that wasn’t enough, her first novel, Party Girl , is in development as a feature film. With a list of successes that impressive, it woul...

According to research 92% of people give up on their goals or fail to follow through. What happens with traditional goal-setting – set the goal, go after the goal, not hit the goal. Not only not hit the goal, but totally bomb and feel bad about yourself. set a goal, go after the goal, reach the goal, but it happens a month late or three years later so you still feel a little bad about yourself. se...

What’s holding you back from the life you’ve always wanted? When you want to make a big change in your life, you need to face anything and everything holding you back from making that change successfully. Anything that drains your energy, distracts your focus, or clutters your mind. Mental clutter is often what prevents us from moving forward at all or, at the very least, it makes our progress muc...

Most people are going about dating ALL WRONG. Have you ever felt like you attract all the wrong people in your dating life? I hate to be the one to tell you… but there are reasons you keep ending up in undesirable situations and it’s not because of everyone else. I know, it was a hard lesson for me, too. You see the red flags early on, and you ignore them. That person you know isn&#821...

I’m willing to bet you have a lot going on in your life right now. It feels like there are dozens of things that have to be done every day and, of course, life loves to throw those curve balls. I just had a huge curve ball of  my own when my father unexpectedly had to have open-heart surgery and our whole world changed in the blink of an eye. He’s okay, btw – he is back home and we are taking his...

Have you ever had one of those moments where somebody said something and you feel yourself instantly in anger? Your ears get hot – maybe your ears ring –  you feel your face flush – your heart rate elevates – stomach turns… there are all kinds of indicators. We all know what anger is and we’ve all experienced it – whether it was a quick annoyance or full-blown rage. Anger is a no...

If you’re listening to the Addiction Unlimited show, I’m guessing you’re interested in sobriety and recovery, right? If you’ve struggled to make sense of it all because you are high-functioning, have a great job, a family, and a house in the right zip code… …but you know deep down that you need to make a change, and make it last, this is the perfect episode to get ser...

73% chronically overthink?? You heard that right. 73% of 25- to 35-year-olds chronically overthink, along with 52% of people ages 45 to 55 struggle with chronic overthinking. It might feel like you’re the only one lying awake at night, dwelling on a decision you made earlier that day or worrying about tomorrow’s to-do list, but if you’re nodding your head yes right now because you are an overthink...

Accountability is your secret weapon. Quitting alcohol is a powerful decision, and maintaining sobriety requires accountability. It’s not just about giving up a habit; it’s about creating a new, healthier lifestyle. If you’re serious about stopping the self-destruction and chaos that drinking brings to your life, this is something you want to understand, and get it right. In this episo...

Why do you drink? Why do you have this problem? What are the underlying issues?? You’ve probably asked yourself these questions a million times in your journey to live alcohol-free. When you decide to quit drinking, you might have a sense of hope, relief, and optimism. You can see your new life free from alcohol, where you can finally be your true self and get your life in order. But, the re...

Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to step into the unknown, and commit to sobriety 100%? In a world where drinking, and over-indulging are often front and center, it’s easy to feel that way. You know firsthand how difficult it is to step into this process, make a decision to quit drinking, then figure out how to stick to that decision on a daily basis, figuring out how and whe...

We all know the saying: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And, I get it – lemons are sour and difficult to eat on their own – but if you add some water and sugar, all of a sudden you’ve got something sweet and refreshing. Take a challenge and make something good out of it. But sometimes, life hurls lemons at you so hard they splatter when they hit. And no one can make lemonade out of that...

Relapse –  When it comes to recovery, maintaining the effort to avoid a relapse can feel like a lot. Even for someone with a couple of years sober, great kids, friends, and a job he loves. Today, we’re talking about relapse, and specifically, I’m taking you behind the scenes with one of my favorite radio personalities to share his recent experience with relapse. Scott Parks, from Dana &...

The holidays are right around the corner – along with extra stressors and temptations. But staying sober doesn’t have to mean missing out on all the fun. So, how can you navigate the holiday parties and events with less stress and without taking a drink when it feels like everything centers around alcohol?? That’s exactly what I’m going to tell you in this episode. I’m giving you a ste...