Flat Out Recovery

This week we're looking at control, and the ways in which dishonesty and collusion combine. Also, we see how dishonesty and lying are not necessarily the same thing. And we're talking about Drunk Sport, with particular reference to village cricket. Meanwhile, our AlACats continue in their quest to be rid of The Dalton Twins, all three of them...

This week we look at how we manage our social calendar in recovery, alluding to how we didn't have one or didn't manage in addiction. Also, we look at the avoidance of responsibility and the consequences of dishonesty during the treatment process. And last but not least, is Norman's robot going to be of any use to Reg, or any of the cats?

In the second half of my interview with Rachel, we're talking about how she found rehabilitation, and how sticking with it produced extraordinary results. Some of these results are to be expected, but many are not!

How we watched what we watched, drunk; and now, how we watch what we watch sober. We also look at family dynamics around rehab and there's more on the denial associated with relapse. Meanwhile, the AlACats are shocked in action by the imminent threat of The Dalton Twins, all three of them?!?

Today I'm with Rachel, who I met in rehab over four years ago and we're both still here! She talks about how her journey began, how things have changed and progressed since leaving treatment, the things she has back in her life, and the new avenues she has been able to explore clean and sober.

This week we look at paranoia, misplaced trust and denial... and more denial! Also, we take a systematic look at 'Drunk Cleaning' and the reality of ending up living in one room, as against the way we learn to live in recovery. Meanwhile, Reg and the Al-A-Cats are threatened by The Dalton Twins, all three of them...

This week, we look at 'Toxic Friendships' and their potential consequences, particularly in rehab and beyond. We also have the second part of our interview with Jacques, in which we look at the contrasting approaches to addiction in the UK and Switzerland. And for the cats? The tragic consequences of an owner's relapse...

Today we're looking at how the approach to addiction and its treatment can (and does) vary from one country to another. We hear from Jacques, who tells us about some of his experiences, living in Switzerland. Also, we look at an example of denial and delusion, while Reg the Al-A-Cat is still procrastinating...

This week, we unpick a particularly awkward professional dilemma, and we also consider the way that our actions are often over-the-top or out of kilter in early recovery. We also look back at our experiences of 'Drunk Shopping', and how our perspective (and our approach to shopping) changes in recovery...

In this episode we look at perceptions of rehab and also the way perceptions can become warped in early recovery. We give examples of engagement and disengagement, deflections and the damage caused by acting out on insecurities. Meanwhile, our Al-A-Cats look at their owners in relapse...

Today we're talking about the effects of alcohol on the family, as we hear the second half of Katie's story. We also look at the effects of relapse and the insanity of deflection. And to round off, cats of alcoholic owners making carpet bombs, but not as we know them?!?

We've had a few listeners comment on volume; so here is episode 18 with adjustments. Today we're talking to Katie, about her experience as the daughter of two alcoholics, whose stories are very different. We also look at denial and deflection, and the effect one alcoholic can have on another.

This week, we're talking to Katie, the daughter of two alcoholics who had radically different journeys; today, we hear about her relationship with her mother, who found recovery. Also, we're talking about denial and deflection.

This week we look at some more definitions of rehab, both positive and negative.  We look at alcoholic isolation and at how relapse has a knock-on effect on everyone surrounding the addict/alcoholic. We also consider that simple, yet dangerous assertion, that 'I know' (when I usually don't). Meanwhile, Reg the cat is in the bushes, but he's not gardening...

This week, we look at how the alcoholic approaches breakfast (among other things) and why it becomes part of the overall change. We look at the perils of 'not knowing' and typical addictive and alcoholic reactions to it. We also look at the effect of denial within the family. Meanwhile, Reg the cat is looking for a carpet bomb, so he can rescue his friends...

This week we're looking at the importance of maintaining routine as a part of recovery. We also look at an example of 'The Family Disease' and at the way consequences  mount up in the madness. Also, Norman the neurotic AlACat is getting confused again...

This week, we're talking about denial, deflection and the passing of blame. We also look at the importance of action outside recovery, particularly volunteering, and at the necessary process of engagement in a treatment context. And last but not least, following our request for the excuses alcoholics and addicts make to justify their behaviour, we now have a list!

This week we're talking about denial, more denial and alcoholic insanity. Also, we take a look at the way addicts and alcoholics think around 'not knowing', showing how a non-issue assumes the proportions of a mythical monster in a matter of minutes. And Reg the cat is still on his overly complicated rescue mission, looking for a Spandau Ballet costume...

In our interview this week we look at how recovery can bring our mental health and other issues to the fore, and at how we deal with them; we also address the way we need to adapt our expectations as we recover, both of ourselves and of others. And as per usual, stories of recovery, plus Reg the cat has removed his disguise...

More stories, situations and musings from the recovery frontline, giving a context to the rehab experience and beyond.

We're with the community team at SIAS (or rather the 'A-Team', as their boss likes to call them) today to find out about what they do. We also look at relapse and denial, while Reg the cat has somehow found himself in North Yorkshire.

Today we're joined by Steve Dixon (CEO of Changes UK) and his guests David and Dominic, twins in recovery! Lots of recovery talk, lots of recovery stories.

More stories covering the ups and downs experienced through rehab and early recovery, while the weatherman is still in rehab, and one of the cats has disappeared! Plus, where does 'small beer' come from? And what have writers been telling us about alcohol misuse since they first put pen (or equivalent) to paper?

We devote the larger part of this week's podcast to an interview with Mike from 'Better Happy', discussing why it is so important to change all our day-to-day habits in early sobriety. Meanwhile, the weatherman is still in absentia, and Reg the cat is desperately seeking Lula; as he is away, will the tea get made?

This week, we endeavour to explain exactly what we do, how we do it and why we do it, whilst also including our usual ingredients; there are further developments in our Rehab Story, the drunk weatherman has gone to rehab and AlACat's Reg has made too much tea.