Recovery Daily Podcast

Join me in this episode of Recovery Daily Podcast as I wander down Sobriety Lane, reflecting on the 7 transformative years since I made the decision to go to detox at Inova CATS for the second time and do whatever it took to get sober. I share with you the early challenges of turning off my 'wanter', and the evolution into 'Rachel 2.0'. As I unpack the lessons of each year, from th...

Yesterday I talked about the changes and constants in my life before and through alcoholism and surviving a stroke. Today I’ll talk about why I should consider myself a miracle. A miracle, as I am defining it, is an extraordinary and highly improbable event, development, or accomplishment that defies the odds. And yes, while many attribute miracles to divine intervention, I believe there's roo...

Today's episode I am exploring the idea that I am unchanged through all my struggles. I’m going to reflect on exploring the essence of identity amidst the changes shaped by recovery from alcoholism and surviving a stroke. Despite the shifts in my health, social circles, daily routines, and approach to challenges, I’m realizing that, at my core, I remain unchanged. To discuss this I’m going to...

This episode we’ll explore what Recovery Capital is, its dimensions, and provide a practical guide on how to build and harness it for a more resilient recovery journey. Discover the internal and external resources that can support your journey to wellness. We break down the three key dimensions of Recovery Capital: Personal, Social, and Community, offering a comprehensive guide on how to build and...

In today’s episode, we’re exploring approaching each day with the same sense of renewal we reserve for life's significant milestones, like getting married or ringing in the new year. Imagine greeting each breath, each moment, with a fresh perspective—what a level of mindfulness and presence that would be. Letting go of one breath and welcoming the next with gratitude, this idea of constant ren...

Happy Valentines Day! Today was my big little day—a private ceremony with BIG LOVE. I am now officially Rachel Abbassi, married to my "babycakes" of 17 years. Thank you to all your well wishes! Today I talk about getting active, and its vital counterpart, getting still. Getting active in sobriety by saying yes, even when we don't want to, adds a fresh new dimension to our lives as we...

Today is a loaded episode with lots of news and resources. I talk about my renewed commitment to converting 100% over to voiceover. To do so, I am taking courses on YouTube through a nonprofit organization called iBug Today . iBug empowers blind and visually impaired individuals through accessible technology training. The Intro to Mac VoiceOver training playlist is available here . I've also b...

Today's is about the “Why me?” hole we can dig for ourselves. Why was I the one in my family who became an alcoholic, and why was I the one who had a stroke? Why am I the one facing these challenges? Whether it's battling alcoholism or overcoming the aftermath of a stroke, it's easy to feel singled out by fate. But what if we shift our perspective from asking "Why me?" to “Wh...

In today’s episode, we’re focusing on making life enjoyable with post-stroke vision impairment and chronic daily migraines. My condition can bring about dizziness, brain fog, chronic daily migraines, and a myriad of additional discomfort and visual impairment that significantly impacts daily life. But there are ways to manage these symptoms and still find joy in life. Join me as I explore practica...

I can accept that I have zero control over my future. There's a freedom in admitting, "Thy will be done, not mine." Yet, as I've learned, saying it is one thing; living it is another. I realized that this morning. I say this every night before I go to bed, but I don’t say it during the day. I say it to help me fall asleep, help me through the night, but I don’t say it to help me...

In today's episode, I share about my neurology appointment yesterday and my continuous quest for understanding my health post-stroke. As Amy Farrah Fowler would say, " I want to cut open your brain and see what the heck is going on in there ." Where is Amy Farrah Fowler when I need her! ( Big Bang Theory Quote 2693 ) Anyway, at the appointment we reviewed the latest MRI, specifically...

In this episode of Recovery Daily Podcast, we explore the importance of self-nurturing in recovery. Through personal reflections and insights, I talk about the significance of remembering the original purpose of why we undertake projects like I did this with podcast and the power of aligning activities with our values. Self-nurturing is engaging in practices that heal us, reduce stress, and remind...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore the timeless wisdom of the phrase "Live and Let Live," a cornerstone of my sobriety that champions forgiveness and acceptance. Discover how this approach can transform relationships, foster personal growth, and maintain sobriety amidst challenging people. This concept of "Live and Let Live" used to feel like indifference...

Today I’m unpacking one of the promises from the world of AA as it relates to parenting - the one that says we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. When I think about all the things I didn't do for my kids because of my drinking, it's tough not to feel a pang of regret. I drank because facing life sober seemed impossible. Yet, in doing so, I sacrificed so much of my ab...

Alcohol's effect on the brain is powerful and pleasurable while it might us feel like we're invincible, like we can conquer the world. I'm lucky to be alive after drunk-surfing on the back of a moving truck headed down a two-lane highway at 60 mph. I'm fortunate to have made it safely home after walking miles in the middle of a pitch dark night with no street lights. This false cou...

Today, our topic is both personal and universally challenging—carrying a relationship through the process of getting sober. Our partners witness our transformation from the front lines. If we are lucky after all the pain we've put them through during our active alcoholism, they are a constant presence that stays through the discomfort and the changes in us. "In sobriety, all you have to c...

Today's episode is inspired by research that sheds light on how our emotions are not just feelings that exist in our minds but are also deeply embodied experiences. This research reveals that different emotional states are associated with distinct and universally recognizable bodily sensations. It's a discovery that could revolutionize the way we understand and approach our emotional well-...

These five principles are ones that I learned in sobriety. If only someone had sat me down and said, "Rachel, embrace these, become friends with them," maybe I’d have been prepared for what was to come. Subscribe! Meet you back here tomorrow! -- The Recovery Daily Podcast is a daily dose of inspiration and support for individuals in recovery from alcoholism, stroke, and mental health cha...

Imagine, for a moment, you've lost everything. We are NOT going to focus on how that happened. There is no tragic story here that is going to bring us all down. Here's the twist: this isn't about the loss. It's about what comes next, the rebirth, and the intentional steps we take to rebuild our lives, one piece at a time. So, let's play the game of life priorities, exploring wh...

In this episode, I share about an enlightening meditation session with Tamara Levitt on Calm. I open up about my longing to relive the "good old days" of my past, from the coziness of my childhood holidays to the boundless love I felt waking up my kids for elementary school. Yet, through this meditation, I discovered that while it's ok to cherish those memories, trying to recreate th...

In this personal episode of Recovery Daily Podcast, I open up about the struggle to balance my emotional and rational sides post-stroke. Join me as I share my experience with fear, uncertainty, and the flickering light of hope. I'll talk about my recent session with a psychiatrist, the overwhelming emotions that come with facing what we don't like to look at, and how I'm learning to fi...

In this episode, I share my thoughts on vulnerability and its role as a powerful tool for personal growth. Join me as I unpack my favorite quote by Brené Brown, "Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." Learn how I discover that embracing vulnerability rather than running in the other direction can open doors to change and opportunity. Through personal anec...

"The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober is like sitting in an AA meeting, listening to someone share their story. It's raw, it's real, and it's relatable." That's why I'm giving this book a solid 3 Woofs on our Weimaraner and Bulldog Scale . It's engaging, it's enjoyable, and most importantly, it's an honest, solid read. That’s 3 Woofs on a 5-point scale! Here&...

Welcome back to the Recovery Daily Podcast, sports fans! Today's episode is a special one—it's about embracing the thrill of NFL playoffs, even with a visual impairment and chronic migraines post-stroke. Plus, I've got a lineup of delicious vegan snacks that are sure to score big on game day. Not being able to watch the screen doesn't sideline me from the playoff excitement. I'...

In today's episode of Recovery Daily Podcast, I share my experience working towards freedom from guilt. With a focus on the liberating power of honesty, willingness, and communication, I explore more about admission, acknowledging our wrongs, and releasing that which is holding us back from healing. I talk about my own battles with hiding my addiction, the consequential guilt, and the shame th...