Recovery: The Whole Enchilada

Send us Fan Mail Host Peg McDermott and co-host Heather Hageman reflect on sobriety anniversaries, including Peg’s 25 years sober since choosing July 4th in a relapse prevention group, and use the milestone to explore purpose in recovery. Heather connects her trauma work to a shift from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” and finally “What are you going to do with this?”, emphasizi...

Send us Fan Mail Host Peg McDermott and co-host Heather Hagaman discuss the question “Are you an alcoholic?” prompted by a listener who doesn’t identify as having an addiction but wonders if the podcast applies to them.  They explore how “habit” and “addiction” differ, how stereotypes and denial can hide problem drinking, and share personal timelines of escalating consequences, cravings, blackouts...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman discuss experiencing death in sobriety, contrasting sudden losses with expected deaths and how both can dysregulate the body and trigger fear.  Heather shares the shock of a close friend dying soon after retirement and how she leaned on support, service, and self-care even when attending a celebration of life at a bar.  Peg recounts losing h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Recovery: The Whole Enchilada, hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman discuss how to navigate vacations in sobriety, including planning ahead like you would for a party.  They share strategies such as traveling with sober people, gathering phone numbers and meeting locations, setting boundaries with drinkers, choosing accommodations and activities that support...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman discuss dual recovery as living with both substance use disorder and mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD, and emphasize that treating both together is more effective than treating one alone.  Peg shares her experience of post-sobriety anxiety, insomnia, complex PTSD, and the difficult process o...

Send us Fan Mail On the podcast “Recovery, the whole enchilada,” host Peg McDermott and co-host Heather Hageman discuss springtime “new beginnings” in sobriety and how recovery widens a life that became small during drinking.  Heather shares rediscovering childhood joys like pressing wild violets, making herbs, salves, lavender eye pillows, and rebuilding creativity after alcohol.  Peg reflects on...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman discuss how to care for yourself in sobriety when a partner, spouse, family member, or friend still drinks, including navigating drinking events and living with alcohol in the home.  They reflect on early sobriety experiments, noticing dysfunction, and the importance of having an exit plan, then expand to “boundaries of steel,” compassionate...

Send us Fan Mail Character Defects or Coping Mechanisms?  Hosts Peg McDermott and Heather discuss “character defects,” reframing them as survival-based coping mechanisms rooted in fear and often formed through dysfunctional or traumatic experiences.  They explore how these patterns—people-pleasing, control, resentment, dishonesty, pride, perfectionism, anger, shame, blaming, and self-sabotage—inte...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Recovery, the whole enchilada," host Peg McDermott and co-host Heather Haman discuss recovery anniversaries, sparked by Peg’s 31-year sobriety milestone (sobriety date January 27, 1995). Peg recounts getting sober at age 36 in Syracuse, New York, after escalating drinking, shame, multiple car accidents, and a DWI, and describes finding safety and belo...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' a podcast dedicated to the multifaceted journey of healing within the recovery community. Hosted by Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman, this episode dives into the challenges of staying sober during the quiet and cold winter months.  With the post-holiday lull, decreased sunlight, and isolation often leading to higher risks of r...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman on this episode of 'Recovery, The Whole Enchilada' as they explore the concept of joy, particularly during the holiday season.  They share personal stories and insights on how to redefine joy away from substance-induced happiness to genuine, enduring joy through connection, personal growth, and service to others. Heather recou...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman dive into the complexities of celebrating holidays while on the path to recovery.  They discuss the trigger points of holiday gatherings, share personal stories of overcoming addiction challenges during family events, and offer practical strategies for maintaining sobriety.  From...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' where hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagerman dive into the concept of living life on life's terms. Sharing personal stories and insights, Peg and Heather discuss the importance of acceptance, self-care, and building resilience amidst life's challenges. From navigating sobriety to managing life's unexpected turn...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' hosts Peg and Heather delve into the complex interplay between career changes and recovery from addiction.  They share personal stories and insights on navigating work environments, dealing with job dissatisfaction, and making meaningful career shifts post-recovery.  The conversation touches on maintaining sobriety in p...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another episode of 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' hosted by Peg McDermott and her co-host Heather Hagaman.  In this episode, Peg and Heather discuss the stories we tell ourselves and how these narratives shape our perceptions of the world. They delve into personal anecdotes, exploring how early childhood experiences and unconscious beliefs influence our adul...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Peg and Heather on this heartwarming episode of 'Recovery, The Whole Enchilada' as they delve into the profound impact of gratitude in healing and personal growth. Heather shares touching memories of her late father, a Marine Corps general, and reflects on the evolution of her grief into a deep sense of gratitude. The co-hosts discuss the science behind gratit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' hosts Peg and Heather delve into the complexities of decision-making during and after recovery.  They reflect on impulsive choices made during addiction, the physiological and cognitive changes in early sobriety, and the essential role of values and community in making healthier decisions.  They also discuss the importa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada', hosts Peg and Heather explore the journey of finding purpose during and after recovery from addiction. They discuss personal experiences of feeling purposeless, the hollow pursuit of external validation, and the transformative power of sobriety.  The conversation dives into the importance of inner fulfillment, the role...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Recovery, the whole enchilada, where hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman discuss the journey from perfectionism to finding peace within the context of addiction recovery. Celebrate Heather’s 24th year of sobriety as she shares her story, focusing on overcoming low self-esteem, perfectionism, and the inability to ask for help. The episode also delves into the importa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' hosts Peg and Heather delve into the complex world of triggers and temptations that those in recovery frequently face.  They discuss the varying degrees of triggers, emotional and situational patterns, and the importance of having a support system. The episode highlights strategies such as recognizing emotional states,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Recovery, the whole enchilada, hosts Peg and Heather dive deep into the essential role of spirituality in the recovery process. They share their personal journeys from traditional religious upbringings to finding a spiritual path that supports their sobriety.   The conversation covers the transformative power of a higher power, the concept of divine timing, and...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Peg McDermott and Heather Hagaman on this episode of 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' as they delve into the essential role of service within the recovery community. From personal service journeys to balancing self-care with giving,  Peg and Heather share insightful anecdotes and practical advice. They explore how acts of service, ranging from small gestures t...

Send us Fan Mail

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' a podcast dedicated to exploring the layers of healing and transformation within the recovery community. In this episode, hosts Peg and Heather discuss the invaluable role of recovery guides, also known as sponsors or mentors.  They share personal stories and insights on finding the right guide, the importance of trust and safe...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Recovery, the Whole Enchilada,' co-hosts Peg McDermott and Heather delve into understanding grief and the types of loss experienced during the recovery journey.  They discuss the stages of grief, healthy coping mechanisms, and the importance of finding support through loss. They share personal stories of loss, including the passing of loved ones and t...