Today my guest is Jake Yoder, and we are discussing the fairly controversial topic of marijuana and recovery. Jake shares his experience with it, why he decided to stop and how he did it. We also talk about a spiritual experience he had, harm reduction, and how to have a natural high.

This topic is a particularly complex one. In 12-step programs, there is a heavy focus on counting “sober time” and a lot of talk about complete abstinence over everything. What sober means and what “everything” includes is debatable. However, I do want to point out that the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” is specifically focused on alcohol. There is another program called Marijuana Anonymous that is focused on marijuana. At the end of the day, you need to decide what’s right for you.

For the record, I am clear that I do not know what’s right for anyone else. I do believe in harm reduction, which is what I practiced when I stopped drinking, but I also know that using marajuana can be a slippery slope for people with addiction and dependency issues. There are medicinal benefits however for a certain group of people, it becomes another substance that is used to manage emotions in an unhealthy way. For me personally it was another way to numb out and it was stunting my healing because I have learned that I have to feel it to heal it.

There was a lot to say about this topic and I feel like we left out a few very key components to this discussion, but that leaves room for you to make your voice heard! If you have any thoughts to share on this topic, please leave a comment on the Facebook page, shoot me a DM on IG @arlinaallen or @odaatpodcast and I’ll address them in a following episode. 

As always, I would like to thank you for supporting the podcast with reviews on Apple, donations made through odaatchat.com to cover production costs and by sharing the episodes with your friends. Unity is a foundation principle to community and together we help alleviate the suffering of others. So with that, please enjoy this episode, with Jake!

Connect with Jake!

Visit Website: https://www.naturalhighsrecovery.org/

Follow on Instagram @naturalhighsrecovery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/naturalhighscommunity/

Watch on YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNuRolkOZ7X8fCEFCDYd5tg

Lightning Round Answers: 

Book recommendation: 

Favorite Quote: 

Self Care Practice:

What I wish I knew: 

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Today my guest is Dr Kim Dennis. She is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in treating addiction including substance, process, and food disorders. She has helped thousands of people to stay alive and recover for over 20 years. Her knowledge of eating disorders and addiction isn’t just limited to her academic and clinical experience, she has had her own experience as a person who has recovered from an eating disorder, addiction and trauma. 

She believes in and maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry, incorporating biological, psycho-social, and spiritual approaches into the individually tailored treatment programs for each patient at SunCloud Health.

Before we jump into today’s episode, I wanted to share a couple of resources to help you along your recovery journey.

First, there is a free private women’s facebook group you can join if you’d like some additional support. I am regularly sharing books I love, guided meditations, daily inspiration cards and other resources. And next month I’ll actually be announcing a new step work class! It’s free, it’s private and you can work the 12 steps without having to attend meetings. We did this a couple of years ago and it was a big success with over 200 women participating. This time around you won’t even have to buy the books if you don’t want to because you can access it all online for free. To join the group just search “One Day At A Time - Private Women’s Group” Or visit odaatchat.com and look for the link in the show notes.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1244862275613746

So that’s it for announcements! Please enjoy this episode with Dr. Kim!

Connect with Dr. Kim Here:

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My guest is Mandy Manners, the fabulous Co-Author of Love Your Sober Year: A Seasonal Guide to Alcohol-Free Living.

Mandy co-wrote the book with her long-time friend Kate Baily who has been a guest as well. She is absolutely lovely, and I’ll leave a link to her episode in the show notes.

Today we focused on their new book, which I absolutely LOVE. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful, but the concept is brilliant as it follows the natural rhythms of the seasons. There is a ton of information to absorb on the path to recovery, and this book offers a practical way to take it all in without becoming overwhelmed.

Connect with Mandy and Kate!

Visit Website: 

Follow on Instagram 

Watch on YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNuRolkOZ7X8fCEFCDYd5tg

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

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https://bit.ly/3n0taNQ

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