In this episode, we explore a question that many people ask: What does it mean to be truly sober and happy?

This isn’t about living in a constant state of bliss; life will always have its ups and downs.

Instead, it's about building a genuinely fulfilling and joyful life, so much so that the idea of drinking becomes obsolete.

If you’ve ever felt unfulfilled in your sobriety or wondered how to find lasting joy, this episode is for you.

We’ll discuss practical steps to build a life that supports your sobriety and makes it genuinely rewarding.

Click play now to join us on this journey towards a life where sobriety and happiness go hand in hand.

In this episode, we talk about the misconception that might feel all too real if you're new to sobriety: the belief that everyone drinks.

In my journey into sobriety, I discovered that a surprisingly large portion of the population chooses not to drink. Not because they can't but because they choose not to.

Did you know that 38% of Americans don't drink at all? Or that the most common reason people choose not to drink is simply having no desire to?

We'll explore how these revelations can change how you view social interactions and help you feel less isolated in your sober journey.

So, if you've ever felt like an outcast for not drinking, or if you're curious about navigating a seemingly alcohol-centric world sober, this is the episode for you.

Click play now to discover a different perspective on sobriety and learn how to thrive in a world where you don't have to drink to fit in.

In today’s episode of the "Sober and Happy Podcast," we tackle a critical aspect of recovery: rebuilding trust.

If you've ever felt frustrated because people in your life still view you through the lens of your past behaviors despite your progress in sobriety, this episode is for you.

I've been where you are—knowing deep down that I've changed, yet facing doubts from those around me.

We'll explore how long it really takes to rebuild trust and effective strategies to accelerate this process.

This episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable advice, from personal anecdotes, like moving out of my mom's house to demonstrate maturity, to the lessons learned from a candid conversation between two young brothers about honesty.

We'll discuss the importance of consistency in our actions, the impact of small lies on our credibility, and practical ways to deal with accusations or doubts from loved ones.

Whether it’s utilizing compassionate communication or understanding the necessity of patience, I’ll guide you through the steps to not only regain trust but also strengthen your relationships.

So, if you're struggling with the slow pace of gaining trust or if you feel like no matter what you do, it's never enough—tune in.

This episode will provide you with the tools and mindset to navigate these challenges and continue on your path to a sober and happy life.

Click play now to discover how to transform your relationships and ensure that your actions speak louder than your past.

Recovery is going to be filled with a series of ups and downs.

There is nothing that we can do to prevent setbacks completely.

We are going to make mistakes.

Life is absolutely going to knock us down at times.

There are times when we will think that we can’t go on.

But we can.

We have the choice whether to give up or to get up, dust ourselves off, and take a step forward, no matter how small that step may be.

So how do we do that?

How can we move forward when it seems so difficult?

That is what we are going to talk about in this episode.

One of the most dangerous but often overlooked places to be in our recovery journeys is when we are stuck in a rut.

Suddenly, things that might have excited us about being sober and life start to feel boring or dull.

When this starts happening, it often triggers many of the negative emotions that we experienced when we were still drinking or using, as anxiety and depression start coming back.

If left untreated, thoughts like “If I am going to feel this way sober, I might as well get drunk” might start creeping into our heads.

So, how do we get out of these ruts and recognize them before they get too deep?

That is what we are going to talk about in this episode.

Deciding to quit any substance is hard enough, but we often unknowingly do things that can make things more difficult for us.

One of those things is not doing any preparation to get sober.

We have one of those “I will never drink again” mornings, decide to quit, pick a date, and then try to white-knuckle it.

But what steps can we take before taking the last drink that can increase our chances of having success?

That is what we are going to talk about in this episode.

Topics mentioned in this episode can be further explored in the following episodes:
#2: Finding Your Why For Getting and Staying Sober
#10: So You Relapsed, Now What?
#15: Do I Need To Give Up My Old Friends And Life When I Get Sober?
#19: How To Set and Maintain Boundaries When We Get Sober
#21: Getting Honest About Your Alcoholism
#51: How To Deal With Triggers After You Get Sober

Also, if you are looking for support during your recovery journey, check out the Sober and Happy Community here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/soberandhappy

A couple of weeks ago, I posted the following question on my social media pages: What signs might indicate a relapse was near?

I got hundreds of responses, and after going through each one, I compiled a list of the top 7 relapse warning signs according to you guys.

Recognizing them is the first step, but what should we do once we recognize them, and how can we be proactive in not slipping back into them again?

That is what we are going to discuss in this episode.

If you recognize yourself in any of these warning signs and want to take steps to prevent relapsing, you might find these episodes helpful:

#10: So You Relapsed, Now What?
#15: Do I Need To Give Up My Old Friends And Life When I Get Sober?
#22: Why You Must Get To The Cause Of Your Addiction If You Want To Recover
#23: The Process I Used To Completely Remove My Alcohol Cravings
#44: Dealing With The Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) In Your Sobriety
#48: What Are You Willing To Sacrifice For Your Sobriety?
#51: How To Deal With Triggers After You Get Sober
#57: Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Sober Routines

Also, if you are looking for support, please join our private Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/soberandhappy

I want to talk about one of the most elusive things in the universe.

Something we have searched long and hard for, but have never had concrete evidence that it exists.

I am not talking about Big Foot, the Loch Ness monster, or UFOs.

I am talking about discovering an alcoholic who has found a way to control their drinking and finally be able to drink like a normal person.

At some point, most of us have wondered if we could crack the code and learn how to drink like a normal person.

But is it possible?

Is there a way?

That is what we are going to be talking about in this episode.