Recovered alcoholic and recovery coach Veronica Valli shares tips and strategies for quitting drinking and staying sober. Author of bestselling book 'Why You Drink and How to Stop: Journey to Freedom.' www.amazon.com/Why-You-Drink-How-Stop/dp/0989641406/
You can also read Veronica's blog on all matters relating to addiction: soberful.com and Louise's blog on her journey in recovery here: ahangoverfreelife.com
Wow. There is so much that is relatable in this video. So much. I love Judy's idea to journal about everything bad about alcohol in her life, and that she kept it handy to refer back to it to remind her of how great sobriety is. Her story with its ups and downs, false starts, successes followed by reemergent challenges matches up so much with my own experiences.
Julie - I think you and I have run parallel lives. So many similarities...same sober dates....Thank you for sharing your story. I think so many women struggle and sharing this will surely help someone else.
I have been struggling for years to stop drinking. I have read and seen all the podcasts and this interview - with the 2 of you gave me hope back. Her story and your response and encouragement - thank you for this. You are both incredible.
It was a mescaline trip that rewired my brain slightly and i became a deep thinker which made the truth and lies much easier to identify,I believe I can see evil spirits as well as the kind hearted spirits in the world,the neuroplastic brain developed,I will always be grateful for being shown the inner workings of my mind.
After I had been sober for several years, I took the word "opinion" out of my vocabulary and thinking. Especially when the subject is recovery. People have opinions about everything under the sun, but often are not based in fact. When it comes to being spared the "final catastrophe" of alcoholism, I want someone sharing their "EXPERIENCE, strength, and hope". ✌❤ Mark
I watched a documentary series on Netflix or Amazon, I can’t remember which one called How to change your mind. It goes through the history of four different plant medicines including LSD. I have to say, I did find it quite fascinating, especially the story of Bill Wilson the founder of AA his spiritual awakening happened through experimentation with LSD and his companion also had a spiritual awakening from the same drug . it’s worth watching. It makes sense because not many people have overnight spiritual awakenings but it did happen for two of the founding members of AA.
Thank you for this excellent podcast. I've been sober since 2020 and one of the things I've done to set myself and family up for sober success is to call ahead with restaurant reservations and specify that we are sober dinner guests, so that they don't put out cocktail menus and I can ask about alcohol free drink choices from the bar. Using the app, OpenTable is very easy. I just add it in "comments" or "special requests." I think the more people make this type of request, the more restaurants will make accommodation for sober diners.
Thank you! Your message is so encouraging and supportive! Stay strong sober ones! The superpower is remembering the negativity is coming from the other people thinking it’s all about them and like you said a mirror reflecting TRUTH they aren’t willing to see! Blessings 🙏❤️
Excellent podcast! I spread the word about alcohol free options by indicating this on each and every reservation I make at restaurants. It's even easier when using apps like Open Table. I just put in the comments: "Sober guests. Please do not give out cocktail menus. Please provide alcohol free options."
What exactly do you mean about a drinking culture? if you mean that drinking is allowed in TEC, that's correct. I know many Episcopalians who don't drink at all.
As the gentleman mentioned, sometimes our circumstances change. Relocation, the availability of meetings, etc. I relocated 19 years ago, and it took my sobriety from good to great. I found a solid "Step" meeting group, where people were living in the solution, instead of the problem. There's a huge difference between a "discussion", or "topic" meeting, and a "Step and Tradition" meeting...and NO, I have not become a recovery "Scholar". 😉 The thing about relapse, I believe, is that it is firmly rooted in the "ISM". It starts with one seemingly harmless decision to not do the simple things that got us to where we are. The danger in that is, "What is the next thing I will say "No" to? All of a sudden, I'm down to one meeting a week. The big problem with that is there are no numbers between 1 and ZERO. I recently celebrated three decades of continuous sobriety, and upon receiving a chip, I informed the group that I "needed them more than ever", and that the medallion belonged to them, not me. I just get to be the caretaker of it for a year. I need them more, not because I have so much to lose, but because I have so much to gain!...IF I remain teachable. Thank you for carrying the message of sobriety, the "Greatest Show on Earth". ✌❤ Mark
I found an old book, Drinking: Not a love story by caroline knapp to be very helpful. Highlights the hiding +planning involved, yet we think it's spontaneous.
In addition to believing that sobriety will be a "white knuckle" affair for the rest of our lives, and certainly boring at best, many people who go the 12 Step route think they will have religion shoved down their throats, will be led around by the nose, and therefore be rendered a non-entity. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have many sayings in recovery, one of them being, "Bring the body and the mind will follow". Alcoholics are self-centered to the extreme, which is why it is crucial to take action on a daily basis. From my own experience, the more I became engaged in a recovery program, the less I even thought about being "bored". My life was improving so rapidly, that I could no longer deny that something was happening in the "rooms" that sure as hell wasn't happening ANYWHERE else! True sobriety, and a life of abundance is contingent on how we move our feet...Period! We take action we have no faith in, and get results we CAN'T explain. ✌❤ Mark (5/8/1994)
Reading this book , 10 months sober…. 25 lbs down, 98 percent anxiety free , getting out of debt! , sleeping like a baby & getting compliments on looking great & I feel like the weight of the world is much lighter!
Let me start off by saying that I wish you the best. That said, I do want to say I gave you a thumbs down because this is a boring video. Maybe you can focus on your editing abilities. Maybe have a conversation with someone and that is what you should video tape. Good luck and I do want to wish you well on your channel in the future.
So happy for Kathy’s story! She is an inspiration - at 85 I’m a beginner! Been sober many times for periods but always got back on the band wagon. I agree with Kathy, there comes a point when it’s do or die; I’m there now. This time my spouse says he’s in it with me, what a blessing. We have equal addictions! Searching on the internet really is a blessing. Thank you all! ☹️🫶🙏 Joy
I stopped drinking 6 months ago after 42 years. I'm 59. What gives me joy is not having that shame and guilt anymore. My children appreciate and support me more. And I am super proud of myself.❤
