Unexpectedly Autistic

Please listen to this very brief episode (I know, amazing how short it is right?) I appreciate you and really need your help. Listen and find out why.  I love you all!  Love, Sarah  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

I am so glad you are hear. You are so important to me and I appreciate you. I love that you are seeking recovery or interested in learning about active alcoholism and sobriety.  I hope this episode gives you hope.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

I talk with my dear friend, Mackenzie, about becoming freed from the Bondage of Self through the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

Dean, author of Was That a Red Flag?: Anderson, Dean S: 9781649526397: Amazon.com: Books, and I have such a great chat about life in sobriety and how it is so much more comfortable living free of the obsession to drink. We reflect on the ways we have changed and grown. Dean is kind, humble and helping others every day. We share how life changes so dramatically that we are, even after many years, are left in disbelief we go this opportunity to live a better life. I really love talking with people who are sober because there is a great sense of peace about them. Dean embodies that. It is one of the many many gifts we receive when we are willing to do the inside job with the help of the 12 Steps, after putting the bottle down.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

Jessica Dueñas From recent NPR Article , “Sharp, Off The Charts’ Rise in Alcoholic Liver Disease Among Young Women joins me to share her story of what it was like to have Alcoholic Hepatitis and now living a clean and sober life. Visit Jessica at her website bottomlesstosober.com and her IG account @bottomlesstosober . You can reach me with any questions at sobergratitudes@gmail.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

My dear friend, Erin Dawn, shares her experience with Bipolar 2 Disorder and Alcoholism. It's not only a compelling story, but informative regarding the complexities of Bipolar 2 Disorder and how it can be effectively treated in a person if they are willing to do what is necessary to feel Happy Joyous and Free!! She is also an Opera singer and has a photographic memory. And she is hilarious!! Erin Dawn (@erindawn31780) • Instagram photos and videos --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

My most vulnerable (get the tissues) account sharing my rock bottom experience (a lucid dream!) in addiction which catapulted me into a new life in recovery. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

Nearly 9 years ago, when I arrived at a place in my life when I realized I could never have just 1 drink, I felt ashamed. I told only a few people because I felt like a failure. I didn't understand back then, that my drinking problem was not a moral failing. I was not a bad person, I was a sick person and I chose to get better. I chose to do something radical according to societal standards and better my life by abstaining from alcohol forever, one day at a time. It baffled me that I could never have just one drink. I hated the shame I felt It had baffled me that I wanted to drink a lot. It baffled me that when I wasn't actually drinking, I was thinking about when I would be able to drink. In my 12 step program, I learned why I couldn't have just 1 drink. I learned I wasn't a failure or a weirdo. I learned that I had alcoholism. People helped me learn how to live a better life, freed from the chains of addiction. But for years, I was still incredibly embarrassed and ashamed and did not want people to know. B

My own personal experiences of how sobriety helped me stop blaming myself for not just my children's autism, but for anything they struggled with- how I learned how to be other- centered, rather than self - centered in parenting.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

Today I spoke with Tanya Aouhrabka, from Tanya Ouhrabka (@tanyaheals) • Instagram photos and videos and Tanya Ouhrabka about how she has evolved from a spiritually sick, active alcoholic into a Life Coach where she guides women to "Heal the parts of you that want love. Remember the parts of you that know your innate answer to joy, passion, and purpose. Let’s begin your journey back to self, free from the constraints of who you think you’re “supposed to be” and what your life is “supposed to look like.”" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

When I learned to pause before I spoke, and truly listen to my friend, it was both a relief for me (I am not responsible to solve their problems), and a relief for my friend because he felt heard. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

Being told to “Let Go,” when in sobriety can often feel like we are giving up our power. In my experience, (and much to my surprise ) letting go actually gave me MORE power. Listen to how that worked. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

Michael from @michaeltoberteck ia my guest for today . He is self proclaimed a“SuperHero Coach, Gratitude Gang Leader, Cancer Warrior , Artist, Happiness Activist , Dad, Pop to little Lily and Josie,” and just all around great guy whose story of addiction to Sobriety is sure to inspire ! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

I could not authentically love others or let other love me until I forgave my past actions and behaviors and love myself as imperfect. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

When we show our children that drinking alcohol excessively is how we relax or cope with life problems, they will do the same (most likely in my opinion). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

I share about how I was an alcoholic long before I had children . My sons’ Autism Diagnosis did not make me an alcoholic. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

Nowadays I am making more and more connections over social media in the sober community that are authentic and meaningful. Hilary, @time_to_fly_mama , is one of those people. In this episode, I get to talk with her about recovery, parenting, mommy wine culture, what helps us feel the real benefits of sobriety,  and more.  She shares about her experience getting sober at 20 years old and what has key her sober and happy for 28 years! She offers an incredibly helpful perspective.  Listen and you may be surprised with what you hear from my new friend, Hilary.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sobergratitudes/message

Getting sober is really hard. Doing the work beyond just putting down the bottle is hard as well, but ohhhhhh, so worth it. This episode is dedicated to my “Normie” friend, Mary , who inspired me to so this episode. Thank you Mary. I love you and our friendship deeply. This episode is also dedicated to every mom in the world . You are worthy of self love. ❤️

Jim, from Jim Hernandez (@jher76) • Instagram photos and videos , Valor Fitness Clothing (VFC) (@valorfitnessclothing) • Instagram photos and videos & Women’s Activewear

My guest, Mike Govoni, and I discuss many things regarding addiction and trauma, and go into how true healing from traumic experiences begins when we face the pain on a very deep level with the support of a trained professional.  He believes that "your trauma is a prerequisite to your {life} purpose" Mike,  from Integrative Holistic Recovery Coaching | Mike Govoni and Mike • Healing Beyond Recovery (@mikegovoni) • Instagram photos and videos has 15 years of sobriety and is a certified Holistic Health & Wellness Coach and a certified Addiction Recovery Coach.  He has his own private practice as a trauma informed Integrative Holistic Recovery Coach. His program supports people in taking an integrative Holistic approach and addressing the whole person in Body Mind and Spirit, so that they can experience a much deeper healing transformation. He helps people heal the relationships with themselves. He helps people break the patterns that keep them stuck.  He also hosts a podcast called The Healing Beyond Recove