The Front Row Seat to the Progressive Nature of the Disease - My Wife, Molly Sanders's Story

02/01/23 • 74 min

Addiction & Recovery Conversations with Brett Lovins

Posting a really special episode today, a conversation with my wife of 24 years, talking about a common thing in our household - recovery and sobriety. There are several references in this episode to the previous episode where I talk about my final months of drinking and drugging before getting sober. Might make sense to listen that one first if you have the time. We talk about Al-Anon, AA, early recovery, alcohol in the house after getting sober, the progressive nature of the disease and more. Molly absolutely had a front row seat. Hopefully this conversation continues to do what all of these episode are attempting to do: normalize conversations on addiction and help some people. For additional information and resources on Substance Use Disorder and Addiction, here's a link to check out: Shatterproof.org.

Other useful links from Brett:

Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
Brett's YouTube channel
Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.

Other useful links from Brett:

Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
Brett's YouTube channel
Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.

Previous Episode

My Final Days of Drinking and First Day Sober Story

This is a topic that I'm fascinated by. I like asking people to recount their final days and the final approach to the moment they stopped. There are a wide variety of stories. Some are gradual, some are sudden. Mine is kinda both. Here's my story of the full court press, Steve Dunn the Fort Collins counsellor and the beginning of my new life, from November 2012 to May 28th, 2013... my final days of drinking/drugging and my first day of being sober. If you or a loved one are having substance use issues, I'd like to recommend Shatterproof.org as an excellent place to get curious.

Other useful links from Brett:

Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
Brett's YouTube channel
Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.

Next Episode

Non-Alcoholic (NA) Beverages with Writer Ian Lecklitner

The NA beverage marketplace is really expanding to meet a growing demand for people who are sober curious or are just trying to drink less. I read a super insightful article in SLATE magazine on this topic by writer Ian Lecklitner. Ian, like me, is in recovery and as such, it isn't a simple topic to celebrate without caveats. We also give you some insights into what it is like for two complete strangers to meet for the first time and discuss their sobriety journey.
Here is a link to Ian's article: My Sober Feud with Nonalcoholic Drinks
Additionally, here's a blog I wrote for Cisco: How Did Dry January Go For You?
And finally, for more information on Substance Use Disorder and Addiction, consider visiting: Shatterproof.org

Other useful links from Brett:

Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
Brett's YouTube channel
Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.