S1 E21 The Real Sober Stories with Lisa

Lisa shares her journey of growing up in a traumatic household, dealing with loneliness and low self-esteem, and finding solace in alcohol. She recounts her experiences of binge drinking in college, trying to find validation through relationships, and the impact of trauma on her mental health. Lisa discusses her career as a police officer, her battle with cancer, and her struggles with alcohol addiction. She explores her attempts at sobriety, including her experience with AA and the importance of finding a supportive community. Lisa shares her experience of finding support and community in her journey to sobriety. She discusses the challenges she faced in accepting the label of 'alcoholic' and the importance of finding alternative ways to self-soothe. Lisa also opens up about her relationship with her mother, who had multiple sclerosis, and the impact it had on her childhood. She highlights the role of gratitude, exercise, and self-care in her sobriety, as well as the benefits of being open about her journey and connecting with others in the sober community.

Keywords

trauma, loneliness, low self-esteem, alcohol addiction, college, relationships, career, cancer, sobriety, AA, supportive community, sobriety, support, community, self-soothing, labels, alcoholism, alternative methods, multiple sclerosis, gratitude, exercise, self-care, openness, connection

Takeaways

• Growing up in a traumatic household can have a significant impact on mental health and contribute to addictive behaviors.
• Loneliness and low self-esteem can lead to seeking validation through relationships and substance abuse.
• Trauma and loss can exacerbate alcohol addiction and make it difficult to quit drinking.
• Finding a supportive community and seeking practical advice are crucial in the journey to sobriety.
• Understanding the health risks associated with alcohol, including its link to cancer, can be a motivating factor in quitting drinking. Finding support and community is crucial in the journey to sobriety.
• Accepting the label of 'alcoholic' can be challenging, but it is an important step in seeking help and support.
• Exploring alternative methods of self-soothing is essential in maintaining sobriety.
• Childhood experiences, such as having a parent with a chronic illness, can shape one's relationship with alcohol.
• Practicing gratitude, engaging in regular exercise, and prioritizing self-care are beneficial in maintaining sobriety.
• Being open about one's journey and connecting with others in the sober community can provide support and a sense of belonging.

Titles

• Career, Cancer, and Coping with Alcohol
• From Trauma to Addiction: Lisa's Journey Exploring Alternative Methods of Self-Soothing
• Challenges in Accepting the Label of 'Alcoholic'

Sound Bites

• "I grew up in a household with a mom who was paralyzed with multiple sclerosis and a dad who had a very mercurial temper."
• "I always felt like I was looking for something that wasn't there."
• "I was very much an alone drinker."
• "I would have never gone back to AA if it hadn't been for now that I've kind of gone full circle."
• "The actual diagnosis would be alcohol use disorder is what it's called, but you probably didn't meet criteria for that."
• "Having a gratitude practice and a gratitude list totally shifted my focus from a place of loss to a place of abundance and happiness."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Childhood Trauma

09:01
Loneliness, Low Self-Esteem, and Seeking Validation

25:13
Spiraling into Daily Drinking

30:59
The Importance of Support and Understanding the Health Risks

33:11
Finding Support and Community

34:36
Challenges in Accepting the Label of 'Alcoholic'

36:02
Exploring Alternative Methods of Self-Soothing

39:23
The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Alcohol Use

42:22
Practicing Gratitude, Exercise, and Self-Care

48:39
The Pitfalls of Candy Eating as a Substitute Addiction

53:55
Believing in the Easiness of Sobriety

56:35
The Gift of Sobriety