Real Recovery Talk

On todays episode we discuss the future of Real Recovery Talk and the vision for this show. You will hear a little bit about myself and the reasons behind WHY I want to do this show.

In this show we discuss things that YOU may need to hear. What are you doing that is aiding in your loved ones addiction? Do you understand the implications that this may have? Also, we discuss things that you can do to help your loved one get clean and sober and strengthen your relationship all at the same time.

Here we are with Real Recovery Talk! Ben is with me today, and we are going to talk about what you can expect from day 31 on when you are a recovering addict. The first thirty days are all about detox and living in a safe environment. The next phase for patients is intensive outpatient treatment. You can easily underestimate how well you will do after 30 days and may want to skip this phase, however, many who do jump the second 30 days of outpatient treatment usually end up using again.

When you decide to recover from drug and alcohol use, make a promise to yourself to see your recovery past 30 days. You may want to get back to your regular life; however, there are many environments that you may not be strong enough to withstand, and you can quickly end up relapsing without enough support.

The stronger you are, the better husband, wife, daughter, son, brother, and sister you will be. You have the choice to be a better you, and only you can create the change which will make this happen. Remember, your drug addiction may have been with you for years, and the trauma which led you to your addiction may have also lasted many years. You cannot heal from multiple years of engrained trauma and abuse in only 30 days. Take the time to put in 100% for yourself from the start of your recovery.

On days 30 to 120, you’ll be a part of PHP and IOP programs. Generally, you’ll spend about 30 days in the PHP of the recovery program. At this point, you’ll be assigned a therapist and start digging into the source of your addiction. You may be going to a supermarket with a group and learn to navigate through the aisles without buying alcohol. This is a useful program as you’re spending approximately 25 hours of clinical therapy per week to have the support necessary to move through the healing process.

IOP can last 120 days past your initial start of recovery. You’ll be able to give the treatment team a good perspective of where you are for the team to be able to identify where you’ll need support and what emotional factors you’ll need to work on in your recovery.

Listen in to find out why you will gain more and be more successful when you see your therapy through the past 30 days, why a drug or alcohol addict’s behavior is worse when they are not using drugs or alcohol for the first time, and how you can replace drugs and alcohol with other risky behaviors.

Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Look for our new daily shows, which are five minutes or under! Listen in for yourself or for a friend. You can also find our new short episodes on our Facebook page.

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Show Notes:

• [05:43] Let’s move into today’s show with a profile scenario.
• [09:01] It’s very easy to underestimate the amount of control you have over your addiction during the first thirty days of treatment.
• [11:49] Ben and I discuss the details of intensive PHP therapy.
• [13:29] The purpose of PHP is to figure out what the underlying conditions are which caused your addiction.
• [15:15] Ben and I talk about why we became addicts, our emotional triggers and what we had to work through to become clean again.
• [20:28] Why an addict’s behavior is worse for the first few days or weeks after they become clean of drugs or alcohol.
• [22:08] When you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, you need to find a positive behavior to replace the old behavior.
• [25:10] The most important part of recovery is the transitional level of care.
• [29:28] Staying in your program until you have dealt with your emotional hurt is the best way to receive the support you need when recovering from addiction.
• [31:18] Getting your life back on track and how your sponsor can be an important support in this process.
• [34:17] Be willing, open and honest when moving through recovery.

Links and Resources:

• Real Recovery Live Chat
• Real Recovery Talk on the Web
• Real Recovery Talk on YouTube
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• Rock Recovery Center
• Real Recovery Talk on Facebook
• Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected]

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In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, Tom and Eric sit down to explore a topic that often gets overlooked in early sobriety: gratitude—not just for the good days, but for the tough ones too.

We kick off the conversation with a powerful question from someone inside our Sobriety Network Facebook group: “How do I stay grateful when everything feels hard?” That sparks a raw, honest discussion about how the path of sobriety isn't always sunshine and serenity—but how the struggles, setbacks, and emotional lows are often the moments that shape us the most.

We talk about how easy it is to drift into frustration or comparison as time goes on in recovery, and how important it is to shift our mindset back to gratitude—gratitude for growth, for clarity, for peace of mind, and even for the hardships that teach us who we really are.

Eric and Tom share personal stories of times when sobriety felt like a grind, and how pushing through those seasons actually deepened their appreciation for the life they’ve built in recovery. We also reflect on how gratitude isn't something that just shows up—it’s something we cultivate through practice, service, and perspective.

If you’re in a season where sobriety feels heavy, or you’re just looking for some encouragement to help you keep showing up, this one’s for you.

Hey there! Kick back, relax, and join us for another episode where we dive into the fascinating world of addiction. Today, we're exploring a concept that's as easy to remember as your ABCs but perhaps a tad more complex: the 4 C's of addiction.

We'll start by breaking down what the 4 C's are all about: craving, control, continued use, and compulsion. Don't worry if you're not familiar with these terms – we've got you covered!

First up, craving. We'll chat about those intense desires that sneak up on us when we least expect it, whether it's a sudden urge for a sweet treat or a longing for that nicotine fix. We'll explore what triggers these cravings and how they play a role in the addictive process.

Next, we'll tackle control – or rather, the lack thereof. From gambling to substance abuse, addiction has a knack for hijacking our ability to regulate our behaviors. But fear not! We'll discuss strategies for regaining a sense of autonomy and reclaiming control over our lives.

Of course, no discussion about addiction would be complete without mentioning consequences brought by continued use! We'll take a candid look at the ripple effects of addictive behaviors, from strained relationships to financial woes. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom – we'll also explore ways to mitigate these consequences and move towards a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Last but not least, we'll delve into the concept of compulsion. Ever found yourself engaging in a behavior despite knowing it's not in your best interest? Yeah, we've been there too. We'll unpack the psychology behind these compulsive tendencies and share some insights on breaking free from their grip.

Thank you for tuning in! Like always, If you would like to reach us that can be done at [email protected]