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Laura had alcohol use disorder in her family and likely many who struggled with drinking, she thought she was immune to these challenges. Growing up she felt insecure and when she went to college, found out alcohol made her feel whole. After college, she found a way to capture that school feeling by moving to a ski town. Eventually, Laura’s drinking progressed to where an ex called her out for drinking tequila on a Tuesday. Instead of seeing this as a sign of problem drinking, it caused Laura to hide it. The urge was so strong she began drinking a friend’s expensive wine collection, something Laura could not replace. Eventually, Laura found she not avoid drinking, even when she did not want to. Pulled over for a DUI, she passed the field sobriety test and then registered 0.21 on the breathalyzer. Even the police officer telling Laura she might have a problem to be functional with such a high BAC did not stop her drinking.

Some people think they can quit for a while and then control their drinking. Laura proved you come back worse.

Laura tried podcasts and books and it was only going to a meeting and connecting with other alcoholics was she on her way to sobriety. Laura found the people in the meetings inspiring and developed the tools to deal with life on life’s terms and still not drink. Laura has had her own hard times and shares that her gratitude over sobriety has gotten her through those rough patches.

Laura promised to pay it forward and she’s done that with her message she shares on Tik Tok and Instagram where she is vulnerable, honest, funny and inspiring with her message.

When you listen to this episode, you’ll never think of Whole Foods the same way.
Follow Laura on the following:

• Instagram @yoursoberpal
• Tik Tok @yoursoberpal
• Website yoursoberpal.com

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Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg. We highly recommend this book. Click here to purchase the book on Amazon.
In today's episode, we unravel the transformative Step Five and its pivotal role in your journey to sobriety.

Discover the unvarnished truth about the necessity of Step Five, and how its omission could be the downfall of your recovery. Bill W.'s words are a powerful reminder that honesty is the cornerstone of lasting change.

But that's not all. We'll guide you through the intricate path of Steps Six and Seven, examining the pivotal moment when you must ask yourself if you're truly willing to let go of your character defects. Then, join us in understanding the art of making amends, from small gestures of goodwill to the challenging road of facing your past head-on. Bill Wilson's profound wisdom will inspire you to take the steps required to mend your relationships and rebuild your life.

Don't miss the powerful insights on Step Ten, which encourages you to take daily inventory and maintain your newfound serenity. Find out how these steps can lead you to a position of neutrality towards alcohol, where the obsession is removed entirely.

But the journey doesn't end there. Step Eleven beckons you to explore prayer and meditation, setting you on a path to a deeper connection with your spiritual self. We'll unravel the intricacies of this step, bridging the gap between AA traditions and the Oxford Group's "Quiet Time" practices.

As we wrap up this episode, stay tuned for a glimpse into the vital Step Twelve and the profound impact of your faith in action. Discover the importance of having a spiritual experience and the evolution of Bill W.'s teachings throughout the creation of the Big Book.

Join us on this enlightening journey through the Big Book, where the wisdom of Bill W. continues to inspire and guide those on the path to recovery. If you're seeking lasting change, this episode is a must-listen. So, hit that play button and let's decode the steps together!
You can learn more at William Schaberg's website.
writingthebigbook.com
William Schaberg's You Tube Channel

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📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.

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Keeping up your physical health by exercising and eating right is difficult under the best of circumstances. Just the act of stopping drinking or drugging and addressing root causes of substance abuse can be overwhelming, let alone starting the process of getting physically fit.
Last week, we discussed how important maintaining your physical health was important. This week, we show you how to do it, with the help of our guest.
We went to an expert to help us make this task manageable and invited fitness blogger Lindsay Perisco of https://huntfiber.com/. Lindsay is a mother of 3 young children, a wife and full time personal trainer. With all that going on, she has found time to explore her passion, the outdoors and hunting.
In this episode, Lindsay's key takeaways are:

• Find a reason to stay fit. For her, if she wants to hunt, she needs to exercise the right way to keep up
• Make a plan and stick to it, even when you don't want to
• 90% of being physically fit is not the exercise. It's the right food. That takes preparation
• Don't expect 100% adherence. Plan for slip ups.
• All or nothing won't work! Plan for treats.
• There are no good carbs/bad carbs or fats. There is the right mix.

With all those New Year's resolutions, we hope bringing in an expert on the subject will help you find the right motivation.
You can also find Lindsay Persico on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/huntfiber/
Did you notice the new name? We are now Sober Friends. We just wanted to share this message to as many people as possible and the "right" name makes it more searchable. It's the same great sober talk as before.
Find at https://soberfriendspod.com.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/soberfriendspod

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📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.

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Oh my! Financial insecurity. It's one of those fears that can make you drink and can derail any period of recovery. One of the AA Promises says:
"Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us."
Does that mean if financial insecurity pops up again, you've been doing the program incorrectly?
Matt J has some financial issues lately. Along with a lot going on at work and in his home life, the financial concerns of a home project have become overwhelming. Instead of suffering in silence, he used this podcast as a way to help others. Steve C joined the show and gave his perspective and advice including, "why not go to a few more meetings?"
Have you had fear of money? Did this go away the longer you recovered? Are you new and this is at the forefront of your concerns? If you are in a 12 step program, where did the 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th steps come into play?
This is great episode that whatever your length of clean time, we know you can relate and find value!
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📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.

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In this compelling episode, Matt and Steve delve deep into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous—its financial landscape. Together, they unravel the intricate threads of financial operations within AA, shedding light on the challenges, traditions, and potential transformations faced by the organization.

The conversation kicks off by addressing the significant deficit plaguing the General Service Organization (GSO) of AA. With a staggering $1 million deficit, the hosts dissect the implications of this shortfall, emphasizing the reliance on literature sales as a primary source of revenue rather than donations.

Venturing into the heart of the matter, they dissect the AA Seventh Tradition, exploring the intersection of spirituality and financial support within the program. They probe the importance of donations, the rewards they offer, and the need for potential shifts in the revenue-generating structure.

Matt and Steve pivot to examine the hesitance towards change within AA's established business model, a structure rooted in the traditions of the past. Reflecting on the difficulty of implementing changes in a slow-moving, consensus-driven organization, they highlight the challenges of adapting a business model crafted nearly a century ago to fit the contemporary landscape.

The discussion widens to consider digital advancements and the potential role they could play in AA's financial sustainability. Drawing parallels to modern media and subscription-based models, they underscore the significance of a digital presence and revenue stream, juxtaposing it against AA's current digital outreach strategies.

The hosts contemplate the complexities of AA's strict policies on external contributions, referencing the poignant story of Jim Irsay's donation offer of the original AA manuscript and its rejection due to financial limitations and tradition. They further examine the limitations on individual contributions capped at $5,000 and the reliance on group contributions.

Matt and Steve dissect the financial implications for attendees, highlighting how the collective impact of small donations can accumulate, mirroring the price of attending meetings. They discuss the varied financial capacities of different meetings, illustrating how some may be more financially stable than others.

Tune in to this thought-provoking discussion shedding light on the intricate financial intricacies within Alcoholics Anonymous, offering insights into the delicate balance between tradition and adaptability in the realm of recovery.

Support the show

📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.