Are you struggling with emotional eating or smoking or curtailing your spending? Willpower is no match for subconscious habits that have been automated by the brain. Trying to control yourself triggers a stress response that makes it MORE likely you'll fail. In this episode, I introduce the Stop Drop and Feel technique that will help you override compulsive behavior. 

Find the Correcting for Compulsive Behavior guide for this episode at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

Have questions? Click here to join my private Facebook group for free coaching with me and connection to a tribe of women going through this together. Recover with Colleen

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Find resources at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

Are you resentful of your spouse? Overwhelmed by your daily to-do list? Feeling guilt and regret about the past? Do your emotional outbursts make things worse instead of better?

Your feelings don't tell you the truth about what's going on in the outside world. They reflect your beliefs about YOURSELF in relation to what's going on. In this episode, I teach you how to apply my favorite tool -- the Emotional Ownership Statement. Because the first order of operations in any problem is to solve for your feelings. As you know, the more emotional you feel, the less rational you are. 

Learning to manage your emotions is a SKILL. It takes practice and patience. The more you do it, the easier and more rewarding it gets.

Have questions? Click here to join my private Facebook group for free coaching with me and connection to a tribe of women going through this together. Recover with Colleen

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Register for 10 Days to Spontaneous Sobriety.

Find resources at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

Are you annoyed by everyone who says you have to "feel your feelings" in early sobriety? What does that even mean? And what's the point of feeling bad? In this episode, I explain how to extract the hidden messages of emotional turmoil and give you clear action steps so you can resolve them. After years of numbing, avoiding and suppressing your feelings, it's liberating to realize emotions are your greatest tool for growth. 

Have questions? Click here to join my private Facebook group for free coaching with me and connection to a tribe of women going through this together. Recover with Colleen

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Register for 10 Days to Spontaneous Sobriety.

Find resources at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

After years of using alcohol to cope with life (aka short-change yourself), early sobriety is an invitation to address the basic needs that must be met if you want to enjoy living in your body. In this episode, I explain how taking a holistic approach to your recovery corrects the upstream deficiencies that make life feel really overwhelming. Find the Unmet Needs guide mentioned in this episode at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies.

Have questions? Click here to join my private Facebook group for free coaching with me and connection to a tribe of women going through this together. Recover with Colleen

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Register for 10 Days to Spontaneous Sobriety.

Find resources at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

In early sobriety, it's common to use sugar to combat alcohol cravings. But aside from undermining your weight loss goals and making you feel crappy, consuming sugar keeps the craving cycle alive. Which makes it HARDER to resist alcohol. Because sugar is addictive too. Sugar undermines the brain's ability to recalibrate for dopamine, making recovery longer and harder. Learn why and how to eliminate sugar from your diet so that you feel better FASTER.

Find Sugar is Stress and Sugar and Oil-Free Whole Food Desserts at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

Have questions? Click here to join my private Facebook group for free coaching with me and connection to a tribe of women going through this together. Recover with Colleen

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Register for 10 Days to Spontaneous Sobriety.

Find resources at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

In this episode, I share how my plant-based, intermittent fasting approach did NOT serve me in early recovery. Our brains need three protein-packed meals per day to recover. Whether you're hoping to lose weight now that you're not drinking, or needing to recover from "drink-orexia," you'll need a strategy for healthy eating.

Find Whole Food Recipes for Recovery, Make a Plan Eat the Plan and Support Supplements mentioned in this episode at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

Have questions? Click here to join my private Facebook group for free coaching with me and connection to a tribe of women going through this together. Recover with Colleen

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Register for 10 Days to Spontaneous Sobriety.

Find resources at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

In this epidosde, I give you the strategies to prepare for the inevitable stupid questions and comments you'll hear when you venture into social situations as a new non-drinker. We'll cover the 5 most common beliefs you'll need to overcome: 1. Not-drinking is akin to admitting a drinking problem 2. People will judge or worse--pity you. 3. You might fail. 4. Sobriety is like a vow of celibacy and or at least a party foul. 5. You owe people an explanation or you need a good reason to abstain. 

The key to feeling confident about your alcohol-free status is to be prepared. 

Download the homework Social Sobriety at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

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We drink because we believe alcohol helps us feel relaxed and connected. And we think that quitting will be hard and painful. We assume that if we don't have enough willpower to moderate, sobriety will feel like the ultimate in self-denial.

But believing something doesn't make it true. The best way to counteract the subconscious beliefs that tie you to drinking and scare you from committing to remain alcohol free is to shine a light on the bullsh!t. Contrast your old beliefs with reality so that you can drop your assumptions and experience the truth. Free your mind and the rest will follow...

Download the homework for this episode (Beliefs vs Reality PDF) at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

Have questions? Click here to join my private Facebook group for free coaching with me and connection to a tribe of women going through this together. Recover with Colleen

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Register for 10 Days to Spontaneous Sobriety.

Even with detox symptoms, early sobriety feels amazing when compared to active alcohol use disorder. The pink bubble is nature's nod to our efforts.

However, we call it "recovery" for a reason. It takes time for brain chemistry to recalibrate. The reasons we thought we needed a drink are now waiting to be dealt with. 

Post-actute withdrawal syndrome is a collection of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual symptoms that serve as invitations to heal. Having the right tools will accelerate your recovery and give you the resilience to stay focused on your goals so that you can live your best life.

Click here to go to access the free resources on my website, which include the PAWS AWARE questionaire and What is PAWS.

Have more questions? Click here to join my private Facebook group for free coaching with me and connection to a tribe of women going through this together. Recover with Colleen

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Register for 10 Days to Spontaneous Sobriety.

Find resources at https://recoverwithcolleen.com/freebies

Early sobriety is a tender time. After years of drinking, we have to re-imagine who we are without a drink in our hand. The best way to do that is through story. 

In this bonus episode, I read an essay I wrote as I neared my one-year sober-versary. It's a tribute to everyone who dares to put down the drink and step into the unknown.

Read Ex-Drinkers are Badass and other essays on my blog. 

Register for 10 Days to Spontaneous Sobriety.

Click here to join my private Facebook group Recover with Colleen

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