May 03, 2025

Journalling in Recovery...with Patti Clark

51 minutes

My guest is author Patti Clark who was born and raised in San Francisco during the 60’s and 70’s – a flower child who started drinking and using drugs at the tender age of 13

In this episode:-

Patti started drinking and using drugs as a young teenager

Her mother was an alcoholic and died when Patti was just 16.

She was Academically successful despite the heavy drinking and drug use.

Patti first got sober at the age of 30 – she attended AA and stayed sober for 13 years.

She eventually left 12-step recovery thinking she could moderate

The drinking ramped up again and she drank for another 13 years.

Patti's red flags included hiding bottles, kids noticing her drinking.

Patti got sober again in November 2014 and this time it stuck

She rebuilt her sobriety using therapy, journaling and creativity.

She eventually co-founded an NA meeting with a focus on emotional sobriety

Journalling played a huge role in her recovery, helping her to access her inner feelings and creativity.

We both agreed on the value of sitting in the void

Although it can be boring and uncomfortable at first it allows space for growth, ideas, and new passions.

Believes women relapse partly because traditional 12-step recovery doesn't fit women’s emotional needs.

Relapse is often linked to lack of connection and trying to fill emotional voids.

Three key messages from Patti:-

a) Find your tribe — Emphasizes that connection and community is critical for recovery.

b) Allow yourself to be uncomfortable in early sobriety — that discomfort will lead to growth

c) Joy and purpose are central to lasting recovery — sobriety should feel like an upgrade, not a deprivation.

Patti's Books

a) This Way Up — about the search for self (includes journaling workbook).

b) "Recovery Road Trip" — real conversations with women about relapse & recovery; includes a journaling guide.

Books available via Amazon, Simon & Schuster, available on Kindle, and as an audiobook

Patti welcomes emails from readers and loves hearing their stories. Her email is [email protected]

More Info:

Our next BF program kicks off on 11th May You can sign up for Breaking Free here

Episode Sponsor

This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today

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