In this Episode:Covid hit the recovery world and made some drastic changes to how people stay sober and find new sources to meet. For many, it hasn’t been good as isolated drinking, relapse, and overdose deaths are on the rise, but for others, the pandemic has introduced a new way to get together—Zoom. In today’s episode, we talk to Steve and Annette as they tell us what they have done to promote Zoom meetings in the recovery community.Highlights in this Episode Include:· &n...

In this Episode:Do you have a loved one whose alcohol or another substance use has gotten out of control? Are they behaving in ways that are incongruent with their own values? In this week’s episode, we talk to Jim Ware, psychologist, therapist, and interventionist with 25+ years of experience in interventions. Highlights in this Episode Include:· Why it’s important to treat the whole family.· What an intervention is.· &nbs...

In this Episode:She’s back. Vince and Jeanna have another conversation with Dr. Camila Williams. In this episode, they talk to Dr. Williams about the benefits of working a recovery program that involves therapy and a 12-step community and when to get a professional involved in recovery.Listen in as Camila identifies green light (all is good), yellow light (proceed with caution), and red light behaviors (call a therapist) that a sponsor can look for when working with a sponsee.Highlights in th...

In this Episode:While Vince and Jeanna have enjoyed producing these podcasts for you, sometimes they are a struggle. This one about their struggles with the podcast was no different. In this episode, they dig deep into their fears to address where they really come from. It takes a turn in a direction that was unexpected but offers a lot for the recovering alcoholic to think about when trying to figure out why they are afraid. Listen in as Vince and Jeanna are authentic about their fears ...

In this Episode:A common concern for alcoholics is how to deal with the things that trigger them to drink. In fact, many relapses happen at the start of a trigger. Familiar environments, people, or events launch a thought in the alcoholic's brain that says, “let’s deal with this by drinking” and often, the alcoholic follows the routine without even realizing they are doing it. In this episode of Back Porch Chats, Vince and Jeanna talk about the things that trigger them, how they become h...

In this Episode:A few months ago, Vince and I had the opportunity to see hypnotist, Terry Stokes Jr. perform his comedy show for an audience of alcoholics. In his show, he works the message of recovery into an environment of laughter. In this episode, Terry talks with Vince and Jeanna about limiting beliefs and how they affect recovery. Highlights in this Episode Include:· His motivation to perform his show as a community service for recovering alcoholics.·&nb...

In this Episode: If you have had, are considering having, or have a loved one who is considering having gastric bypass, you will want to listen to this episode. One of the leading difficulties amongst gastric bypass patients is the development of alcohol addiction post-surgery. In this episode, Shana talks about her insecurities with her weight, her decision to get the gastric sleeve, and how she quickly began substituting food addiction with alcohol, known as transfer addiction. ...

Fun with Carol and Anna Part 1In this Episode: And boy did we have fun. In this first part, Anna shares her story of recovery, isolation, and connecting with nature. It’s a short episode full of laughter. Highlights in this Episode Include:How alcoholics don’t understand fun without alcohol at first but are able to learn.Both women’s connection to nature and fun.Anna’s short experience with alcohol abuse and her treatment for it.Her self isolation as an introvert and its co...

Fun with Carol and Anna Part 2In this Episode: Gears switch drastically as we continue this episode of “Fun with Carol and Anna” on a more serious note. Carol talks about her multiple addictions, experience with mental institutions, and growing up in a critical home. It’s important to know that if you deal with mental illness, you are not alone. There are others out there dealing with the same issues. Listen to Carol’s story to connect.Apologies for the sound. We had some mike problems...

Roban’s Story and Driving Miss JeannaIn this Episode: In this episode of “Back Porch Chats”, Vince meets Roban, Jeanna’s taxi driver from “back in the day”. Roban tells her story of how she was introduced to her drug of choice (meth) and quickly became addicted. She also shares with us how her daughter saved her from that life only to follow a similar path. As a bonus, you will hear laughter and pain in a taxi driver’s story. Highlights in this Episode Include:How her c...