Recovery Rocks

Tawny and Lisa discuss Tawny’s article in Tempest, “Do I Need to Hit ‘Rock Bottom’ Before Quitting Alcohol?” The answer is no! You don’t have lose everything – or anything – to decide that alcohol isn’t working. For Tawny, it was getting in the way of being the version of herself she wanted to be. It was more like an “AHA” moment. For Lisa, it took actually thinking she was going die in the moment if she didn’t do something. For either of them, though, alcohol use could have led to an accidental or early death. It’s important not to compare ourselves with others when considering “how bad” it has to be to quit. The question is whether life could be better without it.

Music Minute features the Rolling Stones, the B-52s; and Jackson Browne. 

https://jointempest.com/resources/rock-bottom-quitting-alcohol/

What happens when you take a sip of your club soda with lime and realize it’s got vodka in it? Or you bite into a chocolate and realize your mouth is full of the liquor it’s filled with? Tawny and Lisa talk about these accidents, which are distinctly different from a slip or a relapse. It’s all about intent. An accidental sip or bite isn’t a relapse but they pay attention to whether it triggers them or takes them back to the bad old days. Which is why it’s always good to be vigilant and acknowledge how it feels. As the article below points out, even everyday foods, herbs, and juices can have some trace alcohol.

Music Minute features The Banana Splits and No Doubt.

Article on ethanol exposure in food:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5421578/

The Banana Splits:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMl6HnhFFIA

Tawny and Lisa talk about #skincare, the giant online conversation about skincare routines. Tawny’s article for Mic, “The Best Skincare Routine is Sobriety,” lays out the truth about the damage alcohol does to our skin (not to mention the rest of our bodies). Having better skin is just one of the unanticipated benefits of sobriety. And having a skincare routine that doesn’t include waking up in last night’s makeup is one more way Tawny and Lisa take care of themselves in ways that never happened in their drinking days. They also talk about keeping their routines affordable.

Tawny’s choice is WLDKAT skincare, a vegan line incorporating CBD - https://wldkat.com/

Read Tawny’s article here: https://www.mic.com/life/what-does-alcohol-do-to-your-skin-77026937

Swan Huntley is the author of the new book GETTING CLEAN WITH STEVIE GREEN, a novel about one woman’s messy (and very funny) journey from self-delusion to self-acceptance. Lisa couldn’t put the book down and talked to Swan, who’s been sober for 11 years, all about it. They covered the humor we find in our stories, letting go of trying to control all we encounter, and learning to be kind to ourselves, as well as how there is no right or wrong way to recover. 

Music Minute features classic Counting Crows. 

You can find Swan’s writing and more here:  https://www.swanhuntley.com/

New Year, same pandemic. Tawny and Lisa talk about the keeping sane in a continuing crazy time. One key is not putting pressure on themselves with New Year’s resolutions or other vows to “fix” things. Even something like meditating can become a stressor if the pressure to do it is amped up.  It’s all about progress, not perfection, and staying in the day. They also talk about the fun they’re having taking an online Tarot class together. There’s joy to be found in sharing hobbies that don’t feel like “work.”

Music Minute features Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, and Season of the Witch.

Sponsor: soberlink.com  

Shahjehan Khan is the creator and host of KING OF THE WORLD, a riveting, bingeable podcast about his experience as a Pakistani American Muslim teenager who comes of age post 9/11. He also happens to be 11 years sober and a member of an internationally renowned punk rock band! Shahjehan talks with Lisa about all of this and more, including stigma, relationships with family and friends, and all the possibilities a sober life can offer. 

You can find Shahjehan here:  https://www.shahjehankhan.com/

KING OF THE WORLD podcast:  https://www.rifelion.com/shows/kingoftheworld

Amanda’s book, Not Drinking Tonight launched this week, and Tawny and Lisa were thrilled to talk all about it with her. Amanda is a therapist behind the insanely popular Instagram account, @therapyforwomen. The book goes far beyond how to stop drinking. It addresses the history of stress, addiction switching, recovery strategies, drinking culture, how our biology fits in, and much more. Not just for sober folks, the book will help anyone weighing the risks and benefits of drinking.

Buy Not Drinking Tonight here: https://www.hachettego.com/titles/amanda-e-white-lpc/not-drinking-tonight/9781549136344/

Music Minute featured Taylor Swift and Amanda’s Tik Tok! 

Tawny and Lisa celebrate 100 episodes of Recovery Rocks! They talk about how the show
started, how it’s evolved, and how much joy it brings them. What began on a big, red couch in
New York City has gone bi-coastal and virtual. They extend a special thanks and appreciation to
all the listeners who have made continuing this podcast possible.
Music Minute features that that time Tawny and Lisa went to a Rolling Stones show, Red Hot
Chili Peppers, and Bo Burnham.

In sobriety, life can get big. Tawny and Lisa talk about using their newfound time to do things
both fun and cathartic. Hobbies can be tools in working out energy, anger, and difficult
emotions in recovery. But they should also be activities you enjoy without necessarily having a
goal. Whether it’s crafty, cerebral, outdoorsy, or experimental, hobbies are a great way to enjoy
new ideas and adventures that weren’t possible when so much of their time was spent drinking
or hungover.
Music Minute features getting out there to see live music, as well as listening to and learning
about old favorites and new artists.
https://www.thediscoveryhouse.com/new-diversions-9-unique-hobbies-for-recovering-addicts/

Destination addiction is the addiction to the idea that if a certain future event or circumstance
occurs, life’s problems will be solved. Tawny and Lisa talk about these thoughts (for example, “if
I just lose 10 pounds, all will be right in the world”) and addiction to self-improvement. At
times, they have both aspired to some idealized, unrealistic version of themselves. But they
now try to live in the present so that life doesn’t pass them by.
Music Minute features Bleachers and John Lennon.
http://recoverycampus.com/destination-addiction/