There are many theories about the causes of addiction and many of us are curious about what our underlying issues are, that lead us to an unhealthy relationship with substances and behaviors.

What we know for sure is it’s a combination of factors – biological, psychological, social, and environmental.

This is also what makes addiction more challenging to treat because it isn’t an illness that can be approached with a single solution.

It’s not a matter of just putting down the drink and moving on with your life.

Even if there was a way to fix the genetic piece of addiction, that solution wouldn’t be able to fix the psychological pieces. And when you work on the psychological healing, that won’t fix the biology or change the environmental and social aspects.

Many of my clients spend a lot of time searching for why this happened to them.

How did I end up like this? Why did this happen to me?

But one theory that is super interesting to me, and will offer you some additional insight, is attachment theory.

> What is it?

> How does it affect substance issues?

> What to do about it.

 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Why is your inner critic so freakin’ mean??

We all have that inner monologue – We talk to ourselves all day long.

We debate with ourselves about eating another cookie, or drinking another cup of coffee, or how to respond to an email.

Regardless of the topic, we hear that inner critic running through our head all day.

At times this little voice can actually be helpful and keep you motivated toward reaching goals—like when it reminds you that what you’re about to eat isn’t healthy or what you’re about to do may not be the best decision.

But oftentimes, this voice can be more harmful than helpful, particularly when it gets into excessive negativity that can really bring you down.

Basically, negative self-talk is any inner dialogue you have with yourself that may be limiting your ability to believe in yourself and your own capabilities.

It isn’t just stressful; it can also make it difficult to get motivated and achieve the things you want for your life and family.

Today we’re talking about that inner voice we all struggle with:

• why it’s so mean sometimes
• how it’s holding you back from getting the life and recovery you really want.

 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

Secrets About Self-Esteem That Will Blow Your Mind: addictionunlimited.com/206

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

The REAL reason for feeling some depression or symptoms of depression when you quit drinking alcohol.

And one of these may be something you’ve never heard of.

If you’ve ever used alcohol to deal with feelings of depression, you may have found that after your buzz wears off, you feel even lower than before.

It’s a chicken and egg situation – which came first?

Were you struggling because you were drinking, or were you drinking because you were struggling?

Well, both can be true.

Drinking can increase depression – but depression is also linked to heavier alcohol use.

There are a few things to be aware of to make sense of what you may be feeling and, more importantly, help you cope and have the understanding that it is fixable.

 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

 

If you find yourself in yo-yo sobriety, and you can’t figure out why you keep going back to drinking when you KNOW you don’t drink well – I’m going to give you some solutions.

If you have followed me for any length of time, you know I’m all about solutions and I’m a believer in investing the majority of my time and energy into solving a problem rather than obsessing about it.

One thing I can tell you with certainty is, I know what works for recovery.

Not only from my personal recovery and fighting all the same battles you’re fighting, but also from the thousands of people I’ve worked with over all the years of my career.

Addiction, alcoholism, alcohol use disorder… whatever you want to call it – is very predictable.

It’s course and progression is the same in everyone, and the core solutions are the same, too.

So if you are back at ‘day one again’ or you have been sober for a minute and you’re fighting your head telling you, “maybe it wasn’t that bad”, “maybe you can control it now”, “you can get away with just one drink!” – if you can relate, I want you to listen up, and take action.

And if you want my notes from this episode so you don’t have to take notes, then make sure you are signed up for the 30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery series where I’m not only providing all these bonus episodes, but also some great bonus resources to help you in your process so you can get farther and feel better, faster.

addictionunlimited.com/fasttrack

If you’re signed up then next week you are going to get access to some bonus videos I put together for you, then we are going to do a LIVE webinar so we can be face-to-face you and me! And it’s all FREE!

addictionunlimited.com/fasttrack

Now let’s get into the magic of solutions and what to do to feel better, and stay sober longer.

 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery: addictionunlimited.com/fasttrack

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Does recovery give you a framework to follow to build a happy and fulfilled life?

Pete Sousa definitely thinks so, and he’s here to tell you all about it in this week’s episode!

In this episode, Pete breaks down his addiction step-by-step and shares all the things he did to get, and stay, sober.

Pete is a news anchor in Texas, an ESPN broadcaster, and a powerful recovery advocate on his podcast The Payoff with Pete and today he’s sharing his whole story with you.

From backing his car into a ditch at his friend’s party, going to treatment, and working at KFC to strengthen his recovery, Pete’s dedication to sobriety is second to none.

This episode is overflowing with moving personal stories, self-acceptance, and real life examples of how to live a recovery lifestyle for years to come.

Click here to listen on the web, or go to your favorite podcast app to listen to this incredible conversation with Pete!

 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

The Payoff with Pete:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7eoXPG5Mq3gv9W2GVQxh9d

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Being High-Functioning Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Have a Drinking Problem

I understand why you feel that way and how easy it is to separate from the pack when your habits and struggles look different.

It does create a sense of being different and not fitting in to traditional methods and programs.

And it’s hard to call yourself an alcoholic when your picture of what an alcoholic is, is not good.

But let me ask you this – if you are high-functioning, does that mean your problem is different? Or your lifestyle is different?

And if you continue to view your problem as different, which is probably what you’ve been doing, then you could continue to stay stuck in yo-yo sobriety, wasting your time and energy for months or years.

So what do high-functioning problem drinkers do to be successful at sobriety?

Well, we start with facing the real problem, instead of being distracted by the lifestyle and labels.

Think about it – there are tens of millions of people with drinking problems across the globe. There is no way all of our details are going to be the same.

How we live, education, houses, jobs, cars, money, how much we drink, how often we drink, trauma… all of these details will vary to some degree.

But our misuse of alcohol is the same.

If you’re like most of my clients, you use alcohol as a way to numb feelings and discomfort. You use it as a way to connect with your friends, to make laundry and kids and chores feel more doable, to escape the stresses of reality and adulting.

So, isn’t it more important to focus on the causes and conditions so you can get away from alcohol, get control of your life back, and be present with your family?

 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery: addictionunlimited.com/fasttrack

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

The uncomfortable topic no one is talking about. Or, not too many people are talking about because it can be awkward and weird like everything else in life.

But it’s so important for women to understand.

And, there are some great recovery revelations in this episode that have nothing to do with life stages or being a man or a woman – but have everything to do with getting sober and living the life you really want.

You may know today’s guest from the To 50 & Beyond podcast.

When she quit drinking at forty-five, she felt like she had been run over by a truck for years.

She was doing the back and forth, back and forth thing, and she finally decided to quit drinking after thirty years of a close relationship with alcohol – finally tired of settling for that life.

Lori Massicot loves to talk about the disadvantage of just a small amount of alcohol.

From sleepless nights, waking up in the morning fuzzy and hungover, to ending the day with another drink even when you promised yourself you weren’t going to drink today.

She found herself in mid-life, stressed out, she didn’t like her work, had no confidence, and knew her life had to change.

And if you aren’t a 12-step person, you’re definitely going to love the inspiration and motivation that comes with Lori’s story because she had a different path, is respectful of the program, and has amazing and fulfilling sobriety.

 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

Insights Into Addiction and 12-Step Programs Today with Angela Pugh:  https://www.lorimassicot.com/to-50-and-beyond-podcast/283

Lori Massicot:  lorimassicot.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Many of us love to get annoyed with the AA one-liners and all the recovery phrases out there, but the truth is, they work.

And if you get them, they can change your whole trajectory.

When you understand what they mean, the few simple words take on a whole new meaning and it becomes its own shorthand language where you hear these few words, and you know exactly what to do.

It’s a game changer.

Especially if you are caught up in future-tripping, thinking about a bunch of possibilities, what if this happens… what if they do this or say this… what will I do if this…

Did you know that studies show 85% of the things you worry about, never happen?

85%!!

That’s a lot of wasted time and energy.

I’m going to go through 6 of my favorite, life-changing phrases, what they mean to me, and how to use them.

And, if you’re signed up for the 30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery series, you’re going to have access to six more, with a little surprise bonus I’m putting together for you.

Links mentioned in this episode: 

30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery: addictionunlimited.com/fasttrack

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

 

 

What does an addictive personality actually look like?

People always tell me, “I have a very addictive personality”.

Well, I’m right there with you, my friend – if you struggle with substances, it just makes sense we will struggle with behavior addictions, too.

Today we’re talking about having an addictive personality and the behavior addictions we can pick up along the way.

If I do something and I like it, I want more of it.

Food, people, work, exercise, self-improvement and recovery, television, ice cream – it could literally be anything.

If I get some gratification from it, I want to do it again, as soon as possible.

One common factor underlying nearly every addiction is the feeling of reward.

Your brain registers all pleasures in the same way, whether it’s a cold beer after work, a shopping spree, morning sex, or a delicious meal.

When you experience that feeling of reward, the brain is flooded with the neurotransmitter dopamine.

It’s the feel-good neurotransmitter and it is the thing we are chasing for most of the time.

So let’s get into some of the traits of an addictive personality, what they look like in everyday life, and how they manifest in some of the most common behavior addictions.

 

Links mentioned in this episode: 

30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery: addictionunlimited.com/fasttrack

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Whether you’re in the early stages of sobriety or have been in recovery for a while, understanding post-acute withdrawal can help you navigate the ups and downs of addiction recovery more effectively.

PAWS can be a challenging phase in the addiction recovery journey, and knowing the symptoms and signs can help you create processes and gather tools to get through it without relapse.

🔸What is it
🔸What are the symptoms
🔸What to do

If you’re feeling a little crazy and need a name for it, this may be it.

Don’t worry about taking notes with this episode because I’ve created a whole guide for you as a part of the 30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery series.

Links mentioned in this episode: 

30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery: addictionunlimited.com/fasttrack

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited

Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call

Quitting Drinking & Post Acute Withdrawal (PAWS):  addictionunlimited.com/73

The Science of Sobriety and How to Feel Better Faster: addictionunlimited.com/200

 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Recovery fears are the absolute worst, because let's be real: all you want to do is get your life together and be present with your family, but you can’t stop thinking about all the ways your life will change and wondering if you can handle it. This can also come in the form of not wanting to engage so much with friends because you are feeling torn between two lives and totally uncertain about what your future is going to look like. And I get it – I know that life, sober or not, isn’t always rainbows and kittens, but you shouldn’t be stuck in fear and letting it hold you back. You may know Charlie LeVoir from the Way Out Podcast where he talks about powerful sobriety topics and recovery stories to inspire your recovery journey. He was struggling with a drinking problem, but convinced his wife he could quit whenever he wanted to. In his attempt to moderate his drinking he almost lost a hand while carving the Thanksgiving turkey and that’s when it all came crashing down. No more denial, no more convincing the wife, straight to treatment he went. Through working steps and doing trauma therapy Charlie shares how he had to straighten out all the relationships in his life that were confused and not right, including the relationship he had with himself. The major truths he had to face The counselor that set him straight And the realization that got him into recovery full-time   Links mentioned in this episode:  30 Days to Fast Track Your Recovery: addictionunlimited.com/fasttrack Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited Want to work with Angela? Book A Call Here : addictionunlimited.com/call Way Out Podcast: wayoutcast.com   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to keep moving forward to the recovery lifestyle they want.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!