It’s live action on the Recovery Daily Podcast today as Autumn jumps over my shoulder mid-sentence! Both Autumn, the Weimaraner, and Boris, the English Bulldog, play brilliant roles as the ultimate distractions while recording. Sticking to my commitment of never re-recording or cutting the raw footage, you get to see some cuddly cameos.

Coincidentally, and no I didn’t plan this, today’s episode is about distractions. I share my experience with relapsing two months after my first attendance in INOVA CATS detox facility.

We can receive all the therapy and support in the world, but when everyone goes home, we are still left with our own thoughts. I couldn’t grasp the idea of living one day at a time. I thought, “eventually I’m going to drink again, so I might as well start now.” And drank I did for eight more months. My mind was distracting me from doing the next right thing right now.

My second stay in detox began my current sobriety period, and since then I’ve followed my self-inflicted rule. I turn off my “wanter” and take all suggestions that nurture my sobriety. That included seeing an addiction therapist for two years, getting a sponsor, getting a homegroup, reading/listening to alcoholism-focused literature for at least 20 minutes per day, and connecting with other recovering drunks.

Both relapse prevention and stroke prevention require daily maintenance for me. I can’t let anything distract me from self-care and the medication for my body and my soul.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and on ⁠YouTube⁠!

Visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

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