In a world where drinking alcohol is glorified as a coping tool for difficult parenting moments, staying sober and raising kids is definitely a challenge. Each age group comes with it's own conflicts and struggles, but many parents find the teen years in particularly to be emotionally exhausting. If you're in recovery, chances are you already have a hard time managing emotions sometimes. Adding the stress of teenagers to the mix can really throw you for a loop.

On the other hand though, your recovery gives you an incredible opportunity to really show up for your kids. In today's episode, we chat with Amos, Seija, and Robbie about how their sobriety has affected their parenting, and what they've learned since showing up sober for their teens.

---

Robbie Pike started his sobriety journey due to being sick of the same old story he would put himself though. He found his cannabis and alcohol use getting worse as the years went on. He used them to cope with everything and anything. He is now over two years sober, and couldn’t be happier with his decision to take on this new journey.

---

My name is Seija, I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I have been sober since April 10, 2015. I grew up in the Chicagoland area and we moved to the Denver suburbs in 2014. I am the proud Mom to three sweet young adults; Jackson (23), Maya (19) and Lincoln (14). I am also thankful to be walking this recovery journey with my partner, Greg, and grateful to do life with him.

I am fortunate to be able to be of service in many ways in my life - my career in an assisted living community, volunteer work as a victim advocate with a local police department and a proud Board member at our recovery club.

I am thankful to be able to work with many women in sobriety, honored to be trusted with their story and watch them grow & glow.

If I could share one bit of advice, I’d remind people in early sobriety that nothing will change if nothing changes. I can’t expect the results to come from the work I don’t do - in every area of my life. Just keep going, I promise life only gets better in sobriety!

---

Amos Dupuis has been sober for 29 months, embracing a new life filled with opportunities beyond imagination. He attributes his journey to the guidance of his higher power, giving gratitude for the doors that have opened—and the ones that have closed with purpose. With a renewed sense of love and possibility, he is experiencing a life that feels truly limitless.

---

"That's the goal: to help our kids exceed us."

Episode Highlights:

• How to show up when our kids are going through hard times
• The added pressure of single parenting
• Learning to balance being the friend with being the parent
• Helping our kids cope with their own trauma
• Supporting them without absorbing their emotions
• How to work through all of the regrets we have about our drinking days
• Taking to teens about your recovery
• How your recovery community will also benefit your teens
• Setting the example
• Keeping conversations open - even when they're difficult conversations

If you need more support and advice for parenting, make sure you check out Episode 87: Talking to Your Kids About Your Addiction.

---

We'd love to hear about your experiences with raising teenagers now that you're sober. Come join the conversation on Instagram or Facebook!

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most widely known path to recovery from addiction, and often it's the only option people are aware of when they decide they're ready to stop drinking. While AA works well for many people, it doesn't always provide what someone needs to achieve lasting sobriety. Our goal is to bring to light how many different options there are for recovering from alcohol use disorder.

Our guests share what their experience in AA was like, how it shaped their recovery, and what they did when they realized they needed something different.

"AA does not have a monopoly on changing your life for the better."

Episode Highlights:

• AA offers a "cookie cutter" recovery plan, but humans are not suffering from "cookie cutter" addictions.
• Validating reasons that AA isn't always possible, such as difficulty getting to meetings
• Using "quitlit" books to support your recovery
• Finding a sense of community outside of Alcoholics Anonymous
• AA offers an instruction manual that can be a good foundation for recovery, but some people find they need more
• Health and wellness as a foundation for recovery
• The people of AA is the core - it's what makes it so valuable.
• Some groups lean heavily on a higher power, others don't. Sometimes it takes trying a few groups to find one that does fit.
• Our recovery needs change based on the seasons of our lives
• Scientific, contemplative, and reflective practices as a basis for a recovery plan

"Take what you need and leave the rest."

---

Rich Sullivan and his wife run a local sober and sober curious community on Facebook called Clear + Present Strangers. You can find the group by searching. Also check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearandpresentstrangers/

They also offer a self guided coaching course and 1:1 coaching, as well as promote local alcohol-free events, feature restaurants that offer great NA options.

---

Rachel Collins is a licensed clinical professional counselor and founder of Stride Forward Counseling. She is LGBTQIA+ affirming and her mission is to empower you to lead a more meaningful life. Rachel is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-basedcognitive therapy (MBCT). She has a special interest in working with individuals who are struggling with substance abuse, addiction, and that are highly sensitive.

Visit her website at https://strideforwardcounseling.com

Check out Rachel's podcast:

Self-improvement Book Club by Rachel

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-improvement-book-club-by-rachel/id1647601481

---

Dr. Joanne Ketch LPC: I’ve walked through most of the major seasons of adult life sober. My own journey inspired me to dedicate my career to transforming the treatment of substance use disorder. Through my master’s and doctoral work, I developed a passion for empowering people to own their recovery and breaking down misinformation and stigma around addiction. I believe recovery is about building a full, rewarding life, and I’m honored to share a bit of my story today. You can find more of my work at www.drjorecoverycoaching.com.

---

Resources:

Rewired by Erica Spiegelman - a recovery program based on self reflection and journaling.

---

We would love to hear about your experience with AA! We know it works for a lot of people, and it doesn't work for others, and we're always open to hearing stories from both sides of the fence. Come share your thoughts on Instagram: @throughtheglassrecovery or on Facebook

Find full show notes and other resources on our website: throughtheglassrecovery.com

In this roundtable discussion, we dig into the topic of anger. We know that anger can be a driving force behind alcohol use, which means we need to not only understand why we get so angry, but also have the tools to deal with our anger in productive ways. Listen as five people share what they've learned about managing anger in recovery.

• Facing the shame and guilt surrounding anger
• Specific tools to release anger
• Learning to see anger as a signal, and listen to it
• Projecting anger toward others, when we are really angry with ourselves
• Taking responsibility for your part of the anger you experience
• The practice of forgiveness and how it impacts the way we experience anger
• Using anger as an excuse for drinking or other unhealthy behaviors

Tools for coping with anger:

• Write a goodbye letter to anger
• Practice taking time outs - sooner rather than later
• Learn to name anger when it arises
• Validate your anger so that you aren't fighting it

Do you struggle with managing anger in recovery? Share your story with us on Instagram @throughtheglassrecovery

---

Meet our guests:

My name is David and I am 20 months into my recovery journey. I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol for 20 plus years. I started in rehab and began putting in the work. I believe everyone can choose their own path in recovery. Through support from family, friends, community, sharing, and counseling, I have been able to begin healing from childhood traumas. It is an honor to be a part of such a beautiful community of people. I didn’t know how lost I was until I found myself. One love!

-

At 18, I entered prison. At 19, facing a potential 10+ years for parole violation, a pivotal decision changed my life. In a jail cell on October 12, 1996, at 3 a.m., I swore off mind-altering substances. The 21st encounter with handcuffs pushed me to break free. Living clean and sober for 27 years, I’ve found genuine freedom—earned through work, willingness, and honesty. Sobriety, my most gangster feat, opens doors to a life beyond imagination. – Jason Williams aka Sober Gangster

https://www.instagram.com/sober.gangster

https://www.facebook.com/Sobergangster

-

My name is Amy and I am a recovering alcoholic that currently resides in Texas. I have dealt with varying degrees of my alcoholism in the 33 years that I was active in my addiction. I took my first drink with the intent to “get drunk” at 13. In January 2024, I started my healing and sobriety journey.

I am grateful to be in recovery and hope to help others along in their journey by sharing my story authentically. You are welcome to reach out to me through social media or email.

Email: aamymay24@gmail.com

Tiktok: The Sober Amy May @kittykitty_no-no