Gail Ferguson Jones
Gail Ferguson Jones
Episode 31: Emotional Sobriety in Early Recovery
Episode 31: Emotional Sobriety in Early Recovery
Episode 31: Emotional Sobriety in Early Recovery
Thursday 22nd June 2023
Join Gail Ferguson-Jones and Kirsten Gourlay as they explore the emotional challenges of early sobriety on 'The Buttrfly Effect' podcast.
38 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Compassionate
Hopeful
Supportive
About this podcast
Author:
Gail Ferguson Jones
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Family Recovery from Addiction
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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Episodes:
39 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!The Early Days of Sobriety: Emotional Hurdles and Triumphs
Episode Overview
- Early recovery encompasses three stages: physical, mental, and emotional.
- Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) presents challenges during recovery, lasting 18 to 24 months.
- A Relapse Prevention Plan is crucial for those in recovery and requires support from peers and professionals.
- Emotional recovery impacts both individuals in recovery and their families, requiring separate but parallel healing journeys.
- Understanding and addressing emotional triggers and risk situations is essential for successful relapse prevention.
Emotional sobriety takes years... Emotional recovery is where your average human being is. Think of emotional recovery as being that ball in a pinball machine, right? Life is happening to me. Somebody reacts in a way I feel offended or fearful. My central nervous system responds. I'm sort of battered about by it. I get to work. My boss is on my back. I'm feeling the pressure. My colleague is helpful. I'm feeling hard done by. I get in the traffic coming home from work. There's somebody driving in a way that is frustrating to me in front of me. I get home. I've got financial worries about the kids' college funds or the whatever it is. My wife cooks me a dish I hate, but she seems to think I like. I'm emotionally affected by this. I want to go to bed early, but I've got all the household chores to do. Any human being. Yes, and then if you've been numbing yourself from all of those, if you've been using escapism from all of those, and now you have to learn how to cope with it. You need your loved ones. It's a growth process for everybody. It's really a growth process for everybody, would you say?
Ever wondered what it feels like to step into sobriety after years of addiction? In this episode of 'The Buttrfly Effect', host Gail Ferguson-Jones sits down with Certified Peer Recovery Coach Kirsten Gourlay to unpack the emotional rollercoaster of early recovery. With 12 years of sobriety under her belt, Kirsten brings a wealth of experience and compassion to the table, offering a deep dive into the three stages of recovery: physical, mental, and emotional.
They discuss the often-overlooked challenges posed by Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) and why having a Relapse Prevention Plan is crucial. Kirsten also emphasizes the importance of family support and the need for loved ones to engage in their own recovery journeys through community support, therapy, and peer coaching. Whether you're in recovery yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice to help navigate the early days of sobriety.