Decoupling Anxiety: Amanda's Path to Sobriety on Recovery Elevator
Decoupling is untangling the thoughts, actions, and behaviors no longer serving you.
Ever wondered how to untangle the web of thoughts and behaviors that keep you stuck? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, host Paul Churchill sits down with Amanda, a mental health provider from Florida, who shares her inspiring journey to sobriety. Amanda, who grew up in an alcoholic home and faced verbal and emotional abuse, found herself battling anxiety from a young age.
She opens up about how these early experiences shaped her relationship with alcohol and her eventual decision to quit drinking in March 2019. Paul also dives into his own struggles with anxiety, describing a pivotal moment in 2017 when he mistook his severe anxiety for a heart attack. Through his sobriety journey, Paul discovered the concept of 'decoupling'—the process of untangling thoughts and actions that no longer serve you.
He explains how this practice helped him regain control over his life, reducing his anxiety by 85-90%. The episode doesn't just stop at personal stories. Paul and Amanda discuss the importance of self-compassion and the sense of belonging within the recovery community. They touch on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a valuable tool for those looking to overcome their challenges.
Whether you're sober-curious, newly sober, or supporting someone on their journey, this episode offers practical advice and heartfelt stories that can inspire you to embrace an alcohol-free life. Tune in to hear how decoupling can be a game-changer in your path to recovery.