Willingness - Recovered 1385
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Willingness entails a readiness to embrace new perspectives, adopt healthier behaviors, and embark on the journey toward sobriety with an open heart and mind. Without willingness, individuals may remain stuck in cycles of denial or resistance, unable to fully commit to the process of recovery. However, when coupled with a genuine desire for change, willingness becomes a catalyst for transformation, empowering individuals to overcome obstacles, confront fears, and embrace the challenges of recovery with courage and determination. Tonight, we talk about...
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Integrity - Recovered 1384
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Developing integrity in recovery is important for building trust, accountability, and authenticity in one's journey toward sobriety. Integrity is the compatibility between inner convictions and outward behavior. Integrity entails honesty with self and others about mistakes, acknowledging the impact of our actions, and taking responsibility by making amends. Integrity fosters a sense of self-respect and dignity, empowering individuals to honor their commitments, set healthy boundaries, and cultivate meaningful relationships based on trust and mutual respect. ...
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Courage - Recovered 1383
Recovered Podcast
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Surrender - Recovered 1382
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Surrender is a fundamental concept in the journey of recovery from addiction, signifying a willingness to relinquish control and accept the reality of one's powerlessness over substances or other’s behaviors. It marks a pivotal moment of recognition, where individuals come to terms with the fact that their attempts to manage or control their addiction have been futile. Surrender does not signify weakness but rather strength, as it requires individuals to confront their vulnerabilities and humbly acknowledge their need for help. By surrendering to reality,...
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Hope - Recovered 1381
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Hope is not just a desirable aspect but a necessary cornerstone of a recovery program. In the depths of addiction, individuals often feel consumed by despair, powerless to break free from the cycle of substance abuse. In early recovery, hope provides a beacon of light amidst the darkness, offering the promise of a better tomorrow. It instills the belief that despite past mistakes and present struggles, a life of sobriety and fulfillment is attainable. This hope is not merely wishful thinking but a tangible force that drives individuals to take the...
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Step 11 - Recovered 1380
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Step 11 in a 12-step recovery program holds significant importance for both straight and LGBTQIA+ individuals as it emphasizes the practice of spiritual principles and mindfulness. Regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals in recovery often struggle with issues of self-acceptance, shame, and spiritual disconnection. Step 11 encourages regular prayer and meditation, fostering a deeper connection with a higher power or spiritual principles that transcend individual differences. For LGBTQIA+ individuals who may have experienced rejection...
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Step 10 - Recovered 1379
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Step 10 in a recovery program holds immense importance as it emphasizes the practice of ongoing self-reflection and accountability. This step involves a daily inventory of one's thoughts, actions, and behaviors, along with a prompt acknowledgment of any shortcomings or mistakes. By regularly examining their attitudes and conduct, individuals in recovery cultivate a heightened sense of self-awareness and honesty, which are crucial for maintaining sobriety. Step 10 serves as a preventative measure against relapse by enabling individuals to promptly address any...
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Steps 8 & 9 - Recovered 1378
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Steps 8 and 9 hold significant importance in the journey of recovery within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Step 8 involves making a list of individuals harmed during one's active addiction and becoming willing to make amends to them. This step fosters accountability and self-reflection, encouraging individuals to confront the consequences of their actions and take responsibility for repairing the harm caused. By identifying those who have been affected by their behavior, individuals in recovery begin to understand the ripple effects of their actions and the...
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Challenges - Recovered 1377
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Dealing with challenges in recovery is paramount to achieving sustained sobriety and personal growth. One of the key aspects is the recognition that recovery is not a linear process; setbacks and challenges are inevitable. Facing these difficulties head-on provides individuals with an opportunity for introspection and self-discovery. Through the support of a community that understands the struggles of addiction, people in recovery learn to confront and navigate challenges with resilience. This process fosters emotional strength, self-awareness, and coping...
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Steps 6 & 7 - Recovered 1376
Recovered Podcast
To skip the intro, tap 3:25 Steps 6 and 7 are crucial stages in a recovery program, guiding individuals on their path to recovery. In Step 6, participants become willing to let go of their character defects—those negative traits or behaviors that hinder personal growth and well-being. This step calls for self-reflection and a genuine desire for change. It requires individuals to confront their shortcomings with honesty and openness, laying the groundwork for personal transformation. Recognizing the need for change and cultivating a willingness to let go of ingrained patterns are...
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Today, we have author Annie Highwater with us in the studio.
Annie, welcome to the Recovered Podcast studio.
Annie, I’m going to have Anna introduce you to our listeners.
Anna take it from here
Introduction
Author Annie Highwater is a long distance runner, health and wellness advocate and a fanatical researcher of behavioral science, family pathology and concepts of dysfunction and conflict. Annie resides in Columbus, Ohio where she has worked in the insurance industry. She also enjoys writing, yoga and visiting her son in Southern California as often as possible.
Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/AnnieUnhooked
Annie’s links will be in the show notes
As you know Annie, the Recovered Podcast is intended to be a support for those of us in 12-step recovery program.
Before your experience with your son, did you know anyone who had struggled with addiction?
Did you know anything about recovery before Elliott?
Your new book is Titled “Unhooked”.
A mother’s story of Unhitching from the roller coaster of her son’s addiction.
Annie, your memoir starts with your experiences of life in a grossly neglected home. But in the book you share how those experiences both helped and hindered what would be the hardest, most heartbreaking, challenge of your life-- your son’s addiction to opiates. You say these experiences have been illuminating.
What do you mean by illuminating?
Elliott is your son, tell us more about him.
Do you have any other children?
Does alcoholism run in the family?
Were you familiar with recovery programs before Elliott?
The book is structured like a boxing match,
You don’t have chapters, you have rounds.
Tell us why.
Tell us about some of the boxing quotes you included.
Are you a boxing fan?
Tell us about your upbringing?
How did that affect your journey with Elliott?
It doesn’t sound like you felt safe growing up, how did that affect your parenting style?
Tell us about your grandparents?
What did you like to do as a kid?
What was the circumstances of you becoming pregnant?
Did you grow up with religion?
Tell us about your relationship with your mother.
How did you find out about Elliott’s addiction?
How did you learn about the disease concept of addiction?
What type of help did you think you needed at the beginning of Elliott’s disease?
What actual help did you need?
Tell us about stigma, secretes, shame, blame, did you experience these things?
Tell us about Elliott’s recovery process.
What were some of your experiences?
What were some of your fears?
Tell us about loneliness.
How did your family react?
Tell us about the 3 c’s.
Did you experience recovery?
What did surrender look like for you?
How did you unhitch yourself from Elliott’s addiction?
Do you ever hitch yourself back on?
What would you say to a parent that suspects their child is experimenting?
What would you say to a parent who suspects their child has a problem?
Did you find others who were going through what you went through?
How did you select your pen name Annie Highwater?
What was the #1 thing that held you back in writing this book?
What is the best advice you ever received about writing this book?
What is something that is working in your life right now?
What is the best book you have read on recovery?
This podcast is about Hope
What would you say to the parent who is struggling with their addicted child?
How can people get the book?
How can listeners contact you?
Annie, thanks for joining us in the studio.