The 12th Step Podcast

Empathy

Empathy sets a solid foundation for many of our relationships throughout life – whether with family, friends or even colleagues. It also plays an essential role as you continue on the path to long-term recovery and sobriety. At its root, empathy is described as being able to understand and relate to the emotions of others. It bridges the gap between what you’ve learned in a treatment setting and how to recover relationships that may have been hurt during your addiction. Throughout the recovery process, you may experience a wide variety of emotions that leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed. Although learning to express empathy may initially seem challenging, it can be built upon over time as you continue to heal from your addiction.

Fifth Step

The fifth step of the 12 step recovery program states that we, “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.” This vital exercise begins to provide emotional, mental and spiritual relief. Join us as we discuss this invaluable step.

The Three C's

Do you know what the three C's are in addiction and how they can affect your short and/or long term recovery? Tune into this episode to learn what the three C's are, how they affect your recovery, and what you can do to prevent them from wrecking havoc in with yoru addiction.

Resentments

Resentment is often defined as anger and indignation experienced as a result of unfair treatment, and it’s a relatively common emotion. Those who experience resentment may have feelings of annoyance and shame—they might also harbor a desire for revenge. A person may become resentful as a result of a slight injustice or a grave one, perhaps harboring the same bitterness and anger over a small matter as they would over a more serious issue. A person experiencing resentment may feel personally victimized but may be too angry or ashamed to discuss the resulting emotions, instead allowing the grudge to fester and be expressed in the form of anger.

What Makes For Long Term Success Part 3 of 3

When considering how to make long-term recovery sustainable, there are both internal and external influences that play a crucial role in successful sobriety. Recovery is far more than the abstinence and this belief is a major contributor to the chances of a relapse. For people in recovery from addiction, it is often our lifestyle that hinders meaningful recovery. Join us as we sit down with our special guest therapist Shane Harmon to talk about what makes for long term success as noted in the book “Facing the Shadows”, by Patrick Carnes. Due to the length of this topic, we have broken this discussion into three parts. So, join us for part 3 of 3.

What Makes For Long Term Success Part 2 of 3

When considering how to make long-term recovery sustainable, there are both internal and external influences that play a crucial role in successful sobriety. Recovery is far more than the abstinence and this belief is a major contributor to the chances of a relapse. For people in recovery from addiction, it is often our lifestyle that hinders meaningful recovery. Join us as we sit down with our special guest therapist Shane Harmon to talk about what makes for long term success as noted in the book “Facing the Shadows”, by Patrick Carnes. Due to the length of this topic, we have broken this discussion into three parts. So, join us for part 2 of 3.

What Makes For Long Term Success Part 1 of 3

When considering how to make long-term recovery sustainable, there are both internal and external influences that play a crucial role in successful sobriety. Recovery is far more than the abstinence and this belief is a major contributor to the chances of a relapse. For people in recovery from addiction, it is often our lifestyle that hinders meaningful recovery. Join us as we sit down with our special guest therapist Shane Harmon to talk about what makes for long term success as noted in the book “Facing the Shadows”, by Patrick Carnes. Due to the length of this topic, we have broken this discussion into three parts. So, join us for part 1 of 3.

What To Do After A Relapse

Relapse is not failure. In fact, is a common step in addiction recovery for many people. Learning to let go of the guilt and shame so you can move forward is critical and needed. Join us as we talk about the key points in what to do after a relapse.

Fourth Step

One of the most important gifts we received as the result of working step four has been the ability to get free from resentments more quickly and easily than ever before in our life. And along with that freedom from resentment we experience a level of peace, calm and improved relationships which we never would have dreamed possible. It has taken time and practice but it has really changed the whole way we operate in the world with others. 

Compliance vs Surrender

If you were to read through the twelve steps, you might find that the wording, at least for the first few steps, has a distinct feeling of “surrendering” to it, particularly surrendering to a higher power.

There are two ways we can approach recovery: by simply complying with what is being asked of us, or surrendering our power. Surrendering, as you’ll learn in this article, is a much more effective approach to lifelong recovery.

What is the difference between complying and surrendering, and why do people who surrender have more success in their sobriety? Tune into this episode to find out.