Episode 71

Jenna tells Daniel about some recent milestones her family has experienced and expresses appreciation for her sobriety, and for being fully engaged and emotional. She addresses a brief desire to drink at her daughter's graduation celebration dinner, and Daniel talks about how that is normal, and that it is unrealistic to think you'll never have another craving. They talk about "negative permanent language" and as it applies to sobriety.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel and Jenna talk about alcohol-free products that have recently become more popular including elixirs, microdose mushroom beverages, and supplements. They discuss their own personal preferences with these products and how they feel it could potentially affect their sobriety.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel tells Jenna about recently losing power and adjusting his family activities for an evening. They talk about their rationalization to drink in those types of circumstances during active addiction. Jenna talks about how relieved she feels to be able to participate in relaxing activities on her own without the lure of alcohol constantly pulling at her choices. They also discuss the ability to stay awake and alert in the evenings, whether that means giving their children rides to and from activities, being productive at home, or simply relaxing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel and Jenna talk about "residual shame" as Daniel continues his job search and is faced with some previous acquaintances via social media. They discuss the rationale for amends and how it can sometimes be authentic and sometimes self-serving, and the importance of making that distinction before approaching someone from the past.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna and Daniel talk about how their sobriety has affected their marriages. Having much different experiences, they share the differences and similarities of how their relationships have evolved as they have discovered their true authentic selves in sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna talks about going to a Phillies game and how her sobriety gave her a sense of freedom versus restraint. Daniel talks about how much his recent injury continues to limit his activities and how he's handling the associated frustration. They discuss weed, CBD and THC, and talk about how some people in recovery will sometimes seek "permission" to start smoking in place of drinking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel tells Jenna of a recent neck injury which leads to a discussion about the disruption of certain activities in his sober toolbox. They talk about the critical nature of maintaining routine and adjusting their sober activities as needed. Daniel asks the question "what is this trying to teach me" versus feeling overly frustrated or defeated. He acknowledges how different his situation would be in active addiction as they discuss boundary-setting and supporting loved ones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna and Daniel talk about navigating parental choices when their children are considering drinking. They discuss trust and respect and how that ties into their parenting styles. Daniel talks about some recent travel which leads them to recall some of their habits when it came to planning drinking during road trips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel talks about planning some upcoming travel and being careful not to overthink the plans. Jenna shares about attending the first happy hour she's been to since getting sober and acknowledges her signals to know when to leave. They discuss having acceptance of potentially missing out on some things, or not being invited to certain events, in return for maintaining their sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna tells Daniel about a recent injury and the potential of needing surgery, the use of pain medication and potential cross addiction. Their discussion leads them to consider how they have evaluated their individual reasons for becoming addicts in the first place, and how that can be a grey area for some people in recovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices