Exploring the True Nature of Addiction and the Path to Recovery, Part Two
EP. 17
In this episode of The Mae B Mindful Podcast, we explore the essential early steps in the recovery journey, focusing on how to break free from old patterns and build a new life rooted in health and freedom. We'll discuss the importance of creating a supportive environment, connecting with a community that understands your path, and overcoming the attachments that keep us stuck. Discover the courage required to face these challenges and the transformative power of radical change.
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Episode Transcript:
Welcome to The Mae B Mindful Podcast! I'm your host, Hannah Mae—a mother of six, conscious birth instructor, spiritual growth facilitator, and certified hypnotist. This podcast is all about inspiring hope, expanding awareness, and deepening consciousness to revolutionize the way we live and experience life. Each week, I bring you thought-provoking episodes that draw from my personal journey of transformation and healing, as well as my work with others. I hope you find this podcast to be informative, refreshing, illuminating, and instrumental in your own soul's evolution and growth.
Let's dive right in!
Hi everyone, welcome back to The Mae B Mindful Podcast! I’m thrilled to be following up on last week's episode, where we explored a basic, hopefully simple, explanation of the mind-body-spirit connection in addiction. This week, I want to discuss setting yourself up for success as you step from your old life into a new one, embarking on your health and recovery journey.
In this episode, we’ll talk about the real struggles that arise, how to best prepare for them, and ways to create a supportive environment for yourself. This journey takes immense courage and requires becoming present with yourself, often needing to sever attachments to things you've become deeply enmeshed with. These attachments might be things you defend or protect—solutions that most people misunderstand or judge due to a lack of awareness about addiction.
As we know, even though awareness around alcoholism and drug addiction has increased, there is still a lot of misunderstanding and judgment. People often view addiction as a moral issue, but it's far more complex. Addiction is a condition that thrives in isolation, which is why it's so critical to connect with a community of others who understand your journey. Surrounding yourself with people who have recovered and are living free from their own struggles is essential. It might feel counterintuitive at first, but connection is the antidote to the isolation that addiction relies on to survive.
Throughout recovery, there will be times when the journey feels unstable, vulnerable, and even scary. Being part of a supportive community can help you feel safe, seen, and held. These connections provide the necessary support to help you stay on the path, face challenges, and step out of old patterns.
It’s important to note that the recovery process may seem extreme or fanatical to those who don’t understand. Yet, addiction itself is an extreme condition, and it often requires a radical solution. This isn't about moderation; it's about recognizing when moderation is no longer possible and taking the necessary steps to fully wake up and live a life free from addiction.
As you begin this journey, remember that getting sober is just the beginning. It's the first step to becoming coherent and present so you can start the deeper healing work necessary to address the root causes of addiction. True recovery involves more than just abstinence; it requires emotional, spiritual, and sometimes physical healing.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure, remember that recovery is about finding new, healthier ways to cope, cultivating joy, and creating new patterns that support your well-being. And if at any point you feel alone or discouraged, reach out to someone who understands and can offer support.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode. If you have any questions, feel free to message me on Instagram @MaeBMindful. Until next week, keep walking the path with courage. I'm here with you every step of the way.