Episode 31: Emotional Sobriety in Early Recovery

Episode 38: Powering the Brain Through Recovery

Recovery is a brain thing, according to Dave and Susan Kenney, founders of the Emergo Academy, a recovery treatment and education program who describe themselves as "brain upgraders."

In their conversation with Host Gail Ferguson Jones, the Kenneys describe their trademarked "Actualized Recovery" approach for replacing the temporary pleasure of addictive substances and behaviors with happier and healthier pursuits.

The goal is to help users move beyond sobriety by rewiring the brain to make different choices.

You can learn about the Emergo Academy at: https://www.emergoacademy.com/coming-soon

Learn more about the Buttrfly Effect Peer Recovery Coaching Program or order my book at: https://linktr.ee/GailFergusonJones or contact me at: https://www.buttrflyeffect.com/contact/

Music for The Buttrfly Effect Podcast, "Inspire Me," is by Mixaund Bandcamp at: www.mixaundbandcamp.com

Episode 37: How to Handle the Trifecta of Holidays

This holiday season is often the most challenging for those who love someone struggling with addiction and those who are newly sober.

In recovery circles, the celebrations that run from Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Years is referred to as the trifecta of holidays.

In this episode, host Gail Ferguson Jones speaks with Kate Duffy, founder of Tipping Point Recovery Inc. and Recovery Conversations, about how families can best address the unique difficulties that might arise during the Yuletide season.

Kate is a recovery coach and interventionist who guides families and their addicted loved ones through the recovery process. You can learn more about Tipping Point Recovery at: https://www.tippingpointrecovery.com/

You can learn more about the Buttrfly Effect Peer Recovery Coaching Program at: https://linktr.ee/GailFergusonJones

Or contact Gail Ferguson Jones at [email protected]

Music for The Buttrfly Effect Podcast, "Inspire Me," is by mixaundbandcamp at: www.mixaundbandcamp.com

Episode 36: Gray Area Drinking. A Slippery Slope

When it comes to taking that first drink of alcohol, most of us don't expect to get hooked. After all, consuming alcohol is legal and seen as a socially-acceptable way to unwind.

However, It's so easy to depend on that nightly cocktail, beer or glass of wine to relax at the end of the day, unwittingly heading into gray area drinking, a slippery slope toward alcoholism.

In this episode, Host Gail Ferguson Jones speaks with Meg Geisewite, author of "Intoxicating Lies. One Woman's Journey to Freedom from Gray Area Drinking."

She shares how she slipped from normalized drinking to full-blown dependency.

Meg offers a signed copy of her book and membership to her "Write Back to You" writing program on her website:

https://www.intoxicatinglies.com/

You can learn more about The Buttrfly Effect Peer Recovery Coaching Program, or purchase a copy of my book and get other resources at:

https://linktr.ee/GailFergusonJones

Music for The Buttrfly Effect Podcast, "Inspire Me," by Mixaundbandcamp, at: www.mixaundbandcamp.com

Episode 35: Prodependency. A Different Perspective

When loving someone struggling with addiction, it's often hard to see the best in them because of the chaos and confusion they bring into our lives.

The situation may also bring out the worst in us. But Dr. Robert Weiss offers a different perspective on such troubling relationships, which he talks about with host Gail Ferguson Jones.

Dr. Rob, a licensed therapist for nearly 30 years, has coined the term Prodependence, an approach which encourages loving support for addicts, which he says is preferrable to detachment from them and their problem.

He is Chief Clinical Officer of the Seeking Integrity Treatment program, and author of 11 books, including, "Prodependence. Beyond the Myth of Codependency."

He recommends these important steps to help loved ones heal and cope:

1. Don't go it alone. Seek help.
2. Find a source of support.
3. Don't ignore your own self-care.
4. Set boundaries
5. Spirituality/hope/faith

Learn more about Dr. Rob and his books and program at: https://seekingintegrity.com/

You can also hear more about prodependency on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPZmacFlTtg

Learn more about my Buttrfly Effect Peer Recovery Coaching program at: https://linktr.ee/GailFergusonJones or email me at: [email protected].

Music for the Buttrfly Effect Podcast, "Inspire Me," by Mixaund Bandcamp at: mixaundbandcamp.com.

Episode 34: Addiction as Infidelity

One of the most disheartening and confusing aspects of a relationship with someone in active addiction is the loneliness and emotional disconnect.

In this episode, Host Gail Ferguson Jones speaks with Marriage and Family Therapist Travis Thompson about the challenges of loving a partner engaged in a "chemical affair" with drugs and alcohol.

Travis, author of "To Those Left Behind. Helping Partners and Families Understand and Heal from Addiction," describes alcohol and drug abuse as an emotional affair.

He says users tend to engage more with substances than with their partners, just as they might if having an adulterous affair.

"It's safer to drink alcohol than to talk to someone," Travis says. "It's emotionally safer to use heroin than to tell your wife if you're ok or not."

Learn more about Travis Thompson's counseling services or order his book at: https://www.travisthompsoncounseling.com/

Learn more about The Buttrfly Effect Peer Recovery Coaching at: https://linktr.ee/GailFergusonJones

Reach me with comments, concerns or to suggest topics of interest for the podcast at: [email protected].

Music for The Buttrfly Effect Podcast, "Inspire Me," is by Mixaund Bandcamp at: https://mixaundbandcamp.com.