Episode 23: Sobriety is Tough During the Holidays - With Greg and John

The holiday season can be especially tough for those in recovery, often bringing up feelings of loneliness, stress, and the pressure of unrealistic expectations. With love, family, and tradition at the forefront of every movie, song, and gathering, how do we stay sober and true to ourselves?

In this episode, we hear from two guests with different lengths of sobriety: one early in his journey, and the other with 890 days of sobriety under his belt. Together, they share their struggles, insights, and strategies for navigating the complexities of the holidays while staying sober.

Some key takeaways from our discussion:

• "Through my work with my therapist, I’ve realized that my use of pornography had little to do with sex. It was more about how I managed stress and pain in my life."
• "The holidays disrupt my routine, and that can be tricky."
• "How much of the holiday pressure is cultural, family-imposed, or self-imposed?"
• "I use the Relay app to track six things I do every day, whether it’s December 24th or any other day."
• "I hate the holidays — the expectations, the pressure, and the family dynamics."
• "I’m choosing not to spend the night at my parent’s house."
• "You can’t control everything that happens during the holidays, but you can control your response if you prepare."
• "Get out of the house and don’t isolate yourself."

Tune in to hear honest reflections and practical advice for navigating sobriety during the holiday season.