In this week's episode, Emily describes how her first year of sobriety felt. She details how her former way of thinking held her back in her first year and how her first AA meeting helped her relieve feelings of frustration, deprivation, and resentment.

Here's what to listen for in this episode:

-Her experience at her first sober holiday
-Her opinion on why she struggled so much in her first year
-How her old ways of trying to constantly be positive did more harm than good
-Her experience at her first AA meeting and her "aha moments" that she took away from it


Sources to Highlight:
I HIGHLY recommend grabbing the book, This Naked Mind, by Annie Grace. Her book is what helped me overcome that feeling of being deprived from alcohol.  I also linked a video from her Facebook page and a great article that better explains "toxic positivity" that I referenced in the episode.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=547537255956473
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-positivity-5093958

The stories she shares are intended to bring awareness to a subject our society tends to shy away from. They are shared in a heartfelt way with the hope to comfort those who may feel alone in their own struggles.

You will leave the episode feeling comforted that you're not alone and encouraged. Emily uses her gifts of storytelling, sensitivity, and vulnerability to bring light to a subject that has primarily been kept in the dark.

How to get in touch!
Instagram: southern_social_sober https://www.instagram.com/southern_social_sober/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emily.chandler.585/
Please feel free to contact the show to leave a comment, submit feedback, or even just to say hi by emailing at ssasspod@gmail.com or visiting southernsocialandstillsober.com.

You can also find a transcribed version of today's episode under the podcast tab on the website.

If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review! Your review will help bring awareness to this podcast, so it is very much appreciated.

*Emily Chandler is not a licensed therapist and all opinions are her own. This is not an advice podcast. It is a platform to share stories of addiction and recovery to raise awareness. If you are in need of help in your addiction or sobriety, contact a licensed professional.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
https://alcoholicsanonymous.com/
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/