188. Recovery That Lasts

188. Recovery That Lasts

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation with Andy Petry zooms in on one huge question: what does it actually look like to care well for yourself so recovery lasts? Speaking from his own experience of anxiety, depression, sexual addiction, grief and past struggles with alcohol and food, Andy keeps things honest and practical. He shares how many people arrive in recovery in full-blown crisis, just like a patient in an emotional and spiritual emergency room.

Using a memorable acrostic – PERMS – he walks through five key areas of health: physical, emotional, relational, mental and spiritual. You’ll hear Andy reflect on abusing his own body, being 60 pounds heavier, and struggling to climb a single flight of stairs, then tie that to 1 Corinthians 6 and the idea that our bodies are "the temple of the Holy Spirit." He talks about the basics of sleep, food, and movement as simple but powerful tools in recovery.

On emotions, Andy gently challenges the belief that feelings are the enemy. Instead, he calls them a God-given alarm system: "Our emotions are revealing to us what we're believing." He unpacks how journalling, open share groups, and honest prayer can help you notice, honour, and express what’s really going on inside. Relational and mental health get equal attention: bitterness, isolation, codependency, medication, counselling, and the stories we replay in our minds all come under the spotlight.

Throughout, Andy keeps pointing back to Jesus as the foundation of any lasting change, quoting John 15 to remind listeners that real fruit comes from staying connected to the vine. He closes with a tender reminder for anyone who thinks they’re beyond help, anchoring worth in Romans 5:8 and the cross. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re really worth caring for, this conversation might be exactly the nudge you need. What small step of self-care could you take today?