231 - You will relapse....If you don't pay attention to these 3 areas!

231 - You will relapse....If you don't pay attention to these 3 areas!

What secrets to maintaining sobriety can be uncovered? This straight-talking episode of Real Recovery Talk zeroes in on three common traps that, according to host Tom Conrad, can push someone in recovery right back towards relapse. Speaking directly to people in early sobriety and their loved ones, Tom keeps things short, clear, and very real.

Drawing on his own experience as a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, he lays out three simple but challenging rules: don’t isolate, don’t hang out with the wrong people, and don’t keep putting yourself in the wrong places.

You’ll hear him explain why isolation is so dangerous, even if you’re technically surrounded by others: “There may be a lot of people around us, but we’re empty on the inside and we’re alone.” He compares stale sobriety to “that hard, crunchy piece of bread that’s been sitting in the pantry too long”, nudging you to get out, meet people, and build a sober community.

Tom also talks frankly about why keeping old drinking and drugging buddies close is “flirting with disaster”, even if they’re successful or “a blast to hang out with”. He shares how, even with over 12 years’ sobriety, he still avoids bars and party environments because the risk simply isn’t worth it. The third focus is less obvious but hits hard: the “wrong places” can mean dysfunctional relationships and chaotic family events, especially around holidays.

Tom walks through scenarios like stressful Thanksgivings or codependent relationships where, deep down, you know it’s not healthy but you keep going back. This episode is especially helpful if you’re tired of vague advice and want clear, practical lines to draw around your time, your relationships, and your environment. It might just get you asking: who am I with, where am I going, and is any of this helping me stay sober?