Ep328 – Lingering Holiday Trauma Post Alcohol
Ep328 – Lingering Holiday Trauma Post Alcohol

Untoxicated Podcast

Sheri and Matt Salis discuss the ongoing emotional challenges faced during early sobriety, particularly around the holidays, and offer insights on finding peace.

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57:03•29 Dec 2025

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About this podcast

Untoxicated Podcast

Matt & Sheri Salis

Sheri and Matt Salis just wanted a normal life – normal marriage, normal careers, a normal house and happy kids. Instead, they lived a life of lies and terror as they struggled with Matt’s alcoholism. While their experience sounds rare, with over 15 millions problem drinkers in America, their alcoholic marriage was all too normal. Matt has been writing about their experiences in alcoholism and recovery for years. On the Untoxicated Podcast, Sheri and Matt talk about it, too. No subjects are off limits as the couple discusses the trauma of active addiction, the pain of early recovery, the destruction and rebuilding of trust, and the impact on their intimate relationship. If you love an alcoholic, the disease will terrorize your relationship. We hope you’ll listen and find healing in our shared stories. For more support from Sheri and Matt, check out their Echoes of Recovery program providing connection and healing for the loved ones of alcoholics.

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Episodes: 386

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Finding Peace After Alcohol: A Holiday Journey

Episode Overview

Prioritise peace over perfection during the holidays.
Sobriety is just the beginning; emotional work continues.
Community service can be a helpful distraction.
Family traditions may need to change post-alcohol.
Consistency and time are key in recovery.

“"I'd rather let you go than lose me too."”

How do people find hope in the darkest times? Join Sheri and Matt Salis as they wrap up the year with a heartfelt discussion on the lingering effects of holiday trauma post-alcohol. In this episode of the Untoxicated Podcast, they dive into the emotional turbulence that persists even after achieving sobriety. Matt opens up about his struggles with anxiety and depression during the early years of his sobriety, especially around the holiday season.

The couple shares anecdotes about family traditions, like the infamous Cornish game hen dinner that went awry, and how these moments highlighted the emotional challenges of staying sober. The episode also touches on the couple's commitment to giving back through community service during Christmas, a tradition that helped shift their focus from alcohol to meaningful human connections.

Sheri and Matt candidly discuss the importance of prioritising peace over perfection during the holidays, emphasising that sobriety doesn't magically solve all problems but is a crucial first step. With a sprinkle of humour and raw honesty, this episode offers a comforting reminder that recovery is a journey measured in years, not days. Whether you're in early sobriety or supporting someone who is, you'll find solace and inspiration in their story.

Are you ready to embrace peace over perfection this holiday season?

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