Episode 82 - A Pause but Not Goodbye

Episode 82 - A Pause but Not Goodbye

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? Episode 82 of The Alcohol Recovery Show takes a gentle breather to answer that question in a surprising way: by pressing pause. This short, reflective episode centres on host Antonia Ryan sharing why she’s stepping back from the podcast for a while.

She’s clear that “this is a pause, but it doesn’t have to be a goodbye,” and uses the moment to speak directly to anyone affected by alcohol and addiction. Antonia looks back over more than 80 episodes that have covered cravings, relapse prevention, the effects of alcohol on the brain, shame, anxiety, cross-addiction, mindfulness, somatic practices, humour, spirituality and ancient wisdom.

She reminds people that recovery isn’t just about stopping drinking; it’s about “learning how to live without constantly trying to escape ourselves,” rebuilding trust and finding healthier ways to cope. You’ll hear heartfelt encouragement for those in early recovery: “Please don’t give up. You do not have to solve your whole life today.” She keeps things real by acknowledging setbacks and messy emotions, while still pointing to connection, courage and hope as steady companions.

For those further along, Antonia highlights the importance of rest and self-care, noting that stepping back can be a valid part of growth. She invites people to revisit past episodes, suggesting they might hear something new as they change over time.

The tone is warm, honest and quietly reassuring – like a trusted friend reminding you that asking for help is “one of the bravest and most important things we can do.” If you need a gentle nudge to keep going, or permission to rest without giving up, this pause might be exactly what you need. What’s the next small, kind step you could take for yourself today?