Sober Truths

Sober Truths

What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? In this candid solo episode of Coming Clean Radio, host Catherine Arati Maas shares what three and a half years of sobriety actually feels like when the pink cloud has long passed. Aimed at women in recovery – from alcohol, other substances, food, exercise, shopping or codependent relationships – this conversation keeps things real rather than polished.

Catherine talks about the messy middle of recovery: emotional roadblocks, sudden waves of feeling, heavy dreams and that familiar temptation to swap one addiction for another, like intensive endurance training.

She explains how tuning into the body has become central to her life: opening her posture, letting emotions move through instead of stuffing them down, and noticing when her nervous system is screaming even while her mind is saying, “Everything’s fine.” As she puts it, “We can stuff it down as long as we want.

However, it's going to come back sometime and we're going to have to deal with it.” You’ll also hear her wrestle with big spiritual questions: how to let go and trust a higher power while still “taking charge” of life, and how to balance a driven, goal-focused personality with genuine self-care, rest and softer, more nurturing practices like yoga, music and quiet time.

Catherine opens up about isolation, resistance to advice, stubbornness, fear of work and self-worth struggles, plus the daily battle to keep social commitments instead of cancelling everything. She shows how small, practical tools – accountability buddies, voice reminders, asking simply “How can I help someone today?” – help keep her grounded.

If you’re tired of recovery stories that jump from rock bottom to happily-ever-after, this honest look at the ongoing “sober truths” might be exactly the kind of real talk you need today. Where do you recognise yourself in Catherine’s story?