“Sobriety Didn’t Solve My Problems, It Exposed Them”“Sobriety Didn’t Solve My Problems, It Exposed Them”
Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery
We respond to criticisms leveled at a recent workshop: is Emotional Sobriety somehow alternative, even interruptive, of a faithful rigorous 12 Step program, or is it a complement to it? As always we try to get to the feeling beneath the compulsion, the “stuckness” that prevents us from reaching that fourth dimension. Allen, Thom, and Joe C. wore out their big books in their early days, but still keep them close. Recovery is an “all hands on deck” process. Join Thom for Why Inner Child Work Matters: A Foundation for Self-Care in Recovery Saturday • July 26, 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Central To register, send an email to thomrutledgeauthor@gmail.com Join Allen, Thom, and Joe C. on Zoom at the “Growing in Understanding” group this Friday, July 25th @ 2pm PST: ID: 875 319 1947 Password: 2GROWIN Learn more about Joe C., Secular AA and Rebellion Dogs here: https://rebelliondogspublishing.com Follow us on social media. Podcast Twitter: @EmSobrietyPod Instagram: thomrutledge2 Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_Dogs Friendly Circle Berlin Workshop Group meets every Monday @ 7:30pm (Berlin), 6:30pm (Ireland & UK), 1:30pm EST, 10:30am PST Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5505019905 Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/ Join Allen & Thom at our Thursday night, 7pm PST Zoom meeting on Emotional Sobriety and the Steps (login information below): https://zoom.us/j/330149513 Password: 375986 For our ongoing workshop video series on Emotional Sobriety and the 12 Steps, visit our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEM2-kqLkfp3I4c0jy-X-g Also, please join our “Emotional Sobriety and Recovery” FB Group at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/120450976662519 We’d love to stay in touch in between meetings. We appreciate feedback! Contact Patrick, our producer, at pndirective4@gmail.com for any questions or comments.
38:02•24 Jul 2025
Exploring Emotional Sobriety: Beyond the 12 Steps
Episode Overview
- Emotional sobriety is a complement to traditional recovery.
- Inner child work is crucial for self-care in recovery.
- Challenge resistance to deeper emotional exploration.
- The importance of working the steps in AA.
- Perfectionism as a barrier to emotional sobriety.
“We don't grow in an echo chamber because then we're just hearing what we're already thinking and to be challenged and to look at things, which I thought it was great.”
In this episode of Emotional Sobriety, The Next Step in Recovery, hosts Dr. Allen Berger and Tom Rutledge, along with guest Joe C., delve into the notion of emotional sobriety and its place within the framework of the 12 Step program. The discussion opens with a lighthearted chat about the challenges of dealing with a flea infestation, highlighting the importance of community and support even in everyday struggles.
The podcast addresses criticisms that emotional sobriety might be an alternative or even interruptive to a faithful, rigorous 12 Step program. However, Berger and Rutledge argue that emotional sobriety is not at odds with traditional recovery but rather complements it, providing a deeper understanding of the feelings beneath compulsions and the 'stuckness' that can hinder progress. A key theme is the resistance to exploring deeper emotional issues, which can create false ceilings in recovery.
The hosts stress the importance of challenging oneself and being open to new perspectives, whether through a spiritual journey or self-discovery. The episode also touches on the concept of AA fundamentalism, where some members adhere strictly to the original writings of Bill Wilson, eschewing newer insights into emotional sobriety. This leads to a discussion on the importance of not only attending meetings but actively working the steps to foster genuine recovery.
An upcoming workshop, 'Why Inner Child Work Matters,' is highlighted, emphasizing its role in self-care and recovery. Tom Rutledge shares his personal journey in rediscovering this therapeutic approach, noting its transformative impact. The episode concludes with an invitation to join a participatory session where listeners can engage directly with the hosts and discuss issues like perfectionism and its deceptive promise of emotional sobriety, encouraging active participation and community involvement.
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