Thom & Allen at the ICSAAThom & Allen at the ICSAA
Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery
Allen tells us about his formative years enlisting in the marines, Vietnam, alcohol and drugs. Thom of early struggles working as a counselor at an addiction treatment center and drinking off the clock. Both eventually found grace and recovery and now try to pay it forward. At the International Conference of Secular AA, we look at Bill Wilson’s letter through a magnifying glass. If the 12 Steps are practiced in our daily lives, Wilson suggests that we and those about us begin to find emotional sobriety. The transcendence of environmental support to self-support (Fritz Perls). The program is a “people grower.” It unshackles us, allowing us to become what we can be. Within this framework we learn that our addiction wasn’t pathological, we just got stuck on our way someplace else. Emotional Sobriety is a consciousness of freedom. On our way towards it, we “unhook” people from our dependency. More information about the event at: aasecular.org Follow us on social media. Podcast Twitter: @EmSobrietyPod Instagram: thomrutledge2 Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_Dogs Email Thom: thomrutledgeauthor@gmail.com Email Allen: abphd@msn.com Allen’s first book, Love Secrets Revealed: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Secrets-Revealed-Intimacy-Connection/dp/0757303978/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=love+secrets+revealed+allen+berger&qid=1650843975&sprefix=love+secrets+reve%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1 Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/ Thom's book, Embracing Fear: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Fear-Turn-Scares-Greatest/dp/0062517759/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 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 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:
1:18:52•30 Oct 2022
Thom & Allen Share Insights from ICSAA: Emotional Sobriety in Focus
“If you examine every disturbance you have, you're going to find at the root of it that you have an unhealthy dependence, that you want that situation to go a certain way, because your sense of well-being depends on it.”
Picture this: two seasoned psychotherapists, Thom Rutledge and Dr. Allen Berger, sharing their personal journeys and professional insights at the International Conference of Secular AA (ICSAA). In this episode, they open up about their early struggles—Allen's time in the Marines and his battle with alcohol and drugs, and Thom's experiences working at an addiction treatment center while dealing with his own drinking issues.
Both men eventually found their way to recovery and now dedicate their lives to helping others do the same. At the heart of their discussion is a deep dive into a letter from Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. They use this letter as a lens to explore the concept of emotional sobriety—a state of freedom from unhealthy dependencies.
Wilson believed that practicing the 12 Steps daily could lead to this kind of emotional liberation, where we unhook from our dependencies and grow into our true selves. Thom and Allen don't just talk theory; they share practical insights and personal anecdotes that make the idea of emotional sobriety relatable and attainable. They discuss how self-esteem, authenticity, and overcoming discouragement are crucial elements in this journey.
Their stories are not just about struggle but also about the grace and growth that come from facing life's challenges head-on. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in going beyond physical sobriety to achieve emotional well-being. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for ways to live a more balanced life, Thom and Allen offer a treasure trove of wisdom and encouragement.
Tune in to hear how you can transform your relationship with yourself and others through the practice of emotional sobriety.
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