Expectations and Sobriety: Navigating Relationships and Tri…

In this episode of Absolutely Focused Radio, host Marcus the Motivator and Daniel Nelson, aka The Bud, discuss the impact of expectations during inebriation and sobriety. Joined by Jane Marie, they explore emotionally distant...

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February 20, 2025

Expectations and Sobriety: Navigating Relationships and Triggers Season 3 - Episode 10

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In this episode of Absolutely Focused Radio, host Marcus the Motivator and Daniel Nelson, aka The Bud, discuss the impact of expectations during inebriation and sobriety. Joined by Jane Marie, they explore emotionally distant behaviors, chemical reactions, and the importance of genuine support. Tech expert Chunky Chip provides insights into tools for sobriety. With powerful statistics and reflective discussions, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone on a sobriety journey. Show Notes: Introduction and Setting the Stage: Marcus the Motivator and Daniel Nelson, aka The Bud, introduce the topic of expectations during inebriation and sobriety. The Impact of Expectations: Discussing how expectations from others can lead to misunderstandings, blame, and over-apologizing, especially when alcohol is involved. Insight from Jane Marie on emotionally distant behaviors in relationships. Chemical Reactions and Emotional Triggers: Exploring the chemical reactions in the brain during inebriation and how they impact emotions. Discussion on neurotransmitters, heightened emotions, and vulnerability. Signs of Depression and Effects on the Brain: Identifying common signs of depression and understanding its effects on the brain, including brain shrinkage, neurotransmitter imbalances, and increased brain inflammation. Navigating Relationships During Sobriety: Challenges of navigating relationships during sobriety and understanding who truly supports the sobriety journey. Tech Tools for Sobriety: Insights from Chunky Chip on tech tools and resources for sobriety, including apps like Sober Time and online communities like SMART Recovery. For more information, check our show notes to get links to download these applications: Sober Time App - https://sobertime.app/ SMART Recovery Online Community - https://smartrecovery.org/ Latest Substance Abuse Statistics: Presenting the latest statistics on substance abuse to understand the scope of the issue. Highlighting the importance of effective support systems. Reflection and Closing Thoughts: Emphasizing the importance of understanding behaviors and their impact on sobriety. Encouraging genuine support and providing resources for those struggling with addiction.

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Transcript

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Instaza, expectations and sobriety navigating relationship system triggers.

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In this episode of Absolutely Focused Radio, host Marcus the

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Motivator and Daniel Nelson aka Your Sobriety Buddy, discuss the

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impact of expectations during inebriation and sobriety. Joined by Jane Marie,

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they explore emotionally distant behaviors, chemical reactions, and the importance

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of genuine support. Tech expert Chucky Chip provides insights into

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tools for sobriety with powerful statistics and reflective discussions. This

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episode offers valuable insights for anyone on a sobriety journey.

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Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of Absolutely Focused Radio.

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I'm your host Marcus the Motivator. Today we're diving into

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a crucial topic, expectations placed on us, especially during times

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of inebriation.

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And I'm Daniel, your Sobriety Buddy. We kick things off

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with a powerful quote. Expectations placed on us while under

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the influence are often like shadows, looming, consuming and ultimately

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distorted versions of reality. Let's break it down.

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The impact of expectations.

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Let's talk about how expectations from others can lead to misunderstandings, blame,

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and over apologizing, especially when alcohol is involved. Have you

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ever felt overwhelmed by others' expectations during a difficult time? Yeah,

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it's a tough one. When we're drinking, our judgment is

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impaired and we often feel pressured to meet others' expectations,

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which can be overwhelming.

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Thanks Marcus. When dealing with emotionally distant behaviors in relationships, friendships,

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and families, these individuals tend to prioritize everything else before you.

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We have a way of making you suffer subtly and masterfully.

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If you stand up to them, the punishment intensifies. Studies

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show that sixty five percent of individuals in recovery report

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stress as a primary trigger for relapse.

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Chemical reactions and emotional triggers.

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Right, and speaking of sobriety, let's discuss the chemical reactions

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that occur and how they impact our emotions. When we're inebriated,

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our brain chemistry changes, making us more vulnerable to these

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toxic behaviors.

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This process is even harder when we start to distinguish

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who is truly supportive.

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And who is not.

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The drink often highlights the impurities within ourselves. And in

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our relationships. Some might find it manageable, while others may

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struggle more exactly.

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Alcohol effects neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which player role

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in mood regulation. When these chemicals are disrupted, it can

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lead to heightened emotions and increased vulnerability to negative influences.

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A study published in the journal Alcohol Research and Health

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found that up to ninety percent of people with alcohol

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use disorders experience at least one episode of severe depression

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during their lifetime. According to the World Health Organization WHO,

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alcohol use is a factor in thirty percent of suicides worldwide.

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Signs of depression and effects on the brain.

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Let's discuss the signs of depression and how it affects

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the brain. Common signs of depression include persistent sadness, loss

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of interest in activities, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue,

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feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide.

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Absolutely, depression can lead to several changes in the brain,

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including brain shrinkage in areas like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,

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neurotransmitter imbalances, increased brain inflammation, and cognitive impairments.

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A study found that people with major depression had a

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smaller hippocampus volume compared to those without depression, which affects

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memory and learning. Staying in a dark room for extended

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periods can worsen these effects. Lack of light exposure disrupts

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the circadian rhythm, increases melotonin production, reduces serotonin levels, and

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leads to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

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Navigating relationships during sobriety.

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Let's talk about the challenges of navigating relationships during sobriety.

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When we sober up, we start recognizing the illusion from reality.

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We realize we expected too much, even though they asked

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for everything.

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Absolutely, it's a tough realization, especially when we see how

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alcohol distorted our perception and relationships.

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Yes, and it's important to remember that while some relationships

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might improve, others may not. It's about finding a balance

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and understanding who truly supports your sobriety journey. Actions speak

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louder than words. They have eyes and they see what

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you do, so don't just say you're there.

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Show it. Tech tools for sobriety.

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That's where the sobriety crew comes in. We've got Chucky chip,

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our tech expert here to provide some insights.

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Hey everyone, I'm here to share some tech tools and

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resources that can support your sobriety journey. From apps like

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sober Time to online communities like smart Recovery, there's a

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wealth of resources out there to help you stay focused

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and resilient. For more information, check our show notes to

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get links to download these applications.

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Absolutely, technology has revolutionized the way we approach sobriety. Apps

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like sober Time, which helps track sobriety milestones, and online

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communities like smart Recovery, which provide peer support, are invaluable tools.

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These resources offer a sense of community and accountability that

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can make a huge difference.

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According to a surveys conducted by the Substance Abuse and

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Mental Health Services Administration say MHSA, seventy five percent of

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individuals who use digital tools for sobriety reported feeling more

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in control of their recovery process.

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Latest substance abuse statistics.

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Let's look at some of the latest statistics on substance

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abuse to understand the scope of this issue.

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Absolutely, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics NCDs,

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fifty percent of people aged twelve and older have used

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illicit drugs at least once. Additionally, twenty eight point three

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million people age twelve and older have an alcohol use disorder.

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These numbers highlight the widespread impact of substance abuse and

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the importance of effective support systems.

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And it's not just about the numbers. Each statistic represents

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real people struggling with addiction. It's crucial to provide them

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with the support and resources they need to overcome these challenges.

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Reflection and closing thoughts.

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Thanks Jane, Marie and Chucky Chip. Remember, folks, understanding these

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behaviors and that impact on your sobriety is key. Don't

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let others' expectations dictate your journey. Stay strong and stay focused.

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And always remember your sobriety is your own. Take it

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one day at a time, and don't be afraid to

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seek support when needed. If you or someone you know

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is struggling with addiction, don't hesitate to reach out for help.

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There are resources available and you don't have to face

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this journey alone. Check in on those you care about,

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or do it with genuine support. They have eyes and

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actions speak louder than words. Will carry on