Addiction Unlimited Podcast

Do you feel like your sobriety gets harder the second a family event hits the calendar? You’re not imagining it—family is one of the most powerful and underestimated sobriety triggers. The roles, the judgment, the pressure to be “fine”—it all adds up to stress, emotional regression, and the urge to escape. In this episode, we break down why family triggers hit so hard (even years into recovery), how your nervous system gets hijacked by old conditioning, and what to do before, during, and after those emotionally loaded moments. You’ll learn how to: Spot mental, emotional, and social triggers early Set boundaries without guilt or people-pleasing Create an exit plan that protects your peace Use real-life tools to reset your energy and stay grounded Plus, I’ll share my own experience with family dysfunction and how I use a simple strategy I call “Don’t poke the bear” to keep my sobriety strong—especially when emotions run high. If you’ve ever felt like the confident, grounded version of yourself di