S3E1 Navigating Grief in Sobriety with Corey Hennings

How do you deal with loss and grief in sobriety? Who and what do you turn to while navigating some of life's toughest challenges? And how do secondary mental illnesses play a part in a person's ability to stay sober for the long haul?

Join Amanda and her guest Corey Hennings, host of The Sober By Design Podcast, to hear Corey's personal experience with staying sober through the loss of his mother and brother, two profound deaths that occurred within three years. Learn the tools Corey used (and still uses) to not only stay sober, but to increase his overall mental health and emotional well-being in good times and bad. A good example of two people who practice different methods of recovery yet find common ground to meet on, this diplomatic conversation drives home the immense value and benefit of life in sobriety regardless of one's individual path. 

Key points they touch on include:

• Removing alcohol is the first step to figuring out the emotional turmoil that is going on underneath the addiction.
• Addiction is a mental illness classified in the DSM-5 and when coupled with another mental illness such as bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, staying sober can be exponentially challenging. 
• How connecting with other alcoholics was the foundation of Corey's recovery program in the early days of his sobriety. 
• The challenge of watching a loved one progress in their illness and feeling powerless to help them. 
• The importance of music and how it can be like a time machine, transporting you back to indelible memories and moments in life. (Listen for Corey and Amanda's picks that remind them of their loved ones!)

Corey Hennings dedicates his show, The Sober by Design Podcast, to helping others live a full life in recovery. A certified recovery coach, Corey works in a local organization helping folks find resources to better their lives and find their own path in recovery.

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