In this episode, Dr. Sarah Michaud shares her 40-year journey of sobriety and sheds light on the pervasive impact of codependency on both early and long-term sobriety. She discusses personal experiences, including relationships impacted by addiction and the importance of authenticity and self-expression in recovery.
Key Takeaways:
- The Challenge of Codependency: Understand the struggle and complexity of codependency in the context of addiction and sobriety.
- Importance of Authenticity: Learn about the necessity of self-expression and honesty in overcoming codependency.
- Personal Responsibility and Recovery: Discover strategies for taking responsibility for one’s life and choices, especially within relationships affected by addiction.
Guest: Dr. Sarah Michaud, a clinical psychologist specializing in addiction and author of “Co Crazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Codependency and Addiction.”
Codependency is not about the other person; it’s about our inability to tolerate someone else’s feelings.
Dr. Sarah Michaud
The journey to recovery is as much about discovering oneself as it is about overcoming addiction.
Veronica Valli
Time Stamped Moments:
- 00:00 Multiple marriages, son, relapse, and struggles summarized.
- 06:03 Effects of addiction on partners and families.
- 07:07 Struggle with expressing truth and authenticity.
- 13:09 Unexpectedly, I became addicted to the medication I took.
- 16:38 Struggled with sobriety, then moved on.
- 20:11 Processing past fears to understand present reactions.
- 24:12 Managing work, family, and codependency struggles.
- 26:10 Navigating divorce and new relationships through sobriety.
- 30:47 Acknowledging, validating, owning, and navigating grief.
- 33:20 Addressing fear is vital to conscious behavior.
- 37:23 Focus on your thoughts and feelings intentionally.
- 39:23 Codependency, trauma, and addiction intertwine in recovery.
- 41:58 Overcoming fear of speaking up for yourself.
- 45:29 Confident anticipation for upcoming public reception.
Listener Challenge: This week, take a moment for self-reflection and identify one area in your life where you struggle with authenticity. Please share your insights and progress on social media using #AuthenticRecovery.
Soberful with Veronica Valli | YouTube
Soberful with Veronica Valli | Spotify
Soberful Podcast Show Notes:
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Michaud, a clinical psychologist specializing in addiction and codependency, shares her personal story of recovery from codependency and addiction. She discusses the challenges of navigating codependency in relationships, the fear of expressing one’s true self, and the importance of setting boundaries. Dr. Sarah Michaud and Veronica Valli discuss codependency, addiction, and recovery. They explore the themes of taking responsibility for one’s life, self- compassion’s importance, and fear’s role in codependent behaviors.
Welcome to Leaving CrazyTown, a YouTube channel created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen dedicated to helping individuals navigate the ups and downs of life, including the struggle with codependency. Through their personal experiences and expertise in mental health, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies to help viewers overcome challenges and lead more fulfilling lives. Their videos cover topics such as anxiety, depression, relationships, self-improvement, and much more. This channel is for anyone looking for guidance and motivation to improve their mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community today and take the first step towards a happier and healthier life.
SOBERFUL PODCAST: Check out Soberful with Veronica Valli in our brand new Recovery Podcastland Network section.
#QUITLIT: Co-Crazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Codependency and Addiction by Sarah Michaud, PsyD
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
