Ep. 21: Grieving While Staying Alcohol-Free

In this episode of the No More Wasted Days podcast, hosts Sara and Heather discuss the complex subject of grief. They approach this heavy topic with a focus on educating listeners on how to 'spiral up' and use understanding of grief to ease its burden. Heather & Sara offer personal experiences with grief, including the loss of loved ones and the unique grief of losing a pet. They explore the definition of grief, its impact on the brain, and its potential to drive individuals towards addictive behaviors, emphasizing the importance of staying alcohol-free during such times. The episode covers the concept of grieving one’s 'drinking self' as part of recovery. They also touch on the five stages of grief, providing insight into each stage and offering advice on how to support others going through loss. The hosts share stories from their lives to illustrate how grief has affected them and how being alcohol-free has allowed for healthier processing of loss.The episode concludes with a reminder that grief is not linear and stresses the importance of compassion and self-care.   00:00 Welcome to No More Wasted Days: Spiraling Up Instead of Down 01:35 Lightening the Mood with Corny Jokes 02:09 Navigating the Teenage Brain and Parenting Challenges 04:17 Understanding and Managing Grief 06:18 The Impact of Grief on the Brain and Addiction 07:17 Personal Stories of Grief and Sobriety 14:47 Grieving the Loss of a Pet and Finding Comfort 17:42 The Five Stages of Grief Explained 20:28 Supporting Others Through Grief and the Importance of Community 25:14 Wrapping Up: Grief, Sobriety, and the Daymakers Community   ************************************************   Looking for support on your alcohol free journey? Consider joining us in the Day Makers Community.  CLICK HERE for all the details. Want some 1-on-1 support on your alcohol free journey?  Work with Heather as your alcohol free coach.  CLICK HERE to start working with Heather today.   ************************************************ Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial   Follow Heather on Social Media: IG: @accordingtohpg TikTok: @thealcoholfreecoach