Hey there! Welcome to our Sober Dating Series—Swipe Smart! In this episode, we’re talking about Five Ways to Tell if Your Match is Sober Friendly Before the First Date. Dating can be tricky, especially when you're navigating the world of sobriety. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Whether you're tired of swiping on profiles that treat whiskey like a personality trait or you're unsure how to spot someone who's truly respectful of your sober lifestyle, this episode is packed with valuable tips to help you filter through potential matches.

We'll guide you through:

1. Spotting red flags in their bio (hint: if they talk about alcohol like it's a hobby, swipe left).
2. Understanding what their relationship with alcohol might be, based on key phrases like "sometimes" vs. "hard yes."
3. Decoding their photos—because if every picture includes a drink, you might be dating a cocktail, not a person.
4. Recognizing date ideas that scream "I love alcohol!" (like a vineyard tour) vs. ones that align with your sober values.
5. Trusting your gut when something feels off—it’s your secret superpower in sober dating.

This episode is a must-watch for anyone who’s navigating the dating scene without alcohol and looking to find a match who truly respects their lifestyle. We’re here to help you swipe smarter, so you can find love that doesn’t require liquid courage!

If you found these tips helpful, make sure to like, comment with your favorite dating tip, and subscribe to our channel for more episodes in our Sober Dating Series! And don't forget to share this episode with someone who’s navigating the sober dating world too!

Links

• Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community
• Sisters In Sobriety Email
• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
• Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
• Kathleen’s Instagram

Erin Gilmour, the founder of Rose Psychotherapy, is back with us for another insightful episode of Sisters in Sobriety! Erin is not only a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Certified Canadian Addiction Counsellor (CCAC), but she’s also someone who truly gets it—thanks to her own recovery journey. Known for her compassionate, down-to-earth style, Erin specializes in helping people navigate addictions and eating disorders. She’s also a fierce advocate for marginalized communities, bringing attention to the bigger picture of systemic issues in mental health.

In this episode, we dive into some serious stuff: What exactly are co-occurring disorders? How can anxiety or depression make recovery from substance use that much harder? And most importantly, how can we tackle both at the same time? Erin breaks it all down with her wealth of experience, sharing practical advice on what really works when you're dealing with more than one challenge in recovery.

You'll walk away with a better understanding of how mental health and substance use are interconnected, and why it’s so important to get to the root cause of both. Erin also talks about simple, but effective strategies for managing those tough moments. Plus, you'll learn why focusing on compassion and support can be a total game-changer for recovery.

On a more personal note, Erin shares what it’s like to deal with anxiety and depression while staying sober. Her honesty will hit home for anyone who’s felt overwhelmed on their own journey. She offers real-life tips for finding a balance and being kind to yourself through it all.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the supportive community that helps women transform their relationship with alcohol. Be sure to check out our Substack for bonus tips, resources, and support!

Highlights:
[00:00:00] Meet Erin Gilmour—back for round two!
[00:01:15] Erin’s approach to helping people with co-occurring disorders
[00:03:00] What are co-occurring disorders, and why are they so tricky?
[00:05:08] How to spot co-occurring disorders in therapy
[00:06:50] Why mental health and addiction often go hand in hand
[00:07:53] Treating multiple disorders—what makes it complicated?
[00:10:50] Figuring out which issue to tackle first in recovery
[00:12:44] How anxiety and substance use fuel each other
[00:14:29] Why alcohol and anxiety don’t mix well (spoiler: it gets worse over time!)
[00:17:50] The frustrating cycle of self-medicating with substances
[00:19:00] Mapping out your triggers—getting practical in therapy
[00:21:40] How Erin helps clients manage both addiction and anxiety
[00:24:00] Social anxiety in recovery—navigating tough situations like AA meetings
[00:26:50] Coping with anxiety in early sobriety (without reaching for a drink)
[00:28:30] The relationship between depression and substance use—what comes first?
[00:30:00] Why it’s hard to separate depression from substance use
[00:32:50] The connection between untreated depression and relapse
[00:36:00] Practical steps for managing depression in sobriety
[00:38:00] Why medication can be key in treating co-occurring disorders
[00:41:00] Eating disorders and addiction—how common is the overlap?
[00:44:01] How to approach both eating disorders and substance use in therapy
[00:46:30] How body image issues can make recovery even harder
[00:49:00] Eating disorders and control—how they tie into addiction
[00:52:30] Food addiction—myth or reality? Erin’s take

Links:

• Contact Erin at www.rosepsychotherapy.ca
• Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community
• Sisters In Sobriety Email
• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
• Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
• Kathleen’s Instagram

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia opens up about her personal battle with anxiety, depression, and how quitting drinking ultimately saved her life. As we recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month, Sonia’s story will resonate with anyone who has struggled in silence. Her message is one of hope, courage, and the vital importance of mental health support. Whether you're on your own sobriety journey or supporting someone else, this episode has something for you.

We dive deep into questions like: What role does alcohol play in our mental health? How can we recognize the signs of burnout and anxiety even when life appears “perfect” on the outside? How do we begin to make changes when we feel stuck? This episode brings valuable insights and answers to these important topics.

Sonia talks about tools for overcoming cravings, understanding the connection between alcohol and mental health, and learning to find joy in life again. Sonia explains how her panic attacks, depression, and suicidal thoughts shifted with medication and quitting alcohol, offering educational takeaways for anyone questioning their relationship with drinking.

In this deeply personal episode, Sonia shares the highs and lows of her journey, from reaching her breaking point to finding light and strength in sobriety. Her candid storytelling is both raw and inspiring, showing us that recovery is possible, even when it feels out of reach. Don't miss this intimate glimpse into her life, which could be just the encouragement you need to take the next step in your own journey.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.

Highlights:

• [00:00:00] Sonia introduces the episode and discusses the significance of Suicide Prevention Month.
• [00:01:00] Sonia shares her personal story of struggle, despite outward success.
• [00:02:32] Describing how drinking and work became intertwined in her life.
• [00:03:00] A detailed description of Sonia's anxiety and panic attacks.
• [00:03:43] Sonia discusses the lack of support from her now ex-husband.
• [00:04:27] The emotional toll of chronic hangovers and feeling hopeless.
• [00:04:53] The first steps Sonia took toward getting help for depression and suicidal thoughts.
• [00:05:16] Sonia reflects on her journey to quit drinking and the challenges of sobriety.
• [00:05:39] How quitting alcohol significantly impacted her mental health.
• [00:06:09] Sonia talks about coping with early sobriety and alcohol cravings.
• [00:06:37] The small actions that helped Sonia find joy again.
• [00:07:00] Sonia explains how her life transformed after quitting drinking.
• [00:08:10] Reflecting on the importance of self-compassion in recovery.
• [00:08:45] The role of community and support in her healing journey.
• [00:09:15] Sonia’s advice on getting through the rough days without alcohol.
• [00:09:40] Understanding the connection between alcohol and depression.
• [00:10:12] The importance of mental health awareness in sobriety.
• [00:10:45] How sobriety helped Sonia reconnect with herself and others.
• [00:11:20] Encouraging words for listeners who are feeling stuck or hopeless.
• [00:12:00] The impact of small, sustainable changes on long-term recovery.

Links:

• Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community.
• Sisters In Sobriety Email.
• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram.
• Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast.
• Kathleen’s Instagram.

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