Sobriety: Redefining Support and Understanding

In this empowering episode, Daniel Nelson aka Thabudd unpacks the journey of sobriety and the critical role of support. He challenges common misconceptions about addiction, identifies subtle behaviors that can hinder recovery, and offers powerful encouragement for those walking the path to sobriety. Listeners will discover how true understanding, and connection can transform lives on both sides of the recovery journey."

Episode Notes:
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Misconceptions about addiction and sobriety.
• Subtle behaviors that undermine support and how to identify them.
• The emotional cycle of addiction and how suppressed feelings fuel dependency.
• Encouraging statistics that show sobriety’s transformative impact.
• How supporters can create spaces for growth, healing, and connection.

Inspiring Stats:

• Nearly 30% of people with alcohol use disorder self-medicate for anxiety or depression.
• 80% of alcohol-dependent individuals experience heightened anxiety or depression.
• 3 out of 4 people with strong support systems maintain long-term sobriety.
• Over 23 million Americans are in recovery today, proving change is possible.

Chapters

• 0:05 The Power of Sobriety and Support
• 12:45 Rewriting Our Strong, Supportive Journey

Transcript

Speaker 2: 0:05

Good evening everyone. My name is Daniel Nelson, but most of you know me as the Bud Tonight. I want to talk to you about something personal. Sobriety.

Speaker 2: 0:20

Not just mine, but what sobriety means for millions of people who are walking this path, striving for something better. This isn't a story about pointing fingers, it's not about blame and it's definitely not about victimhood. It's about understanding. Not about victimhood. It's about understanding Because sobriety, like any journey, comes with its share of misconceptions, challenges and truths that people often fail to see. Here's the reality. Most people think drinking is the problem. They assume someone drinks because they're weak or reckless or selfish.

Speaker 2: 1:18

But let me ask you this how often do we stop to consider the emotions behind their actions, the pain behind the choices and, more importantly, how often do we listen when someone tries?

Speaker 4: 1:37

to explain tonight.

Speaker 2: 1:43

I'm not just talking to those on the clear sobriety journey, I'm talking to everyone. To the friends the family, the supporter and even the doubters, Because understanding sobriety isn't just about helping someone else. It's about transforming the way we connect with each other as human beings. Most people assume they're drinking because they want to, but that's rarely the case. But that's rarely the case. Stats tell us nearly 30% of people with alcohol use disorder.

Speaker 4: 2:36

Drink to self-medicate for anxiety or depression.

Speaker 2: 2:39

For many, alcohol becomes a way to express emotions. They don't feel safe sharing sober, but instead of listening, society dismisses them as reckless or weak. How would you feel if the only time you could voice your emotions was when society labeled you as out of control? What would it do to your sense of worth After getting sober? Many people are met with unrealistic expectations. Okay, now that you're sober, everything should be perfect. But sobriety isn't a magic wand.

Speaker 2: 3:35

It's a process, one that requires time, patience and a lot of internal work imagine climbing a mountain, exhausted but helpful, only to hear someone say you're not at the top yet, so why celebrate? How would that feel? That's not how it happened. You're being so dramatic, you're being dramatic.

Speaker 1: 4:24

Wow.

Speaker 2: 4:27

These phrases May seem harmless, but they dismiss the emotions of someone already struggling to feel heard. How would you feel if your story was dismissed, questioned by the very people you trusted? Validation isn't about agreeing with everything someone says. It's about creating space for their feelings to exist, and the space can be life changing. Comments like you're doing great, but let's see how long it lasts Can chip away at confidence.

Speaker 1: 5:29

Stats, stats.

Speaker 2: 5:45

People with consistent positive reinforcement are 2.5 times more likely to maintain sobriety. Every step forward deserves to be celebrated.

Speaker 4: 5:56

No matter how small Sobriety isn't about perfection.

Speaker 2: 6:01

It's about persistence. Remember when you mess everything up. Consistently bringing up someone's mistakes anchors them to the lowest moments, making it harder for them to move forward. How would you feel if every step forward was met with someone dragging you back to the worst version of yourself? Would you feel like moving forward was even worth it? The past is a chapter, not the whole story, but letting someone grow beyond it, you give them the freedom to thrive. The cycle of silence and misunderstanding, one pain and suppression and misunderstanding 1.

Speaker 1: 6:55

Pain and suppression.

Speaker 2: 6:59

People return to alcohol as a coping mechanism for pain they feel unable to express. Stats 80% of those with alcohol dependency also experience heightened anxiety and depression. 2. Alcohol as an outlet, it becomes a way to release emotions, but the consequences often reinforce guilt and shame often reinforce guilt and shame.

Speaker 4: 7:42

Three dismissals by others.

Speaker 2: 7:48

Instead of being heard, their feelings are dismissed as meaningless or exaggerated. Imagine trying to express your pain, only to have it dismissed over and, over and over again. Wouldn't you turn into one thing that felt like an outlet, even if it came with consequences like an outlet, even if it came with consequences. Here's some stats to inspire you. Over 23 million Americans are in recovery today, proving that change is not only possible it happens.

Speaker 2: 8:33

Individuals in recovery contribute over 100 million 100, sorry, 100 billion annually to the economy, showing the transformative power of sobriety. If you're on this journey, know this You're not just surviving, you're thriving. Every sober day is a victory, a testament to your strength and your commitment To something better. People may doubt you, dismiss you, or may doubt you, dismiss you or even undermine you, but hear me when I say their options do not define you. You are creating a life filled with new possibilities, deeper connections and greater peace.

Speaker 2: 9:40

Keep moving forward because you're creating something powerful. Sobriety isn't just about what you have or what you're leaving behind, or what you had behind. Leaving behind what you had behind. It's about what you're building Clarity and a future of possibilities.

Speaker 4: 10:08

Your journey may not be understood by everyone.

Speaker 2: 10:12

But it doesn't have to be what matters is that you understand it, you honor it.

Speaker 1: 10:23

And you keep showing up for yourself every single day.

Speaker 2: 10:30

Remember every day you wake up, choose sobriety. You're not just healing, you're inspiring others, and that's a legacy worth celebrating. If you've ever dismissed or doubted someone's journey, let this be your wake up call. Supporting someone in sobriety isn't about fixing them. It's about standing beside them. You don't have to have the answers, you don't need to understand every step of their process. What they need from you is presence, patience and a willingness to listen without judgment. Research shows that people with empathetic support are three times more likely to maintain their sobriety. Think about that. Your kindness, your encouragement, your belief in them can be the difference between giving up and moving forward. And here's the beautiful part when you offer that kind of support, you grow too. Relationships deepen, trust builds. You become part of A transformation, not just theirs, but your own. This is about more than sobriety. It's about connection, understanding that, the courage to grow, whether you're the one on the journey or the one walking beside them.

Speaker 2: 12:45

For those in recovery, you're proving every day that change is possible. Keep going. You're rewriting your story One step at a time, and it's a story of strength, resilience and hope For those supporting someone in recovery. Your belief in them matters more than you realize. Be patient. Be kind and remember that your encouragement could be the light that keeps them moving forward. Together, we can break the misconceptions, shatter the stigma and create a world where sobriety isn't seen as an uphill battle but as a triumphant victory.

Speaker 2: 13:48

Smile on purpose today because you're part of something incredible, whether it's a journey or someone else's. Stay awesome, stay blessed and always keep moving forward. You got this Absolutely focused.

Speaker 1: 14:12

I'm ready for the fight.