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You know that sinking feeling when you wake up with a hangover and think: “I’m never doing this again”? We’ve all been there. But what happens when you follow through? Sonia Kahlon and Kathleen Killen can tell you, because they did it! They went from sisters-in-law, to Sisters in Sobriety.
In this podcast, Sonia and Kathleen invite you into their world, as they navigate the ups and downs of sobriety, explore stories of personal growth and share their journey of wellness and recovery.
Get ready for some real, honest conversations about sobriety, addiction, and everything in between. Episodes will cover topics such as: reaching emotional sobriety, how to make the decision to get sober, adopting a more mindful lifestyle, socializing without alcohol, and much more.
Whether you’re sober-curious, seeking inspiration and self-care through sobriety, or embracing the alcohol-free lifestyle already… Tune in for a weekly dose of vulnerability, mutual support and much needed comic relief. Together, let’s celebrate the transformative power of sisterhood in substance recovery!
Kathleen Killen is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) and certified coach based in Ontario, Canada. Her practice is centered on relational therapy and she specializes in couples and working with individuals who are navigating their personal relationships.
Having been through many life transitions herself, Kathleen has made it her mission to help others find the support and communication they need in their closest relationships. To find out more about Kathleen’s work, check out her website.
Sonia Kahlon is a recovery coach and former addict. She grappled with high-functioning alcohol use disorder throughout her life, before getting sober in 2016.
Over the last five years, she has appeared on successful sobriety platforms, such as the Story Exchange, the Sobriety Diaries podcast and the Sober Curator, to tell her story of empowerment and addiction recovery, discuss health and midlife sobriety, and share how she is thriving without alcohol.
Your sobriety success story starts today, with Kathleen and Sonia. Just press play!
Sonia
[00:00:00] Hi y'all and welcome to a bit of a different episode of Sisters in Sobriety. Today, I'm [00:01:00] Sonia and I may not have my sister in law with me today, but I do have my sisters, you, the listeners and the feedback we've been getting from you has been amazing and so many of you have contacted us with comments and questions.
[00:01:14] So today I want to take a minute to answer some of these questions and today's questions, we're going to focus on social situations and how to navigate them sober. So a question we got asked more than once. was, what do I do at a work happy hour? And navigating a work happy hour without alcohol is challenging.
[00:01:37] So there's a few suggestions I can make that will make it easier. And one is to plan ahead. So before the happy hour, prepare yourself mentally. Remind yourself of the reasons for avoiding alcohol and the benefits that you've been experiencing from sobriety. I always also carry a non alcoholic drink in my hand.
[00:01:59] So whatever [00:02:00] it is, sparkling water with lime, if they offer something a little more interesting, that's great too. And this can also prevent people from offering you alcoholic drinks. I also have a response ready usually. If someone asks That's me. Why I'm not drinking. sometimes if I don't know the person well, I'll just say, Oh, I have an early morning tomorrow.
[00:02:20] You can say things like, I feel better not drinking, but really you don't owe anyone a detailed explanation, especially if you're not comfortable. You can also focus on networking. So shift the focus from drinking to making meaningful connections. Engage in conversations, listen actively, and use this as an opportunity to strengthen your professional relationships.
[00:02:45] You can also set a time limit. So decide in advance how long you'll stay. It's perfectly okay to make an appearance, connect with a few people, and then leave when you're ready.
[00:02:56] if you start to feel uncomfortable or pressured, it's okay to leave. [00:03:00] Prioritize your well being and sobriety above social expectations. And reflect on your experience. After the event, take some time to reflect. I do this all the time when I go to, for example, a cocktail party or something that's really centered around alcohol.
[00:03:16] Either that night or the next morning, I'll reflect on it and think, what went well? What could be improved for next time? what would make me more comfortable? And this can really help build confidence for future situations and maintaining sobriety in social settings, especially work related ones. It is a huge accomplishment, so be proud of yourself for navigating these challenges and staying true to your recovery journey.
[00:03:41] The second question we got a couple of times was, I'm going to a bachelorette party with my girlfriends. How can I navigate this sober? And in particular, our listener was going to Vegas. And navigating a bachelorette party in Vegas while maintaining sobriety can [00:04:00] definitely be a challenging situation, especially among friends who enjoy drinking.
[00:04:06] So here are a few strategies that might help.Prepare mentally. Before the trip, remind yourself of your commitment to sobriety and the reasons behind it. Mental preparation can be such a great anchor in moments of temptation or pressure.
[00:04:22] Communicate with your friends. These are friends, they're not work colleagues. If you haven't already, consider sharing your sobriety journey with your friends. They can be a great source of support. Let them know how they can help you feel comfortable during the trip. and a lot of venues in Vegas offer mocktails, so don't hesitate to ask for these options when you're out with your friend.
[00:04:44] Plan sober activities. Vegas also has a variety of non alcohol centric activities. You can suggest some of these as part of the itinerary. Going to see a show, sightseeing, spa day, gourmet dining experiences, can really all be enjoyed sober. [00:05:00] And have a support system on standby. Stay connected to your support network.
[00:05:05] So this could be your recovery coach, a friend, a support group and if you feel overwhelmed, reach out to them.
[00:05:10]
[00:05:10] Set boundaries, know your limits, and don't be afraid to step away if a situation becomes too challenging. It's okay to skip an event or head back to the hotel early if that's what you need to do to maintain your sobriety. Practice self care. Prioritize your well being. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, you're staying hydrated, and you're taking time for yourself as needed.
[00:05:33] Celebrate your successes. Every moment you successfully navigate this challenging environment is a victory. Acknowledge and celebrate these successes, no matter how small they may seem. Remember, your sobriety is personal and unique and what works for others may not work for you.
[00:05:51] So it's important to listen to yourself and do what feels right for you. Stay true to your goals and remember the strength it takes to maintain your [00:06:00] commitment to recovery. You can also check out our Substack for answers to more questions.
[00:06:05] Head over to sistersinsobriety. substack. com.
[00:06:09]