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“If you become psychologically dependent on taking a substance to address your feelings, it becomes very frightening to imagine life without it.” – Patty Powers

Intro

Have you been wondering recently whether your substance use is normal? Do you find yourself drinking more than you would like, smoking every day, or taking gummies every night to help you sleep? How do you tell when using substances to cope with the circumstances of life becomes a problem? 

If you have been asking these questions, you’re not alone. Recently, so many of my listeners have been writing to me with questions just like that. 

I invited today’s guest, sober coach and friend Patty Powers, so that I can ask her all of the questions about substances that you have been asking me. Not only is she a friend who I have worked with professionally for many years, Patty was also the one who helped a very dear family member of mine when they relapsed. 

Listen to today’s episode to get some clarity: When does substance use become substance abuse? And how can you support healing if you do recognize problematic substance use in yourself or a loved one?

Highlights:

• 03:05 How to tell whether your increased substance use is a problem
• 04:40 How COVID accelerated circumstantial drug use, and how it can stick around even when the circumstances change
• 11:30 Choosing to be honest with yourself about addiction 
• 22:10 Making space to support family members in their recovery from problematic substance use and addiction (Without becoming codependent!)

Connect with Patty Powers:

Patty did not set out to become a recovery coach. It happened organically and accidentally. Initially, she was asked by friends in the entertainment industry to provide guidance and 24/7 companionship to their clients who were struggling to stay sober while fulfilling work commitments. Patty agreed, assuming this was a one-time deal.

Through word-of-mouth, clients were directed to her by therapists, treatment providers, and she began to meet other coaches. Psychotherapist and transformation coach Terri Cole coined the phrase Shadow Addiction to open up a dialogue with this specific demographic of successful, health and enlightenment-seeking individuals. Leaders in the wellness community, including integrative physicians and psychiatrists, now refer Patty clients struggling not only with substance abuse issues but also those with impulsive destructive behaviors.

Patty was a featured sober coach on the A&E mini-series Relapse, a guest on radio and news programs, podcasts, web-series and she’s penned articles for numerous websites. For several years, she was the host of Sex Talk, a live video open discussion about Sex in Recovery.

When she’s not helping clients navigate their sobriety, she’s writing, learning how to play the violin, and getting oxytocin boosts by feeding squirrels in Tompkins Square Park.

You can find out more about Patty’s work at her website, https://www.pattypowersnyc.com/, or reach out with questions via email at patty@pattypowersnyc.com.

Here are some ways we can connect and grow together:

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