Flat Out Recovery

Episode 150: 'The Power Of The Group.'

There are hundreds of Mutual Aid groups around the place, all working to the same principle, namely ‘put a bunch of people with the same problem in a room together and see what happens’. This week, we’re looking at how powerful groups can be, and at how they can become dysfunctional. Also, we look at how all 12-Step groups have the same purpose but approach it differently, and we consider how easy it is to spend so much time bothering with other people’s business , that we can forget our own.

Episode 149: 'A Balancing Act?'

Can we go too far and forget ourselves when helping others? While altruism plays a critical part in our recovery, is there a point where it takes over and we forget what we need to do for ourselves? This week, we’re talking about trying to maintain that delicate balancing act, whereby we are able to help other people without sliding into co-dependency, resentment or neglecting our own wellbeing. Also, we’re looking at how we have to ask for help and be honest about it!

Episode 148: 'It's not me... or is it?'

It’s not me, it’s everybody else! Sometimes we say this in spite of ourselves. Are we always aware of what we look and sound like, particularly when agitated? How big does an entertainment system in a vehicle need to be? What is AI really for? This week, we’re talking about these questions and more, including the many faces of volunteering, experiences of school and our attitudes towards our former jobs in recovery.

Episode 147: 'Still Changing!'

What do we do when everything changes? How do we respond to sudden changes in circumstances? Are we inclined to make mountains out of molehills? (Surely not!) What have horror films got to do with early recovery? We look at the process of change, how we negotiate everyday problems and challenges, without having our heads fall off completely. Of course, some of us can still get angry over the mechanics of changing address, changing doctors or other such mundanities!

Episode 146: 'Ending And Beginning?'

On January 26th 2024, Changes UK went into insolvency. This week, I’m talking to Anthony Cokeley and Steve Hatch about their longstanding experience with the organisation, about how it evolved from being a small and close-knit operation into one of considerable size and about the many positive effects of Changes UK’s work over the years. We discuss the challenges that arose and how we were ultimately unable to negotiate them successfully; however, there can be no doubt that we gave it our best shot! We also touch briefly on the future and what that might bring…