In this episode of The Sober Seat, Alice returns, to discuss Life After Addiction, Quitting Alcohol and 1 Year on Into Sobriety.

We talk about what really happens after reaching the milestone so many people in recovery work towards.

Because one year sober doesn’t mean life suddenly becomes easy.

Alice opens up about the reality of year two recovery — where the external chaos may have settled, but the internal work around shame, identity, and emotional healing becomes even more present.

We talk about shame in addiction and recovery, including the belief of not being “bad enough” to be an alcoholic, and how that narrative can delay seeking help and deepen isolation.

The conversation also explores sobriety in real life situations, particularly navigating sober weddings, hen dos, summer drinking culture, and the pressure to fit into social environments where alcohol is still central.

We also explore expectations vs resentment in sobriety, and how recovery can sometimes feel very different from what you imagined in early sobriety.

There is an honest and important reflection on shame connected to sexual assault, and how trauma can resurface in sobriety when alcohol is no longer being used to numb emotional pain.

This is a conversation about sobriety, alcohol addiction recovery, emotional healing, trauma, and what it really means to rebuild your life after alcohol.

Topics covered: one year sober, sobriety, alcohol addiction, addiction recovery, sober curious, quitting alcohol, shame in addiction, functional alcoholic, high functioning alcoholism, sober weddings, sober hen do, sober social life, drinking culture, expectations vs reality, resentment in recovery, trauma and sobriety, sexual assault and recovery, mental health, early sobriety, year two sobriety, life after alcohol.

If you’ve ever reached sobriety and realised the work isn’t finished, or struggled with shame, comparison, or emotional overwhelm in recovery, this episode is for you.

Because year one is survival.

But year two is where you start learning how to live.

So, get comfy. Pull up a chair. Come sit with us.

This is The Sober Seat.

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