Flat Out Recovery
’Flat Out Recovery’ is produced by addicts and alcoholics in recovery; we are the voices of lived experience and we are all about recovery from addiction and alcoholism. We confront the disease and the stigma associated with it head-on, telling real stories of addiction and recovery, with as much humour as possible. Informed and informative, we cover 12-Step Recovery and other approaches in detail. This podcast is aimed at those who are still in the madness of addiction; family members, spouses and friends who are trying to cope with their loved ones who are suffering; those who are in rehab, have been there or might be considering it; those who may have developed a co-dependency due to either their addiction or a loved one’s; those who are in recovery; professionals working in the field; those who are interested, or curious and want to find out. We conduct interviews with people from all walks of life, but with one thing in common, they have experience of both addiction and recovery, whether that be their own or that of a loved one. We run our own fictional serial ’AlACat’, an everyday story about the lives of cats with owners in addiction and recovery. Recovery is possible; it changes lives. It means freedom and release from the slavery of alcohol and drug dependence, presenting the opportunity to rebuild and live a new life. Our production team have all found recovery through Changes UK, a rehabilitation charity which specialises in repairing shattered lives, in turning pain into purpose.
Listen on:
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
This week we’re talking about how treatment works for addicts and alcoholics, and what happens when plans are put in place by those who don’t necessarily possess the requisite lived experience to implement them. We look at government plans for tackling addiction and promoting recovery, assessing the pros and cons. We’re also talking about the ‘War On Drugs’ and the stigma associated with poverty, criminality and addiction.
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Recovery has its own language, as does treatment and while both can seem incomprehensible to begin with, we do learn as we recover. This week, we’re talking about those languages, about the critical importance of simplicity and how three-word slogans have been as prevalent as they have been effective in AA and NA for many years. We’re also talking about the perils of ‘the washing machine head’ and how sharing in meetings can be difficult at different stages in recovery. And didn’t someone say something about all those chemicals damaging our brains as well?
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
This week we’re talking about detox; what’s sensible, what's safe, and what isn’t. We’re also looking at the effects of detox, on both the addict/alcoholic and their nearest and dearest. We look at how reduction and detox are managed, at how it is possible to access recovery services before we stop drinking and using, and at how we should be mindful of unplanned withdrawal, especially where alcohol is concerned. Also, we look at how we avoid getting angry at things we can’t control in recovery, with variable degrees of success...
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
This week we’re looking at why some people go to rehab, why others don’t, why some people leave and why others stay. We’re talking about the dangers of ‘box-ticking’ and ‘treatment hopping’, how our expectations of the rehab experience can vary very considerably and at how some people arrive for the wrong reasons, but stay for the right ones. And no matter how hard we try (or even don’t), there seems to be no getting away from that ‘Responsibility’ word!
Thursday Feb 23, 2023
Thursday Feb 23, 2023
Two recovering alcoholics going all philosophical, what could go wrong? Not a lot, surprisingly! This week, we’re talking about how we find our place in the world on coming into recovery, how we learn to acknowledge that we don’t need to know or understand everything and that our belief systems are fundamentally changed. From ‘The Big Bang’ to Chuck Norris, via local buses, K-dramas and societal breakdown, this is recovery, the universe and everything…
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
In our 100th episode (yes, sorry about the numbering going a bit haywire!), we’re talking about anger and how we deal with it. Or sometimes we don’t. We look at strategies for the safe expression of anger, how we purge ourselves of dangerously negative feelings, how we take time to process them, and how we set boundaries around ourselves and other people when experiencing anger. Also, we’re tackling a gambling-related dilemma, with some interesting results…
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
I have to be self-aware, now? What’s that when it’s at home?!? This week we’re talking about how we become progressively more self-aware over time, of both our capabilities and our limitations. Among other things, we look at how this affects our approach to setting boundaries with other people, how we reengage with family and how we both identify and manage the perils of self-will. Meanwhile, someone’s been on a few dating sites...
Thursday Feb 02, 2023
Thursday Feb 02, 2023
Could we do a better job? Well, of course we (think we) could! This week, we’re talking about the stigma surrounding addiction, about how negative preconceptions can impact upon how we live and work with other people. Also, we’re looking at the way in which treatment is too often viewed as punitive, as opposed to a positive process of reconstruction. And last but not least, we’re talking about rehab models and how they might be improved…