Dry January Struggles? Award-Winning Author Shares 40 Years of Recovery Wisdom

Feeling the Dry January pressure? You're not alone. In this timely episode, award-winning addiction expert Faust Ruggiero shares 40 years of treatment wisdom on how to make sobriety stick - whether you're 15 days into Dry January or just starting your journey. His practical, experience-based approach cuts through the noise to give you real tools for success. As president of the Community Psychological Center and author of the Fix Yourself series, Faust brings decades of insights from counseling thousands of clients through their recovery journeys.

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⏱️ Episode Guide:

0:00 - Essential advice for anyone starting their sobriety journey

4:18 - Understanding physical addiction (and why willpower isn't enough)

7:00 - How addiction changes your personality

11:25 - The Process Way of Life Model explained

15:22 - Breaking down addiction myths

17:58 - Why our culture is obsessed with alcohol

22:01 - Managing anxiety without substances 🧠

26:54 - The real impact of alcohol on your health

31:44 - Current trends: Alcohol vs. Marijuana

37:19 - Practical advice for maintaining sobriety

🔑 Key Insights:

Why understanding the physical aspects of addiction changes everything

How to manage anxiety without substances

The truth about cultural attitudes toward alcohol

Science-based approaches to lasting change

Building effective support systems

💡 Powerful Quote: "Don't keep it a secret. Don't think you can do it on your own. Build a network."

🌟 Need Support?

Whether you're 15 days into Dry January or just starting your journey, you're not alone. Build your support network:

Connect with healthcare providers

Find local support groups

Consider professional counseling

📚 Connect with Faust:

https://www.faustruggiero.com/

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