Sisters In Sobriety

Sonia sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Hochman for a candid, nuanced conversation on addiction, recovery, and what actually works in the real world in this episode of Sisters in Sobriety. Daniel Hochman, is a board-certified psychiatrist and creator of Self Recovery, an online program helping people address substance and behavioral addictions through a science-based, psychologically informed approach that prioritizes privacy, agency, and emotional understanding.

The conversation explores the limits of traditional recovery models, including where 12-step programs can feel outdated or incomplete, and why concepts like “powerlessness” may actually undermine long-term change. Sonia and Dr. Hochman dig into questions around agency vs. external control, whether addiction is a disease or learned behavior, and how approaches like urge surfing, emotional regulation, and behavioral strategies fit into recovery. They also examine the role of medication like Antabuse and naltrexone, the rise of alternative recovery models, and how high-achieving individuals experience addiction differently.

Dr. Hochman reframes addiction as a response to “intolerable emotions,” highlighting how anxiety, dissatisfaction, and internal conflict can quietly drive addictive behaviors. He introduces a practical framework—moving from underlying distress to cravings to action—and explains how different “points of attack” can interrupt that cycle. 

As the conversation unfolds, Sonia shares her own experience navigating sobriety outside of traditional systems, including her curiosity about the 12 steps and her journey into emotional sobriety.

The episode shifts into a more personal exploration of identity—especially for high achievers whose self-worth is tied to performance—and what it looks like to rebuild a sense of self without alcohol. Through this lens, recovery becomes less about restriction and more about rediscovery, experimentation, and learning how to sit with discomfort rather than escape it.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.

Highlights

[00:00] Introduction to Dr. Daniel Hochman and Self Recovery
[01:00] Why willpower isn’t enough in addiction recovery
[02:00] What a psychiatrist actually does in addiction treatment
[03:00] Early exposure to rehab systems and gaps in care
[04:00] Problems within the addiction treatment industry
[05:00] The role of untrained providers in recovery spaces
[06:00] Sonia’s experience exploring the 12 steps
[07:00] “Powerlessness” and the problem with vague frameworks
[09:00] Locus of control and reclaiming agency in recovery
[12:00] Why vague advice like “try harder” doesn’t work
[14:00] What traditional recovery models get right—and wrong
[16:00] Why addiction science hasn’t been fully integrated into AA
[18:00] Addiction as a response to underlying emotional distress
[20:00] Trauma, boredom, dissatisfaction, and hidden drivers
[22:00] The “current” model: from pain to craving to action
[24:00] Urge surfing and behavioral tools for early sobriety
[26:00] Why deep emotional work shouldn’t come first
[28:00] Limitations of CBT and surface-level therapy
[30:00] Inside the Self Recovery program framework
[33:00] Sobriety vs. moderation: choosing your own path
[36:00] Medications in recovery: Antabuse vs. naltrexone
[41:00] High achievers, identity, and addiction patterns
[45:00] Rebuilding a sense of self beyond achievement
[49:00] Rediscovering hobbies, curiosity, and joy in sobriety
[51:00] One simple awareness practice to start changing behavior

Dr. Hochman's Links

Self Recovery's Website: https://www.selfrecovery.org/

Self Recovery's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfrecoveryhealth/

SIS Links

💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

📸 Kathleen’s Instagram

Sonia sits down with Jeremy Lipkowitz to unpack addiction, dopamine, and the hidden patterns behind compulsive behaviors—from alcohol to everyday habits.

They dive into the questions most people avoid: What actually drives compulsive behavior? Why does dopamine keep us chasing more instead of feeling satisfied? How do perfectionism, shame, and high achievement intersect with addiction? And what happens when we swap one coping mechanism for another—alcohol for work, porn, social media, or even productivity? They also explore how habits quietly escalate and how identity becomes entangled in addiction.

Jeremy breaks down neuroplasticity and how repeated behaviors wire the brain, reinforcing cycles of craving and avoidance. He reframes dopamine as the chemical of wanting—not pleasure—and explains how this fuels the loop of desire. The conversation introduces tools like urge surfing, mindfulness, and creating space between stimulus and response, alongside a deeper look at emotional avoidance, shame, and the “hungry ghost” cycle of never feeling like enough. They also demystify meditation—what it actually is, and how to practice it without perfection.

The episode also traces Jeremy’s personal turning point—from a high-achieving student battling insecurity and compulsive behaviors to discovering meditation and a new definition of fulfillment. As Sonia reflects on her own patterns in real time, the conversation becomes a powerful example of what it looks like to pause, notice, and choose differently.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.

TIME-STAMPED HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 – Introduction to Jeremy Lipkowitz and his work in addiction recovery
01:30 – Jeremy’s early struggles with insecurity and addiction
03:45 – Realizing the path he was on wasn’t leading to happiness
06:15 – Why success didn’t translate into fulfillment
08:00 – Neuroplasticity and how habits shape the brain
10:30 – Dopamine explained: wanting vs. liking
12:45 – How addiction escalates over time
14:30 – Addiction as emotional avoidance
16:10 – Why we struggle with boredom and discomfort
17:45 – Identity and shame in addiction
20:00 – Rationalizing harmful behaviors
21:30 – Addiction as a universal pattern
23:00 – The “dry drunk” concept and root causes
24:30 – Healthier vs. harmful coping mechanisms
26:00 – Recognizing subtle compulsions
28:15 – What urge surfing is
31:00 – Creating space before reacting
34:00 – Building mindfulness as a skill
37:00 – Meditation myths and perfectionism
41:30 – Different types of meditation
45:00 – Mindfulness in everyday life
49:00 – Perfectionism as addiction
52:00 – The “hungry ghost” mindset
55:30 – Sonia’s real-time habit awareness
58:30 – Learning to sit with boredom
01:02:00 – Why abstinence can help moderation
01:06:00 – How subtle habits take hold
01:09:00 – Finding freedom from external validation

Jeremy's Links

Podcast: https://unhooked.buzzsprout.com/
Website: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/
 
SIS Links

💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

📸 Kathleen’s Instagram

Inflammation is at the root of so many modern health struggles—but what if the way we approach it is completely backwards? In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia sits down with Dr. Shivani Gupta—Ayurvedic practitioner, functional health expert, and author of The Inflammation Code—to explore a radically personalized approach to healing. Sonia guides listeners through how inflammation shows up in daily life, how stress and lifestyle habits quietly fuel it, and how Dr. Gupta’s “Elemental Design” framework helps decode each person’s unique health blueprint.

The conversation dives into how different body types respond to stress, food, and alcohol, and why a one-size-fits-all wellness plan often fails. Questions unfold around how mental inflammation contributes to physical disease, how gut health connects to energy and mood, and why sleep, circadian rhythm, and daily rituals may matter more than the latest health trend. The episode also explores the real impact of alcohol on gut permeability and inflammation, and how habits like late-night eating, blue light exposure, and chronic stress quietly disrupt the body’s natural healing processes.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Gupta introduces key concepts like chronic low-grade inflammation, bio-individuality, and the connection between the microbiome and overall health. She explains how ancient Ayurvedic principles align with modern science—from circadian rhythm optimization to the role of super spices like turmeric in reducing inflammation. The discussion weaves in practical insights on improving sleep hygiene, supporting the gut microbiome, managing cortisol, and using simple daily rituals—like tea, breathwork, or structured routines—to regulate the nervous system and reduce inflammation at its source.

As the conversation unfolds, Dr. Gupta shares her deeply personal journey—from growing up between Western medicine and Ayurvedic traditions to a turning point that led her to reject overmedication and seek root-cause healing. That experience sparked decades of study and ultimately shaped her mission to bring ancient healing wisdom into modern life in a practical, accessible way. The episode closes with a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t require perfection—it starts with small, intentional shifts that bring the body back into balance.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Shivani Gupta and The Inflammation Code
02:00 Growing up between Western medicine and Ayurveda
03:00 The breaking point with overmedication and antibiotics
04:30 Discovering Ayurveda and root-cause healing
06:00 Turmeric and the science behind super spices
08:00 What “Elemental Design” means for your health
10:00 Understanding Vata, Pitta, and Kapha body types
12:00 How different constitutions experience inflammation
14:00 Autoimmune conditions and personalized health patterns
17:00 Circadian rhythm and its role in inflammation
18:30 How sleep impacts detoxification and healing
20:00 Building a realistic sleep routine
22:00 Ideal sleep environment and temperature
23:30 Common mistakes with turmeric and anti-inflammatory diets
25:00 Chronic inflammation and modern lifestyle stressors
27:00 Supplements vs. whole foods: what actually works
31:00 What is “mental inflammation”?
33:00 Stress, burnout, and disease connection
35:00 Gut health, microbiome, and daily habits
37:00 Alcohol’s impact on gut health and inflammation
40:00 How different body types respond to alcohol
43:00 Tools for relaxation without alcohol
47:00 The most important first step: prioritizing sleep

 

Dr. Shivani's Links

www.shivanigupta.com
IG: @dr.shivanigupta

SIS Links

💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

📸 Kathleen’s Instagram

Addiction, astrology, and emotional healing take center stage in this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, as Sonia sits down with humanistic astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo. Together, they unpack how addiction isn’t just about substances—it’s about emotional patterns, coping mechanisms, and the ways we abandon ourselves. Jessica brings a grounded, no-nonsense approach to astrology, helping Sonia explore how tools like astrology, community, and self-awareness can support sobriety and long-term healing.

What role does emotional regulation play in addiction? Can astrology reveal patterns behind compulsive behaviors or anxiety? How do dopamine-driven habits like scrolling or shopping mirror substance use? Sonia and Kathleen guide the conversation through big questions around fate vs. free will, the psychology of addiction, and whether spiritual tools—like astrology—can become coping mechanisms themselves. The discussion also explores the complexities of recovery spaces, including the benefits and challenges of 12-step programs, shame, and accountability.

The conversation weaves together concepts like harm reduction, emotional processing, and the neuroscience of addiction. Jessica introduces the idea that addiction is often rooted in an inability to tolerate feelings, rather than a lack of willpower. She breaks down how different types of anxiety and coping behaviors can manifest, and how misdiagnosis—both psychologically and personally—can keep people stuck. The idea of “momentum” becomes a powerful framework: how addictive behaviors build quickly, while healing and self-connection require slower, intentional practice.

Through personal reflections, Sonia shares moments from her own sobriety journey—navigating divorce, resisting the urge to drink, and recognizing how other behaviors can mimic addiction. The episode shifts into a deeper, more vulnerable space as they explore recovery tools like AA, the concept of “dry drunk” vs. true sobriety, and the emotional weight of making amends. Jessica offers a nuanced take on “living amends,” boundaries, and why healing doesn’t always require direct reconciliation—sometimes it requires protecting yourself while still taking accountability.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.

Highlights

00:00 – Introduction to Jessica Lanyadoo and her humanistic approach
01:15 – What humanistic astrology actually means
03:00 – Addiction beyond substances: emotional and behavioral patterns
05:30 – Astrology’s perspective on different types of addiction
08:15 – Dopamine, escapism, and modern-day addictive behaviors
09:30 – Can astrology become a coping mechanism?
10:45 – Is addiction fate or free will?
12:30 – Physiological vs. emotional components of addiction
14:00 – Different types of anxiety and how they show up
16:30 – Misdiagnosis and why some treatments don’t work
17:45 – The concept of momentum in addiction vs. healing
19:00 – “Dry drunk” vs. true sobriety
20:00 – Why AA works (and why it doesn’t for everyone)
22:00 – Shame, community, and healing in recovery spaces
24:00 – The complexity of group dynamics in AA
26:30 – Boundaries, triggers, and navigating recovery communities
28:00 – The truth about making amends
29:30 – What are “living amends”?
31:30 – Trauma, safety, and when not to reconnect
34:00 – Self-abandonment and taking personal accountability

 

Jessica's Links

Ghost of a Podcast 

Access free horoscopes + other goodies and classes available for purchase at lovelanyadoo.com

 

SIS Links

💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

📸 Kathleen’s Instagram

Sonia sits down with Dr. Emma Kay, professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing and a nationally recognized researcher focused on HIV care, substance use, harm reduction, and recovery. Together, they unpack the intersection of addiction, stigma, and healthcare systems, and explore how a more compassionate, whole-person approach can change outcomes. Sonia guides this conversation to help reframe how we think about recovery, disclosure, and what meaningful care actually looks like in practice.

The discussion moves beyond surface-level conversations about addiction and into the realities people face navigating HIV, substance use, and medical systems that often prioritize one condition over another. Questions emerge around why patients don’t disclose substance use, how stigma subtly shows up in healthcare settings, whether abstinence-only models are limiting recovery options, and what happens when providers assume noncompliance. It also touches on the gap between medical innovation and lived patient experience, especially when it comes to trust, access, and education.

The conversation highlights how recovery is often non-linear, why patient autonomy matters, and how small behavioral shifts can represent meaningful progress. It also sheds light on systemic barriers including cost, lack of education in medical training, and disparities tied to race, geography, and socioeconomic status. The contrast between rapid advancements in HIV treatment and the slower evolution of addiction care reveals where healthcare systems are still falling short.

Sonia and Dr. Kay also talk about—what it actually looks like when patients feel seen, heard, and respected versus judged or dismissed. From early moments in an HIV clinic filled with unexpected vulnerability to broader reflections on stigma and resilience, the episode brings forward the emotional and relational side of care that often gets overlooked in clinical conversations.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.

Highlights

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Emma Kay and her work

01:00 Dr. Kay’s non-traditional path into social work and research

02:30 First experiences in an HIV clinic and shifting perspectives

04:00 Understanding HIV as a chronic condition vs stigma

05:30 The overlap between HIV and substance use

06:30 Risk factors and misconceptions about HIV transmission

07:30 Early experiences with patient vulnerability and resilience

09:00 Abstinence-based models vs harm reduction realities

10:30 Lack of harm reduction resources in certain regions

11:30 Why patients don’t disclose substance use

12:30 Gaps in education around harm reduction

13:30 What relational harm reduction actually means

15:00 Key principles: autonomy, humanism, pragmatism

16:30 Incremental progress and redefining success in recovery

17:30 Why recovery is rarely linear

19:00 Whole-person care and addressing underlying needs

21:00 Subtle stigma in healthcare settings

22:30 Misconceptions about adherence and drug use

24:00 Harm reduction vs abstinence models

25:30 Aging population with HIV and comorbidities

27:00 Treating HIV like any other chronic condition

28:30 Innovation in HIV care vs addiction care

30:00 Disparities in overdose rates and access to care

32:00 Trust gaps in marginalized communities

34:00 The role of community-led solutions

35:00 Cost barriers and access to life-saving resources

Dr. Emma's Links

https://scholars.uab.edu/5926-emma-kay

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmasophiakay/

SIS Links

💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

📸 Kathleen’s Instagram

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