Show Notes: Today Stacy joins us to talk about her road to recovery.  She will share the obstacles she had when realizing she needed help and the struggles to find help.  Stacy spent most of her life avoiding addiction or so she thought.  During the pandemic she started drinking for medicinal purposes, but quickly turned into a full-blown addiction. Stacy knew she had a problem before she was willing to admit that she had a problem.  She began fighting with her husband more often.  The fighting was getting too much so she decided to visit her sister and take some time apart from her husband.  This is where Stacy took her first step to recovery of going to a few meetings.   She decided to go home back to her husband and let her employer know what was going on which led to her getting fired vs the help she needed.  This caused her to go back to her safe space of drinking heavily again. Stacy found two part time jobs, but still hid her drinking problem from all of those around her.  Stacy had a commitment that she needed to be at, but instead decided to go get a drink at a Mexican restaurant after already having some shots beforehand.  Stacy passed out at the table and when she woke up, she realized that she was late for the function and shouldn't go to it.  Stacy decided that she needed to get help, so she made a call to a treatment center saying she was on the way.  On that phone call they told her that isn't the process to get treatment.  They need to go through certain steps like make sure there is insurance, that there is room ect. Stacy did wait the 2-day window to go seek the treatment because she knew if she didn’t go get the help that she would die, and she didn’t want to do that.  Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to wait that time, or they lose the courage to do it. During the 2-day window of time before treatment, Stacy let her husband know via text that she is seeking help.  She let both jobs know that she won’t be returning and her new job she was supposed to be starting that she would be delayed due to medical treatment.  During this time, she also didn’t have another drink.  Stacy’s husband drove her to the treatment center. Tune in next week as we continue the conversation with Stacy on her road to recovery.Music credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonSocial Work Your Life Youtube Channel

Show NotesIn today’s episode, we dive into the feeling of being stuck.  When we are younger, we experience lots of change.  As we get older, we get into set routines.  It’s great while it is bringing us joy.  However there are times that we begin to feel like we are in a rut.  Sometimes we are able to quickly see the need for a change while other times it takes awhile for us to be able to say “I’m done.”  When you realize you are in that moment of stuckness you need to find a way to move out of it, but how?  It can be terrifying. Change is uncomfortable and hard. It takes small changes at first to start finding that hope, joy and light at the end of the other side.  This life we are living is not for the faint of heart.  We don’t just get an easy pass.   Join me today as we realize together that being stuck isn’t always helpful, but it is human.Music credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonSocial Work Your Life Youtube Channel

Show Notes In today’s episode I am going to talk about my friend Anxiety.  I personally deal with anxiety so often that I can feel my symptoms coming on.  I have been working on mine for years so this isn’t something that comes easily. Knowing your triggers can help you prevent or minimize an anxiety attack. Anxiety is when your body feels like it is in danger.  You need to figure out if you are a flight or freeze person during your anxiety. You need to acknowledge how you feel. You need to breathe through it and it will move on.  Today, I will walk you through breathing exercises that may help you.  Your breath brings energy which helps you calm down. It’s okay to ask for help.  It’s okay to reach out to a doctor or medical expert for support. What do you do when you are dealing with anxiety?  How are you able to find a way to calm yourself down?Music credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonSocial Work Your Life Youtube Channel

Show Notes:Last week's episode we left off where Brianna had just had their baby.  Jimmy, her husband, had picked them up from the hospital and dropped them off at Brianna’s grandmother’s house.  Jimmy went back to their home to presumably finish up the repairs of the house.She had learned that he had relapsed with both drugs and alcohol.  His paranoid state had completely taken over.  Brianna had filed a 302, an involuntary commitment, on Jimmy.  At that point everything was coming crashing down.  Brianna felt that she should have been able to fix him with the tools in her toolbox as a social worker.Jimmy stayed for his mandatory stay and then left and returned back to their home.  During this time, Brianna was still living at her grandmother’s house.  Brianna’s dad was able to convince Jimmy to go back for more treatment and support which he did, but insurance got cut off.  He decided to do it on his own.  Brianna laid down guidelines for him to follow for their continued support including working the program and getting into a sober house.  Jimmy had supervised visits with their daughter.  He continued to go downhill.  Brianna wanted the best for him, but Jimmy had to want it for himself.  Brianna sought out a support group for herself of people dealing with a loved one in addiction, no matter the stage the addict is in.  Brianna wanted to protect herself and her baby and the wellbeing of both of them.  She chose to continue to be Jimmy’s life if he was seeking treatment. If decided not to get the help needed, then Jimmmy couldn’t see Brianna or the baby.Brianna was heartbroken and in disbelief that this is how their lives and relationship turned out.  Sober Jimmy was such an amazing person and the love of her life.  When Jimmy wasn’t sober, he was a completely different person.In the matter of months, Brianna lost her husband.  She became a single mom.  They lost their house.  Brianna had to file bankruptcy.  It got to the point that Brianna had to sign off for Brianna to have full custody of their daughter.  Brianna had so much grief and sadness that she was processing.Jimmy left Philadelphia.  He had gone to North Carolina, Mexico and even the Florida Keys.  He was homeless at points.  Brianna would hear from him here and there, but he wasn’t in a good place.  He did eventually come back to Philly, but still wasn’t in a good place.It’s heartbreaking to see someone you love in that state, but Brianna had to live life.  She had created boundaries for herself and her daughter to protect them.  Brianna always had hope that Jimmy would be able to turn it around.In October 2022, Brianna received a call that Jimmy had ended his life. Brianna was devastated and still is to this day.  It was a life changing moment.  Jimmy was always the love of her life.  Brianna is learning to move forward.  She will continue to share the happy moments of Jimmy with their daughter.Brianna and I talk about how the system could have possibly failed Jimmy.  Brianna makes sure to mention that the could have, should have, would haves will not bring him back and that she did the best that she could during those times to help Jimmy.  Brianna is now focused on helping others who have loved ones with addictions.  Letting them know that they are not alone and providing any resources that she is able to.  If you need support support with mental health, please text help to 988Music credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonSocial Work Your Life Youtube Channel

Show Notes:Today, I have my first guest Brianna joining me sharing her love story with an unexpected ending.When Brianna was young, she would always be outside playing or riding her bike.  One day while riding her bike, her shoelace got tangled in her bike.  Somehow she didn’t fall, but this young boy a few years older than her, Jimmy, came over and untied her shoe to help.  Brianna being shy barely even said thank you and got out of there.  They would see each other from time to time but never really interacted with him.She reconnected with Jimmy through Facebook.  They started talking for hours on the phone reconnecting.  It was an instant connection that she had never felt before.  She had found her soulmate.  During their dating years, Jimmy had a drinking problem but he was able to get sober and get his life back on track.  Jimmy was loving his job.  Jimmy brought out the adventurous side of Brianna.  No matter where they were, they were connected with each other. Brianna and Jimmy were living their best life together.Brianna almost found the ring that Jimmy had hidden before he proposed.  The day of the proposal wasn’t going how Jimmy planned it, but luckily they two were able to adapt and find new plans on New Years Eve in Philly.Their wedding was one of Brianna’s happiest moments.  Brianna and Jimmy went to Paris which was one of the most life changing trips Brianna had experienced. It was their best trip together.  Brianna couldn’t imagine her life without Jimmy.  He brought out the best in her.  He knew how to help her in her time of need.    After years of trying, Brianna and Jimmy became pregnant.  They were over the moon with excitement.  Brianna’s pregnancy wasn’t easy.  She was constantly sick.  During the pandemic and now looking back small changes seemed to be happening with Jimmy.  He was beginning to get paranoid that neighbors and others were listening in on him and making comments about him, which were not happening.Jimmy was working on home improvements to their house. Since there was construction going on towards the end of Brianna’s pregnancy, she had to stay at friends and family’s houses.  On the scheduled due date for delivery, Jimmy wasn’t answering the phone to take Brianna to the hospital.  Brianna had her dad take her to the hospital/  Then her parents went to her house to find Jimmy asleep.  Luckily he made it just in time for the delivery of their baby girl.  He spent time at the hospital for a day but then decided to leave.  Since it was during the pandemic once you left you couldn’t return.  Jimmy picked Brianna and their daughter up the next day and dropped them off at her grandmother’s house, but did not stay.  It hadn’t clicked that this may be her new norm.Check back next week to hear the ending of Brianna and Jimmy’s story with a twist.Check out the youtube channel for even more of the beginning of Brianna and Jimmy’s Love Story Music credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonSocial Work Your Life Youtube Channel

Show Notes:In episode 3, I talk about loss. The good, the bad and how to manage through it. Loss is a topic that we have all experienced, but sometimes may be a challenge to navigate through.  It’s a physical and emotional trauma that can be very uncomfortable and isn't easy to handle.Yes there are the 5 stages of grief, but there is no linear path to get through loss. You may need to move one step forward to go two steps back and that’s okay.  Acknowledging the feelings and the emotions is important to get through without it, you are going to feel stuck. Anger is a part of loss.  It’s important to remember that anger is going to happen and that’s okay.  You need to remember that it is not okay to take it out on others.  This is when you need to remind yourself: why did this make me mad? Remember gentleness with yourself is necessary.  It’s okay to ask for help.  Give yourself grace as you deal with the loss.Links:Body keeps the score  - Bessel van der Kolk M.D. Music credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonSocial Work Your Life Youtube Channel

Today in episode 2, I talk about the importance of self care.  I want to change the thought of self care to include self love. We as a society are toughest on ourselves.  We let the compliments go in one ear and out the other and retain the negativity.When you have self love, you have more energy.  You feel better about yourself.  You have more to give to the world around you.For me self love is buying myself a dozen roses, journaling, taking a bath or even carving out time to cook in my kitchen.  What can you do to show yourself love?  It could be going to the gym, it could be going outdoors, it could be reading a book or even doing meditation.  What makes you feel grounded?Remember you are fabulous.  You are amazing.  You are doing the best with what you are given.  Find time just for you. Links:The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher- Harry WongAlmond CowMusic credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonSocial Work Your Life Youtube Channel

Episode Overview:Welcome to the first episode of Social Work Your Life. In today’s episode, I will open up about myself and how I got here.   I talk about my education and circumstances I have overcome or am continuing to work through.  I am here to help you put your boots on the ground and handle any overwhelming or challenging situations that come your way. I am here to coach and guide you through this journey we call life.Music credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonMusic credit: Druids Prayer by L Miles ThompsonSocial Work Your Life Youtube Channel