Addiction, Codependency & People Pleasing: What Happens After You Get Sober? | Dr Sarah Michaud

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains frank and detailed discussions about addiction, drug and alcohol use, cocaine, relapse, overdose, mental health, unhealthy relationships, shame and experiences during active addiction. Please listen with care and look after yourself if any of these topics may be difficult for you. ❤️

What happens when you stop using drugs or alcohol, but realise the addiction was only part of the story?

In this honest and deeply relatable conversation, Ellie is joined by Dr Sarah Michaud, a clinical psychologist, author and recovery advocate who has worked in addiction and codependency recovery for more than 30 years. Sarah has also been sober from alcohol and cocaine since 1984.

Together, Ellie and Sarah speak openly about their experiences of addiction, sobriety and what comes afterwards. They explore codependency, people-pleasing, unhealthy relationships, boundaries, self-worth and the emotional work involved in rebuilding your life.

They discuss why getting sober does not automatically resolve the patterns underneath addiction, how shame and guilt can keep us trapped, and why we can become consumed by trying to manage, rescue or change other people.

Sarah also shares her thoughts on dating and relationships after addiction, recognising what somebody’s behaviour is showing you and learning to trust yourself again.

One of the most powerful reminders from this conversation is:

“Pay attention to what somebody shows you, not just what they tell you.”

Topics include:

• Cocaine and alcohol addiction
• Sobriety and relapse
• Codependency and people-pleasing
• Shame, guilt and self-worth
• Boundaries and unhealthy relationships
• Emotional regulation
• Dating after addiction
• Rebuilding your identity and life
• Recovery beyond simply stopping the substance

Dr Sarah Michaud is the author of Co-Crazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Codependency and Addiction and co-host of Leaving CrazyTown.

Find Dr Sarah Michaud:

Website:
https://drsarahmichaud.com

Leaving CrazyTown on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZDG7qs6C97F4jxVoszDeg

Leaving CrazyTown on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzKllJMadLN1qB7YmeR_cxw

Book, Co-Crazy:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Co-Crazy-Psychologists-Recovery-Codependency-Addiction/dp/1736720430

Instagram and TikTok:
@LeavingCrazyTown

Find Ellie AuDHD:

https://www.ellieaudhd.com