Journalling in Recovery...with Patti Clark

My guest is author Patti Clark who was born and raised in San Francisco during the 60’s and 70’s – a flower child who started drinking and using drugs at the tender age of 13

In this episode:-

• Patti started drinking and using drugs as a young teenager
• Her mother was an alcoholic and died when Patti was just 16.
• She was Academically successful despite the heavy drinking and drug use.
  Patti first got sober at the age of 30 – she attended AA and stayed sober for 13 years.
• She eventually left 12-step recovery thinking she could moderate
• The drinking ramped up again and she drank for another 13 years.
• Patti's red flags included hiding bottles, kids noticing her drinking.
• Patti got sober again in November 2014 and this time it stuck
• She rebuilt her sobriety using therapy, journaling and creativity.
• She eventually co-founded an NA meeting with a focus on emotional sobriety 
• Journalling played a huge role in her recovery, helping her to access her inner feelings and creativity.
• We both agreed on the value of sitting in the void
• Although it can be boring and uncomfortable at first it allows space for growth, ideas, and new passions.
• Believes women relapse partly because traditional 12-step recovery doesn't fit women’s emotional needs.
• Relapse is often linked to lack of connection and trying to fill emotional voids.
  
  
• Three key messages from Patti:-
  a) Find your tribe — Emphasizes that connection and community is critical for recovery.
  b) Allow yourself to be uncomfortable in early sobriety — that discomfort will lead to growth
  c) Joy and purpose are central to lasting recovery — sobriety should feel like an upgrade, not a deprivation.
  
  
• Patti's Books
  a) This Way Up — about the search for self (includes journaling workbook).
  b) "Recovery Road Trip" — real conversations with women about relapse & recovery; includes a journaling guide.
  
  
• Books available via Amazon, Simon & Schuster, available on Kindle, and as an audiobook
• Patti welcomes emails from readers and loves hearing their stories. Her email is patticlarksemail@gmail.com
  
  More Info:

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