Recovery: The Whole Enchilada
Rising Stronger on the Journey to Wholeness & Healing
Recovery: The Whole Enchilada" is a podcast dedicated to exploring the intricate layers of healing and transformation within the recovery community and among individuals seeking personal growth and fulfillment. Inspired by the metaphor of the enchilada's layers, we delve deep into the journey of recovery, unpacking the complexities, challenges, and triumphs that come with seeking holistic wellness.
Join us as we navigate the twists and turns of the recovery process, offering insights, guidance, and inspiration for those craving the "whole enchilada" of healing and transformation.
And check out our website at https://www.recoverythewholeenchilada.com/
Recovery: The Whole Enchilada
Beyond the Bottle: A Story of Recovery and Renewal
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In this episode of "Recovery, the whole enchilada," host Peg McDermott and co-host Heather Haman discuss recovery anniversaries, sparked by Peg’s 31-year sobriety milestone (sobriety date January 27, 1995). Peg recounts getting sober at age 36 in Syracuse, New York, after escalating drinking, shame, multiple car accidents, and a DWI, and describes finding safety and belonging at her first meeting at Grace Episcopal Church at Syracuse University.
The conversation explores how sobriety is maintained one day at a time through meetings, prayer, community support, and service, while recognizing the disease remains in remission on a 24-hour basis. They talk about learning to have fun without alcohol by rebuilding hobbies and social life—softball leagues, dancing, golf, and creative activities—while avoiding high-risk environments tied to past drinking.
They also cover emotional sobriety, managing anxiety around anniversaries, imposter syndrome, gratitude, and noticing other compulsive behaviors like overspending, sugar, isolation, or workaholism. Both reflect on the importance of authentic relationships formed in recovery, the value of “meetings before and after meetings,” and how recovery shifts thinking away from negativity, blame, and resentment toward curiosity, growth, and connection.
00:00 Welcome to Recovery, the Whole Enchilada + Today’s Topic: Anniversaries
00:33 Peg’s 31-Year Sobriety Milestone (Doing the Math)
01:16 What Drinking Looked Like: Escalation, Shame, and Hitting Bottom
03:21 The Turning Point: First Meeting, Feeling Safe, and Finally Belonging
04:43 Consequences & the Elevator Down: DUIs, Accidents, and ‘Not Yet’
08:43 Staying Sober Long-Term: Moving, Meetings, and One Day at a Time
10:52 Can You Still Have Fun? Relearning Joy Without Alcohol
16:40 Community Beyond the Rooms: Socializing, Real Friendships, and Support
18:05 Emotional Sobriety: Gratitude, Service, and Catching Old Patterns
21:00 Anniversary Anxiety, Imposter Syndrome & the 24-Hour Reprieve
27:49 Surrender, Gratitude, and Why Recovery Is the Greatest Gift
29:30 Closing: Share, Subscribe, and Keep Growing
