{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"402 Recognizing and Escaping Toxic Friendships","description":"Today I am joined by my dear friend Michelle Ferriss, a licensed marriage family therapist. She\u2019s been on the podcast two other times because she\u2019s awesome! Her area of expertise is on dealing with codependency, how to escape narcissistic relationships and overcoming anger issues.  In this episode, we\u2019re going to talk about toxic friendships, how to know if you\u2019re in one, ways to improve them, and steps to take to escape them. This is such an important topic because as we grow, evolve and change, so do the relationships we have. And with people feeling more disconnected and lonelier than ever, we need to know how to make new friends too. Before we jump in, last week I started a new segment called \u201cI have a question for you!\u201d and the question was \u201chow do you feel about the word Alcoholic?\u201d On Instagram, one person wrote: \u201cIt took a while to be able to openly call myself an alcoholic. I attached very negative and generalized connotations to it until I identified it. Now, I embrace it because it was crucial to me getting sober.\u201d Another wrote: I think it keeps people that are sober curious from stepping fully into their sobriety because they think they have to call themselves an Alcoholic . In our society it has a negative connotation. They do not picture the soccer mom at the park with wine in her yeti cup who is still suffering. So, whatever you need to call it . The most important thing is that you don\u2019t have to label it at all. You can make a decision based on the results you\u2019re getting from drinking alcohol.\u201d Thank you all who wrote in! I think the big take away here is that it\u2019s all perspective based on the information you have or don\u2019t have. In the end, take what you like, and leave the rest. This week's question it tied to the topic of this episode, which is: \u201cCan you still be friends with your old drinking or using friends after you\u2019re sober?\u201d Let me know what you think on instagram @arlinaallen     So without further delay, please enjoy this episode, and let me know what you think! Guest Contact Info:  \ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udffcNeed help applying this information to your own life? Here are 3 ways to get started: \ud83c\udf81Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist Grab your copy here: https:\/\/www.soberlifeschool.com \u260e\ufe0fPrivate Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick https:\/\/www.makesobrietystick.com Subscribe So You Don\u2019t Miss New Episodes! Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1     Apple: https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast\/id1212504521 Spotify: https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB Amazon Music: https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff\/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast   ","author_name":"Sobriety: The One Day At A Time Recovery Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/odaatchat.com","html":"