What makes addiction so hard to outrun? Sunshine self-medicates to deal with buried grief
Episode notes
Addiction rarely looks the way we expect it to, and it is almost never really about the substance itself. It is what we reach for when we have not yet learned how to sit with pain that feels too big to hold alone, and it can show up as a drink, a drug, overworking, a relationship, or any behavior we cannot seem to stop even when we know it is hurting us. This week's session is with 'Sunshine,' a woman with years of recovery behind her and a real spiritual practice, who found herself reaching for something to self medicate after a miscarriage she had never allowed herself to fully grieve, and who moved through a disorienting few days afterward that she now describes with striking honesty and clarity. What emerges in the conversation is a split many people carry without naming it along with a part of her she calls her inner rebel that resists doing the very things she knows would help. Joining me for the debrief is Darren Lyons, a Jungian life coach and certified peer recovery supporter who has spent over three years in recovery from alcoholism after two decades of struggle, and who brings both his clinical training and his own dark night of the soul into a conversation about identity, conditioning, and what it actually takes to transcend addiction.
- 00:00 Introduction
- 01:39 Darren's journey: Two decades of alcohol addiction, sobriety, peer counseling
- 09:30 Coaching session with Sunshine: Self-medication after a deep loss and confronting the inner rebel
- 38:39 Coaching session breakdown: Addiction despite awareness, the role of identity, transcending the human v divine conflict
ABOUT THE HOST:
Shagun Chopra is an individuation coach, speaker, and educator. Her unique approach combines Jungian depth psychology with ancient Vedic wisdom to create the ultimate personal transformation. She supports professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives in bringing their wildest dreams to life and leapfrogging their career, business, and relationships. To learn more, visit shagunchopra.com
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Darren Lyons is a Certified Jungian Life Coach, an Addiction/Mental Health Recovery Supporter, and a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA). He has an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in International Affairs. He's held positions in behavioral health, academia, private industry, defense contracting, and government service. He can be found at lyonslifecoaching.com
JOIN THE SHOW:
To ask a question or get coached on the show, visit shagunchopra.com/ask - all coaching clients are assigned a pseudonym and given the option to not share their video
DISCLAIMER:
Conversations on Partners in Sublime are for educational purposes only, and do not constitute medical or psychological advice or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional for any mental health concerns.