Episode 53: Holiday Blues, Old Wounds, and Choosing Sobriety Anyway

Beyond Sexual Brokenness - Real Time Stories of Recovery

Beyond Sexual Brokenness - Real Time Stories of Recovery
Episode 53: Holiday Blues, Old Wounds, and Choosing Sobriety Anyway
Dec 24, 2025

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 The holidays can be a difficult time for many people in recovery. In this solo episode, Sean speaks openly about the emotional weight, sadness, and mental health challenges that can surface during the holiday season—especially for those recovering from sexual compulsive behaviors. Drawing from my own experience, I explore why relapse risk and depression often increase this time of year, how family dynamics and unmet expectations can re-activate old wounds, and what it looks like to stay grounded in recovery when routines are disrupted. I also walk through key questions from a holiday relapse-prevention framework, sharing practical, honest reflections in hopes of creating space for others to reflect, prepare, and feel less alone during a season that can be quietly painful for many. 

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Episode Artwork Episode 53: Holiday Blues, Old Wounds, and Choosing Sobriety Anyway 43:23 Episode Artwork Episode 52: If I'd Die for Them, Why Can't I Change for Them? 58:47 Episode Artwork Episode 51: Real Talk - Sexual Identity, Childhood Wounds, and Resilience 1:02:00 Episode Artwork Episode 50: Would I Want My Daughter to Date a Porn Addict? 47:01 Episode Artwork Episode 49: Let's Talk Pain and Addiction - Chicken or Egg? 1:08:11 Episode Artwork Episode 48: Rebuilding Trust After the Storm - The Intimacy Pyramid with the Raabsmiths 58:30 Episode Artwork Episode 47: Fundamental Series - Why Objectifying Women Keeps Us Stuck 1:25:11 Episode Artwork Episode 46: Fundamental Series - The 3 Pillars of the Recovery Zone 1:15:29 Episode Artwork Episode 45: The Fall and the Fight: Learning from Tyler’s Recovery Story 1:15:40 Episode Artwork Episode 44: Relapse. Confess. Repeat. Is That Recovery? 44:30 Episode Artwork Episode 43: 5-Minute 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise 4:32 Episode Artwork Episode 42: Sex, Intimacy, and the Mask of the Nice Guy 49:09 Episode Artwork Episode 41: Receiving Beauty Without the Chase 1:04:54 Episode Artwork Episode 40: Not Too Young, Not Too Late: Recovery for Every Man - Part 2 52:08 Episode Artwork Episode 39: More Than Sobriety - A Man’s Journey Back to His Heart 1:26:02 Episode Artwork Episode 38: Not Too Young, Not Too Late: College-Age Recovery for Every Man - Part 1 1:05:36 Episode Artwork Episode 37: The Gift of Truth: How Accountability Transforms Recovery 1:04:41 Episode Artwork Episode 36: When the Past Still Hurts 1:13:08 Episode Artwork Episode 35 - Why No Amount of Porn Is Okay 1:02:38 Episode Artwork Episode 34: Hijacked by Pleasure: The Dopamine Trap of Addiction 1:16:00 Episode Artwork Episode 33: The Lie of Novelty! 56:00 Episode Artwork Episode 32: Does an Addict Have Integrity? 1:08:34 Episode Artwork Episode 31: Beautiful Boy - Watching Addiction From the Outside 1:10:46 Episode Artwork Episode 30: Is Addiction a Simple Choice? 57:28 Episode Artwork Episode 29: Does Sobriety Define You? Should it? 54:13