How often have you been so low that you've considered suicide? I know, that's a bold question. But for many in recovery, it's a real question, a serious question . . . because suicide is too often considered. Listen to Sam Grittner's blog post from two weeks after his last suicide attempt. I read the post and promptly contacted him for a delightful phone interview and permission to read these two pieces on Recovery Support with Kevin Bergen . You can find the original posts here: A Funny Thing H...
Jan 27, 2016•33 min
Check out the Recovery Support PATREON site ! Recitation as Support A very special edition of Recovery Support! Kevin takes you in a slightly different direction in this episode as he records during his walk at the beach with two purposes: 1) He shares a personal tool for immediate support whenever you're down or challenged, and 2) he makes a special announcement for the Recovery Support podcast. Clue: he keeps the recorder running after he signs off, so only keep listening to the last 14 minute...
Nov 27, 2015•42 min
Self-care For Success You’ve heard it many times, self-care is a crucial part of recovery. But just what IS self-care? In The Bergen Protocol , I lay out a clear explanation of self-care, and then I describe the structured, quantifiable protocol I devised to elevate your well-being in order to make you ready for the greatest success of your life! BECOME A PATRON of Recovery Support! Links mentioned in the show: Purchase The Bergen Protocol on Amazon (print, ebook, and audio book) Kevin's blog si...
Sep 13, 2015•22 min
BECOME A PATRON of the Recovery Support Podcast! A Letter About Doubt A letter written almost 70 years ago is just as relevant now. Doubt is one of the most dangerous detractors to recovery. In this episode, Kevin will share advice written in 1946 to a friend having a very personal crisis of faith. This may apply to your faith in your own self. See the first place this letter appeared online in May 2015. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Use...
Jun 03, 2015•18 min
Twice-monthly show offering you support in your recovery from addiction—NOT intended to take the place of a 12-step program or your individual therapy. Love-Based Thinking Criticizing or yelling at someone is a poor method of improving their behavior. The same goes for you--negative self-talk will lower your sense of self-worth and likely increase your attempts to cope with addictive behavior. This episode of RECOVERY SUPPORT will help you identify harmful thinking patterns you've adopted and of...
Aug 23, 2013•26 min
Twice-monthly show offering you support in your recovery from addiction—NOT intended to take the place of a 12-step program or your individual therapy. Think vs. Observe Do thoughts ever “hook” you and not let go? Many people (including addicts) find that negative-sounding tapes run in their heads, and they don’t know how to control them. This episode of RECOVERY SUPPORT includes chapter seven of Russ Harris’ book, The Happiness Trap. While many of you listen to the podcast in the car or at the ...
Aug 01, 2013•29 min
Twice-monthly show offering you support in your recovery from addiction—NOT intended to take the place of a 12-step program or your individual therapy. Healthier Sexuality The International Service Organization of Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) has given me permission to share portions of their Green Book with you on RECOVERY SUPPORT. Today I share the section called, Healthier Sexuality, followed up with a section on the benefits of "Outside Help." Since sexuality is a part of life, those with oth...
Jul 15, 2013•22 min
Twice-monthly show offering you support in your recovery from addiction—NOT intended to take the place of a 12-step program or your individual therapy. Not Just Sobriety (classic episode revisited) We are revisiting a classic episode of Recovery Support that was part of the first three shows I launched the podcast with. This was called Not Just Sobriety, and it covered many of the basics about the 12-steps and how I believe that program can be beneficial for even non-addicts. Sit back and enjoy ...
Jun 23, 2013•26 min
Twice-monthly show offering you support in your recovery from addiction—NOT intended to take the place of a 12-step program or your individual therapy. Fear in Recovery In episode #34, Kevin shares a blog post from Marc & Angel ( www.marcandangel.com ), "5 Way To Step Forward When You're Scared to Death." Fear paralyzes many in recovery. Here is some terrific advice and motivation for anyone living life, especially those working through an addiction. RECOVERY SUPPORT is not endorsed or pre-a...
Jun 01, 2013•13 min
Twice-monthly show offering you support in your recovery from addiction—NOT intended to take the place of a 12-step program or your individual therapy. Self Destructiveness Relapse is a direct result of our self-destructiveness. Allen Berger, Ph.D. tells us about four causes of self-destructiveness in his book, 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery . Dr. Berger's newest book, 12 Hidden Rewards of Making Amends is due out in late May 2013. For more information, go to his website: abphd.com RECOV...
May 15, 2013•28 min
Twice-monthly show offering you support in your recovery from addiction—NOT intended to take the place of a 12-step program or your individual therapy. The Struggle Switch This week, Kevin shares insights about every addict's struggle including chapter 11 from Russ Harris' book, The Happiness Trap Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature Used with permission of SA Literature RECOVERY SUPPORT is not endorsed or pre-approved by any 12-step fellowship ...
May 01, 2013•12 min
Recovery Support with Kevin Bergen is back from a long hiatus. This 2-minute announcement covers where we've been and where we're going. Twice-monthly show offering you support in your recovery from addiction—NOT intended to take the place of a 12-step program or your individual therapy. Recovery Support with Kevin Bergen is made possible by CCRG, The Center for Counseling, Recovery, & Growth and by Guy Stuff at CCRG Theme music: Recovery Support theme music by Dana Bisignano...
Apr 29, 2013•2 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Agnosticism First, I want to apologize for the technical problems in this episode. I had to replace some worn-out equipment, and I could not get the recording quality to equal past episodes. That's partly why the long delay since the last release. I decided to go ahead and release this one despite its poorer quality. How do you deal ...
Jun 25, 2010•30 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Extremes Kevin shares how living in addiction is living in extremes (out of control vs. over control, isolated vs. enmeshed, etc.). Readings are from Dr. Patrick Carnes' book, A GENTLE PATH THROUGH THE 12 STEPS. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literat...
Apr 13, 2010•21 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Overcoming Part 2 One member of S.A. enumerates what helped him overcome lust and temptation. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literature RECOVERY SUPPORT is not endorsed or pre-approved by any 12-step fellowship Theme music: “My Best Routines” by Arth...
Mar 08, 2010•20 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Overcoming Part 1 How does one stay sober? How does one "overcome" their addiction? Today, Kevin shares part of the SA White Book where a member describes what worked for him. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literature RECOVERY SUPPORT is not endorsed...
Feb 27, 2010•18 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. A Positive Sobriety Ever thought that everything will be better when you're sober? Kevin shares more words of wisdom from the SA White Book today that talks about "a positive sobriety" and "a strong sobriety." Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literatur...
Feb 02, 2010•30 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Perfectionism Do you push yourself? Are you harsh on yourself? This week, Kevin talks about PERFECTIONISM: its characteristics, its costs, and steps to overcome it. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literature RECOVERY SUPPORT is not endorsed or pre-app...
Jan 11, 2010•19 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Defects of Character Are you ready to look at your shortcomings that underlie your acting out behavior? In this episode, Kevin talks about Steps 6 and 7 and shares material from the SA White book. Follow Kevin now at Twitter and at his own website: kevinbergen.com Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2...
Dec 19, 2009•19 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Intimacy and Development Last week, Kevin shared about "the Mysteries of Intimacy" from Gordon MacDonald's book, "When Men Think Private Thoughts." In this episode, Kevin continues with material from MacDonald's book and discusses the development of intimacy, 5 battles nearly every man faces, and the importance of having a buddy (or ...
Nov 24, 2009•40 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. The Mysteries of Intimacy Do you find it difficult to share the deepest parts of yourself with someone? Have you been accused of being distant or difficult to reach? The whole issue of intimacy is something most sex addicts struggle with at their core. Kevin Bergen discusses this concept as he shares from Gordon MacDonald's book, WHE...
Nov 09, 2009•27 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Anxiety Does anxiety play a role in your addiction? Some people act out to medicate their anxiety. Hear Kevin talk about different varieties of anxiety and see if it fits for you or someone you know. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literature RECOVERY...
Oct 29, 2009•17 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Familial Origins What have you taken from your childhood into adulthood? Kevin Bergen discusses how your family of origin may still be impacting you as he reads from Bradshaw on the Family , by John Bradshaw. Bradshaw: On the Family by John Bradshaw Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literatu...
Oct 12, 2009•18 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. The Trap of Intensity Some find last year's most thrilling movie with the most amazing special effects to be quite uninteresting now. Do you find yourself driven for ever more exciting books, video games, friends, or experiences? You just may be in The Intensity Trap, which Kevin talks about this week in Recovery Support. Wanting Mor...
Oct 01, 2009•18 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. At Inventory Time Step 4 is the big one, or so says most people. This week, Kevin talks about preparing and writing your Step 4 inventory. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literature RECOVERY SUPPORT is not endorsed or pre-approved by any 12-step fello...
Sep 21, 2009•19 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. At Inventory Time (Part 1) "Inventories" are a big part of recovery, at least in the beginning. They can be revisited at any time during the 12 steps. This week, Kevin talks about Step 1 inventories. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literature RECOVERY...
Sep 14, 2009•20 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Difficult Feelings Many addicts want to push away or hide their feelings, in fact, a majority of addicts act out in order NOT to feel their feelings. Kevin talks about these ideas and more in this episode of RECOVERY SUPPORT, with Kevin Bergen. Today's readings come from Codependent No More by Melody Beattie Readings from SEXAHOLICS ...
Sep 07, 2009•27 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Sponsorship Have you ever had a personal trainer? A life coach? A mentor? In the 12 Steps, you can have something even better--a sponsor. This episode of Recovery Support covers some of the benefits of getting a sponsor. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of S...
Sep 01, 2009•15 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Consistency Can you be consistent in your recovery behaviors even when stuff happens? Working a program includes tasks and behaviors that you engage in consistently to stay sober. Readings from SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS (The White Book) Copyright © 1989-2008 SA Literature. Used with permission of SA Literature RECOVERY SUPPORT is not endo...
Aug 25, 2009•7 min
Weekly podcast intended to support you in your recovery from sexual compulsivity, NOT intended to take the place of your 12-step program or your individual therapy. Religious Guilt & Shame What about those addicts to DO believe in God and who struggle with concepts like sin and forgiveness? The same ideas of weakness and grace apply to anyone in recovery and can be quite instructive. Forgiving Ourselves: Getting Back Up When We Let Ourselves Down , by Wendy Ulrich, PhD Readings from SEXAHOLI...
Aug 10, 2009•26 min
