Episode 3: Are You Ever Recovered?
February 5, 2026
In this episode of Dear Vernon, Laura McKowen and Eric Johnson respond to a listener's question:
"Are you ever actually recovered from addiction, or are you ‘in recovery’ forever?"
Laura reflects on what recovery means to her now, more than a decade into sobriety— how it’s shifted from something effortful and front-of-mind into something deeply integrated. Eric dives into the difference between sobriety (not drinking) and recovery (learning how to live, cope, and regulate without alcohol).
Together, they talk about:
The difference between being sober and being in recovery
Why early sobriety can feel so heavy, and why it doesn’t stay that way
How recovery evolves as it becomes part of who you are
Emotional sobriety, regulation, and learning healthier ways to cope
And why recovery isn’t about arriving somewhere perfect
This is a conversation for anyone who’s wondered:
“Will this always feel like work?”
“Do people really do this forever?”
“Does sobriety ever get easier?”
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
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The Sober Life- focused on the deeper work of emotional sobriety
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