In this powerful episode, we sit down with Certified Life & Sobriety Coach and bestselling author Arlina Allen. She shares her raw, deeply honest journey from surviving childhood trauma and early addiction to achieving over 30 years of continuous sobriety. Arlina breaks down the illusion of moderation, the deep importance of self-compassion, and how she reframes the 12 steps for modern skeptics looking to heal underlying pain and build a fulfilling life.
Show Notes
What if everything you think you know about recovery is keeping you from the exact transformation you need?
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Arlina Allen—a Certified Life & Sobriety Coach, bestselling author, and the voice behind The One Day at a Time Recovery Podcast. From the outside, Arlina is a highly successful beacon of hope in the recovery space. But her path to 30+ years of continuous sobriety was forged through profound childhood trauma, self-loathing, and a chaotic descent into addiction that began when she had her very first drink at just 10 years old.
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of "trying to moderate," questioning your relationship with alcohol, or feeling deeply skeptical of traditional 12-step programs, this raw and deeply compassionate conversation is for you. Arlina breaks down why putting down the bottle is only 10% of the battle—and how healing the remaining 90% of your "emotional sobriety" is where your real life begins.
What We Discuss in This Episode
The Roots of Numbing: Arlina opens up about her parents' divorce and surviving childhood sexual abuse. She shares how her young brain developed a "Default Mode Network" wired for guilt, shame, and self-loathing—leading her to use drugs and alcohol as her only way out of the pain.
Reaching "Rock Bottom" at 25: The painful reality of binge drinking, how her "survival skills" became her biggest liability, and the pivotal moment she finally reached out for help.
The Illusion of Moderation: Why trying to "control" our drinking fails, and why true freedom only comes when we stop fighting the urge and start healing the underlying wound.
Demystifying the 12 Steps for Skeptics: Arlina addresses the common barriers that keep people away from 12-step programs—including the word "alcoholic," concepts of powerlessness, and the traditional concept of "God". She explains how to reframe these tools to make them accessible, modern, and highly practical.
Emotional Sobriety & Self-Compassion: How to transition from white-knuckling your abstinence to building a deeply fulfilling, authentic life through community support, self-love, and letting go of perfectionism.
About Our Guest
Arlina Allen is a Certified Life & Sobriety Coach (IAPRC), Certified Hypnotist (CH), and the founder of the Sober Life School. Having walked the path of recovery since 1994, she specializes in helping high-achieving, busy professionals quit drinking, end self-sabotage, and rebuild authentic self-esteem. She is the author of The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics and host of The One Day at a Time Recovery Podcast.
Featured Resources & Links
📖 Read Arlina's Book: The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics: Clearing Up Common Misconceptions to a Path of Sobriety
🏫 Work with Arlina: SoberLifeSchool.com
🎙️ Listen to Her Podcast: odaatchat.com - One Day at a Time Podcast
