Navigating Disruptions in Recovery

Maintaining Recovery When Life Gets Disrupted

Faithful & True Podcast Transcript

Introduction: Recovery in the Midst of Disruption

Randy Evert (Co-Host):

Welcome to the Faithful & True Podcast. I’m Randy Evert, your co-host.

We’re here today with our usual host, Dr. Greg Miller, and special guest Anthony Gonzalez from the Faithful & True team.

Today’s conversation centers on an important and very practical topic:

How do we maintain recovery when our routine gets disrupted?

This is especially relevant for those navigating:

• Sex addiction

• Porn addiction

• Betrayal trauma

• Marriage recovery

• And the ongoing journey of posttraumatic growth

Why Routine Matters in Recovery

Dr. Greg Miller:

One of the foundational principles in recovery is establishing a consistent routine that supports healing.

This often includes:

• Regular counseling

• Participation in group work

• Consistent connection with community

Routine creates stability—and stability supports recovery.

But life inevitably disrupts routine:

• Travel

• Illness

• Holidays

• Family obligations

And when routine is disrupted, vulnerability increases.

Understanding the Three Circles of Recovery

Anthony Gonzalez:

At Faithful & True, we often use the model of the three circles:

Red Circle (Acting Out Behaviors)

This includes behaviors we are committed to abstaining from, such as:

• Sex addiction behaviors

• Porn addiction

• Adultery

• Lies and deception

Yellow Circle (Vulnerability Zone)

This is where triggers and risks live:

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Emotional overwhelm

• Environmental triggers

These are not acting out behaviors—but they lead us closer to them if ignored.

Green Circle (Healthy Living)

This is where growth happens:

• Community

• Therapy

• Healthy connection

• Spiritual practices

• Self-care

Recovery is not just about avoiding the red—it’s about intentionally living in the green.

Disruption Increases Vulnerability

Dr. Greg Miller:

Anything that disrupts routine can move us into the yellow circle.

Examples include:

• Travel

• Illness

• Family stress

• Work pressure

Even positive disruptions—like vacations—can increase vulnerability.

Travel and Addiction Risk

Anthony Gonzalez:

Travel was a major vulnerability point in my own recovery from sex addiction.

When traveling:

• Structure disappears

• Accountability decreases

• Opportunities increase

For many, travel becomes a context for relapse.

The Importance of a Plan

One of the most effective tools is having a clear, written recovery plan.

This includes:

• Where you’re going

• Who you’ll see

• What you will and will not do

• How you’ll stay connected

Example: Creating Safety in the Environment

Anthony shares a powerful example:

When staying in a hotel, he would unplug the television and turn it in at the front desk.

This may seem unusual—but it created:

• Safety

• Accountability

• Agency

It reinforced the mindset:

“I have options as a wise man in recovery.”

Staying Connected While Away

Dr. Greg Miller:

One of the most important strategies is maintaining connection.

Even while traveling:

• Attend virtual groups

• Schedule counseling sessions

• Check in with accountability partners

Technology, which once may have supported porn addiction, can now support recovery.

Anthony Gonzalez:

Daily check-ins are also critical.

One helpful framework is FANOS:

• F – Feelings

• A – Affirmations

• N – Needs

• O – Ownership

• S – Sobriety (or Self-care)

This helps move beyond surface-level updates into deeper emotional awareness.

Family and Holiday Triggers

Dr. Greg Miller:

Family environments—especially during holidays—can be highly triggering.

They may:

• Reactivate old roles

• Trigger anxiety or shame

• Increase emotional vulnerability

This is particularly relevant in both:

• Sex addiction recovery

• Betrayal trauma healing

Using Community for Support

Community can help:

• Process triggers

• Prepare for interactions

• Maintain emotional stability

Recovery is strengthened through safe, consistent relationships.

When Illness Disrupts Recovery

Dr. Greg Miller:

Illness is another major disruptor.

When we are physically unwell:

• We feel vulnerable

• We seek comfort

• Old coping patterns may resurface

For many, addiction was a way of:

• Self-soothing

• Meeting emotional needs

Meeting Needs in Healthy Ways

Dr. Greg Miller:

A key principle in recovery is:

Addiction is the attempt to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.

When we are sick, our needs increase:

• Physical care

• Emotional support

• Comfort

Recovery requires:

• Identifying those needs

• Expressing them appropriately

• Allowing others to meet them when possible

Anthony Gonzalez:

Many people struggle to ask for what they need.

But asking for needs is not weakness—it is:

A sign of strength and self-awareness

Recognizing Old Patterns

Dr. Greg Miller:

Illness often activates old family messages:

• “Don’t be a burden”

• “Don’t complain”

• “Take care of yourself”

These messages can increase isolation—and therefore vulnerability.

The Role of Workaholism

Dr. Greg Miller:

Many men struggling with sex addiction also struggle with workaholism.

Work becomes:

• A source of identity

• A way to medicate stress

• A coping mechanism

When work is removed (through travel, illness, or vacation), vulnerability increases.

Living from Rest, Not Exhaustion

Anthony Gonzalez:

Recovery invites a different rhythm:

Work from rest, rather than rest from work

When we ignore our limits:

• We become depleted

• Our vulnerability increases

• Our need for coping escalates

Choosing the Green Circle

Dr. Greg Miller:

Even in disruption, we can choose the green circle.

This might include:

• Exercise

• Rest

• Connection

• Healthy enjoyment

Even small choices toward health move us away from the red.

Final Takeaway

Anthony Gonzalez:

A key truth to remember is:

Disruption to life does not have to mean disruption to recovery.

Closing

Randy Evert:

Thank you for joining us on the Faithful & True Podcast.

We invite you to visit faithfulandtrue.com for additional resources, including:

• Recovery programs

• Workshops for men, women, and couples

• Ongoing support for sex addiction, porn addiction, betrayal trauma, and marriage recovery

Final Encouragement

No matter what disruptions you are facing:

• Stay connected

• Stay intentional

• Stay grounded in truth

Because even in disruption, healing and posttraumatic growth are still possible.