Navigating Early Recovery and Sobriety with Claire Comai of REHAB STUDIOS

·36 min·3 clips

Claire reveals how she survived hours-long cravings by telling herself she could drink tomorrow.

Host Pop Buchanan opens the episode by introducing guest Claire Comai, founder of the apparel and jewelry brand Rehab Studios, who has been sober for three and a half years after getting sober at age 24. Pop shares his own milestone of approaching ten years sober on December 15th and offers encouragement to listeners struggling with addiction. Claire joins and describes her addiction as starting almost immediately with alcoholic drinking, causing problems early on. She entered recovery somewhat against her will, pushed by her family to try AA, initially viewing it as a way to appease them rather than a personal choice. The first year of sobriety was difficult for her, involving learning to socialize and handle emotions without alcohol. Claire explains that after this adjustment period, her life improved dramatically, becoming more exciting and fulfilling than during her drinking days. She offers advice for partying in early recovery, suggesting pushing through initial discomfort by taking social risks, like dancing on tables or talking to strangers, to build confidence. The discussion turns to the danger of getting sober for others rather than oneself, with Claire noting her motivation eventually shifted to internal benefits. Pop and Claire discuss managing triggers and cravings, with Claire recounting a recent moment where she felt unexpectedly triggered by alcohol at home and gave it to her neighbors. Claire reflects on the challenges of being three years sober, where the focus expands from just not drinking to managing work stress and personal expectations. Pop highlights the unique pressure on public figures in recovery, like himself and Claire, to maintain a perfect image, referencing two friends lost to suicide this year. Claire emphasizes that recovery is not linear and relapse does not negate progress, framing addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease. She explains the origin of her brand, starting as 'Rehab Barbie,' a persona designed to be an unapologetic, sober party icon to combat stigma and show sobriety as fun. The brand later evolved into Rehab Studios due to trademark issues with 'Barbie.' Claire recommends the book 'Under the Influence' to understand the brain's response to alcohol and notes the brain's neuroplasticity allows for healing. The episode concludes with Claire directing listeners to rehabstudiosny.com and social media, and Pop offering final words of encouragement about the joy found in recovery.

As heard by us

Claire Kumai presents sobriety as an experiment that grows into a commitment to the life that is right for her.

Sober is Dope! turns on a clear early-recovery question: what makes sobriety last when the first nudge comes from someone else? Pop Buchanan guides Claire Kumai, founder and CEO of Rehab Studios, toward the moment when outside encouragement starts to become her own motivation.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you need a candid, steady reminder that sobriety tends to stick best when you are doing it for yourself.

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