About this episode

Sonia Kahlon and Dr. Blair Steel discuss the complexities of high-functioning addiction and the emotional patterns that contribute to it.

In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia explores the hidden patterns behind addiction, emotional dysregulation, self-sabotage, and high-functioning survival mode. She is joined by Dr. Blair Steel, a licensed clinical psychologist whose career has focused on resilience, substance abuse treatment, and helping people understand how they either transcend adversity or become trapped in negative cycles. Dr. Steel’s background includes training at Beit T’Shuvah, working as a primary therapist at Cliffside Malibu, serving as Program Director at Passages Malibu, and maintaining a private practice. She is currently a clinical supervisor at pH Wellness and part of the clinical team at Carrara Wellness Treatment & Spa, with writing featured in outlets including The Huffington Post, CNBC, and Well + Good. Together, Sonia and Dr. Steel unpack why addiction is often more complicated than a simple bad habit or lack of willpower. They discuss what it means to view emotional and behavioral patterns as protective rather than defective, and why alcohol or substances can become a way to regulate depression, anxiety, social discomfort, trauma, identity loss, or overwhelm. The conversation…

People in this episode

Host: Sonia Kahlon

Guest: Dr. Blair Steel

Topics covered

• high-functioning addiction
• emotional dysregulation
• self-sabotage
• substance abuse
• coping mechanisms
• resilience
• negative cycles

Keywords

• addiction
• emotional regulation
• substance use
• mental health
• coping strategies
• resilience
• self-sabotage

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Beit T’Shuvah, Cliffside Malibu, Passages Malibu, pH Wellness, Carrara Wellness Treatment & Spa, The Huffington Post, CNBC, Well + Good

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• Why Successful Women Get Stuck in the Same Relationship Patterns With Riana M · June 22, 2026 · 55 min

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