Recovery Elevator

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**Recovery Elevator**

It’s not a NO to alcohol — it’s a YES to a better life!
Bestselling author Paul Churchill interviews people who have successfully quit drinking, offering an honest, uplifting look at what an alcohol-free life can really look like. Each week, Recovery Elevator explores sobriety from fresh perspectives — no judgment, no lectures, just real stories from real people.
Whether you’re sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one, or already thriving in recovery, you’ve found your community.

Topics include: how to stop drinking alcohol, alcohol addiction and dependency, whether moderate drinking actually works, what happens to your brain when you quit drinking, the role of spirituality in recovery, whether AA is right for you, tracking sobriety milestones, and whether addiction might be trying to tell you something.

If alcohol is making you sick and tired, Recovery Elevator is your invitation to explore what life on the other side looks like — through candid conversations and inspiring guest stories.

Latest Episodes:

RE 109: How To Quit Drinking Mar 20, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Mitchell, with 30 days since his last drink.

How to quit drinking

Do not drink. Replace the beverage in your hand with a Popsicle or a ginger beer
Watch the movie Leaving Las Vegas and then watch it again
Listen to every Third Eye Blind Song ever written
Do not watch the movie Beer Fest
Go to 90 meetings in 90 days
Get a sponsor or an accountability partner
Think about joining Café RE www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere
Have you ever asked yourself, "Do I have a drinking problem?" Well think no more because that's your answer
Remember that alcohol is pure shit
Affirmations - your unconscious mind is way ahead of you when it comes to viewing alcohol ads and advertisements. You constantly need to affirm to yourself that you will not be drinking.
Change everything: where you get your haircut, the color of your walls, and probably most of the friends you hang out with.
Tell the people closest to you that you will no longer be drinking.
Create accountability = the most important thing on this list.
You cannot quit drinking with willpower because willpower is finite and exhaustible. You might last a week or a month or a year, but eventually you will drink again.
Find a higher power. This higher power could literally be a pigeon sitting on a power cable.
I hate to break it to you, but you cannot do this alone. You are going to need a community of like- minded individuals. Whether this community is online, in person or your next-door neighbor, you are going to have to connect with other like-minded individuals.
Did I mention that alcohol is shit?
If you are just starting this journey, you do not know any answers yet. Please put the cotton in your mouth and start listening.
If you ever say the words to yourself "I think I got this" you're f@#$%@. Those are the three most dangerous words an alcoholic can say.
Always give yourself an exit strategy. Drive your own car, scooter, skate board or hover board. It is right around that time when your friends start getting tipsy that the danger zone approaches and I'm not talking about the Top Gun soundtrack.
Look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see? Do you like it? Do you want to change what you see?
Ask yourself if you are reaching your full potential in life. Most likely if you are drinking that answer is no. Your dead relatives would not be proud.
If you were thinking about quitting drinking for someone else, you're f@#$%! You have to quit drinking for yourself.
Do not beat yourself up. In fact, tell yourself that you are a rock star. Sure you might be an average guitar player who will never tour with Aerosmith, but you are worth it, you are damn worth it.
You may find yourself quite bored without alcohol which is why you need to pick up new hobbies such as yoga, jogging, archery, or stamp collecting. Stamp collecting to me sounds extremely boring but you get point.
You need to get outside of your mind and fast. The best way to do this is to help others. For example: Mrs. Jones's lawn across the street is in desperate need of care. That could be the perfect job for you.
If you think you've hit rock bottom, unfortunately I've got bad news for you. Every bottom has a trapdoor that can lead to much greater pain and suffering. The good news is that when you do reach a bottom there is something called a conduit. That is when your higher power is there to help you get sober. Do not put too much emphasis on what this higher power is. It could be the pigeon on the powerline or it could be the wind bristling between the pine trees.
Educate yourself. Knowledge is useless unless you do something with it. There are a tremendous amount of great podcasts out there about recovery.
Read books preferably not while drinking. "This Naked Mind" by Annie Grace is one of my favorite books. Also a book called "Beyond the Influence" by Katherine Ketchum is fantastic.
If you think you are alone in your drinking, you are dead wrong. There are millions struggling with alcohol and if you connect with some of them you will find that what you have in common is incredible.
Start to develop a recovery portfolio. Jam pack this recovery portfolio full of books, a list of contacts, AA meeting schedules, etc.
Get out of your comfort zone. I can tell you with 100% certainty that sobriety is not located inside of your comfort zone. Friends that try to convince you that sobriety is located inside your comfort zone are not your friends.
La Croix soda water is your best friend.
Do not beat yourself up because alcohol has done a good job of doing just that.
Get up. Get up again. Get up again. Then get up 15 more times. Eventually this will stick and booze will be something of the past.
Start writing a journal. Start writing about what you're thankful for. Start writing about what your goals are in life and if your current path is leading you to those goals.
Alcoholics Anonymous. Get outside your comfort zone and go to a meeting. Stop making excuses. No wimps allowed!
The stigma is total BS. In 1956 the American Medical Association classified alcoholism and addiction as a disease. Why we are still talking about this today is a mystery.
Come out of the closet as somebody with a drinking problem. I can guarantee you with 100% satisfaction that more good than harm will be the result.
Keep in mind that alcohol is ethanol with a couple of additives added to it to make it palatable. Alcohol in its purest form tastes like raccoon piss.
Tell yourself that alcohol doesn't actually help you relax. What it's doing is slowing down your brain faculties. You are literally thinking slower when drinking alcohol.
Watch the show "The Anonymous People" on Netflix. This is a very powerful documentary.
For one week straight write down any triggers that make you drink alcohol. This is 7 straight days of putting pen to paper.
Acceptance is your best friend. It doesn't matter if you have been sober for a week or you are drinking while listening to this podcast, you must accept the current circumstances that you are in and find a way to be content in them.
There is no chance of getting sober if you are not honest with yourself and others.
Do not turn recovery into a game of leap frog. You cannot skip the steps to getting sober, but you can speed up the process.
On a piece of paper, write down all of the people that you hold resentments towards. In another column write how you are a part of the problem. Read this to a trusted companion and get ready for major light bulbs to illuminate.
This might seem contradictory to some since the word anonymous is in the word Alcoholics Anonymous, but being silent about your drinking problem only does you harm. You need to tell your loved ones, your friends, your family and any other people you care about in regards to your goal to stay sober
Develop a network of people who also share the same common goal to not drink. I'm not talking about Mr. Rogers on the television.
Alcohol kills more than any other drugs combined – that's 3 million people each year!

SHOW NOTES

[ 16:57 ] Paul Introduces Mitchell

Mitchell – I have 1 month of sober time and I feel great. I am originally from Michigan, 31 years old and am the lead pastor of my parish. I am married with a 3 year old boy. I enjoy playing music, the outdoors and anything Disney!

[ 20:00 ] When did you realize that you did not drink normally?

Mitchell – I was 22 years old when I had my first drink. I drank through college but stopped for 7 years when I started my pastor role. I started drinking again to alleviate anxiety and depression. When I took an actual inventory of my drinking, I found that I was drinking every day. I never took a day off.

[ 22:49 ] Is there any history of alcoholism in your family?

Mitchell – It is not talked about much but I am sure it is there.

[ 23:00 ] Paul and Mitchell discuss the 7 years he did not drink.

Mitchell – I really did not think about it much at the time. I was busy building my parish. Before I knew it, I was drinking on Fridays and then every day again.

[ 23:49 ] Did you ever put any rules in place to moderate your drinking?

Mitchell – Rules never worked for me. Something situational always came up that gave me the excuse to drink. Alcohol was my "go to" tool.

[ 24:26 ] Did you have a rock bottom?

Mitchell – I didn't have a severe rock bottom but I would try and a break from drinking. I had to keep drinking more and more in order to get the same effect. The drinking would cause me to make unhealthy choices like eating everything in sight.

[ 26:00 ] How important has your HP been for you?

Mitchell – God gives me hope. My relationships with others, being a lead pastor, and my relationship with God can be just as stressful as it is helpful. Alcohol was my escape from thinking about God, even as I served him.

[ 27:10 ] Have you ever felt let down by God?

Mitchell – It was very challenging leading new community and I would look forward to those drinks at night.

[ 28:05 ] How did you get sober?

Mitchell – I signed up for the RE group on Facebook. This took some initiative. I also went on a diet and this reduced my cravings significantly. I love being helpful to others and surrounding myself with people who "get it."

[ 31:42 ] Have you had any withdrawals?

Mitchell – nothing really physical, but I have been edgy and irritable.

[ 33:04 ] How are you living life on life terms?

Mitchell – It is OK for life to be nuts. You do not have to escape it. You are strong enough to deal with things that come your way.

[ 34:06 ] How is the best way to pray?

Mitchell – You need to be confident in your God. Just talk openly and honestly to him like you would do with a friend.

[ 35:00 ] What advice would you give to your younger self?

Mitchell – Do not take that first drink. Alcohol is addictive to everyone. It is not safe.

[ 37:28 ] How has your relationships changed?

Mitchell – I am more present for my wife and child. I enjoy being in the moment instead of rushing through things in order to get back to my drinking.

[ 38:07 ] Tell me about a day in the life of Mitchell?

Mitchell – I will continue to reach out to others. I also do a lot of reading in order to consistently remind myself of what alcohol did to me.

[ 39:03 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? my son found an empty beer can and was bopping the family dog with it
Did you ever have an "oh-shit" moment? I was on vacation and took a good look at myself in the mirror. I looked like I was pregnant, my belly was so swollen
What's your plan moving forward? staying accountable and feeding myself with knowledge
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? you have to do the work, "you don't got this"
What are your thoughts on relapse? Don't beat yourself up. Keep going.
What has been your proudest moment in sobriety? making it this far
You might be an alcoholic if…. you have a beer bottle opener that looks like a fake handcuff in your car

*****You are the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most****

Resources:

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

RE 108: 5 Reasons Why We Drink Alcohol Mar 13, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Amanda, with 19 months since her last drink.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

Why we drink:

Alcohol is everywhere. Drinking appears to be the norm. We are bombarded with alcohol advertisements 67 times a day. Our society has a love affair with booze.
We have a genetic make-up to become addicted to alcohol.
Our environment is flooded with alcohol. We think everything we do should be accompanied by alcohol.
Alcohol is a highly addicted drug.
We have shitty coping skills.

Not on the list of why we drink: a moral failing or a weakness of character

SHOW NOTES

[ 7:45 ] Paul Introduces Amanda. How long have you been sober?

Amanda – I have been sober for 19 months. This is the longest I have ever been sober. I feel very proud of myself.

[ 8:51 ] What is your background?

Amanda – I am from Mississippi but now live in Florida with my 15 year old daughter.

[ 10:27 ] Did you ever try to put rules in place to moderate your drinking?

Amanda – I started drinking when I was 16 so there were no rules in the beginning. I was that sloppy drunk girl in the room. I would start watching the clock for 5:00 which meant it was time to drink.

[ 12:34 ] When did you first realize that you had a problem?

Amanda – In 2010, one bad thing after another happened to me. I was put in jail for domestic violence. I was so ashamed of not being able to control myself with alcohol. I felt that I was a strong person since I had raised my daughter alone. I did not want to appear weak and vulnerable.

[ 14:26 ] Amanda and Paul discuss the stigma of addiction.

Amanda – I had twin cousins who died because of alcohol. Their memory and my daughter were the only reasons why I didn't commit suicide myself. I felt like no one cared about me so why should I care about myself?

[ 16:01 ] How did you get sober?

Amanda – I did not use AA. I went to a rehab that taught the 12 steps but after I was released, there was no support. No one called or checked on me. My parents had basically just dropped me off at rehab. I still drank for 4 years and then turned to meth. I finally decided that I was either going to die or go back to jail. I moved to another state but was still hanging out with the same type of people. I knew I needed to give up booze so I started looking for something else to do. This led me to find a group of people who were into mud runs. I got into fitness.

[ 21:42 ] Amanda and Paul discuss her days in rehab and her personal development.

Amanda – I did not feel like anything had changed after my 60 days in rehab. Afterward I started looking into motivational development. Someone told me that I was born with a purpose. Everyone has the power to help others. I was under the false assumption that life was going to be a piece of cake. I joined a personal development community (Breather University). The people in this group accepted me and my life has completely changed. I am Amanda and I am amazing! I am not a part of sobriety groups because I hate the alcoholic label. What you say about yourself is what you are.

[ 33:36 ] What is your pump up song?

Paul – Limp Bizkit, "Nookie" (Life is an opportunity, not an obligation).

Amanda – Jason Aldean, "Gonna Know We Were Here" (Self-affirmations are super important to me).

[ 34:08 ] What is your relationship like with your daughter?

Amanda – We have had to rebuild our relationship. She lived with my parents for the last 6 months that I was using. She moved in with me when I went to Florida. There has been a lot of growing and we have had to push through the hard times.

[ 36:50 ] What is a typical day like for you?

Amanda – I say positive affirmations to myself every day. I list 3 things that I am grateful for every day. I try to exercise, read or watch personal development videos every day.

[ 39:09 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? getting knocked out by a big guy I had tried to beat up
Did you ever have an "oh-shit" moment? jail
What's your plan moving forward? sharing my story to give others hope
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? everything that you go through, isn't always about you
What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? life is beautiful, fill your void with goodness
You might be an alcoholic if….. you duct tape 2 beers to your hands so that you do not lose them

Resources:

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

Amanda U-Tube videos – Patched Wangs

Book "Beyond the Influence," by Katherine Ketcham

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

RE 107: What Is Mindfulness Mar 06, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Paul G with 10 years of sobriety.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is basically a type of coping strategy. It is being in the moment, paying attention and being present.

Why should we practice mindfulness?

It is good for our bodies It helps boost our immune system
It increases positive thoughts while decreasing negative thoughts
It changes how the brain functions and helps us focus
It enhances our relationships

Unfortunately many alcoholics have terrible coping skills and we can live entirely in our head. Mindfulness training can help us stay in the moment. It is the art of being, not doing.

SHOW NOTES

[ 9:05 ] Paul C Introduces Paul G from Hope Rehab in Thailand. How long have you been sober?

Paul G – over 10 years. My first round of rehab happened when I was 19 years old.

[ 11:00 ] Tell our listeners a little about yourself.

Paul G – I am originally from Ireland but now live in Thailand. I am married and have a 10 year old son

[ 11:30 ] Did you ever try to implement rules to control your drinking?

Paul G – I did not have any rules in place at the beginning of my drinking life. Alcohol gave me comfort. After taking my first drink, I finally liked who I was and where I was. I moved to England and worked in a bar where I was able to drink all day long. A girlfriend convinced me to leave that occupation and I realized I had not gone a day without drinking in many years. I went to rehab for her, not because I wanted to stop drinking.

[ 16:14 ] Paul C and Paul G discuss his first stay in rehab.

Paul G – After I left rehab, I did not stay sober. I knew if I drank, I would lose my girlfriend. I chose booze over the girl. I got back into school and immediately went on a drinking bender. I was having panic attacks and suffered from alcohol induced depression. I was just hoping for someone to get me psychiatric help because I could not even complete the forms to have myself admitted to the hospital.

[ 19:11 ] So you basically drank yourself homeless?

Paul G – Yes, I was walking the streets and wandered in to a recovery house. They sent me to a dry house for 1 year and stated that I did not need psychiatric help. My panic attacks had all been alcohol induced. I stayed sober for 2 years.

[ 20:40 ] What happened after 2 years?

Paul G – I got sick of thinking and talking about recovery. I had been so enthusiastic in early recovery but was starting to feel like I was missing out on something. The mental obsession had returned. Perhaps I had opened that door again. I was going to bars with my sober friends but it was a very slippery slope.

[ 23:00 ] What was your bottom like?

Paul G – I drank for another 10 years because I felt like I had some control in the beginning. I did not end up back in that poor mental state so it gave me a sense of false confidence. Things eventually did go downhill and I moved to Saudi Arabia thinking that because it is a dry country, it would make it easier to stop drinking. My first day on the job, I was shown the bins where all of the illegal alcohol was stored. Booze was readily available and even stronger since it was home brewed. I knew that I would die if I stayed to I moved to Thailand.

[ 28:00 ] How did you get introduced to meditation?

Paul G – I have been into meditation for years. After every relapse I would always go back to meditation. My problem was that I was using meditation to escape reality instead of using in to get "into" reality. I would use meditation to get into a blissful state when it should be used to get grounded.

[ 31:22 ] How is meditation similar to mindfulness?

Paul G – Mindfulness is the ability to objectively observe our thoughts. It allows us to take a backward step and see our thoughts. Mindfulness is a part of meditation.

[ 32:11] What are some things we can do to enter into a mindfulness state?

Paul G – You need to bring your thoughts to a physical sensation. We use feel beads in therapy. With true meditation, you start to see how your mind has been tricked. The craving, which is that voice in our heads, is not always obvious. Mindfulness helps you identify what your brain is doing and the craving loses its' power. Addiction is like having an allergic reaction to our emotions.

[ 37:35 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? Sitting is a bar after learning that my liver was damaged from drinking.
Did you ever have an "oh-shit" moment? Selling my girlfriend's music tapes for booze
What's your plan moving forward? Showing up for life every day
What's your favorite resource in recovery? Inside timer App
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? You will never regret not drinking yesterday
What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? If you are really willing to change, there is an option for you.
You might be an alcoholic if…… You keep saying you are sorry for things that you are not really sorry for.

******Congratulations to Allison for reaching 1 year of sobriety! You rock!******

Resources:

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

Inside Timer App (mindfulness app found in iTunes)

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

RE 106: How Most People Get Sober Feb 27, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Henk, with 5 years sober from alcohol.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

How do most people get sober? We all assume that it is through rehab or 12 step programs and that your odds are slim if you try to do it on your own (www.addiction.com). During the 1980's an idea was promoted that the only way you could get and stay sober was through rehab programs or AA. However, a study that followed problem drinkers from 2001-2005 showed that 85% of these drinkers got sober without any outside help (a phenomenon known as spontaneous or natural remission recovery). It should be noted that the majority of these people still had strong support systems at home and in their community.

SHOW NOTES

[ 7:53 ] How long have you been sober?

Henk – I have been sober since Sept 13, 2010. I am originally from Holland but now live in Thailand where I for work for Hope Rehab. I also love to ride motor bikes.

[ 9:30 ] When did you realize that you had a problem?

Henk – I have been in and out of various treatment facilities since I was 23. At the age of 13, I began drinking and using drugs. This quickly escalated into selling drugs at the age of 15. By the time I turned 30, I had been in 5 long term treatment programs. They did not work because I did not want to stop drinking, I just wanted the problems to stop.

[ 11:15 ] Do you think that alcohol is the gateway drink?

Henk – Yes, when I drank I became a completely different person. We believe that it is more alcohol than marijuana that leads to destructive behavior.

[ 12:29 ] Paul and Henk discuss what lead him to finally seek treatment

Henk – My family did not want anything to do with me anymore. I had racked up high debts and I could not even take care of myself. I was living in dilapidated conditions. I finally realized that you cannot run away from what is in your head. You cannot drink those thoughts away.

[ 13:37 ] What was the biggest difference between your last 2 rehabs?

Henk – I had lost everything and was mentally and physically dying. I decided that I could not go back to that kind of life.

[ 15:00 ] Paul and Henk discuss the "gift" of desperation

Henk – The gift of desperation is very painful but it helped get me clean. It made me realize what I had done to myself.

[ 16:32 ] Paul and Henk discuss the value of a fishing rod

Henk – Right after leaving treatment, I found that I had no hobbies and no friends. I had to find some type of higher power and since I had a love of nature, I decided to buy a fishing pole. Anytime I was bored, angry, and lonely or upset, I would go to the canal and sit with my fishing pole. I would feel the wind and watch the water move. It really helped settle my mind. I also bought a pair of running shoes and began running. It was time to move forward.

[ 21:47 ] Paul and Henk discuss the classroom exercise he observed while visiting Hope Rehab in Thailand

Henk – I try to make the patients understand that work is needed if you want to remain sober. Relapse rates are very high and I try to stress the importance of putting in the effort. You want to remain sober? You've got to do the work.

[ 25:20 ] How are you staying sober now?

Henk – My sobriety is still my #1 priority. I have a sponsor and still go to meetings, especially when I travel. Since I work in a rehab facility, I am constantly seeing new comers. It helps remind me that addiction is so painful. When I reached 1 year of sobriety myself, I had tears running down my face because I could not believe that I had done it!

[ 27:50] What are your thoughts on relapse?

Henk – Relapse is a sign of some type of reservation in recovery. As alcoholics, we can think of a million reasons to drink. Nothing that happens to you justifies a relapse. Drinking only makes it worse.

[ 30:39 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? Sitting by myself at Christmas one year. My life was a mess, my girlfriend had just left me and no one wanted anything to do with me.
Did you ever have an "oh-shit" moment? When I crashed my scooter in front of all of my friends
What's your plan moving forward? Right now I am feeling very stable and calm in my recovery. It helps that I love where I work.
What's your favorite resource in recovery? Intherooms.com, meetings, and the book Living Sober
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? "Stop being a dick Henk!" and "Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth."
What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? The best thing you can do for yourself is get sober. I used to think that my life would be over if I could no longer party. Life has only just begun for me since I got sober.
You might be an alcoholic if………you think alcohol is the solution

Resources:

Sobriety Tracker iTunes
Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com
On 4/8 in Bozeman MT, Paul will me speaking on a Ted X Talk about how alcohol is duping society

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

RE 105: Does Getting Sober Mean Just Not Drinking? Feb 20, 2017

Show notes

Today we have James, with 79 days sober.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

Does getting sober mean simply not drinking? No – not drinking equals a dry drunk. Getting stuck as a dry drunk also means that your life will not be as happy and fulfilling as it should be. This can lead to a slow downhill decline until you pick up drinking again. If giving up alcohol feels like a punishment, than you have entered into dry drunk land (www.alcoholrehab.com). Recovery does not mean returning to the life you had before drinking; it means moving through the challenges of what life throws your way.

Symptoms of a dry drunk:

Low stress tolerance
Picking up other unhealthy choices (lay off the smokes Paul!)
Loneliness
Denial
Refusal to accept what recovery means
Romancing the drink
Self-pity
Being over-prideful

Getting involved in meetings and being engaged in your recovery program can help you recognize these symptoms. If you feel like a dry drunk, you should examine your program to see what is missing.

SHOW NOTES

[ 12:30 ] Paul Introduces James who has been sober for 79 days. James feels lucky that the gifts and goodness of sobriety have come to him already.

[ 13:15 ] James is 29 years old, lives in NJ and sells software. He enjoys going to the gym daily and golfing.

[ 14:53 ] James discusses his drinking history

James – I was your typical teenage binge drinker. When I went to college, I got involved with religion and the Bible and really did not drink much. After college, I ended up taking a job on Wall Street where drinking and drugs were prevalent. Even though I was drinking just like everyone else, I still struggled with my internal beliefs (Why are we all here?). I was making good money on Wall Street but my addictions kept me from making emotional connections.

[19:25 ] James discusses how drugs and alcohol were only the solution. Reality was the real problem.

James – I wanted to be able to look back on my life with pleasure regarding my relationships and the bonds that I had formed. Alcohol and drugs were keeping me from reaching this ultimate goal. I had tried to control my drinking but finally the pain was just too much to take.

[ 21:06 ] James discusses his rock bottom

James – I had been skidding against the rock for quite a while. I would go 3-4 weeks without drinking and then would just tear it up. This behavior went on for 2-3 years. It was like having 2 separate lives. I finally checked myself in to an outpatient rehab. This allowed me to start reconnecting to other people in the program.

[ 25:00 ] What was it like after connecting with these people?

James – I immersed myself in recovery (reading, writing, dialytic behavior therapy). It was hard getting out of my comfort zone but I started communicating better with my girlfriend, I stopped lying and began telling everyone I was done with drinking.

[ 28:30 ] What were the reactions of the people you were telling?

James – I was surprised at the amount of support I was receiving. My friends would joke that I should have gone to outpatient rehab 3 years earlier. I also felt like people respected me more for the work that I was doing in recovery.

[ 30:21 ] What is your plan moving forward?

James – I am taking it 1 day at a time. Not drinking enables me to have the life that I want to have. I am trying new things and keeping recovery fresh.

[ 31:54 ] Paul and James discuss the passing of his father and how he is dealing with those feelings without using alcohol.

James – I feel like I have only scratched the surface of life without alcohol. The full extent of my father's passing has not hit me yet. I want those feelings to come even if by a freight train.

[ 32:58 ] Which recovery tool is resonating with you right now?

James – Outpatient rehab has been the most helpful so far.

[ 34:12 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? When I was arrested and had to see my family's faces the next day.
Did you ever have an "oh-shit" moment? After my grandfather had passed away, I went out drinking and drugging. The next morning I woke up with the terrible feeling that something wasn't quite right.
What's your plan moving forward? Keeping up with my DBT and trying to be of service to others
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? 1 size does not fit all
What is DBT and what is it like? It helps with mindfulness and with staying in the moment. It teaches you how to not be impulsive.
What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? Take a good hard look at yourself and try to find out what your underlying issues are. Get real with yourself.
You might be an alcoholic if….. You continually feel depressed and anxious after a night of drinking.

Resources:

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

DBT (dialytic behavior therapy) for people struggling with substance abuse problems, is a way to achieve self-acceptance while simultaneously accepting the need for change. There are four basic aspects to DBT: mindfulness, interpersonal relations, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

Re 104: What I Learned In Rehab Feb 13, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Jeff, who has been sober since Dec 5, 2016.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

Paul starts the show recounting his 2 weeks visiting Hope Rehab in Thailand. (www.hope-rehab-center-thailand.com)

What I learned in Rehab

People came for other drugs but quickly realize that alcohol was the real issue
Most people were still in denial of their addiction and will not stay sober
A lot of the clients were just going through the motions
Addiction does not segregate; there were people from 4 continents, lawyers' doctors, social workers, accountants, etc.
Thailand is hot and wild pythons are a real thing
Alcohol is communal. I have the same story as a guy in Malaysia and we had an instant connection within 5 minutes
We are the lucky ones
Some people are close to hitting the "fuck it" button at all times
If you experience mild depression once, you have a 16% higher chance of experiencing it again.
It takes your body 3 days to recuperate from 20 minutes of stress
The old saying, "It takes 21 days to learn a new habit," is a myth. It really takes 66 days. Once a habit's circuity is created it can never be unlearned, but a new habit can be started.
NVC or non-violent communication is the way to solve 99.4% of problems.
Watching TV does not lower cortisol levels, but reading does
Cortisol from stress impairs learning new things and problem solving
The ego lives in the past and future, only the heart can live in the moment
Even though the Recovery Elevator podcast is free and rehab may/may not be free, we've all paid a tremendous price with our pain and suffering
The road to and in recovery narrows
The problem is not the problem
We need to find a way to stop the relationship with the chemical alcohol. It boils down to us not being satisfied
I am not powerful and I am not special when it comes to alcohol.
Step 0 = Trying everything to drink like a normal person (moderation, only beer, no hard alcohol, etc.)
To quit drinking, we only need to quit one thing. Everything!
The solution to quitting drinking is to have a spiritual experience without alcohol
You must find a higher power and it cannot be yourself. Your ego is not your amigo!
There is a lot of laughter in rehab
People stop maturing emotionally and spiritually once addiction takes hold
Resentments are offensively dangerous
You do not have a chance at sobriety unless responsibility falls on your own shoulders
Buddhism basically consists of 5 pillars that prevent harm to ourselves and others
There is an AA waltz; 1 step, 2 step, 3 step drink. That damn 4th step.
Addicts and alcoholics are a sensitive group of people. I was a summer camp counselor in 2007 and it felt at times we were dealing with teenagers. Tammy said this, and Roger said that.
Sometimes we will worry over not having anything to worry about. Don't worry Paul, there will always be something to worry about
We tend to not relapse over divorce, bankruptcy, or a family death. A broken shoelace? Bring on a drink!
A counselor asked a group to do an exercise each night for 1 week. The following week only 20% of the participants had done as the counselor has asked. The counselor then responded with "and that is why only 20% of you will stay sober after rehab, the majority don't go through the work."
My addiction told me that I didn't need to do the rehab work since I have been sober for over 2 years. Nice try Gary (my addiction).

SHOW NOTES

[ 9:28 ] Jeff's full e-mail to Paul is posted on the Recovery Elevator blog

www.recoveryelevator.com

[ 10:30 ] Tell us a little about yourself and when your last drink was.

Jeff – My last drink was on 12/4/16. I am originally from Denver, married and have a 17 year old son. I am entrepreneur who likes to fish and wakeboard.

[ 11:48 ] Did you ever try to put rules in place in order to control your drinking?

Jeff – I really had not tried to stop until this past fall. I would only spend a specified amount of money on alcohol or only drink on the weekends. This tango dance with booze never worked.

[ 14:08 ] Why do you call yourself a high bottom drinker?

Jeff – It took me a long time to label myself as a problem drinker. I got married young, I owned a small business, and was a normal drinker for a long time. I was able to justify my drinking because my life was good up to a point.

[ 17:57 ] When did you realize that you were not a normal drinker?

Jeff – By my late 20's, my drinking was really progressing. I was living for the weekend parties with my neighbors. This was normal behavior among all of us. We would also hold church services at the house in which drinking was included.

[ 21:43 ] Walk us through your first DWI.

Jeff – We had gone out with all of the neighbors. Our designated driver had started drinking so I offered to drive us to the next restaurant. When I was pulled over, it was more embarrassing than anything. By 2008-2009, I was suddenly divorced and had primary care of my son. I was full of self-pity and this justified my drinking. Later that year I was out drinking and called my cousin to come pick me up. She had a few cocktails at the bar as well. She was driving us home later and swerved off of the road and we hit a concrete barrier. I still continued to drink after this.

[ 28:47 ] Paul and Jeff discuss how he successfully cut back drinking in 2016

Jeff – I still did not think that I had an alcohol problem. I thought it was more of a relationship problem. My current wife's child was in the hospital and I suddenly thought that I did not want to end up there because of my drinking. I had a good marriage and a rock star son. I did not want to lose everything that I had.

[ 33:27 ] Tell us more about your obsession with alcohol.

Jeff – I could not get past the first step of admitting that my life was unmanageable. I still think that I can manage my life, just not as well. I finally realized that I couldn't manage my life if I were dead. I started listening to the RE podcast.

[ 38:42 ] How do you feel now?

Jeff – I feel great on most days. It was hard over the holidays and I've had to break old traditions that involved alcohol. My wife keeps me accountable and suggested that we make new traditions. The RE podcast helps remind me of where I was.

[ 41:57 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? I was supposed to be the Officiant at a friend's wedding. I was feeling really down towards marriage at the time and proceeded to drink all night before the wedding. I was not competent to perform the wedding the following day.
What's your plan moving forward? Keep listening to podcasts, reading Annie Grace's book, "This Naked Mind," and staying open to what my higher power has in store for me
What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? Listen to RE podcast episode 99. Ask yourself, "Which person do you want to be?"

********If you want to stay sober, you've got to do the work********

Resources:

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

Send us an e-mail if you would like to volunteer at Hope Rehab in Thailand

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

RE 103: Why I Quit Drinking Feb 06, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Shane with 3 days since his last drink.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

Paul starts the show off by listing his reasons for quitting drinking:

I wake up eager to start the day
I'm not lying to myself anymore
Because It's a progressive disease and I know the pain and misery that awaits
I do not have a beer gut anymore
THIQ was being deposited into my brain after every binge drinking episode which made it harder and harder to stop
I do not want to get dumber. I want to get smarter.
Most alcohol tastes like moldy tootsie rolls
I was sick of telling myself "One day we are going to ________"
Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs in the world and it kills more people than any other drug combined
I was failing as a dog owner… big time
I do not wonder if I have Alzheimer's anymore
Because alcohol is shit, total and complete shit
Money is neat, and I have a lot more of it now
I do not black out anymore, I'm only on this planet once and I don't want to miss a thing
I haven't had a serious physical injury since stopping drinking. That would be a torn hip flexor doing Limbo in 2012. No joke
No more black eyes
Sometimes I feel "High on Life"
A diet based on calories from alcohol doesn't work. I've tried it
I put an Altoids in my mouth because I like the taste, not to mask the vodka on my breath
No more cavities - In those blackouts, brushing my teeth wasn't a priority for some reason
My face no longer looks like a swollen pumpkin
I quit because one day I would like to share my life with a very special person. Slim to no chance of that happening before
My standard poodle Ben looked at me to go play on a beautiful summer day in 2014 and I was drunk in bed at 3pm on a sunny afternoon. Those eyes broke my heart. Ben, I am so sorry
Alcohol was my best friend and it turned on me
I couldn't stop drinking once I started
I found I needed more and more alcohol to obtain the same effect
I quit drinking because I heard the Brave Heart soundtrack for 3 weeks straight - When it wasn't playing, it was in my head
I wasn't free
Alcohol determined where I worked, who I hung out with, when I went to bed and when I woke up
Music didn't look like much of anything
I want to look at myself in the mirror in the morning and say "Hey, I know that guy!"
I do not want to go to rehab, but if I do, I'm going to Thailand
I want to stop living a life of life or death. I would probably commit suicide within 5 years and I'm not really living.
It's been 8 years since I got a black eye at a bar… by a girl
Girls like me now-well more than when I was talking to them cross eyed and blacked out
I was sick and tired of being sick and tired
My body doesn't randomly ache anymore
My right elbow hurt when I swam for about 7 years. Not anymore
I can now run a 7:30 mile - three of them in a row actually
I do not want a DUI… okay another one
Alcohol is shit. Did I mention that already?
I saw Guns and Roses in Bolivia and remembered it. I saw 311 at Red Rocks and do not remember any of it. I'd like to remember concerts in the future.
I wanted to stop blaming others for my problems
Ulcers are painful, and I've got a several ulcers due to a compromised immune system
I do not want to go to jail… okay go to jail again
Shovels give me blisters, so I decided to quit digging… See what I did there?
I'm AHDH and being in the moment is something I struggle with, now I've got a shot
My parents just retired and I can fully be there for their golden years
Alcohol wasn't cheap. Per the Recovery Elevator tracker app I've saved $11,867
I've learned to get to it, you need to go through it. Today, I feel uncomfortable feelings at face value and lean into them instead of jam them into a box only to have them explode and an inopportune moment, like my best friends bachelor party
My stomach hurt from laughing 4 times in 2016; from 2007-20014 that number was zero
This is going to sound lame but it's the truth. At about 6 months without a drink, the childhood feeling that I can do anything I put my mind to had returned… and is still here… watch out stigma
I don't want to kill myself anymore. That's pretty cool eh?
I watch my favorite episodes on TV instead of being the lead actor in the drunken episodes
I can play 4 Third Eye Blind Songs on the Guitar. Okay, 3.5
Stars. Holy shit. Have they always been there and so bright?
It is liberating to not need a mind altering substance at social functions
Depression and anxiety are unpleasant feelings. They still lurk around at times, but not for nearly as long nor as thick
Turns out I do not suck at kickball or dodgeball. I was too drunk to kick or dodge the ball
Being a business owner overseeing a staff of 22 is easier without a splitting headache
In sobriety, I'm learning that that guy Bob was on to something and everything is gonna be alright – Hey Mon!
Problems pertaining to money have pretty much dissolved
Anxiety = 98% better now
Shirley Temples, I have rediscovered, are the best drink known to mankind
The people that I surround myself with are my true friends, not drinking friends
Binge drinking in airport stalls and then throwing up in the boarding line was miserable.
I want to enjoy 100% of my vacations, instead of around 30-40%
I still get depressed, but no longer than a couple days. Before, it would be for weeks/months.
Because today is the best chance I have at staying sober.

SHOW NOTES

[ 8:58 ] Paul Introduces Shane. When was your last drink?

Shane – My last drink was on Christmas day (which was 3 days ago at the time of this interview). These past 3 days have been tough. I've been doing a lot of sweating.

[ 11:00 ] When did you first realize that you had a problem?

Shane – I received my first DWI when I was 18. That was my first time in jail and it was horrible. When I first starting drinking I thought I had found my soul mate.

[ 13:08 ] Tell us a little about yourself.

Shane – I am 32 years old and from California. I like to play tennis, golf and travel. I like to do anything outdoors. Booze took away the fun I used to have in these activities.

[ 14:26 ] Did you ever try to put rules in place in order to control your drinking?

Shane – You name the rule and I have tried it! I tried to limit myself to specific types of alcohol but would always forget the rule once I started drinking. The best rule you should remember is to just not drink.

[ 17:50 ] What is so different now?

Shane – I did not chicken out when I thought of calling Paul. I try to live in the moment and stay busy. I also try not think too far into the future.

[ 19:45 ] What was your bottom?

Shane – 1 bottom was that I was mentally draining my family constantly. Other bottoms were all of the 4 times I ended up in jail. I was basically blacking out my entire life. Alcohol made me feel like I was going crazy.

[ 24:40 ] You have mentioned a few times how bad going to jail was. Whose fault was it that jail was so bad?

Shane – It was my fault that I had ended up in there. But the guards were really harsh. The other inmates were fine.

[ 25:40 ] What have you lost to alcohol?

Shane – I've lost many days of my life and plenty of girlfriends.

[ 26:40 ] What happened this past Christmas day that made you want to stop drinking?

Shane – I've wanted to stop drinking for years. It had just become too exhausting to continue.

[ 28:50 ] How have you gotten 3 days so far?

Shane – Right now I do not feel like I am white knuckling it. I am not going to AA. I've had bad experiences with church in the past and AA has too much religion in it. Praying to a higher power does not work for me.

[ 31:53 ] Rapid Fire Round

What's your plan moving forward? Staying busy, listening to podcasts and U-Tube videos on recovery
What was your worst memory from drinking? I was punched in the face by a girl
What's your favorite resource in recovery? The support of family and friends
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? If you are comfortable than you are not growing, do not become stagnant water
What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? Do not give up on yourself. Be true to yourself. There is hope.
You might be an alcoholic if……. you wake up with pee in your pants and you are not sure if it's yours!

Resources:

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

RE 102: 4 Types of Drinkers, Which One Are You? Jan 30, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Amelia, with 79 days since her last drink.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

According to the HBO documentary, Risky Drinking, 70% of people drink. Most drinkers fall within the following spectrum: no risk, low risk, mid risk, moderate risk, severe and death. The documentary chronicles 4 people in different stages of alcoholism. If you are drinking to fix the problem that drinking has caused, you may need to watch this program and see where you fall on the spectrum.

SHOW NOTES

[ 10:39 ] Paul Introduces Amelia who's last drink was on 10/10/16.

[ 11:12 ] Have you had any close calls since you stopped drinking?

Amelia – Not really, although I was pretty irritable during Christmas time. Instead of drinking, I just went to bed.

[ 11:48 ] Tell us a little about yourself.

Amelia – I was born and raised in San Francisco. I am a social worker and work with children in the foster care system. I love to watch baseball games and travel.

[ 13:19 ] When did you realize that you had a problem with alcohol?

Amelia – I started noticing I had a problem approximately 10 years ago, but I was always able to justify my behavior. 79 days ago, I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired!

[ 14:32 ] Did you ever put rules into place to try and moderate your drinking?

Amelia – I would try to drink only at night and on the weekends. After a hard days' work, I felt like I deserved it. I had not had any bad consequences yet so this helped justify my drinking. Soon I implemented the "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" mentality.

[ 15:56 ] Did you have a bottom?

Amelia – I was kicked out of the Peace Corp for drinking too much. It was Independence Day in the Caribbean and after drinking all day, I decided that I wanted to go home. I ended up walking 7 miles in the rain back to my apartment with a co-worker. I would also not report to the Peace Corp my location at all times and this was a requirement.

[ 18:42 ] How did you get to 79 days without alcohol?

Amelia – I had a phone call with my parents to wish them a Happy Anniversary. I did not remember the phone call at all the following morning. It was a total blackout. I had asked myself, "Do I really want to be this person?" I called a friend who I trusted and they encouraged me to go to an AA meeting. I felt accountable.

[ 20:21 ] Tell us more about this accountability piece?

Amelia – I had spoken to this same friend about my concerns with alcohol about a year before. I also spoke to my mother. She informed me that she had attended an Al-Anon meeting 1 year ago as well because she too was concerned with my drinking.

[ 22:53 ] What was it like having repeated bottoms?

Amelia – I never thought they were real or deep bottoms. I did not have consequences or anything taken away from me because of my drinking yet.

[ 24:40 ] What do you think would happen if you drink again?

Amelia – It would be just a matter of time before something really bad happened.

[ 26:00 ] What is your plan going forward?

Amelia – So far AA has been working. If I think about drinking, I just follow the drunk all of the way to the end. I am attending the RE Retreat in Montana so that will hold myself accountable. Soon, I would like to start working the steps.

[ 30:12 ] What have you learned most about yourself?

Amelia – that I can be happy and have a better life without drinking.

[ 31:00 ] What advice would you give your younger self?

Amelia – to look at your bottoms and see them for what they really are. I would also listen more to my mother when she told me how alcoholism runs in our family.

[ 33:00 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? getting kicked out of the Peace Corp and hitting a parked car while drunk
Did you ever have an "oh-shit" moment? one of my clients told me I smelled like alcohol and I blamed it on hand sanitizer
What's your favorite resource in recovery? AA
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? follow the drunk, be gentle with yourself and say the Serenity prayer often
You might be an alcoholic if….. you pee in your bed after a night of drinking

Resources:

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

RE 101: What Is Alcohol and How Is It Created Jan 23, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Erik, with 67 days since his last drink.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

What exactly is alcohol and how is it created? According to the book, Beyond the Influence, by Katherine Ketcham, the basic ingredient of alcohol is yeast. Let's just call it what it is; yeast dung to be exact. The yeast eventually dies off during the fermenting process leaving alcohol in its' basic form, which is ethanol. That's right folks! We have been consuming the same ingredient that is used in lacquer and dyes. Once we drink, the alcohol quickly passes through our cell membranes and enters the blood stream. Depending on our age, gender, or whether or not we have eaten, etc., alcohol affects us all differently. Beyond just the physically changes, alcohol also affects our emotional state. It has been known to exacerbate anxiety, stress and fatigue by triggering the body to release adrenaline artificially. No wonder those hang overs are so awful!

SHOW NOTES

[ 10:44 ] Paul Introduces Erik and asks when was his last drink?

Erik – 67 days ago and it feels good on most days

[ 11:13 ] Erik tell us a little about himself.

Erik – I am 31 years old and currently live in Dallas. I play and teach music and also enjoy cooking and exercise.

[ 13:42 ] When did you realize you had a problem with drinking?

Erik – After graduating from college, consequences started happening. I had crashed a few cars and received a few DWI's.

[ 15:11 ] Did you ever try to implement rules in order to moderate your drinking?

Erik – I was not real great at even putting rules into place. But I had an interlock (breathalyzer) put on my car and would try to moderate so that I could still start the car. One time I blew over the limit 3 times. I was more of a binge drinker. Once I started, I could not stop drinking.

[ 17:24 ] After your probation ended, you started drinking again. What happened?

Erik – When you are on probation, I think mentally you are just waiting for the time to be over. Once it is over, you can drink again. I continued to drink for 2-3 years without suffering any real consequences.

[ 19:00 ] Did your drinking progress or remain the same?

Erik – It progressed and I started driving when I shouldn't be again. I also started experiencing episodes of anger and rage, which was completely uncharacteristic of me.

[ 20:45 ] Erik shares a recent story of a wedding he attended.

Erik – I was running late for a wedding in which I was a groomsman. My mind made this a much bigger deal than it actually was so when I finally arrived, I headed straight to the bar. I stumbled to the service and was late for the photo shoot. I continued to drink and my mood kept deteriorating. After the wedding was over, I went to the after party and eventually blacked out. When I came to, I was in the middle of a brawl with a friend. I was very disappointed in myself and was worried that I had destroyed some friendships.

[ 27:45 ] How did you get to 67 days without drinking?

Erik – I had worked the AA program many years ago and basically got re-plugged in. I reached out to some previous people that I knew in the program, started going to meetings and got a sponsor.

[ 31:00 ] Paul and Erik discuss the gift of desperation

Erik – My last drinking memory was that wedding I attended. I am not sure if I can fix the damage that I did to some of those relationships. I do not want that last memory to define me.

[ 32:00 ] What is your plan moving forward?

Erik – I will continue to work my program, meditate and go to meetings. I would also like to start my own life now, by moving out of my parent's house and getting back on track.

[ 33:33 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? wrecking 3 cars, being in jail and having to call my parents
Did you ever have an "oh-shit" moment? One night I was playing a show in Dallas. I knew I should not have driven home but I did it anyway
What's your favorite resource in recovery? AA meetings, listening to podcasts and reading.
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? Recovery is a process. Stay busy with projects and fill in that time that you would normally drink with different things to do.
You might be an alcoholic if…. You use a blood alcohol calculator (BAC) in order to get past your car interlock

****Congratulations to our very own Brandy for reaching 1 year of sobriety****

Resources:

Books – Beyond the Influence by Katherine Ketcham and Living Sober by AA

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

RE 100: Binge Drinking Is the Problem Jan 16, 2017

Show notes

Today we have Tricia, with 30 days since her last drink.

Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE.

Congratulations Recovery Elevator on 100 episodes! How did we make it to 100 episodes? How else, but one episode (day) at a time.

Problem drinking that becomes severe is often given the medical term alcohol use disorder or AUD. Some interesting studies from the NESARC show that in 2012, 7.2% of the population surveyed had an alcohol use disorder (article found here: www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders.)

Europe also has an organization (the ECA) who conducts alcohol related surveys. They found that although people in Southern Europe drank larger amounts of alcohol, they were able to moderate their drinking. In comparison, there were more alcohol related fatalities in Northern Europe. Could this be because of binge drinking? Perhaps the folks from the South can drink 1-2 glasses of wine with their meal while people from the North are drinking larger quantities in one sitting? We will let the ECA draw that conclusion.

SHOW NOTES

[ 8:23 ] Paul Introduces Tricia who's last drink was approximately 30 days ago

[ 9:00 ] When did you realize you had a problem?

Tricia – I knew I wasn't a normal drinker even at the age of 23. I always knew that I would have to quit one day. I never drank just for the taste, it was always to get drunk. Once I started drinking, I could not stop.

[ 11:28 ] Did you ever put any rules in place in order to control your drinking?

Tricia – I tried switching to a drink that I did not like. This never worked and I would end up doing shots of something else. My fellow drinker friends thought this was a great idea! I was always into fitness and nutrition so I would make sure my daily caloric intake would allow for booze.

[ 15:41 ] Tell us about yourself?

Tricia – I am 35 year old chef who now owns her own business. I have always been a runner but also enjoy anything in the outdoors, such as skiing and snowboarding. I like to knit and cross stitch Gangsta Rap lyrics into items for friends. My only hobby before was drinking. I would work and drink. That was it.

[ 19:18 ] Did you have a bottom?

Tricia – I was a high functioning alcoholic. My bottom was very high. I would always pretend that I wasn't drunk or that I didn't have a hangover. My motto was, "I've Got This." When I went on a 3 day binger, 30 days ago, I was so hung over that I could even fake it. I had to stay in bed all day. That was the first time I experienced the physical withdrawals of sweating, fever and shaking.

[ 22:15 ] How did you reach the conclusion that you did not have control over alcohol?

Tricia – My friends and I were going out one night and rented a party bus. I was terribly anxious for weeks up until this party. I was afraid I would drink too much and black out. The black outs were getting to be very common. I ended up drinking too much and woke up the next day with bruises all over my legs. I did not remember falling down but obviously it had happened.

[ 24:48 ] Did alcohol play a role in your divorce?

Tricia – there were many other factors but both my ex-husband and I drank. When we fought, we had usually both been drinking. I wasn't supposed to be the drinker of the family. My brother was the center of attention since he had the alcohol/drug problem for years. I was the over achiever who still managed to get to work on time and function normally. Until I could no longer fake it.

[ 26:56 ] How did you get to day 1 without a drink?

Tricia – I had not planned on stopping drinking entirely. It basically snuck up on me. I had that terrible hangover and the physical withdraw symptoms so I called my brother who is now in recovery. He is very supportive. I went on-line and found the RE podcast and starting listening and hearing similar stories.

[ 30:28 ] What does a day in the life of Tricia look like?

Tricia – I started going to AA meetings. I ended up being late to my first AA meeting because I went to the wrong room. The security officer at the church shouted to everyone that the AA meeting was in the other room. Even though I was 10 minutes late for that meeting, I was really 10 years late in trying AA.

[ 34:51 ] Rapid Fire Round

What was your worst memory from drinking? the blackouts and everything that I do not remember
Did you ever have an "oh-shit" moment? trying to moderate and being fearful that I would over indulge and put myself in danger
What's your plan moving forward? Every morning I read the Big Book pp 86-88. I meditate on those pages. I am also reading a book by Tara Brock called Radical Acceptance.
What's your favorite resource in recovery? AA meetings and connecting with other alcoholics
What's the best advice you've ever received (on sobriety)? keep an open mind and forget everything you think you know. Do not try to do this alone.
- you need alcohol to do simple tasks
- you put vodka in your water bottle to go to the gym
- you think you are an alcoholic
You might be an alcoholic if….

Paul ends the podcast with some questions for the listeners: What type of role does or did alcohol play in your life? Does alcohol dictate your life? Be honest with yourself.

Resources:

Paul will be speaking at a "This is My Brave" even on 1/22/17. The event is at the Moss Theater @ 4pm. The address is 313 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA. Tickets can be found here: www.bfrb.org

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

"We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!"

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