Episode 443 -  A Different Type of Alcoholic   Today we have Kelly, she is 46 from Minneapolis, MN and took her last drink on June 18th, 2023.   Join us Saturday August 26th in Boston, MA for a day of service in collaboration with The Phoenix.  Learn more about the event  here.   Check out our sponsor Go Brewing. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off.    [02:57] Highlights from Paul:   When saying the word “alcoholic”, these images, and thoughts commonly come to mind:   Living under a Bridge. Brown paper bag. Homeless. Hopeless. Unemployed.   Some of this is accurate but studies show only 5% of alcoholics fit these descriptions.  The other 95% are high functioning, tend to be high earners, more educated, are healthier and have more stable relationships than average.   With the estimated 452 million alcoholics that don’t fit the stereotypical description of an alcoholic, this takes the saying you are not alone to a new level.   We justify or benchmark our drinking according to what an alcoholic looks like. I’m not that bad, I have a job, and money in the bank. We surround ourselves with other drinkers who don’t fit the alcoholic stereotype to solidify our own positions on the addiction scale. Now a classic trait of an addiction is that we are blind to where we actually are with the addiction process. The hole you find yourself in is probably deeper than you think. My recommendation is to stop digging. You CAN put the shovel down. Another classic trait of an addiction is the progression. We have 452 million alcoholics on the globe who are not living under a bridge or drinking out of brown paper bag yet.   Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [09:30] Paul introduces Kelly:   Kelly took her last drink on June 18th, 2023, and has 6 days at the time of this recording. She is 46 and lives in Minneapolis. She leads software development teams for a living. Kelly loves the outdoors and enjoys running, hiking, and paddleboarding. She enjoys movies, music, and museums as well.   Kelly first tried alcohol at a party in 9th grade. Drinking was not something that she wanted to do but she succumbed to peer pressure. A year later she started spending time visiting her brother at college, and she enjoyed hanging out with him and his friends and started drinking more frequently. It was a good escape from the abuse she was dealing with at home.   In college Kelly was drinking and dealing with an eating disorder. She worked hard to overcome her bulimia but then her drinking ramped up after that. After college she married a fellow engineer, and they would drink heavily together. After they started having children and settling down, her husband was able to quit the excessive drinking, but Kelly was not.   While raising her children, Kelly was able to cut back on drinking and started putting rules around it. Her relationship wasn’t going well, and Kelly was going out more frequently and drinking almost daily. After a few drinking and driving charges, Kelly began to realize that she could no longer control it. Over time she recognized that she was starting to isolate more and then would go out to bars to find connection with other people.   Kelly has been able to have more gaps in drinking days over time and has been acquiring tools throughout the process. She is recognizing that she needs to treat her sobriety like a baby and nurture it daily. Each morning she meditates and uses the  Reframe app. She attends AA meetings frequently and has recently found a therapist to help her with her childhood trauma.   Kelly’s plan for recovery moving forward: keep doing things that make her feel uncomfortable, attending more meetings, and new meditation practices.   Kelly’s parting piece of guidance: keep trying, be open to new resources.  Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     Recovery Elevator   Go big, because eventually we’ll all go home.   I love you guys.

Episode 443 -  A Different Type of Alcoholic Today we have Kelly, she is 46 from Minneapolis, MN and took her last drink on June 18th, 2023. Join us Saturday August 26th in Boston, MA for a day of service in collaboration with <a href="https://thephoenix.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Phoenix</a>.  Learn more about the event <a href="https://members.recoveryelevator.com/service-project/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a>. Check out our sponsor <a href="https://gobrewing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Go Brewing</a>. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off. [02:57] Highlights from Paul: When saying the word “alcoholic”, these images, and thoughts commonly come to mind: Living under a Bridge. Brown paper bag. Homeless. Hopeless. Unemployed. Some of this is accurate but studies show only 5% of alcoholics fit these descriptions. The other 95% are high functioning, tend to be high earners, more educated, are healthier and have more stable relationships than average. With the estimated 452 million alcoholics that don’t fit the stereotypical description of an alcoholic, this takes the saying you are not alone to a new level. We justify or benchmark our drinking according to what an alcoholic looks like. I’m not that bad, I have a job, and money in the bank. We surround ourselves with other drinkers who don’t fit the alcoholic stereotype to solidify our own positions on the addiction scale. Now a classic trait of an addiction is that we are blind to where we actually are with the addiction process. The hole you find yourself in is probably deeper than you think. My recommendation is to stop digging. You CAN put the shovel down. Another classic trait of an addiction is the progression. We have 452 million alcoholics on the globe who are not living under a bridge or drinking out of brown paper bag yet. Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [09:30] Paul introduces Kelly: Kelly took her last drink on June 18th, 2023, and has 6 days at the time of this recording. She is 46 and lives in Minneapolis. She leads software development teams for a living. Kelly loves the outdoors and enjoys running, hiking, and paddleboarding. She enjoys movies, music, and museums as well. Kelly first tried alcohol at a party in 9th grade. Drinking was not something that she wanted to do but she succumbed to peer pressure. A year later she started spending time visiting her brother at college, and she enjoyed hanging out with him and his friends and started drinking more frequently. It was a good escape from the abuse she was dealing with at home. In college Kelly was drinking and dealing with an eating disorder. She worked hard to overcome her bulimia but then her drinking ramped up after that. After college she married a fellow engineer, and they would drink heavily together. After they started having children and settling down, her husband was able to quit the excessive drinking, but Kelly was not. While raising her children, Kelly was able to cut back on drinking and started putting rules around it. Her relationship wasn’t going well, and Kelly was going out more frequently and drinking almost daily. After a few drinking and driving charges, Kelly began to realize that she could no longer control it. Over time she recognized that she was starting to isolate more and then would go out to bars to find connection with other people. Kelly has been able to have more gaps in drinking days over time and has been acquiring tools throughout the process. She is recognizing that she needs to treat her sobriety like a baby and nurture it daily. Each morning she meditates and uses the <a href="https://www.reframeapp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Reframe app</a>. She attends AA meetings frequently and has recently found a therapist to help her with her childhood trauma. Kelly’s plan for recovery moving forward: keep doing things that make her feel uncomfortable, attending more meetings, and new meditation practices. Kelly’s parting piece of guidance: keep trying, be open to new resources. <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we’ll all go home. I love you guys.

RE 443: A Different Type of Alcoholic

Episode 442 – Time to Breathe   Today we have Jeff, he is 35 from Salt Lake City, UT and had his last drink on April 6th, 2023.   Shout out to the Café RE chat hosts. Thank you for continuing to hold space for our community and for creating an environment where we can come together and heal.   Go Brewing. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off.    [03:46] Highlights from Kris:   Kris finds sober anniversaries a good opportunity to reflect on where he was and where he is today. He asks himself questions such as “What have I gone through? How have I been able to meet the challenges placed in front of me? Am I moving in the direction I want to in my life?”   In active addiction Kris was not able to show love to himself. He knew that the things he was doing were hurting other people and himself. He knew his wife, kids, parents, and friends all loved him, but he couldn’t let the love in. He was stuck in the loop of “I’m not enough, I’ve screwed up too much, I deserve to feel this way.”   If you’re listening, and you’re there today, know that you are not alone. Many of us have been there and know how hard it is.    We don’t have to be perfect RE… that’s never going to happen. All we have to be is willing. We have to be willing to be honest with where we are today. Without judgement, where are things in our life right now? What is the next right thing to step into our new future? Where can we find support? Don’t worry about trying to resolve every issue in your life all at once. Just take little bites.   Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [09:40] Kris introduces Jeff:   At the time of recording, Jeff is celebrating 90 days of sobriety and plans to celebrate with cacao.  He is 35 and lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and two dogs. For fun Jeff enjoys mountain biking, skiing, running, and music is a big part of his life.   Growing up, alcohol was always present at celebrations hosted by his parents and their friends. It was normal for him to see people drink to excess. Jeff’s first drink was when he was 16 with some friends and stolen rum. Early on he recognized that his drinking was different than other people’s. On the outside, he was successful at school but was suffering from depression that alcohol helped him escape from.   After high school Jeff went to the east coast to play hockey for two years. This required a lot of discipline, so Jeff’s drinking was limited to one day each week. He never moderated and usually ended up blacking out.   When Jeff turned 20, he started college where he played hockey and studied engineering. During his freshman year he got a bad concussion and struggled a lot with the side effects afterwards. He initially used drinking to self-medicate the side effects but drinking started to become the answer to everything.   After college Jeff moved back to Alaska for a job. He had his own place with two roommates who he frequently drank with late into the night. He was able to keep up with work and other activities so in spite of some health consequences, he didn’t feel he had a problem.   Jeff started questioning his drinking after he caught himself drinking and driving frequently. He found Allen Carr’s book and was able to stop drinking for 11 days. Since then, he has been in the cycle of quitting and then starting back with different lengths of time between drinks.   Therapy has been helpful for Jeff over the last three years and his wife has been very supportive. Connection has become very important to him.   Jeff’s plan in recovery moving forward: moving forward with integrity and owning who he is.   Jeff’s parting piece(s) of guidance: it’s ok if you think this is hard because it is hard. Even just listening to this podcast is a huge win. Recovery is not a straight line.  Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     Recovery Elevator   You’re the only one that can do this, but you don’t have to do it alone.   I love you guys.

Episode 442 – Time to Breathe Today we have Jeff, he is 35 from Salt Lake City, UT and had his last drink on April 6th, 2023. Shout out to the Café RE chat hosts. Thank you for continuing to hold space for our community and for creating an environment where we can come together and heal. <a href="https://gobrewing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Go Brewing</a>. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off. [03:46] Highlights from Kris: Kris finds sober anniversaries a good opportunity to reflect on where he was and where he is today. He asks himself questions such as “What have I gone through? How have I been able to meet the challenges placed in front of me? Am I moving in the direction I want to in my life?” In active addiction Kris was not able to show love to himself. He knew that the things he was doing were hurting other people and himself. He knew his wife, kids, parents, and friends all loved him, but he couldn’t let the love in. He was stuck in the loop of “I’m not enough, I’ve screwed up too much, I deserve to feel this way.” If you’re listening, and you’re there today, know that you are not alone. Many of us have been there and know how hard it is.  We don’t have to be perfect RE… that’s never going to happen. All we have to be is willing. We have to be willing to be honest with where we are today. Without judgement, where are things in our life right now? What is the next right thing to step into our new future? Where can we find support? Don’t worry about trying to resolve every issue in your life all at once. Just take little bites. Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [09:40] Kris introduces Jeff: At the time of recording, Jeff is celebrating 90 days of sobriety and plans to celebrate with cacao.  He is 35 and lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and two dogs. For fun Jeff enjoys mountain biking, skiing, running, and music is a big part of his life. Growing up, alcohol was always present at celebrations hosted by his parents and their friends. It was normal for him to see people drink to excess. Jeff’s first drink was when he was 16 with some friends and stolen rum. Early on he recognized that his drinking was different than other people’s. On the outside, he was successful at school but was suffering from depression that alcohol helped him escape from. After high school Jeff went to the east coast to play hockey for two years. This required a lot of discipline, so Jeff’s drinking was limited to one day each week. He never moderated and usually ended up blacking out. When Jeff turned 20, he started college where he played hockey and studied engineering. During his freshman year he got a bad concussion and struggled a lot with the side effects afterwards. He initially used drinking to self-medicate the side effects but drinking started to become the answer to everything. After college Jeff moved back to Alaska for a job. He had his own place with two roommates who he frequently drank with late into the night. He was able to keep up with work and other activities so in spite of some health consequences, he didn’t feel he had a problem. Jeff started questioning his drinking after he caught himself drinking and driving frequently. He found Allen Carr’s book and was able to stop drinking for 11 days. Since then, he has been in the cycle of quitting and then starting back with different lengths of time between drinks. Therapy has been helpful for Jeff over the last three years and his wife has been very supportive. Connection has become very important to him. Jeff’s plan in recovery moving forward: moving forward with integrity and owning who he is. Jeff’s parting piece(s) of guidance: it’s ok if you think this is hard because it is hard. Even just listening to this podcast is a huge win. Recovery is not a straight line. <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> Recovery Elevator You’re the only one that can do this, but you don’t have to do it alone. I love you guys.

RE 442: Time to Breathe

Episode 441 – Connection With a Molecule   Today we have Shane, he is 39 from Birmingham, AL and took his last drink on December 25th, 2021.    [00:58] Highlights from Paul:   Many of us share the same response to our first drink. It’s a firework show internally that connects the missing dots. We finally feel connected. Alcohol becomes our best friend.   Now do not beat yourself up if you find yourself in a tightly intertwined relationship with alcohol. Humans are pack animals and need connection to survive. We need partnership. As addiction guru Dr. Gabor Mate would say, congratulations, you found alcohol, you found a way to survive. Yes, there is the disease model, but there’s also the unease model. A deep unrest or lack of connection with others and ourselves.   How do we fix this? Like we learned in last week’s episode, it’s robust social connections that fix this. Some of us have difficulty making deep connections with other human beings but connection with nonhuman souls can help us quit drinking too. Animals help us release oxytocin and serotonin; they help our nervous systems relax. Studies show plants and trees can do the same thing.   To summarize, we connected with a molecule. Which ended up being the most dangerous and addictive molecule thus far recorded, and there is plenty of data to back that up. So, what’s next? Start building connections with other people, places, and things, like your life depends on it. Because it does.   We have a new sponsor! Check out Go Brewing. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off.   [08:12] Paul introduces Shane:   Shane is 39 years old, currently lives outside of Birmingham, AL. He is married with two children. He works in the heavy truck parts industry. He has been playing guitar since he was 15.   Shane had no interest in drinking prior to trying it on a beach trip with friends when he was 20. Shane was surround by alcohol while working as a musician and in the service industry. He found that alcohol made it easier for him to talk to and socialize with people. He first recognized that he might have a problem when he realized he was starting to rely on alcohol to alleviate any stress he was having. He met his wife while they were working on a music album together.   Shane started having increasing anxiety and his drinking issues were becoming more apparent to those around him. He was given an ultimatum by his wife to quit drinking. He was able to quit drinking for about five years.   Shane’s father passed away and he ended up taking over the business abruptly. At this point he had already relapsed and would have a series of stops and starts utilizing different programs, but nothing ever stuck. Shortly after his daughter was born Shane made his most recent attempt at recovery after some conversations with his wife. He started attending AA three times a week and this was the first time that he admitted to himself that he could not control this. Shane says he felt huge relief when he realized that.   Shane says that within the first six months of sobriety his sleep improved, he was able to do more by not planning his life around alcohol. Exercise has been very helpful to Shane as well. He is open with friends and family around his recovery and has no issues being around alcohol. Shane feels the next step for him is leaning into the service aspect of recovery.   Shane’s favorite resources in recovery: RE podcast, AA, SMART Recovery   Shane’s parting piece of guidance: “just stop drinking”  Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     Recovery Elevator   It all starts from the inside out.   I love you guys.

Episode 441 – Connection With a Molecule Today we have Shane, he is 39 from Birmingham, AL and took his last drink on December 25th, 2021. [00:58] Highlights from Paul: Many of us share the same response to our first drink. It’s a firework show internally that connects the missing dots. We finally feel connected. Alcohol becomes our best friend. Now do not beat yourself up if you find yourself in a tightly intertwined relationship with alcohol. Humans are pack animals and need connection to survive. We need partnership. As addiction guru Dr. Gabor Mate would say, congratulations, you found alcohol, you found a way to survive. Yes, there is the disease model, but there’s also the unease model. A deep unrest or lack of connection with others and ourselves. How do we fix this? Like we learned in last week’s episode, it’s robust social connections that fix this. Some of us have difficulty making deep connections with other human beings but connection with nonhuman souls can help us quit drinking too. Animals help us release oxytocin and serotonin; they help our nervous systems relax. Studies show plants and trees can do the same thing. To summarize, we connected with a molecule. Which ended up being the most dangerous and addictive molecule thus far recorded, and there is plenty of data to back that up. So, what’s next? Start building connections with other people, places, and things, like your life depends on it. Because it does. We have a new sponsor! Check out <a href="https://gobrewing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Go Brewing</a>. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off. [08:12] Paul introduces Shane: Shane is 39 years old, currently lives outside of Birmingham, AL. He is married with two children. He works in the heavy truck parts industry. He has been playing guitar since he was 15. Shane had no interest in drinking prior to trying it on a beach trip with friends when he was 20. Shane was surround by alcohol while working as a musician and in the service industry. He found that alcohol made it easier for him to talk to and socialize with people. He first recognized that he might have a problem when he realized he was starting to rely on alcohol to alleviate any stress he was having. He met his wife while they were working on a music album together. Shane started having increasing anxiety and his drinking issues were becoming more apparent to those around him. He was given an ultimatum by his wife to quit drinking. He was able to quit drinking for about five years. Shane’s father passed away and he ended up taking over the business abruptly. At this point he had already relapsed and would have a series of stops and starts utilizing different programs, but nothing ever stuck. Shortly after his daughter was born Shane made his most recent attempt at recovery after some conversations with his wife. He started attending AA three times a week and this was the first time that he admitted to himself that he could not control this. Shane says he felt huge relief when he realized that. Shane says that within the first six months of sobriety his sleep improved, he was able to do more by not planning his life around alcohol. Exercise has been very helpful to Shane as well. He is open with friends and family around his recovery and has no issues being around alcohol. Shane feels the next step for him is leaning into the service aspect of recovery. Shane’s favorite resources in recovery: RE podcast, AA, SMART Recovery Shane’s parting piece of guidance: “just stop drinking” <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> Recovery Elevator It all starts from the inside out. I love you guys.

RE 441 Connection With a Molecule

Episode 440 - How to Undo Trauma   Today we have Kathy. She is 31 from Dillworth, MN and has been clean since June 13th, 2016.   Thank you to all of the Café RE chat hosts. You all do a great job!   We have an exciting new sponsor for the podcast! Go Brewing has an amazing lineup of NA beers. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off your order.      [02:06] Highlights from Paul:   Before we get started, how is your summer going? How is sobriety going? How is your AF clock going? How is your life going? Regardless of your answer to all those questions, Paul reminds us that we are not alone. Recovery Elevator is right here with you every step of the way.   A recent   study  of baboons revealed that establishing robust social connections in adulthood,  is so beneficial to the animals that it can mitigate the consequences of traumatic experiences during their early years. There’s that word again. Connection. In addition, researchers have found that once these connections are made, the baboons report living longer lives.   We have learned, are learning - that building connections helps us depart from alcohol. When we first enter an actual relationship with the molecule alcohol. It’s a wonderful courtship, but we soon realize that alcohol gave us wings, and then took away the sky. We must replace the connection we had with alcohol with something else.   Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [09:39] Kris introduces Kathy:   Kathy just celebrated 7 years of recovery. She lives in Dillworth, MN, she works in care coordination with the  F5 Project  and has five children ranging from 5 to 18. For fun she hangs out with recovery friends while doing a variety of activities.   Kathy’s parents were both addicts and she was in the foster care system early in life. She would spend her childhood moving in and out of foster homes. When she was 12 she ended up living with her brothers and stepfather because her mother went to jail. Kathy wanted to be like her older brothers and started drinking to have a good time.   It didn’t take long for her drinking and drug abuse to get out of control. Kathy ended up getting pregnant at age 16 by a man she didn’t know well. She says she no longer had parental support. She quit all substances through her pregnancy and had a goal to be a different mom than her own. She was unable to stay quit and felt a lot of guilt and shame surrounding it.   Kathy was not able to stay clean during her second pregnancy and after having the baby she spent a lot of time stealing to support her habit and her children. She ended up trying rehab at one point but was unable to stay sober for very long.   Kathy feels she didn’t have great parenting skills and ended up losing custody of her children due to the drug abuse. Some felonies found her in jail and she tried to use this as an opportunity to get clean. After losing a close friend, Kathy asked her stepfather to bail her out. After about two months of using again she decided to get clean because that is what her friend would have wanted for her.   She was able to get into inpatient treatment and felt this time that she was truly ready. As soon as she arrived, she went to a drum ceremony where she felt her spirit being awoken. She started learning about how her trauma affected her which helped her shed her shame. After treatment Kathy lived in a halfway house for a few months and upon getting out had her third child.   Kathy started going to school for social work and was able foster her nieces who she has now adopted. She loves her current job as care coordinator and giving back to others.    Kathy’s plan in sobriety moving forward: to keep on giving back, anywhere and everywhere.    Kathy’s parting piece of guidance: You have control over your actions, and you can train your brain to be and do better.  Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     Recovery Elevator   It all starts from the inside out.   I love you guys.

Episode 440 - How to Undo Trauma Today we have Kathy. She is 31 from Dillworth, MN and has been clean since June 13th, 2016. Thank you to all of the Café RE chat hosts. You all do a great job! We have an exciting new sponsor for the podcast! <a href="https://gobrewing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Go Brewing</a> has an amazing lineup of NA beers. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off your order. [02:06] Highlights from Paul: Before we get started, how is your summer going? How is sobriety going? How is your AF clock going? How is your life going? Regardless of your answer to all those questions, Paul reminds us that we are not alone. Recovery Elevator is right here with you every step of the way. A recent <a href="https://nicenews.com/animals/friendship-helps-heal-childhood-trauma-baboons/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> study</a> of baboons revealed that establishing robust social connections in adulthood,  is so beneficial to the animals that it can mitigate the consequences of traumatic experiences during their early years. There’s that word again. Connection. In addition, researchers have found that once these connections are made, the baboons report living longer lives. We have learned, are learning - that building connections helps us depart from alcohol. When we first enter an actual relationship with the molecule alcohol. It’s a wonderful courtship, but we soon realize that alcohol gave us wings, and then took away the sky. We must replace the connection we had with alcohol with something else. Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [09:39] Kris introduces Kathy: Kathy just celebrated 7 years of recovery. She lives in Dillworth, MN, she works in care coordination with the <a href="https://www.f5project.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> F5 Project</a> and has five children ranging from 5 to 18. For fun she hangs out with recovery friends while doing a variety of activities. Kathy’s parents were both addicts and she was in the foster care system early in life. She would spend her childhood moving in and out of foster homes. When she was 12 she ended up living with her brothers and stepfather because her mother went to jail. Kathy wanted to be like her older brothers and started drinking to have a good time. It didn’t take long for her drinking and drug abuse to get out of control. Kathy ended up getting pregnant at age 16 by a man she didn’t know well. She says she no longer had parental support. She quit all substances through her pregnancy and had a goal to be a different mom than her own. She was unable to stay quit and felt a lot of guilt and shame surrounding it. Kathy was not able to stay clean during her second pregnancy and after having the baby she spent a lot of time stealing to support her habit and her children. She ended up trying rehab at one point but was unable to stay sober for very long. Kathy feels she didn’t have great parenting skills and ended up losing custody of her children due to the drug abuse. Some felonies found her in jail and she tried to use this as an opportunity to get clean. After losing a close friend, Kathy asked her stepfather to bail her out. After about two months of using again she decided to get clean because that is what her friend would have wanted for her. She was able to get into inpatient treatment and felt this time that she was truly ready. As soon as she arrived, she went to a drum ceremony where she felt her spirit being awoken. She started learning about how her trauma affected her which helped her shed her shame. After treatment Kathy lived in a halfway house for a few months and upon getting out had her third child. Kathy started going to school for social work and was able foster her nieces who she has now adopted. She loves her current job as care coordinator and giving back to others. Kathy’s plan in sobriety moving forward: to keep on giving back, anywhere and everywhere. Kathy’s parting piece of guidance: You have control over your actions, and you can train your brain to be and do better. <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> Recovery Elevator It all starts from the inside out. I love you guys.

RE 440: How to Undo Trauma

Episode 439 – Developing a Spiritual Practice   Today we have Liz, she’s 38 from LaVale, MD and took her last drink on December 31st, 2022.   Thank you to the Café RE chat host, you all do an incredible job!     Athletic Greens   [02:22] Highlights from Paul:   This is not a religious podcast. Paul feels that religion and spirituality are not two sides of the same coin.   When we drink alcohol, spiritually, our electrical current to the universe is severed. In fact, in many cultures, the name alcohol literally means, soul sucking spirit. Then mentally, the chemical alcohol turns our brains into tepid soup. After that, we have the physical component - pancreatitis and liver failure come to mind.   What is spirituality? What is a spiritual practice? We are connecting with the self. We are connecting within. You become more ocean and less wave. In short, spirituality is connection with the self, which then leads to a connection with nature, the universe, a higher power, and some may call it God. Why do we drink? Why did we drink? To get this sense of connection.   Paul shares many examples of spiritual practices and reminds us that we don’t have to wait for the normal order of healing in order to implement some these. We can start right now.   Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [11:03] Paul introduces Liz:  Liz is from a small-town Maryland. She is married with two kids; she is a registered nurse and attending school as she is working toward her master’s degree. She enjoys spending time outdoors: kayaking, hiking, camping, being a soccer mom.   Liz grew up in a tightknit family and was the youngest of three sisters. She first tried alcohol with a cousin when she was in 6th grade. She didn’t really enjoy it and thought it tasted terrible. She wasn’t a big drinker in high school, just the occasional party.   She drank like everyone else during college and worked in the service industry. It was normal for her to be the last person drinking at parties, but she worked and went to school with little issue.     Liz’s drinking escalated when she began nursing school. She was already married with two kids and struggled balancing it all. She used alcohol as a stress reliever. Her first job after graduating was in the ICU working night shifts. She would drink after her shifts and tried to hide the amount of drinking from her husband. She still didn’t feel she had a problem. Liz says her moderation attempts found her feeling more stressed and caused mood swings.     Liz went to inpatient rehab and was able to stay sober for six months. She started attending AA and using the tools she learned in rehab. Her relapse happened on a soccer trip after another parent called her out for not drinking which triggered her. She now feels that her lack of planning or having a network contributed to the relapse as well. She lost control of her drinking. Over the next few years, she spent a lot of time in treatment and trying to figure out what was causing the issues and what needed to change.    Liz got a sponsor with AA and started the steps right away after her last drink. She sometimes gets cravings but plays the tape forward. She knows that if she drinks, she will not be able to be there for any of her family if they need her. Liz made a post on Facebook about her recovery and received a lot of love and many messages from people regarding their own struggles. Liz says that she feels so much freedom now that she is alcohol free and has found her higher power.    Liz’s favorite resources in recovery: AA, recovery podcasts    Liz’s parting piece of guidance: don’t ever give up, no matter what happens you can wake up the next day and keep going.  Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     Recovery Elevator   Go big, because eventually we all go home.   I love you guys.

Episode 439 – Developing a Spiritual Practice Today we have Liz, she’s 38 from LaVale, MD and took her last drink on December 31st, 2022. Thank you to the Café RE chat host, you all do an incredible job! <a href="https://drinkag1.com/campaign/d35ct-offer-immunity/en?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=partnerships&amp;utm_campaign=recoveryelevator_d35ct__a6748__o27&amp;utm_term=cac__a6748__o27&amp;utm_content=7-Health-Wellness__a6748__o27&amp;store=us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Athletic Greens</a> [02:22] Highlights from Paul: This is not a religious podcast. Paul feels that religion and spirituality are not two sides of the same coin. When we drink alcohol, spiritually, our electrical current to the universe is severed. In fact, in many cultures, the name alcohol literally means, soul sucking spirit. Then mentally, the chemical alcohol turns our brains into tepid soup. After that, we have the physical component - pancreatitis and liver failure come to mind. What is spirituality? What is a spiritual practice? We are connecting with the self. We are connecting within. You become more ocean and less wave. In short, spirituality is connection with the self, which then leads to a connection with nature, the universe, a higher power, and some may call it God. Why do we drink? Why did we drink? To get this sense of connection. Paul shares many examples of spiritual practices and reminds us that we don’t have to wait for the normal order of healing in order to implement some these. We can start right now. Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [11:03] Paul introduces Liz: Liz is from a small-town Maryland. She is married with two kids; she is a registered nurse and attending school as she is working toward her master’s degree. She enjoys spending time outdoors: kayaking, hiking, camping, being a soccer mom. Liz grew up in a tightknit family and was the youngest of three sisters. She first tried alcohol with a cousin when she was in 6th grade. She didn’t really enjoy it and thought it tasted terrible. She wasn’t a big drinker in high school, just the occasional party. She drank like everyone else during college and worked in the service industry. It was normal for her to be the last person drinking at parties, but she worked and went to school with little issue. Liz’s drinking escalated when she began nursing school. She was already married with two kids and struggled balancing it all. She used alcohol as a stress reliever. Her first job after graduating was in the ICU working night shifts. She would drink after her shifts and tried to hide the amount of drinking from her husband. She still didn’t feel she had a problem. Liz says her moderation attempts found her feeling more stressed and caused mood swings. Liz went to inpatient rehab and was able to stay sober for six months. She started attending AA and using the tools she learned in rehab. Her relapse happened on a soccer trip after another parent called her out for not drinking which triggered her. She now feels that her lack of planning or having a network contributed to the relapse as well. She lost control of her drinking. Over the next few years, she spent a lot of time in treatment and trying to figure out what was causing the issues and what needed to change. Liz got a sponsor with AA and started the steps right away after her last drink. She sometimes gets cravings but plays the tape forward. She knows that if she drinks, she will not be able to be there for any of her family if they need her. Liz made a post on Facebook about her recovery and received a lot of love and many messages from people regarding their own struggles. Liz says that she feels so much freedom now that she is alcohol free and has found her higher power. Liz’s favorite resources in recovery: AA, recovery podcasts Liz’s parting piece of guidance: don’t ever give up, no matter what happens you can wake up the next day and keep going. <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we all go home. I love you guys.

RE 439: Developing a Spiritual Practice

Episode 438 – Expectations   Today we have something different lined up. Instead of one interviewee, we’ve got a panel of sober rockstars who have been kicking ass and taking names in this field for a while now. You’re going to love it.    Recovery Elevator welcomes our newest sponsor,   Athletic Greens.   [02:33] Highlights from Paul:   We are full of expectations. Both for ourselves and other people. Top of that list is we expect happiness in a world where nothing is guaranteed. We have been conditioned throughout our life that any discomfort represents failure, and a certain product, drink or pill will end the suffering.   How do we let expectations go? It’s impossible. All you can do is become aware you are expecting something different for yourself or other people.   Another reason why expectations are dangerous is it throws gratitude right out of the window. We also expect the earth to keep providing the natural resources needed for our survival, which are never guaranteed. We definitely need to approach sunshine, fresh drinking water, clean air, and shelter from a stance of gratitude opposed to expecting them to be delivered to us because we deserve them. More on that next week.  “The days in which my gratitude exceeds my expectations are really good days” – Ray Wylie Hubbard.   Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [10:54] The interviewees introduce themselves:   Laura Cathcart Robbins, the host of “The Only One in the Room” podcast and author of the book   Stash: My Life in Hiding.   Eric Zimmer, the hose of “The One You Feed” podcast and creator of a program called Spiritual Habits.    Paul Churchill, the host of “Recovery Elevator” podcast (who we all know and love).    Gill hosts the Sober Powered podcast and is also a chemistry professor in the Boston area.    Gill wants to talk about early sobriety and what the experience was like for each guest.    [14:33] Laura has almost 15 years in sobriety. She shares that her first month of sobriety was spent in rehab. She hated it and felt resentful of those that enjoyed it. She attended a lot of recovery meetings and felt sentenced and never felt like she fit in initially. Laura remembers the early days often and knows she doesn’t want to return there.    [17:18] Eric first got sober from heroin when he was 24. He stayed sober for about eight years but returned to alcohol for a few years. He has since gotten sober again and has been sober for 16 years. What Eric remembers about early recovery is that just quitting substances wasn’t enough. He was plagued by the war that went on between using and not using and he feels that after some time in recovery, the turmoil subsides.    [20:08] Paul had a moment of clarity during a wedding he was DJ’ing where he was extremely drunk and had to ask a colleague to finish. He quit drinking a few days later and planned on going to rehab. He decided to wait and try recovery with AA and spending more time in nature.    [22:48] Gill is three and half years sober. She quit because it was affecting her mental health. She was scared to share her issues with anyone initially, so she did the first few months in recovery by herself.     The guests continue to share their experiences around their early sobriety, their readiness to quit drinking and reflect on what helped them in recovery then and what continues to help them now.    Connect with Laura – The Only One in the Room Podcast    Connect with Eric – The One You Feed    Connect with Gill – Sober Powered  Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     Recovery Elevator   You took the elevator down, you got to take the stairs back up, you can do this.   I love you guys.

Episode 438 – Expectations Today we have something different lined up. Instead of one interviewee, we’ve got a panel of sober rockstars who have been kicking ass and taking names in this field for a while now. You’re going to love it. Recovery Elevator welcomes our newest sponsor, <a href="https://drinkag1.com/campaign/d35ct-offer-immunity/en?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=partnerships&amp;utm_campaign=recoveryelevator_d35ct__a6748__o27&amp;utm_term=cac__a6748__o27&amp;utm_content=7-Health-Wellness__a6748__o27&amp;store=us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Athletic Greens</a>. [02:33] Highlights from Paul: We are full of expectations. Both for ourselves and other people. Top of that list is we expect happiness in a world where nothing is guaranteed. We have been conditioned throughout our life that any discomfort represents failure, and a certain product, drink or pill will end the suffering. How do we let expectations go? It’s impossible. All you can do is become aware you are expecting something different for yourself or other people. Another reason why expectations are dangerous is it throws gratitude right out of the window. We also expect the earth to keep providing the natural resources needed for our survival, which are never guaranteed. We definitely need to approach sunshine, fresh drinking water, clean air, and shelter from a stance of gratitude opposed to expecting them to be delivered to us because we deserve them. More on that next week. “The days in which my gratitude exceeds my expectations are really good days” – Ray Wylie Hubbard. Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [10:54] The interviewees introduce themselves: Laura Cathcart Robbins, the host of “The Only One in the Room” podcast and author of the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stash-Hiding-Laura-Cathcart-Robbins/dp/1668005336" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Stash: My Life in Hiding</a>. Eric Zimmer, the hose of “The One You Feed” podcast and creator of a program called Spiritual Habits. Paul Churchill, the host of “Recovery Elevator” podcast (who we all know and love). Gill hosts the Sober Powered podcast and is also a chemistry professor in the Boston area. Gill wants to talk about early sobriety and what the experience was like for each guest. [14:33] Laura has almost 15 years in sobriety. She shares that her first month of sobriety was spent in rehab. She hated it and felt resentful of those that enjoyed it. She attended a lot of recovery meetings and felt sentenced and never felt like she fit in initially. Laura remembers the early days often and knows she doesn’t want to return there. [17:18] Eric first got sober from heroin when he was 24. He stayed sober for about eight years but returned to alcohol for a few years. He has since gotten sober again and has been sober for 16 years. What Eric remembers about early recovery is that just quitting substances wasn’t enough. He was plagued by the war that went on between using and not using and he feels that after some time in recovery, the turmoil subsides. [20:08] Paul had a moment of clarity during a wedding he was DJ’ing where he was extremely drunk and had to ask a colleague to finish. He quit drinking a few days later and planned on going to rehab. He decided to wait and try recovery with AA and spending more time in nature. [22:48] Gill is three and half years sober. She quit because it was affecting her mental health. She was scared to share her issues with anyone initially, so she did the first few months in recovery by herself.  The guests continue to share their experiences around their early sobriety, their readiness to quit drinking and reflect on what helped them in recovery then and what continues to help them now. Connect with Laura – <a href="https://theonlyonepod.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Only One in the Room Podcast</a> Connect with Eric – <a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The One You Feed</a> Connect with Gill – <a href="https://www.soberpowered.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sober Powered</a> <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down, you got to take the stairs back up, you can do this. I love you guys.

RE 438: Expectations

Episode 437 – Inner Conflict   Today we have Mark who is 45 from Connecticut and took his last drank on January 15, 2023.   Thank you to all of the Café RE chat hosts. You all do a great job!   We have partnered with Sober Link.  You can find some tips and can sign up for a $50 off promo code.     [01:55] Highlights from Paul:   It is impossible to avoid conflict in a human life. All attempts to avoid it,  will only result in more conflict. It built into the human experience. After all, we are reconciling the Yin to our Yang on a daily basis. Somedays the dark side says take a seat, and the next day, we welcome the light.   Addictions take hold when is there is intense inner conflict. When parts of our personalities are out of balance. Or when parts of us are screaming for attention because we are in pain. In addition, this inner imbalance is a representation that the whole of society is out of balance causing many of us to question “what the hell is going on?”. Your individual unrest is not separate from the whole.   And how do we solve the “what the hell is going on” question? We do the inner work. We face this inner conflict. We learn from it. We recognize what the addiction is trying to force us to do.   Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [10:39] Kris introduces Mark:   Mark is 45, lives in Connecticut has five months alcohol free at the time of this recording. He is married and has two dogs and a cat. He works in marketing and customer experience. For fun Mark loves to hike, ski and garden.   Alcohol has been part of Mark’s life for as long as he can remember. At a very young age his dad gave him a sip of his beer and Mark liked it. Mark didn’t drink much until his senior year of high school when he came out as gay. He and his brother would go to the local bar on the weekends in an effort to connect with others like them.   Mark’s drinking progressed throughout college, but he had the “work hard, play hard” mentality and tried to limit his drinking to the weekends while being productive during the week. This continued through the beginning of his career. At many of his work events, it was seen as abnormal to drink more than two drinks. Mark found himself always wanting to leave these events in order to go find more alcohol. Later at another job the culture was different where everyone drank like Mark wanted to. Alcohol was always present in his day-to-day life, so he didn’t need to hide it.   The consequences of Mark’s drinking started to impact his life. He was drinking daily and even more on the weekends and vacations. He became fearful as he had more experiences of blacking out. Mark feels that the fear came from not being comfortable with himself. After being able to stack some sober days, he realized the fear came from self-loathing. As he started evaluating how he ended up drinking so much he realized he had become a people pleaser but drinking made it harder and harder to live up to expectations. He started feeling shame around his drinking.   Mark started his journey by trying Dry January, listening to podcasts and reading books. Mark found himself in a cycle of gaining some sobriety time and then getting derailed. He reached the point where he didn’t enjoy drinking anymore. Mark sought out a therapist who helped him recognize that he was doing it alone and pushed Mark to attend AA and find community. He struggled to connect with AA and decided to try Café RE. Once Mark realized that this couldn’t be done alone, he was able to push his fear aside and explore recovery with a community.    Mark’s plan in sobriety moving forward: to continue making connections, making sobriety a priority every day.    Mark’s parting piece of guidance: don’t give up and be willing to try everything. It will be scary but it’s worth it.  Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       We took the elevator down, but we’ve got to take the stairs back up   I love you guys.

Episode 437 – Inner Conflict Today we have Mark who is 45 from Connecticut and took his last drank on January 15, 2023. Thank you to all of the Café RE chat hosts. You all do a great job! We have partnered with <a href="https://www.soberlink.com/partners/recovery-elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sober Link</a>.  You can find some tips and can sign up for a $50 off promo code. [01:55] Highlights from Paul: It is impossible to avoid conflict in a human life. All attempts to avoid it,  will only result in more conflict. It built into the human experience. After all, we are reconciling the Yin to our Yang on a daily basis. Somedays the dark side says take a seat, and the next day, we welcome the light. Addictions take hold when is there is intense inner conflict. When parts of our personalities are out of balance. Or when parts of us are screaming for attention because we are in pain. In addition, this inner imbalance is a representation that the whole of society is out of balance causing many of us to question “what the hell is going on?”. Your individual unrest is not separate from the whole. And how do we solve the “what the hell is going on” question? We do the inner work. We face this inner conflict. We learn from it. We recognize what the addiction is trying to force us to do. Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [10:39] Kris introduces Mark: Mark is 45, lives in Connecticut has five months alcohol free at the time of this recording. He is married and has two dogs and a cat. He works in marketing and customer experience. For fun Mark loves to hike, ski and garden. Alcohol has been part of Mark’s life for as long as he can remember. At a very young age his dad gave him a sip of his beer and Mark liked it. Mark didn’t drink much until his senior year of high school when he came out as gay. He and his brother would go to the local bar on the weekends in an effort to connect with others like them. Mark’s drinking progressed throughout college, but he had the “work hard, play hard” mentality and tried to limit his drinking to the weekends while being productive during the week. This continued through the beginning of his career. At many of his work events, it was seen as abnormal to drink more than two drinks. Mark found himself always wanting to leave these events in order to go find more alcohol. Later at another job the culture was different where everyone drank like Mark wanted to. Alcohol was always present in his day-to-day life, so he didn’t need to hide it. The consequences of Mark’s drinking started to impact his life. He was drinking daily and even more on the weekends and vacations. He became fearful as he had more experiences of blacking out. Mark feels that the fear came from not being comfortable with himself. After being able to stack some sober days, he realized the fear came from self-loathing. As he started evaluating how he ended up drinking so much he realized he had become a people pleaser but drinking made it harder and harder to live up to expectations. He started feeling shame around his drinking. Mark started his journey by trying Dry January, listening to podcasts and reading books. Mark found himself in a cycle of gaining some sobriety time and then getting derailed. He reached the point where he didn’t enjoy drinking anymore. Mark sought out a therapist who helped him recognize that he was doing it alone and pushed Mark to attend AA and find community. He struggled to connect with AA and decided to try Café RE. Once Mark realized that this couldn’t be done alone, he was able to push his fear aside and explore recovery with a community. Mark’s plan in sobriety moving forward: to continue making connections, making sobriety a priority every day. Mark’s parting piece of guidance: don’t give up and be willing to try everything. It will be scary but it’s worth it. <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> We took the elevator down, but we’ve got to take the stairs back up I love you guys.

RE 437: Inner Conflict

Episode 436 – Our Road Ahead   Today we have Lacey. She’s 34 from Illinois and has been sober since May 15, 2020.    Recovery Elevator welcomes our newest sponsor,   Athletic Greens.   [02:16] Highlights from Kris:   We feel it is important to use these first few episodes of Season Five to set a foundation for the upcoming year. Kris shares the RE mission statement and talks about what each of the six key themes means to him.   To recap, our mission statement: we offer hope through community and connection. Partnering sobriety seeking individuals with other likeminded people.   Over and over and over again, you’re going to hear us, and our guests, talk about the importance of connection. It’s not because it’s the only thing we know how to talk about; but simply because it’s THAT IMPORTANT.   Recovery Elevator’s Six Themes:   1)    We are inclusive  2)    There is no right or wrong way to do this  3)    Connection  4)    Don’t just quit drinking  5)    We need to remain open  6)    We must pass along what we learn to others    Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [09:30] Kris introduces Lacey:   Lacey is 34 and lives in Illinois. She is an instructional designer. She is married and has two cats. Lacey loves walking, camping, cooking, and doing crafts. She is part of a community theater and enjoys volunteering at the local animal shelter.   Lacey was young when her parents quit drinking, so alcohol was never around. She feels the mystery made it more interesting to her. She first drank with theater friends in her sophomore year of high school. This was the first time that she felt included in something.   After a falling out with some friends in senior year, Lacey found another friend group that not only drank but did other drugs. She felt like she needed to join in in spite of feeling apprehensive. Cocaine and alcohol went hand in hand for Lacey. She had to have alcohol to deal with the downside of the drugs.   In her 20’s, Lacey started identifying as a partier. She loved being able to drink and stay up all night and she wore it like a badge of honor. Lacey started doing more drugs because they helped her keep drinking.   After some time, Lacey started trying to moderate and find the right balance of the drugs and alcohol, but always ended up failing. She feels she had the dueling personalities during this time. Her mornings were full of anxiety from all of the behavior from the day before.   When Lacey started having health issues that the doctors couldn’t determine the cause of, she came to the realization that her substance abuse may be a contributing factor. In denial, Lacey continued partying even harder until she hit her breaking point and realized that she needed to stop for good.   It was not “one and done” for Lacey. She drank on vacation and then when she came home, she decided to join Café RE if she could make it 30 days. She struggled to embrace sobriety. She started feeling better after six months but thought she could handle drinking again. She then used Covid as an excuse to keep drinking and ended up back where she started. The day after she quit, she got an accountability partner who has become her best friend.   In recovery, Lacey is finding more time to do things that she used to love. Her friend group has changed, and she is ok with that.    Lacey’s favorite resources in recovery: her accountability person, Marco Polo and connection.    The best advice Lacey has received: if you are researching whether or not you have a drinking problem, you do but it’s not a death sentence. It’s ok, embrace it, it will be so worth it.   Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     You’re the only that can do this RE, but you don’t have to do it alone.   I love you guys.

Episode 436 – Our Road Ahead Today we have Lacey. She’s 34 from Illinois and has been sober since May 15, 2020. Recovery Elevator welcomes our newest sponsor, <a href="https://drinkag1.com/campaign/d35ct-offer-immunity/en?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=partnerships&amp;utm_campaign=recoveryelevator_d35ct__a6748__o27&amp;utm_term=cac__a6748__o27&amp;utm_content=7-Health-Wellness__a6748__o27&amp;store=us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Athletic Greens</a>. [02:16] Highlights from Kris: We feel it is important to use these first few episodes of Season Five to set a foundation for the upcoming year. Kris shares the RE mission statement and talks about what each of the six key themes means to him. To recap, our mission statement: we offer hope through community and connection. Partnering sobriety seeking individuals with other likeminded people. Over and over and over again, you’re going to hear us, and our guests, talk about the importance of connection. It’s not because it’s the only thing we know how to talk about; but simply because it’s THAT IMPORTANT. Recovery Elevator’s Six Themes: 1)    We are inclusive 2)    There is no right or wrong way to do this 3)    Connection 4)    Don’t just quit drinking 5)    We need to remain open 6)    We must pass along what we learn to others Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [09:30] Kris introduces Lacey: Lacey is 34 and lives in Illinois. She is an instructional designer. She is married and has two cats. Lacey loves walking, camping, cooking, and doing crafts. She is part of a community theater and enjoys volunteering at the local animal shelter. Lacey was young when her parents quit drinking, so alcohol was never around. She feels the mystery made it more interesting to her. She first drank with theater friends in her sophomore year of high school. This was the first time that she felt included in something. After a falling out with some friends in senior year, Lacey found another friend group that not only drank but did other drugs. She felt like she needed to join in in spite of feeling apprehensive. Cocaine and alcohol went hand in hand for Lacey. She had to have alcohol to deal with the downside of the drugs. In her 20’s, Lacey started identifying as a partier. She loved being able to drink and stay up all night and she wore it like a badge of honor. Lacey started doing more drugs because they helped her keep drinking. After some time, Lacey started trying to moderate and find the right balance of the drugs and alcohol, but always ended up failing. She feels she had the dueling personalities during this time. Her mornings were full of anxiety from all of the behavior from the day before. When Lacey started having health issues that the doctors couldn’t determine the cause of, she came to the realization that her substance abuse may be a contributing factor. In denial, Lacey continued partying even harder until she hit her breaking point and realized that she needed to stop for good. It was not “one and done” for Lacey. She drank on vacation and then when she came home, she decided to join Café RE if she could make it 30 days. She struggled to embrace sobriety. She started feeling better after six months but thought she could handle drinking again. She then used Covid as an excuse to keep drinking and ended up back where she started. The day after she quit, she got an accountability partner who has become her best friend. In recovery, Lacey is finding more time to do things that she used to love. Her friend group has changed, and she is ok with that. Lacey’s favorite resources in recovery: her accountability person, Marco Polo and connection. The best advice Lacey has received: if you are researching whether or not you have a drinking problem, you do but it’s not a death sentence. It’s ok, embrace it, it will be so worth it. <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> You’re the only that can do this RE, but you don’t have to do it alone. I love you guys.

RE 436: Our Road Ahead

Episode 434 – Season 5 – What We Believe In   Today we have Alex, he is 35, from Lincoln, NE and took his last drink on January 20, 2023    Recovery Elevator welcomes our newest sponsor,   Athletic Greens.   [03:35] Highlights from Paul:   Welcome to Season 5!  Episode 1 of this podcast dropped on February 25th, 2015. Paul recalls the date and how he felt.  He was worried he was going to crash and burn.  But 10,000,000 downloads later, he still hasn’t had a drink and the podcast is still going.   Paul discusses the plan for Season 5, what RE’s concepts and values are, the podcast schedule and more.   Mission Statement of Recovery Elevator is as follows:   "We offer hope through community and connection. Partnering sobriety seeking individuals with other likeminded people!”   Six themes Paul and Kris will be focusing on this season:   1)    Recovery Elevator is inclusive  2)    There is no right or wrong way to do this  3)    Connection  4)    Don’t just quit drinking  5)    We cannot fight an addiction  6)    We must pass along what we’ve learned to others   Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [10:49] Paul introduces Alex:   Alex is 35 and lives in Lincoln, NE. He is married with three kids. He stays busy with his family, enjoys landscaping at their new home and works in the financial industry.   Alex first tried alcohol in his senior year of high school. He initially did not drink with his friends, but eventually gave it a try. He started going to parties and enjoyed the assistance alcohol gave him socially. He didn’t drink very regularly but when he did drink, he drank heavily. He did have a close call when getting pulled over once, but the officer called his parents instead of charging him with driving under the influence.   Alex joined a fraternity in college and says his drinking escalated at that point but was not out of control. He was still able to do well academically. After college he moved to Chicago, and he used drinking as a way to make friends. He was attending grad school and was drinking heavily but still highly functional.   He first started questioning his drinking when his brother was going through some issues with substance abuse. He says he was blacking out at least twice a week but wasn’t sure if he had a problem. This is when Alex first tried moderation that he says worked for a while, but the rules became softer over time.   The first time Alex recognized that his drinking might be an issue was when his wife went into labor with their second child, and he had been drinking so he was unable to drive her to the hospital. Over time he realized that he was not fully present for his children, and he didn’t time to pass and realize that he had drank their childhood away.   After Alex had around 50 days of sobriety and went back to drinking, he realized how much better he felt sober and realized that is what he wanted. That paired with wanting to be a better parent helped him focus on trying sobriety again.   Alex took his first step by going to an online AA meeting just to listen. It was there that he realized that seeking sobriety wasn’t something to be afraid of. He drank that night but burned the ships with his family telling them that his life of sobriety would be starting the next day.   The first few days found Alex excited for sobriety. Within a short period of time, he found his sleep improving, started getting compliments at work, and was generally feeling better. Since quitting drinking Alex feels that his emotions have leveled out and life is no longer on “hard mode”.    Alex’s favorite resources in recovery: quit lit, Reddit, realizing that he is not alone.    Alex’s parting piece of guidance: if you’re not successful the first time, you are definitely going to learn on each attempt of sobriety so keep at it.   Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     Recovery Elevator   Go big, because eventually we all go home.   I love you guys.

Episode 434 – Season 5 – What We Believe In Today we have Alex, he is 35, from Lincoln, NE and took his last drink on January 20, 2023 Recovery Elevator welcomes our newest sponsor, <a href="https://drinkag1.com/campaign/d35ct-offer-immunity/en?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=partnerships&amp;utm_campaign=recoveryelevator_d35ct__a6748__o27&amp;utm_term=cac__a6748__o27&amp;utm_content=7-Health-Wellness__a6748__o27&amp;store=us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Athletic Greens</a>. [03:35] Highlights from Paul: Welcome to Season 5!  Episode 1 of this podcast dropped on February 25th, 2015. Paul recalls the date and how he felt.  He was worried he was going to crash and burn.  But 10,000,000 downloads later, he still hasn’t had a drink and the podcast is still going. Paul discusses the plan for Season 5, what RE’s concepts and values are, the podcast schedule and more. Mission Statement of Recovery Elevator is as follows: "We offer hope through community and connection. Partnering sobriety seeking individuals with other likeminded people!” Six themes Paul and Kris will be focusing on this season: 1)    Recovery Elevator is inclusive 2)    There is no right or wrong way to do this 3)    Connection 4)    Don’t just quit drinking 5)    We cannot fight an addiction 6)    We must pass along what we’ve learned to others Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [10:49] Paul introduces Alex: Alex is 35 and lives in Lincoln, NE. He is married with three kids. He stays busy with his family, enjoys landscaping at their new home and works in the financial industry. Alex first tried alcohol in his senior year of high school. He initially did not drink with his friends, but eventually gave it a try. He started going to parties and enjoyed the assistance alcohol gave him socially. He didn’t drink very regularly but when he did drink, he drank heavily. He did have a close call when getting pulled over once, but the officer called his parents instead of charging him with driving under the influence. Alex joined a fraternity in college and says his drinking escalated at that point but was not out of control. He was still able to do well academically. After college he moved to Chicago, and he used drinking as a way to make friends. He was attending grad school and was drinking heavily but still highly functional. He first started questioning his drinking when his brother was going through some issues with substance abuse. He says he was blacking out at least twice a week but wasn’t sure if he had a problem. This is when Alex first tried moderation that he says worked for a while, but the rules became softer over time. The first time Alex recognized that his drinking might be an issue was when his wife went into labor with their second child, and he had been drinking so he was unable to drive her to the hospital. Over time he realized that he was not fully present for his children, and he didn’t time to pass and realize that he had drank their childhood away. After Alex had around 50 days of sobriety and went back to drinking, he realized how much better he felt sober and realized that is what he wanted. That paired with wanting to be a better parent helped him focus on trying sobriety again. Alex took his first step by going to an online AA meeting just to listen. It was there that he realized that seeking sobriety wasn’t something to be afraid of. He drank that night but burned the ships with his family telling them that his life of sobriety would be starting the next day. The first few days found Alex excited for sobriety. Within a short period of time, he found his sleep improving, started getting compliments at work, and was generally feeling better. Since quitting drinking Alex feels that his emotions have leveled out and life is no longer on “hard mode”. Alex’s favorite resources in recovery: quit lit, Reddit, realizing that he is not alone. Alex’s parting piece of guidance: if you’re not successful the first time, you are definitely going to learn on each attempt of sobriety so keep at it. <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we all go home. I love you guys.

RE 435: What We Believe In

Episode 434 – Don’t Lose Yourself in It   Today we have Gary, he is 44, from Toledo, OH and took his last drink on January 30, 2023   Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE20    [01:42] Thoughts from Paul:   Today we are going to cover one of Paul’s favorite tools and practice.  But before we cover it, he asks us who is our go to person that we look to when life starts to veer into the ditch? Who has already provided guidance or a teaching on what to do in the situation you find yourself in?   For Paul, it is Eckhart Tolle. His books The Power of Now and A New Earth were recommended to him at just the right time.   The tool and concept Paul wants to cover is a line he discovered in A New Earth that says, “don’t lose yourself in it”. This refers to the thinking mind, or the ego.    Another book The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer shares the concept that you are not the thoughts in your mind, but you are the one who experiences them.   The point is don’t lose yourself in the incessant stream of thoughts coming from the thinking mind. Make a point each day to STOP what you are doing and take a deep breath. This practice doesn’t have to take long, but there may not be enough consciousness at first to split from the thoughts in the head. The point is to create as many daily gaps in your thinking as possible.   Better Help:   www.betterhelp.com/elevator  - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [09:25] Kris introduces Gary:   Gary took his last drink on January 31st, 2023. He is 44 and lives in Toledo, OH. Professionally Gary is a medical assistant for primarily homebound patients. He enjoys reading, has recently started fishing and likes to try new things in sobriety.   Gary’s first experience with alcohol was in his early teen years. He and his cousin crashed a wedding with an open bar where they served him beer. He thought it was disgusting but kept drinking and blacked out the first time. Gary didn’t drink in high school. He graduated and met his future wife who was going to the army. He joined as well and was in Germany when he started drinking regularly. Drinking helped with his insecurities, and he was always searching for validation. After his wife cheated on him, life was tough for Gary. He started drinking heavily to deal with the pain surrounding the changes in his life.  Gary didn’t have a lot of consequences from his drinking. When he got out of the army and came home, he found another relationship and they had a daughter together. He was able to cut back on his drinking and started putting parameters around what and when he would drink. He found moderation exhausting.   Gary’s dad started having health issues, developed a rare form of cancer and passed within a year of diagnosis. His drinking ramped back up as he dealt with the grief. Gary’s drinking ended up contributing to the loss of a job. He tried his best to continue to be a good father but struggled with being emotionally present for his daughter.   After losing his job Gary found himself going into inpatient treatment, which is where his journey began. He had some stints of extended sobriety. He started going to AA meetings but had a hard time being social at first. He discovered podcasts which were helpful for him; he found listening to them was giving him strength. He was able to experience periods of sobriety but felt that his addiction was still sabotaging him at that time.   Gary had several instances of his drinking sending him into the hospital. He feels like this was his rock bottom. He realized he needed to be honest with himself and was able to stay sober for over two years. He started getting involved with the RE community which was very helpful for him. Changes in routine found Gary learning to love himself.   Gary’s favorite tools - recovery books, podcasts, Café RE, therapy, and Antibuse.  Cafe RE  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee  Recovery Elevator YouTube    Recovery Elevator   You’re the only ones that can do this, but you don’t have to do it alone   I love you guys

Episode 434 – Don’t Lose Yourself in It Today we have Gary, he is 44, from Toledo, OH and took his last drink on January 30, 2023 Exact Nature: <a href="https://exactnature.com/RE20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://exactnature.com/RE20</a> [01:42] Thoughts from Paul: Today we are going to cover one of Paul’s favorite tools and practice.  But before we cover it, he asks us who is our go to person that we look to when life starts to veer into the ditch? Who has already provided guidance or a teaching on what to do in the situation you find yourself in? For Paul, it is Eckhart Tolle. His books The Power of Now and A New Earth were recommended to him at just the right time. The tool and concept Paul wants to cover is a line he discovered in A New Earth that says, “don’t lose yourself in it”. This refers to the thinking mind, or the ego.  Another book The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer shares the concept that you are not the thoughts in your mind, but you are the one who experiences them. The point is don’t lose yourself in the incessant stream of thoughts coming from the thinking mind. Make a point each day to STOP what you are doing and take a deep breath. This practice doesn’t have to take long, but there may not be enough consciousness at first to split from the thoughts in the head. The point is to create as many daily gaps in your thinking as possible. Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored [09:25] Kris introduces Gary: Gary took his last drink on January 31st, 2023. He is 44 and lives in Toledo, OH. Professionally Gary is a medical assistant for primarily homebound patients. He enjoys reading, has recently started fishing and likes to try new things in sobriety. Gary’s first experience with alcohol was in his early teen years. He and his cousin crashed a wedding with an open bar where they served him beer. He thought it was disgusting but kept drinking and blacked out the first time. Gary didn’t drink in high school. He graduated and met his future wife who was going to the army. He joined as well and was in Germany when he started drinking regularly. Drinking helped with his insecurities, and he was always searching for validation. After his wife cheated on him, life was tough for Gary. He started drinking heavily to deal with the pain surrounding the changes in his life. Gary didn’t have a lot of consequences from his drinking. When he got out of the army and came home, he found another relationship and they had a daughter together. He was able to cut back on his drinking and started putting parameters around what and when he would drink. He found moderation exhausting. Gary’s dad started having health issues, developed a rare form of cancer and passed within a year of diagnosis. His drinking ramped back up as he dealt with the grief. Gary’s drinking ended up contributing to the loss of a job. He tried his best to continue to be a good father but struggled with being emotionally present for his daughter. After losing his job Gary found himself going into inpatient treatment, which is where his journey began. He had some stints of extended sobriety. He started going to AA meetings but had a hard time being social at first. He discovered podcasts which were helpful for him; he found listening to them was giving him strength. He was able to experience periods of sobriety but felt that his addiction was still sabotaging him at that time. Gary had several instances of his drinking sending him into the hospital. He feels like this was his rock bottom. He realized he needed to be honest with himself and was able to stay sober for over two years. He started getting involved with the RE community which was very helpful for him. Changes in routine found Gary learning to love himself. Gary’s favorite tools - recovery books, podcasts, Café RE, therapy, and Antibuse. <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> Recovery Elevator You’re the only ones that can do this, but you don’t have to do it alone I love you guys

RE 434: Don't Lose Yourself In It

It isn't a NO to alcohol, but a YES to a better life!  Best selling author Paul Churchill, along with Kristopher Oyen interview people who have stepped away from alcohol in their own lives. Each week this podcast does a deep dive into an exploration of what a booze free life might look like from various perspectives and opinions. If you are sick and tired of alcohol making you sick and tired, we invite you to listen to Recovery Elevator. Check out what an alcohol free life can look like as others share their own stories of sobriety. If you are sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one or living your best life already in recovery, then you are in the right place.This podcast addresses what to do if you’re addicted to alcohol, or if you think you’re an alcoholic. Other topics include, does moderate drinking work, does addiction serve a purpose, what happens to the brain when we quit drinking, should you track sobriety time, is A.A. right for you, spirituality, and more. Similar to other recovery podcasts like This Naked Mind, the Shair Podcast, and the Recovered Podcast, Paul and Kris discuss a topic and then interview someone who has ditched the booze.

Really good podcast!

Love your approach and energy. Listening has helped me so much on my journey.

Love you Paul

It isn't a NO to alcohol, but a YES to a better life! Best selling author Paul Churchill, along with Kristopher Oyen interview people who have stepped away from alcohol in their own lives. Each week this podcast does a deep dive into an exploration of what a booze free life might look like from various perspectives and opinions.  If you are sick and tired of alcohol making you sick and tired, we invite you to listen to Recovery Elevator. Check out what an alcohol free life can look like as others share their own stories of sobriety. If you are sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one or living your best life already in recovery, then you are in the right place. This podcast addresses what to do if you’re addicted to alcohol, or if you think you’re an alcoholic. Other topics include, does moderate drinking work, does addiction serve a purpose, what happens to the brain when we quit drinking, should you track sobriety time, is A.A. right for you, spirituality, and more. Similar to other recovery podcasts like This Naked Mind, the Shair Podcast, and the Recovered Podcast, Paul and Kris discuss a topic and then interview someone who has ditched the booze.

Recovery Elevator 🌴

What I learned in 1 year of podcast is remarkable. It will help me stay sober and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of Recovery Elevator. I really hope you enjoy this summary because I had a great year compiling them. Value BombsWhat I learned from a year of podcasting about my sobriety.By Paul Churchill (with Elliot P.) Podcasting about your sobriety isn’t exactly the best way to stay anonymous.   However, after years of struggling to stay sober I was willing to try anything and nothing seemed more powerful than the accountability I’d create by checking in with “the world” every week.   So I bought a few simple pieces of recording equipment, signed up for a podcasting service and started talking.  I was terrified to release the first episode – it felt like I was jumping off a cliff.  I knew my life would never be the same.   I was right. This year has been the best year of my life but strangely, also the hardest.   I know what you are thinking, “of course it was the hardest as getting sober isn’t easy” and you’d be right.  But there is something especially terrifying about getting sober in front of anyone who wants to watch.  I’ve been told that some people thought my podcast would be a train wreck and they were listening for entertainment value.   Luckily, so far, I have beaten the odds and probably made this pretty boring for my macabre listeners.   My goal is to make this podcast as boring as possible for this demographic of my audience!  How is that for a podcasting goal?  Really though, I think we have had a lot of fun this year and I’m all for the suspense each week as I sign in, once again, still sober.   If I can do it, maybe some of my listeners realize that they can too. Now I don’t claim to be very smart but the most unexpected part of this journey has been meeting hundreds of listeners who can relate to my story.   I honestly felt like I was the only one who suffered exactly like I did.   It turns out that alcoholism is ironically a communal disease where everyone afflicted feels isolated.  Part of the solution involves finding like-minded people who you can get honest with.  Little did I know, just by talking openly into the microphone, this group of like-minded people would come to me.   Listenership has grown beyond my wildest dreams.  I love you guys. I’ve been asked what have been the most impactful lessons I’ve learned over this year of podcasting.   The beauty of listening to the stories of those I’ve interviewed is that everyone can relate to the stories differently depending upon their place in their sobriety journey.  Below is a list highlighting ideas that have meant the most to me:

What I learned in 1 year of podcast is remarkable. It will help me stay sober and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of Recovery Elevator. I really hope you enjoy this summary because I had a great year compiling them. Value BombsWhat I learned from a year of podcasting about my <a href="http://sobriety.By" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sobriety.By</a> Paul Churchill (with Elliot P.) Podcasting about your sobriety isn’t exactly the best way to stay anonymous.   However, after years of struggling to stay sober I was willing to try anything and nothing seemed more powerful than the accountability I’d create by checking in with “the world” every week.   So I bought a few simple pieces of recording equipment, signed up for a podcasting service and started talking.  I was terrified to release the first episode – it felt like I was jumping off a cliff.  I knew my life would never be the same.   I was right. This year has been the best year of my life but strangely, also the hardest.   I know what you are thinking, “of course it was the hardest as getting sober isn’t easy” and you’d be right.  But there is something especially terrifying about getting sober in front of anyone who wants to watch.  I’ve been told that some people thought my podcast would be a train wreck and they were listening for entertainment value.   Luckily, so far, I have beaten the odds and probably made this pretty boring for my macabre listeners.   My goal is to make this podcast as boring as possible for this demographic of my audience!  How is that for a podcasting goal?  Really though, I think we have had a lot of fun this year and I’m all for the suspense each week as I sign in, once again, still sober.   If I can do it, maybe some of my listeners realize that they can too. Now I don’t claim to be very smart but the most unexpected part of this journey has been meeting hundreds of listeners who can relate to my story.   I honestly felt like I was the only one who suffered exactly like I did.   It turns out that alcoholism is ironically a communal disease where everyone afflicted feels isolated.  Part of the solution involves finding like-minded people who you can get honest with.  Little did I know, just by talking openly into the microphone, this group of like-minded people would come to me.   Listenership has grown beyond my wildest dreams.  I love you guys. I’ve been asked what have been the most impactful lessons I’ve learned over this year of podcasting.   The beauty of listening to the stories of those I’ve interviewed is that everyone can relate to the stories differently depending upon their place in their sobriety journey.  Below is a list highlighting ideas that have meant the most to me:

052: 10 Value Bombs After 1 Year of Podcasting

The only way you're going to be able to quit drinking is to get outside of your comfort zone. If you are not willing to do this, then your chances of getting sober are bleak.    Show Notes for Episode 2: What is covered ·    Why you are a lucky one ·    Myths debunked ·    Can I ever drink again? ·    Comfort Zone ·    Success Rates ·    Answer to quit drinking    This is the link to where I found the percentages of alcoholics

The only way you're going to be able to quit drinking is to get outside of your comfort zone. If you are not willing to do this, then your chances of getting sober are bleak. Show Notes for Episode 2: What is covered ·    Why you are a lucky one ·    Myths debunked ·    Can I ever drink again? ·    Comfort Zone ·    Success Rates ·    Answer to quit drinking This is the <a href="http://www.spiritualriver.com/addiction-treatment-and-alcoholism-infographic/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link to where I found the percentages of alcoholics</a>

002: Sobriety is located outside of your comfort zone

Robert with 5 days of sobriety joins the podcast again. Robert was previously on episode 17 and he is determined to achieve sobriety.

Robert with 5 days of sobriety joins the podcast again. Robert was previously on episode 17 and he is determined to achieve sobriety.

036: Four Types of Alcoholics | Which One Are You?

Micheal Hilton, with over 10 years of sobriety, discusses his recovery portfolio.  Micheal Hilton is a leader in the recovery community and does personal coaching with his company Breakthrough Coaching. 60 minutes recently did a segment on addiction.  Micheal Botticelli, the "Drug Czar” is someone who from first hand experience knows the intricacies of alcoholism and addiction. Here are some key points of what I took from this segment. 40 years and a trillion dollars, nation has little to show of the war on drugs. 21 million americans are addicted to drugs and alcohol and nearly 1/2 of federal incarcerations are in for drug crimes. “can’t arrest addiction out of people.” “We have learned that addiction is a brain disease.” “ We can’t expect cancers patients to just stop having cancer.” Addicts should be patients and not prisoners. Michael Botticelli has created a high school for teens in recovery in Massachusetts. Convicts can choose rehab over jail and this actually reduces crime. in 1998 crashed his car and woke up hand cuffed to a gurney. Alcohol free for 27 years. Oversees 26 billion dollar budget across 16 government agencies. Over 1/2 of the money goes to drug enforcement. Says the heroin crisis was created at home. Pain scripts have risen from 76 million in  1991 to 207 million in 2015. More than 120 americans die of drug overdoses each day. Tried an experiment in 2010 with the quincy police department. Officers are armed with Naloxone. A nasal spray for an overdose. Also changed laws called the good samaritan law. Today, 32 states have adopted similar laws and more than 800 police departments carry Naloxone. In Massachussets, Botticelli has made treating addiction routine health care. The affordable care act requires the most of insurance companies to cover addiction treatment. Substance abuse is one of the only disease where we let people reach their most acute point of the disease or “bottom” before we intervene. Botticelli prefers the word disorder instead of addict. Sees a model in the attitude towards the stigma with the gay rights movement. He was more comfortable being a gay man, before saying he was an alcoholic. “We have more work to do.” over 1/2 a million a year are killed by legal drugs. Alcohol and nicotine. Botticelli is not in favor of legalizing marijuana. Grew up as in insecure kid. A very wise judge said you can either get care for your drinking problem or you continue the path of this criminal behavior.You Might be an Alcoholic if...Claire You keep a note pad by the phone so you can take notes about your drunk dialings, but then you can't read your handwriting You're now sober but want to wear a sign on your shirt that says you are enjoying a piece of gum to merely blow bubbles, not to cover up the vodka smell   Caleb You buy canned beer so you can hide it in your bag without anybody hearing the glass clinks   Simone If you log into MyFitnessPal as soon as you wake up...to log in the calories of the 8 double whiskeys you'll be drinking later...to know how much not to eat today.   Shane If after a night of drinking an entire 26er of scotch, the only thing you can think of is "what am I going to drink today?"   Brian in KC, MO You might be an alcoholic if it's your turn to be the DD, so before the baseball game you pound beers at the tailgate before the game hoping it carries you through to the end of the game....but then the game gets rained out in the 5th inning and you are still too drunk to drive home.   This episode was brought to you by Sober Nation.

Micheal Hilton, with over 10 years of sobriety, discusses his recovery portfolio.  Micheal Hilton is a leader in the recovery community and does personal coaching with his company <a href="http://www.http://michealhilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Breakthrough Coaching. </a><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/a-new-direction-on-drugs-the-new-force-behind-star-wars-lewis-hamilton/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">60 minutes</a> recently did a segment on addiction.  Micheal Botticelli, the "Drug Czar” is someone who from first hand experience knows the intricacies of alcoholism and addiction. Here are some key points of what I took from this segment. <ul> <li>40 years and a trillion dollars, nation has little to show of the war on drugs.</li> <li>21 million americans are addicted to drugs and alcohol and nearly 1/2 of federal incarcerations are in for drug crimes. “can’t arrest addiction out of people.” “We have learned that addiction is a brain disease.” “ We can’t expect cancers patients to just stop having cancer.”</li> <li>Addicts should be patients and not prisoners.</li> <li>Michael Botticelli has created a high school for teens in recovery in Massachusetts.</li> <li>Convicts can choose rehab over jail and this actually reduces crime.</li> <li>in 1998 crashed his car and woke up hand cuffed to a gurney. Alcohol free for 27 years.</li> <li>Oversees 26 billion dollar budget across 16 government agencies. Over 1/2 of the money goes to drug enforcement.</li> <li>Says the heroin crisis was created at home. Pain scripts have risen from 76 million in  1991 to 207 million in 2015.</li> <li>More than 120 americans die of drug overdoses each day.</li> <li>Tried an experiment in 2010 with the quincy police department. Officers are armed with Naloxone. A nasal spray for an overdose. Also changed laws called the good samaritan law.</li> <li>Today, 32 states have adopted similar laws and more than 800 police departments carry Naloxone.</li> <li>In Massachussets, Botticelli has made treating addiction routine health care.</li> <li>The affordable care act requires the most of insurance companies to cover addiction treatment.</li> <li>Substance abuse is one of the only disease where we let people reach their most acute point of the disease or “bottom” before we intervene.</li> <li>Botticelli prefers the word disorder instead of addict.</li> <li>Sees a model in the attitude towards the stigma with the gay rights movement. He was more comfortable being a gay man, before saying he was an alcoholic. “We have more work to do.”</li> <li>over 1/2 a million a year are killed by legal drugs. Alcohol and nicotine.</li> <li>Botticelli is not in favor of legalizing marijuana.</li> <li>Grew up as in insecure kid.</li> <li>A very wise judge said you can either get care for your drinking problem or you continue the path of this criminal behavior.</li></ul>You Might be an Alcoholic if... Claire You keep a note pad by the phone so you can take notes about your drunk dialings, but then you can't read your handwriting You're now sober but want to wear a sign on your shirt that says you are enjoying a piece of gum to merely blow bubbles, not to cover up the vodka smell Caleb You buy canned beer so you can hide it in your bag without anybody hearing the glass clinks Simone If you log into MyFitnessPal as soon as you wake up...to log in the calories of the 8 double whiskeys you'll be drinking later...to know how much not to eat today. Shane If after a night of drinking an entire 26er of scotch, the only thing you can think of is "what am I going to drink today?" Brian in KC, MO You might be an alcoholic if it's your turn to be the DD, so before the baseball game you pound beers at the tailgate before the game hoping it carries you through to the end of the game....but then the game gets rained out in the 5th inning and you are still too drunk to drive home. This episode was brought to you by <a href="http://www.sobernation.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sober Nation.</a>

045: Recovery is Moving in the Right Direction | A Recap of the 60 Minute Segment on Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Paul sums up his summer of 2014 and drinking career with one dream explaining why he decided his elevator had gone down far enough.   Points to discuss during Podcast   -It works! It's keeping me sober. Talk about every Monday at 6am goal and how someone reached out.   Fear of creating podcasts is no one will listen, mine is that people will actually listen.   Dream               Peace, Calm, unity, free Gary Jules - Mad World Dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had which describes how Paul felt in the summer of 2014.       Repeating statements, words etc. Broken Record. Are you not listening to your own podcasts?       Addiction doing laps on ten-speed bike               Addiction can dunk a basketball               Doing pull-ups               Burpees                         Taking a break, then buying performance enhancing drugs   Picture of my beautiful view while podcasting

Paul sums up his summer of 2014 and drinking career with one dream explaining why he decided his elevator had gone down far enough. Points to discuss during Podcast -It works! It's keeping me sober. Talk about every Monday at 6am goal and how someone reached out. Fear of creating podcasts is no one will listen, mine is that people will actually listen. Dream             Peace, Calm, unity, free <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gary Jules - Mad World </a>Dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had which describes how Paul felt in the summer of 2014. Repeating statements, words etc. Broken Record. Are you not listening to your own podcasts? Addiction doing laps on ten-speed bike             Addiction can dunk a basketball             Doing pull-ups             Burpees                      Taking a break, then buying performance enhancing drugs Picture of my beautiful view while podcasting

003: Your alcohol addiction is lurking nearby and it is getting stronger

Dr. Sue Morter, talks to us about how our bodies and minds have the capacity to heal themselves if we allow it. Registration is now live for the Recovery Elevator retreat in Bozeman, Montana this upcoming August.  You can find more information about this event here Paul discusses addiction and how there are hundreds of definitions for what addiction is.   He has covered several of them on this podcast already, and covers many more in the book that he is currently writing. Some definitions are scientific. Some are psychological. Some explain the disease theory. He brings up another definition that, in his opinion, may be the simplest and most accurate. Paul suggests that addiction(s) are nothing more than signposts in life. Addictions are nudges from the body, your internal and external environments, that signify that a change needs to occur. Many people struggling with addiction ignore these internal and external cues their entire lives, and this gets ugly. There are signposts everywhere in life.  Paul’s advice? Get out of the way and let life happen. The content that Dr. Sue Morter writes about in her book, The Energy Codes, which was released about a week ago, is profound.  (You can find the link  here .)  She explains through quantum science how we can use our own energies to heal ourselves if we let it happen. Be prepared to have your mind blown.     SHOW NOTES   [7:44] Paul Introduces Dr. Sue.   Dr. Sue is an international speaker, master of bioenergetic medicine, and a quantum field visionary. She explains how quantum science and spirituality are speaking the same language. Dr. Sue redirects the flow of energy patterns in the body to activate full human potential. Through her presentations, seminars, retreats, which Paul attended one this past February in Colorado, and her book The Energy Codes, Dr. Sue illuminates the relationship of quantum science and energy medicine, as well as the elevation of human consciousness and life mastery.  In the book The Energy Codes, and at her retreats and conferences, she teaches individuals how to clear subconscious memory blockages.   [9:45] What is addiction? What causes it, and can it be overcome Dr. Sue?    Dr. Sue is about the flow of energy in the body. If the energy is flowing in the body then the body is healing itself.  What happens with addiction is that there are sets of circuits that are supposed to be connecting our enteric system, meaning our digestive, hormonal, and chemical balance system, with our heart, with our mind. We're supposed to be one big communication system, everything having a check and balance on everything else.    What happens is we have a tendency to kind of land and splat when we get here. We land in this life and our mind goes one way, our body goes another way, and our breath goes another way, and we're kind of not operating on all of our cylinders because of that.   Addiction happens when we bypass certain aspects of our own personal power, and we reach outwardly for some kind of reassurance, whether it's an addiction to an emotion, an addiction to needing to know the future, or to control things, an addiction then later turns into chemical addiction, substance abuse, those kinds of things.   [13:08] What do you feel about addictions, and can we overcome them?   She says we can absolutely overcome them. In fact, she feels that they are in place to reveal to us where we are here to evolve. We come into this life for a reason, and the addiction itself shows up in a certain pattern.  Dr. Sue says it's an avenue to our wholeness, not a problem. It's just a very intense solution.   [14:37] Earlier I talked about addiction being a signpost, almost an invitation of where to go next in life, and that many of us miss this. Can you comment on that a little bit?   We miss the lamp post, the light house, because we're so consumed in guilt, and shame, and fear because we start to observe our addictive patterns, and we start to try to outrun them even faster because we are afraid that something is inherently wrong. That whole sensation is generated because the mind is not connected to the rest of who we are.   When we do see the light post, the sign post, everything shifts. When we don't see it it's because we haven't created enough of a vibrational frequency to get the mind's attention yet.   [17:16] Talk to us about how disconnection can lead to addiction.     When we land and we splat, we come up from the splat attached to the mind. We are attached to the mind. It's important to realize that we are not the mind. We have a mind, but we are so infused and inter-meshed with it that we think it's who we are.  Bear in mind that the mind is based in duality, and the mind's job is to separate things, to see the differences, to make distinctions.  If we're attached to the mind, we inherently feel different and distinct from other things. When we're attached to the heart, or to the soul, or to the truth of who we are, our true essential selves, we are connected, vibrationally speaking, to nature, and to everyone else, and to all that exists.   When we are disconnected to our heart, and our deep wisdom, we don't experience ourselves as wise, loving, brilliant, smart, and enough to meet the bill. What happens instead is we divert, we deflect, and the energy moves around this area.  The next thing you know we're looking for an imitation. We're looking for some other sense of self that gets hidden in our activities, or our substances.   [21:40] Talk to us about the trap door.   This energy that's rising up through the body that either does or does not pass through our own personal identity on its way through to love, and to manifesting the life that we would choose to have, it's rising up through the primitive brain and it hits a trap door that's either open or closed. That trap door is closed if we've experienced too many things in our past that we couldn't really resolve.    [25:00] What advice, or what do you have to say to people who, the first month of sobriety, first six months of sobriety, they feel these uncomfortable emotions? (PAWS) Do they run away from them? Do they go towards them? What are these emotions, and what do you recommend they do when they experience them?   It's not that the body generates those emotions when you stop drinking. Those emotions were always there. You just couldn't sense them or perceive them, because you were either running from them, or you were numbing them out. They are your power. Your power is inside of those emotions that currently might feel a little intense, or a lot intense. And we can learn how to grab ahold of those energies and get them back into the flow, breathe them into the flow that's trying to happen in our system that keeps us connected.    [29:10] If we feel a meltdown coming do we squash it? What do we do? What are they?   Dr. Sue 100% suggests that we lean into it. The body is trying to get us to implode back into the soul.  Just by allowing ourselves to sit in presence with what is rising is a victory beyond what we were able to do before.   [35:48] Can you talk a little bit about how everything that happens, even on a day to day basis, is there for our advantage?   All of it is ultimately serving you. You are made of the entire cosmos, and you are packed into a body. And more of it is arriving every second, and it's 100% in support of your awakening to this truth, to your greatness, to your magnificence. Everything that happens in your life is guiding you, and steering you toward a great shakedown that will make you let go of being attached to the mind and this idea that you're a separate self, and accept, and receive, and perceive this amazing support that is constantly here supporting you toward you realizing a different version of life altogether.   [38:50] You did an incredible job of explaining how science, quantum physics, is blending with spirituality, with a higher power. Talk more about this.   What's happening is science and spirituality are kind of meeting on the same page and recognizing that there is a great unifying presence, and each of us has the opportunity to allow that to guide us in particular ways.   [42:06] Dr. Sue walks listeners through exercises so they can build circuits and create new connections, inside the body, on their own.      [55:13] Listeners, Dr. Sue’s book The Energy Codes was just released about a week ago and you can find it  here.      She also has incredible retreats, taking people to sacred sites all over the world, along with teaching all kinds of coursework across the country.   For more information you can go to DrSueMorter.com               Upcoming retreats: Bozeman Retreat – August 14-18, 2019 Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020 You can find more information about these events here Resources mentioned in this episode:   Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free Sobriety Tracker iTunes  Sobriety Tracker Android Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com   “Recovery Elevator – It all starts from the inside-out.”

Dr. Sue Morter, talks to us about how our bodies and minds have the capacity to heal themselves if we allow it. Registration is now live for the Recovery Elevator retreat in Bozeman, Montana this upcoming August.  You can find more information about this event <a href="http://recoveryelevator.com/events" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> Paul discusses addiction and how there are hundreds of definitions for what addiction is.   He has covered several of them on this podcast already, and covers many more in the book that he is currently writing. Some definitions are scientific. Some are psychological. Some explain the disease theory. He brings up another definition that, in his opinion, may be the simplest and most accurate. Paul suggests that addiction(s) are nothing more than signposts in life. Addictions are nudges from the body, your internal and external environments, that signify that a change needs to occur. Many people struggling with addiction ignore these internal and external cues their entire lives, and this gets ugly. There are signposts everywhere in life.  Paul’s advice? Get out of the way and let life happen. The content that Dr. Sue Morter writes about in her book, The Energy Codes, which was released about a week ago, is profound.  (You can find the link <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Codes-7-Step-System-Awaken/dp/1501169300" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a> .)  She explains through quantum science how we can use our own energies to heal ourselves if we let it happen. Be prepared to have your mind blown. SHOW NOTES [7:44] Paul Introduces Dr. Sue. Dr. Sue is an international speaker, master of bioenergetic medicine, and a quantum field visionary. She explains how quantum science and spirituality are speaking the same language. Dr. Sue redirects the flow of energy patterns in the body to activate full human potential. Through her presentations, seminars, retreats, which Paul attended one this past February in Colorado, and her book The Energy Codes, Dr. Sue illuminates the relationship of quantum science and energy medicine, as well as the elevation of human consciousness and life mastery.  In the book The Energy Codes, and at her retreats and conferences, she teaches individuals how to clear subconscious memory blockages. [9:45] What is addiction? What causes it, and can it be overcome Dr. Sue?  Dr. Sue is about the flow of energy in the body. If the energy is flowing in the body then the body is healing itself.  What happens with addiction is that there are sets of circuits that are supposed to be connecting our enteric system, meaning our digestive, hormonal, and chemical balance system, with our heart, with our mind. We're supposed to be one big communication system, everything having a check and balance on everything else.  What happens is we have a tendency to kind of land and splat when we get here. We land in this life and our mind goes one way, our body goes another way, and our breath goes another way, and we're kind of not operating on all of our cylinders because of that. Addiction happens when we bypass certain aspects of our own personal power, and we reach outwardly for some kind of reassurance, whether it's an addiction to an emotion, an addiction to needing to know the future, or to control things, an addiction then later turns into chemical addiction, substance abuse, those kinds of things. [13:08] What do you feel about addictions, and can we overcome them? She says we can absolutely overcome them. In fact, she feels that they are in place to reveal to us where we are here to evolve. We come into this life for a reason, and the addiction itself shows up in a certain pattern.  Dr. Sue says it's an avenue to our wholeness, not a problem. It's just a very intense solution. [14:37] Earlier I talked about addiction being a signpost, almost an invitation of where to go next in life, and that many of us miss this. Can you comment on that a little bit? We miss the lamp post, the light house, because we're so consumed in guilt, and shame, and fear because we start to observe our addictive patterns, and we start to try to outrun them even faster because we are afraid that something is inherently wrong. That whole sensation is generated because the mind is not connected to the rest of who we are. When we do see the light post, the sign post, everything shifts. When we don't see it it's because we haven't created enough of a vibrational frequency to get the mind's attention yet. [17:16] Talk to us about how disconnection can lead to addiction.   When we land and we splat, we come up from the splat attached to the mind. We are attached to the mind. It's important to realize that we are not the mind. We have a mind, but we are so infused and inter-meshed with it that we think it's who we are.  Bear in mind that the mind is based in duality, and the mind's job is to separate things, to see the differences, to make distinctions.  If we're attached to the mind, we inherently feel different and distinct from other things. When we're attached to the heart, or to the soul, or to the truth of who we are, our true essential selves, we are connected, vibrationally speaking, to nature, and to everyone else, and to all that exists. When we are disconnected to our heart, and our deep wisdom, we don't experience ourselves as wise, loving, brilliant, smart, and enough to meet the bill. What happens instead is we divert, we deflect, and the energy moves around this area.  The next thing you know we're looking for an imitation. We're looking for some other sense of self that gets hidden in our activities, or our substances. [21:40] Talk to us about the trap door. This energy that's rising up through the body that either does or does not pass through our own personal identity on its way through to love, and to manifesting the life that we would choose to have, it's rising up through the primitive brain and it hits a trap door that's either open or closed. That trap door is closed if we've experienced too many things in our past that we couldn't really resolve.  [25:00] What advice, or what do you have to say to people who, the first month of sobriety, first six months of sobriety, they feel these uncomfortable emotions? (PAWS) Do they run away from them? Do they go towards them? What are these emotions, and what do you recommend they do when they experience them? It's not that the body generates those emotions when you stop drinking. Those emotions were always there. You just couldn't sense them or perceive them, because you were either running from them, or you were numbing them out. They are your power. Your power is inside of those emotions that currently might feel a little intense, or a lot intense. And we can learn how to grab ahold of those energies and get them back into the flow, breathe them into the flow that's trying to happen in our system that keeps us connected.  [29:10] If we feel a meltdown coming do we squash it? What do we do? What are they? Dr. Sue 100% suggests that we lean into it. The body is trying to get us to implode back into the soul.  Just by allowing ourselves to sit in presence with what is rising is a victory beyond what we were able to do before. [35:48] Can you talk a little bit about how everything that happens, even on a day to day basis, is there for our advantage? All of it is ultimately serving you. You are made of the entire cosmos, and you are packed into a body. And more of it is arriving every second, and it's 100% in support of your awakening to this truth, to your greatness, to your magnificence. Everything that happens in your life is guiding you, and steering you toward a great shakedown that will make you let go of being attached to the mind and this idea that you're a separate self, and accept, and receive, and perceive this amazing support that is constantly here supporting you toward you realizing a different version of life altogether. [38:50] You did an incredible job of explaining how science, quantum physics, is blending with spirituality, with a higher power. Talk more about this. What's happening is science and spirituality are kind of meeting on the same page and recognizing that there is a great unifying presence, and each of us has the opportunity to allow that to guide us in particular ways. [42:06] Dr. Sue walks listeners through exercises so they can build circuits and create new connections, inside the body, on their own.  [55:13] Listeners, Dr. Sue’s book The Energy Codes was just released about a week ago and you can find it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Codes-7-Step-System-Awaken/dp/1501169300" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a>.    She also has incredible retreats, taking people to sacred sites all over the world, along with teaching all kinds of coursework across the country.   For more information you can go to <a href="https://drsuemorter.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DrSueMorter.com</a> Upcoming retreats: Bozeman Retreat – August 14-18, 2019 Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020 You can find more information about these events <a href="http://recoveryelevator.com/events" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> Resources mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com “Recovery Elevator – It all starts from the inside-out.”

RE 214: Your Body and Mind Have the Capacity to Heal Itself

Alcohol and Anxiety  Today we will look at anxiety and the role it plays in alcohol addiction.   Anxiety is inevitable, but we can change what we do and feel about it, ultimately affecting the level of severity we experience and the frequency of attacks.  It shows that we care about what is going on.  Anxiety is a tool we inherited from our prehistoric past that let us know that we were in danger.  It is useful and necessary, and is a natural part of life.   Unlike normal anxiety, chronic anxiety does not have roots in the present moment.  Chronic anxiety begins when the anxiety becomes our default modus operandi.  The conscious mind focuses on the anxiety, fueling it and allowing it to expand and become consuming.  We find ourselves on a hamster wheel of potential causes, cures, analyses, and ultimately, fear and discomfort.  It surfaces for, as far as we know, no apparent reason.  We make attempts to repress or sidetrack it.   Drinking is one way that many try to deal with their anxious feelings.  While we are drinking, it feels like our problems temporarily disappear.  When we look more closely at the way alcohol changes brain chemistry, we see that all it does is slow us down and weaken our higher faculties.  In the relatively short long term, alcohol usually makes our problems worse by increasing our anxiety and having a negative impact on our overall health.   We have the ability to naturally rewire and change our brains.  When we make the decision to quit drinking, over time we can reverse many of the negative effects on our brain chemistry and overall health.  Our brains are able to find a new and more healthy version of homeostasis with less anxiety, less depression and more clarity.  Chris, with almost 1 year since his last drink, shares his story   SHOW NOTES   [11:40] Paul Introduces Chris.  Chris is 36 years old, a power plant operator, lives in North Dakota. He's married with two kids and a dog.  He enjoys camping and boating, cooking, photography, and woodworking.   [13:40] What is camping like now that you don't drink?  Alcohol took over his life.  Now he feels more present for his kids.  He feels his life is more enriched.  He enjoys more of nature.  He is happy to have quit.    [16:00] When did you first realize that you had a problem with drinking?  A while ago.  He craved it since he started in high school.  It started social, and it gradually progressed.  In the military, he went to Korea when he was 21.  Being far away from friends and family was difficult and and he drank more.  He suffered from “terminal uniqueness”.  He felt he was different from the people around him.  We lie to ourselves and focus on the differences, further isolating ourselves from the community around us.   [23:55] Did you ever have a rock bottom moment?  How much were you drinking?  He was drinking a case of tall beers almost every week.  His wife had been giving him ultimatums for a while.  He started to drive drunk on a regular basis.  He was regularly drunk, or if he wasn't, he was experiencing intense anxiety.  He would regularly yell at his kids.  He was terrified about what he was becoming.  His wife turned toward the church and he turned toward alcohol.  He and his wife had a blowout over drinking and they separated.  He read a few AA books.  He moved out to the camper.  His faith suffered and he had to see his pastor.  His wife explained how much he was hurting her.  He went to see a counselor and started to unload his emotions.  He eventually found an intensive outpatient program that helped him quit.  [31:38] Will you share a little of what you learned in your outpatient program?  Neuroplasticity, how your brain becomes dependent on chemicals.  He learned that it wasn't a moral failing, and he felt relief.  He started to relate to the other members in the group.  His wife filed for divorce, and it helped him apply himself in the program.    [37:15] Where did you get the strength to move forward?  The gift of desperation.  He didn't know what else to do.  He saw that this was an opportunity to change and he applied himself.  His faith life had dried up and he became inspired after reading “Bill's Story” from the AA book.  He started to get better rest.  As he worked the program his feeling of higher power returned.  He realized how much he had hurt his wife.  He was lucky enough to have counselors and friends in his life that helped him get through it.  He started to focus on his actions and not the results with his kids and his wife started to come around.  He started to do the work for himself and not for her.    [45:42] What have you learned most about yourself in sobriety?  That he's worthy of love.  He's worthy of a happy life.  Life is worth it.    [46:20] What's on your bucket list in sobriety?  To continue.  To continue to work on his marriage.  To continue to make memories with his family.  He wants a future for him and his loved ones.  He wants to help other people with recovery.    [47:51] Rapid Fire Round  What was your worst memory from drinking?  The many ways that he hurt his wife and kids. He'll never forget hurting his loved ones.  Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment?  Last summer when he chose drinking over his wife. What’s your plan moving forward?  To continue to work a program. He likes to keep his sponsor close.  What’s your favorite resource in recovery? What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)?  You don't have to be sober for the rest of your life, today. Take it a day at a time.  What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking?  Just be honest with yourself. Stop lying to yourself.  Don't listen to the voice of addiction.  Tell someone that you trust.  Accountability and community is key.  You might be an alcoholic if...  “You go to sleep drunk, and wake up with less eyebrows and more penises drawn on your face.”    Resources mentioned in this episode:  This Naked Mind – a book by Annie Grace Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free 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!”

Alcohol and Anxiety Today we will look at anxiety and the role it plays in alcohol addiction.  Anxiety is inevitable, but we can change what we do and feel about it, ultimately affecting the level of severity we experience and the frequency of attacks.  It shows that we care about what is going on.  Anxiety is a tool we inherited from our prehistoric past that let us know that we were in danger.  It is useful and necessary, and is a natural part of life.  Unlike normal anxiety, chronic anxiety does not have roots in the present moment.  Chronic anxiety begins when the anxiety becomes our default modus operandi.  The conscious mind focuses on the anxiety, fueling it and allowing it to expand and become consuming.  We find ourselves on a hamster wheel of potential causes, cures, analyses, and ultimately, fear and discomfort.  It surfaces for, as far as we know, no apparent reason.  We make attempts to repress or sidetrack it.  Drinking is one way that many try to deal with their anxious feelings.  While we are drinking, it feels like our problems temporarily disappear.  When we look more closely at the way alcohol changes brain chemistry, we see that all it does is slow us down and weaken our higher faculties.  In the relatively short long term, alcohol usually makes our problems worse by increasing our anxiety and having a negative impact on our overall health.  We have the ability to naturally rewire and change our brains.  When we make the decision to quit drinking, over time we can reverse many of the negative effects on our brain chemistry and overall health.  Our brains are able to find a new and more healthy version of homeostasis with less anxiety, less depression and more clarity. Chris, with almost 1 year since his last drink, shares his story SHOW NOTES [11:40] Paul Introduces Chris. Chris is 36 years old, a power plant operator, lives in North Dakota. He's married with two kids and a dog.  He enjoys camping and boating, cooking, photography, and woodworking. [13:40] What is camping like now that you don't drink? Alcohol took over his life.  Now he feels more present for his kids.  He feels his life is more enriched.  He enjoys more of nature.  He is happy to have quit.  [16:00] When did you first realize that you had a problem with drinking? A while ago.  He craved it since he started in high school.  It started social, and it gradually progressed.  In the military, he went to Korea when he was 21.  Being far away from friends and family was difficult and and he drank more.  He suffered from “terminal uniqueness”.  He felt he was different from the people around him.  We lie to ourselves and focus on the differences, further isolating ourselves from the community around us. [23:55] Did you ever have a rock bottom moment?  How much were you drinking? He was drinking a case of tall beers almost every week.  His wife had been giving him ultimatums for a while.  He started to drive drunk on a regular basis.  He was regularly drunk, or if he wasn't, he was experiencing intense anxiety.  He would regularly yell at his kids.  He was terrified about what he was becoming.  His wife turned toward the church and he turned toward alcohol.  He and his wife had a blowout over drinking and they separated.  He read a few AA books.  He moved out to the camper.  His faith suffered and he had to see his pastor.  His wife explained how much he was hurting her.  He went to see a counselor and started to unload his emotions.  He eventually found an intensive outpatient program that helped him quit.  [31:38] Will you share a little of what you learned in your outpatient program? Neuroplasticity, how your brain becomes dependent on chemicals.  He learned that it wasn't a moral failing, and he felt relief.  He started to relate to the other members in the group.  His wife filed for divorce, and it helped him apply himself in the program.  [37:15] Where did you get the strength to move forward? The gift of desperation.  He didn't know what else to do.  He saw that this was an opportunity to change and he applied himself.  His faith life had dried up and he became inspired after reading “Bill's Story” from the AA book.  He started to get better rest.  As he worked the program his feeling of higher power returned.  He realized how much he had hurt his wife.  He was lucky enough to have counselors and friends in his life that helped him get through it.  He started to focus on his actions and not the results with his kids and his wife started to come around.  He started to do the work for himself and not for her.  [45:42] What have you learned most about yourself in sobriety? That he's worthy of love.  He's worthy of a happy life.  Life is worth it.  [46:20] What's on your bucket list in sobriety? To continue.  To continue to work on his marriage.  To continue to make memories with his family.  He wants a future for him and his loved ones.  He wants to help other people with recovery.  [47:51] Rapid Fire Round <ol> <li>What was your worst memory from drinking? The many ways that he hurt his wife and kids. He'll never forget hurting his loved ones. </li> <li>Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? Last summer when he chose drinking over his wife.</li> <li>What’s your plan moving forward? To continue to work a program. He likes to keep his sponsor close. </li> <li>What’s your favorite resource in recovery?</li> <li>What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? You don't have to be sober for the rest of your life, today. Take it a day at a time. </li> <li>What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? Just be honest with yourself. Stop lying to yourself.  Don't listen to the voice of addiction.  Tell someone that you trust.  Accountability and community is key. </li> <li>You might be an alcoholic if... “You go to sleep drunk, and wake up with less eyebrows and more penises drawn on your face.”</li> </ol> Resources mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Naked-Mind-Discover-Happiness/dp/0996715002" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> This Naked Mind – a book by Annie Grace</a> <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> 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 175: Anxiety and Alcohol

In Episode 41, I talk about emotional sobriety which is a topic breached with trepidation because fully understanding emotional sobriety is near impossible and I have so much more to learn about it. Also in this episode, I interview Erik from Massachusetts who is doing a great job in recovery working with other alcoholics. He mentioned in his interview that it isn't a requirement to hit rock bottom in recovery, a concept I wasn't familiar with in 2014 when I hit my bottom. The bulk of the content for this episode comes from Elliot P who just reached 2 years of sobriety earlier this month. Way to go Elliot!

In Episode 41, I talk about emotional sobriety which is a topic breached with trepidation because fully understanding emotional sobriety is near impossible and I have so much more to learn about it. Also in this episode, I interview Erik from Massachusetts who is doing a great job in recovery working with other alcoholics. He mentioned in his interview that it isn't a requirement to hit rock bottom in recovery, a concept I wasn't familiar with in 2014 when I hit my bottom. The bulk of the content for this episode comes from Elliot P who just reached 2 years of sobriety earlier this month. Way to go Elliot!

041: Emotional Sobriety and Not Just a Dry Drunk

Mitchell, with 30 days since his last drink, shares his story 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 mentioned in this episode: Recovery Elevator Retreat Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free 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!”

Mitchell, with 30 days since his last drink, shares his story How to quit drinking <ol> <li>Do not drink. Replace the beverage in your hand with a Popsicle or a ginger beer</li> <li>Watch the movie Leaving Las Vegas and then watch it again</li> <li>Listen to every Third Eye Blind Song ever written</li> <li>Do not watch the movie Beer Fest</li> <li>Go to 90 meetings in 90 days</li> <li>Get a sponsor or an accountability partner</li> <li>Think about joining Café RE <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere</a></li> <li>Have you ever asked yourself, “Do I have a drinking problem?” Well think no more because that’s your answer</li> <li>Remember that alcohol is pure shit</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Change everything: where you get your haircut, the color of your walls, and probably most of the friends you hang out with.</li> <li>Tell the people closest to you that you will no longer be drinking.</li> <li>Create accountability = the most important thing on this list.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Find a higher power. This higher power could literally be a pigeon sitting on a power cable.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Did I mention that alcohol is shit?</li> <li>If you are just starting this journey, you do not know any answers yet. Please put the cotton in your mouth and start listening.</li> <li>If you ever say the words to yourself “I think I got this” you’re f@#$%@. Those are the three most dangerous words an alcoholic can say.</li> <li>Always give yourself an exit strategy. Drive your own car, scooter, skate board or hover board. It is right around that time when your friends start getting tipsy that the danger zone approaches and I’m not talking about the Top Gun soundtrack.</li> <li>Look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see? Do you like it? Do you want to change what you see?</li> <li>Ask yourself if you are reaching your full potential in life. Most likely if you are drinking that answer is no. Your dead relatives would not be proud.</li> <li>If you were thinking about quitting drinking for someone else, you’re f@#$%! You have to quit drinking for yourself.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Educate yourself. Knowledge is useless unless you do something with it. There are a tremendous amount of great podcasts out there about recovery.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Start to develop a recovery portfolio. Jam pack this recovery portfolio full of books, a list of contacts, AA meeting schedules, etc.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>La Croix soda water is your best friend.</li> <li>Do not beat yourself up because alcohol has done a good job of doing just that.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Alcoholics Anonymous. Get outside your comfort zone and go to a meeting. Stop making excuses. No wimps allowed!</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Watch the show “The Anonymous People” on Netflix. This is a very powerful documentary.</li> <li>For one week straight write down any triggers that make you drink alcohol. This is 7 straight days of putting pen to paper.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>There is no chance of getting sober if you are not honest with yourself and others.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Alcohol kills more than any other drugs combined – that’s 3 million people each year!</li> </ol> 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 <ol> <li>What was your worst memory from drinking? my son found an empty beer can and was bopping the family dog with it</li> <li>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</li> <li>What’s your plan moving forward? staying accountable and feeding myself with knowledge</li> <li>What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? you have to do the work, “you don’t got this”</li> <li>What are your thoughts on relapse? Don’t beat yourself up.  Keep going.</li> <li>What has been your proudest moment in sobriety? making it this far</li> <li>You might be an alcoholic if…. you have a beer bottle opener that looks like a fake handcuff in your car</li> </ol> *You are the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most** Resources mentioned in this episode: <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/retreats/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Recovery Elevator Retreat</a> <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> 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 109: How To Quit Drinking

“For us to be successful in sobriety, we must fill the void left by alcohol.” -Russel Brand, Recovery:  Freedom from Our Addictions Drinking plays a big role in our lives.  Many of our social gatherings revolve around it.  We use it to relax or to deal with difficult emotions.  When we quit drinking, a void is then created that can be felt across many areas of our lives.  What do we do with this?  Should we fill it?  With what? When the void is present, some try to use willpower to ignore it or to muscle through or around it.  Unfortunately, studies show that willpower is a finite resource and can not be solely relied upon to quit successfully.  If the void (also known as the emotional and spiritual causes of alcoholism) isn't properly dealt with, one can become what is known as a “dry drunk.”  The behaviors, coping mechanisms, and mindsets of the alcoholic are still present; the only difference is the lack of alcohol consumption. In sobriety, we find ourselves with more... more time, more energy, and more mental clarity.  It's important to fill this time and spend this energy in a healthy and productive way so that the reasons for the void's existence begin to disappear as we lay a healthy and solid foundation for living.  Find things you like to do, and more importantly, find the communities surrounding those activities and do your best to become a part of them. Chrissy, with 2 and ½ years, talks about how she married her drinking buddy: SHOW NOTES [12:50] Paul Introduces Chrissy. Chrissy has been sober for 2 and ½ years.  She's from Mill Valley, California.  48 years old.  District Sales Manager.  Mother of two teenage boys.  She has two dogs.  Married. [14:42] When did you first realize you had a drinking problem? She used to be in denial.  She married her drinking buddy.  Started dabbling to get out of her head.  Became a problem when she moved to a town where everyone drank.  Started drinking daily.  Lead to a health scare. [17:10] What was it like to find out you had Grade A Liver Cirrhosis? She lost a lot of weight. She was mistaken for someone who was pregnant.  Ignored swelling abdomen and yellow eyes.  Eventually couldn't ignore symptoms.  The doctor called her an alcoholic.  She says the doctor is a good place to go for help. [20:50] Did you ever attempt to moderate or control your drinking? She always tried to manage it.  She had an idea for a perfect medium buzz.  The health scare is what made her consider quitting. [22:47] What was it like when you first quit? It took a few weeks for her body to repair itself.  She now gets checked up regularly. [25:30] What did you learn about yourself during this process? Once the fog was lifted, she began to ponder why she drank.  Now she says it isn't important.  It's more important to stay sober.  Year 1 was “how do I stay sober?” and now year 2 is “how do I manage my emotions?”.  Year 3 is now easier and more relaxing. [27:10] What was it like to cut ties with alcohol completely? She felt like she was kicking her best friend to the curb.  She had to get it out of her immediate surroundings.  At first, she felt sad, was white knuckling it.  Now she feels that quitting drinking was the one thing that changed her life completely. [31:17] What does a day in recovery look like for you? A neighbor took her to a meeting.  Found a sponsor.  Podcasts.  Reading books.  Surrounding myself with sobriety.  Changed her priorities.. recovery, then family, then work. [33:25] What was it like to marry your drinking buddy? She used to blame him a lot for her drinking.  She noticed that he drinks less.  They did therapy together.  She's focusing on herself.  She's not sure whether or not her husband is an alcoholic. [36:00] What advice do you have for someone in recovery which is with someone who drinks? Changed her perspective.  Release me from the bondage of “self”.  She focuses on herself.  She sees her partner more with compassion. [39:40]  What do you have to say to a person who is scared of quitting because they feel they might become depressed? Reach out and get some help.  Any hospital will help you to quit drinking.  Get to a safe place... get over the hump, just for a few days. [42:20] Rapid Fire Round  What was your worst memory from drinking?   After delivering a baby, all she wanted to do was get home and have a drink. Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment?   When a colleague told her that her eyes were yellow. What’s your plan moving forward? Continue to stay in the middle of the herd. Continue to work with the sponsor, and keep going.  What’s your favorite resource in recovery? Her community in recovery.  What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)?   “If your ass falls off, pick it up and come to a meeting.”    What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking?   If you're thinking about it, just go for it. If it's not for you, you'll know.    You might be an alcoholic if...   A worker at the grocery store mistakes your alcohol purchase as being for a large group of people.  Resources mentioned in this episode:  Recovery:  Freedom from Our Addictions by Russell Brand Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free 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!”

“For us to be successful in sobriety, we must fill the void left by alcohol.” -Russel Brand, Recovery:  Freedom from Our Addictions Drinking plays a big role in our lives.  Many of our social gatherings revolve around it.  We use it to relax or to deal with difficult emotions.  When we quit drinking, a void is then created that can be felt across many areas of our lives.  What do we do with this?  Should we fill it?  With what? When the void is present, some try to use willpower to ignore it or to muscle through or around it.  Unfortunately, studies show that willpower is a finite resource and can not be solely relied upon to quit successfully.  If the void (also known as the emotional and spiritual causes of alcoholism) isn't properly dealt with, one can become what is known as a “dry drunk.”  The behaviors, coping mechanisms, and mindsets of the alcoholic are still present; the only difference is the lack of alcohol consumption. In sobriety, we find ourselves with more... more time, more energy, and more mental clarity.  It's important to fill this time and spend this energy in a healthy and productive way so that the reasons for the void's existence begin to disappear as we lay a healthy and solid foundation for living.  Find things you like to do, and more importantly, find the communities surrounding those activities and do your best to become a part of them. Chrissy, with 2 and ½ years, talks about how she married her drinking buddy: SHOW NOTES [12:50] Paul Introduces Chrissy. Chrissy has been sober for 2 and ½ years.  She's from Mill Valley, California.  48 years old.  District Sales Manager.  Mother of two teenage boys.  She has two dogs.  Married. [14:42] When did you first realize you had a drinking problem? She used to be in denial.  She married her drinking buddy.  Started dabbling to get out of her head.  Became a problem when she moved to a town where everyone drank.  Started drinking daily.  Lead to a health scare. [17:10] What was it like to find out you had Grade A Liver Cirrhosis? She lost a lot of weight. She was mistaken for someone who was pregnant.  Ignored swelling abdomen and yellow eyes.  Eventually couldn't ignore symptoms.  The doctor called her an alcoholic.  She says the doctor is a good place to go for help. [20:50] Did you ever attempt to moderate or control your drinking? She always tried to manage it.  She had an idea for a perfect medium buzz.  The health scare is what made her consider quitting. [22:47] What was it like when you first quit? It took a few weeks for her body to repair itself.  She now gets checked up regularly. [25:30] What did you learn about yourself during this process? Once the fog was lifted, she began to ponder why she drank.  Now she says it isn't important.  It's more important to stay sober.  Year 1 was “how do I stay sober?” and now year 2 is “how do I manage my emotions?”.  Year 3 is now easier and more relaxing. [27:10] What was it like to cut ties with alcohol completely? She felt like she was kicking her best friend to the curb.  She had to get it out of her immediate surroundings.  At first, she felt sad, was white knuckling it.  Now she feels that quitting drinking was the one thing that changed her life completely. [31:17] What does a day in recovery look like for you? A neighbor took her to a meeting.  Found a sponsor.  Podcasts.  Reading books.  Surrounding myself with sobriety.  Changed her priorities.. recovery, then family, then work. [33:25] What was it like to marry your drinking buddy? She used to blame him a lot for her drinking.  She noticed that he drinks less.  They did therapy together.  She's focusing on herself.  She's not sure whether or not her husband is an alcoholic. [36:00] What advice do you have for someone in recovery which is with someone who drinks? Changed her perspective.  Release me from the bondage of “self”.  She focuses on herself.  She sees her partner more with compassion. [39:40]  What do you have to say to a person who is scared of quitting because they feel they might become depressed? Reach out and get some help.  Any hospital will help you to quit drinking.  Get to a safe place... get over the hump, just for a few days. [42:20] Rapid Fire Round <ol> <li>What was your worst memory from drinking?   After delivering a baby, all she wanted to do was get home and have a drink.</li> <li>Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment?   When a colleague told her that her eyes were yellow.</li> <li>What’s your plan moving forward? Continue to stay in the middle of the herd. Continue to work with the sponsor, and keep going. </li> <li>What’s your favorite resource in recovery? Her community in recovery. </li> <li>What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)?   “If your ass falls off, pick it up and come to a meeting.” </li> <li>What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking?   If you're thinking about it, just go for it. If it's not for you, you'll know. </li> <li>You might be an alcoholic if...   A worker at the grocery store mistakes your alcohol purchase as being for a large group of people.</li> </ol> Resources mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Recovery-Freedom-Addictions-Russell-Brand/dp/1250141923" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Recovery:  Freedom from Our Addictions</a> by Russell Brand <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> 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 155: Filling the Void Left By Alcohol

Robert, who has been sober for nearly 3.5 years shares how hehas made it this far. In this episode we hear from Shawn from the Model Health Show Podcastand he gives us valuable tips on how to get a grip on alcoholismwith these tips and tricks. Below are links to some of the items hementions in the podcast. Rebounder - Mini trampolinefor cardio. NASA says this is the most effective form of exerciseand detoxification. Moves your lymphatic system and starts toremove the muck that has built up into our systems over years ofdrinking. Start with no more than 10 minutes. . This helps dropyour cortisol levels which will reduce stress throughout theday. Magnesium - Key to theearly sobriety. Spirulina - Highest form ofprotein in the world by weight. Rich in B vitamins Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin(B2) great for depression Vitam B3 - Niacin. Helpscapillaries dilate and get blood to your system and help eliminatewaste in the body. Vitamin B12 - Great forEnergy Multi B Vitamin - A greatcombination of all the B Vitamins. Green Super Food Blend -Not processed in a laboratory and is great for early recovery.   Shawn's Bio:Shawn Stevenson is a bestselling author and creator of The ModelHealth Show, featured as the #1 Health podcast in the country oniTunes. A graduate of The University of Missouri - St. Louis, Shawnstudied business, biology and kinesiology, and went on to be thefounder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a company thatprovides wellness services for individuals and organizationsworldwide. Shawn has been featured in Entrepreneur magazine, Men'sHealth magazine, ESPN, FOX News, and many other media outlets. Heis also a frequent keynote speaker for numerous organizations,universities, and conferences - all with outstanding reviews. Tolearn more about Shawn visit TheModelHealthShow.com Join Team RE on May 21st for the 3rd annual run for recovery atAALRM.org and use promo codeRecovery Elevator for a 10% discount. Don't isolate yourself and join the discussion in the RecoveryElevator Private Forum. Come join the ultimate Recovery Elevator meet-up inPeru where we will be volunteering at orphanages with PeruvianHearts, working with local alcoholics, and why not hike the 38mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu while were down there! This episode was brought to you by Cafe RE and getyour dailyAA email here!

Robert, who has been sober for nearly 3.5 years shares how he has made it this far. In this episode we hear from Shawn from the <a href="http://www.TheModelHealthShow.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Model Health Show Podcast</a> and he gives us valuable tips on how to get a grip on alcoholism with these tips and tricks. Below are links to some of the items he mentions in the podcast. <a href="http://amzn.to/1Tnf6dO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rebounder</a> - Mini trampoline for cardio. NASA says this is the most effective form of exercise and detoxification. Moves your lymphatic system and starts to remove the muck that has built up into our systems over years of drinking. Start with no more than 10 minutes. . This helps drop your cortisol levels which will reduce stress throughout the day. <a href="http://amzn.to/1TnfyJb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Magnesium</a> - Key to the early sobriety. <a href="http://amzn.to/1U8NTOn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spirulina</a> - Highest form of protein in the world by weight. Rich in B vitamins <a href="http://amzn.to/1NFE57X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vitamin B2</a> - Riboflavin (B2) great for depression <a href="http://amzn.to/26jZD5y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vitam B3</a> - Niacin. Helps capillaries dilate and get blood to your system and help eliminate waste in the body. <a href="http://amzn.to/1TngDk8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vitamin B12</a> - Great for Energy <a href="http://amzn.to/22TMhs6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Multi B Vitamin</a> - A great combination of all the B Vitamins. <a href="http://amzn.to/1NFDHGr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Green Super Food Blend</a> - Not processed in a laboratory and is great for early recovery. Shawn's Bio: Shawn Stevenson is a bestselling author and creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the #1 Health podcast in the country on iTunes. A graduate of The University of Missouri - St. Louis, Shawn studied business, biology and kinesiology, and went on to be the founder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a company that provides wellness services for individuals and organizations worldwide. Shawn has been featured in Entrepreneur magazine, Men's Health magazine, ESPN, FOX News, and many other media outlets. He is also a frequent keynote speaker for numerous organizations, universities, and conferences - all with outstanding reviews. To learn more about Shawn visit <a href="http://TheModelHealthShow.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TheModelHealthShow.com</a> Join Team RE on May 21st for the 3rd annual run for recovery at <a href="http://www.aalrn.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AALRM.org</a> and use promo code Recovery Elevator for a 10% discount. Don't isolate yourself and join the discussion in the Recovery Elevator <a href="http://community.recoveryelevator.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Private Forum.</a> Come join the ultimate Recovery Elevator <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/peru/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">meet-up in Peru</a> where we will be volunteering at orphanages with <a href="http://www.peruvianhearts.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peruvian Hearts,</a> working with local alcoholics, and why not hike the 38 mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu while were down there! This episode was brought to you by <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/community/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a> and get your <a href="http://www.transitionsdaily.org/subscribe.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">daily AA email here!</a>

RE 63: Nutrition, Exercise and Sleep to Jump Start Your Recovery

Tricia, with 30 days since her last drink, shares her story…. 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 mentioned in this episode: 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 Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free 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!”

Tricia, with 30 days since her last drink, shares her story…. 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: <a href="http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders</a>.)  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 <ol> <li>What was your worst memory from drinking? the blackouts and everything that I do not remember</li> <li>Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? trying to moderate and being fearful that I would over indulge and put myself in danger</li> <li>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.</li> <li>What’s your favorite resource in recovery? AA meetings and connecting with other alcoholics</li> <li>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. <ul> <li>you need alcohol to do simple tasks</li> <li>you put vodka in your water bottle to go to the gym</li> <li>you think you are an alcoholic</li> </ul> </li> <li>You might be an alcoholic if….</li> </ol> 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 mentioned in this episode: 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:  <a href="http://www.bfrb.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.bfrb.org</a> <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> 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

Felicia shares how she reached nearly 60 days of sobriety and we check back in with Robert who has been interviewed twice on the podcast.

Felicia shares how she reached nearly 60 days of sobriety and we check back in with Robert who has been interviewed twice on the podcast.

040: Self Loathing in Recovery Continues | Stop Beating Yourself Up

Molly Shares how she has made it to almost 30 days sober. I also interview my brother who has stuck with me from day one. I expected Mark to understand my pains, struggles and inner thoughts. I even developed unnecessary resentments towards him which he didn't deserve.   Don't isolate yourself and join the discussion in the Recovery Elevator Private Forum.  Come join the ultimate Recovery Elevator meet-up in Peru where we will be volunteering at orphanages with Peruvian Hearts, working with local alcoholics, and why not hike the 38 mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu while were down there! This episode was brought to you by Sober Travel and Sober Nation.

Molly Shares how she has made it to almost 30 days sober. I also interview my brother who has stuck with me from day one. I expected Mark to understand my pains, struggles and inner thoughts. I even developed unnecessary resentments towards him which he didn't deserve. Don't isolate yourself and join the discussion in the Recovery Elevator <a href="http://community.recoveryelevator.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Private Forum. </a> Come join the ultimate Recovery Elevator <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/peru/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">meet-up in Peru</a> where we will be volunteering at orphanages with <a href="http://www.peruvianhearts.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peruvian Hearts,</a> working with local alcoholics, and why not hike the 38 mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu while were down there! This episode was brought to you by Sober Travel and <a href="http://www.sobernation.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sober Nation.</a>

RE59: Friends and Family Actually Can't Read the Mind of an Alcoholic

Paul reads posts from members of Café RE answering the question: “What are some things that helped you in early sobriety?  There are some emerging common themes from these responses.  Change, you don’t have to change much, you just have to change everything.  Accountability is the key, you can’t do this alone.  Alcoholism is a thinking disease.  You can’t think your way out of it.  Knowledge is not power unless you use it. Marybeth, with 8 months since her last drink, shares her story   SHOW NOTES   [8:40] Paul Introduces Marybeth.  I’m 51; I live in southern New Hampshire.  I am married with 4 children, 2 of which have special needs so that takes up some time.  I like to visit with friends and family, downhill ski, and exercise.   [13:39] Paul- Tell us about your drinking habits, how much did you drink prior to November 26th, 2016? Marybeth-  I was a big red wine drinker.  I did a sugar cleanse, and then I ended up sipping Tequila neat.  Then I switched back to wine.  I knew I would never be a morning drinker, or drink before 5:00.  I typically had 2 glasses of wine a night for years.    [17:45] Paul- Was there a bottom moment, or were you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Marybeth- I attribute my sobriety to an accident.  I broke my ankle while I was walking and texting.  It was difficult to be on crutches, and drink at the same time.  I came upon the 30-day sober solution while I was in my cast.   [21:48] Paul- How important do you think accountability has been these past 8 months? Marybeth- It’s been really great.  I couldn’t handle my alcohol, and was passing out early.  Now I can stay up late and have fun.  I was asleep and numbing my self with alcohol.  I was snared by it socially, and numbed by it unintentionally.  I wasn’t seeking to numb anything.   [29:05] Paul- What does your sobriety portfolio consist of?  Walk us through a typical day of sobriety. Marybeth- I wake up everyday and meditate for 30 minutes.  I use the headspace app.  It is like exercising a muscle.  I connect with friends, and do things, which interest me.     [30:16] Rapid Fire Round  What was your worst memory from drinking? I was separated from my husband, and got into a car.  I put the car in drive instead of reverse and ran over the curb. Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? When I broke my ankle.  I had a bloody Mary on board when that happened. What’s your plan moving forward? I am going to continue with meditation, my wellness, helping others, and reading books.  Possibly attending an AA meeting. What’s your favorite resource in recovery? The Recovery Elevator Podcast.  I love listening in the car on the way to work. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? My dad was a recovering alcoholic.  He would always say don’t sweat the small stuff. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? Just do it.  You can always go back to drinking if sobriety doesn’t work for you. You might an alcoholic if you are at a weight watcher meeting and all you are concerned about is if you have enough points left for wine at the end of the day.    Resources mentioned in this episode:  Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free 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!”

Paul reads posts from members of Café RE answering the question: “What are some things that helped you in early sobriety?  There are some emerging common themes from these responses.  Change, you don’t have to change much, you just have to change everything.  Accountability is the key, you can’t do this alone.  Alcoholism is a thinking disease.  You can’t think your way out of it.  Knowledge is not power unless you use it. Marybeth, with 8 months since her last drink, shares her story SHOW NOTES [8:40] Paul Introduces Marybeth.  I’m 51; I live in southern New Hampshire.  I am married with 4 children, 2 of which have special needs so that takes up some time.  I like to visit with friends and family, downhill ski, and exercise. [13:39] Paul- Tell us about your drinking habits, how much did you drink prior to November 26th, 2016? Marybeth-  I was a big red wine drinker.  I did a sugar cleanse, and then I ended up sipping Tequila neat.  Then I switched back to wine.  I knew I would never be a morning drinker, or drink before 5:00.  I typically had 2 glasses of wine a night for years.  [17:45] Paul- Was there a bottom moment, or were you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Marybeth- I attribute my sobriety to an accident.  I broke my ankle while I was walking and texting.  It was difficult to be on crutches, and drink at the same time.  I came upon the 30-day sober solution while I was in my cast. [21:48] Paul- How important do you think accountability has been these past 8 months? Marybeth- It’s been really great.  I couldn’t handle my alcohol, and was passing out early.  Now I can stay up late and have fun.  I was asleep and numbing my self with alcohol.  I was snared by it socially, and numbed by it unintentionally.  I wasn’t seeking to numb anything. [29:05] Paul- What does your sobriety portfolio consist of?  Walk us through a typical day of sobriety. Marybeth- I wake up everyday and meditate for 30 minutes.  I use the headspace app.  It is like exercising a muscle.  I connect with friends, and do things, which interest me. [30:16] Rapid Fire Round <ol> <li>What was your worst memory from drinking? I was separated from my husband, and got into a car.  I put the car in drive instead of reverse and ran over the curb.</li> <li>Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? When I broke my ankle.  I had a bloody Mary on board when that happened.</li> <li>What’s your plan moving forward? I am going to continue with meditation, my wellness, helping others, and reading books.  Possibly attending an AA meeting.</li> <li>What’s your favorite resource in recovery? The Recovery Elevator Podcast.  I love listening in the car on the way to work.</li> <li>What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? My dad was a recovering alcoholic.  He would always say don’t sweat the small stuff.</li> <li>What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? Just do it.  You can always go back to drinking if sobriety doesn’t work for you.</li> <li>You might an alcoholic if you are at a weight watcher meeting and all you are concerned about is if you have enough points left for wine at the end of the day.</li> </ol> Resources mentioned in this episode:  <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code Elevator for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> 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 135: Key Tips For Early Sobriety

Greg took his last drink on October 2, 2012.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon  here!  You can get the Audible version  here! Registration is now open for the 2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind.  The event will take place June 11-13 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events here. On today’s episode Paul talks about what happens to the dome when you stop drinking alcohol.  There is a long list of benefits of quitting alcohol, and the mental health aspects are just as important as the physical ones.  In the first year away from alcohol, and beyond, neurons in the brain that no longer fire together, no longer wire together.  This means the neural connections that spark when we want to drink, or take a drink, begin to fade.  In time new neural connections are created that don’t involve alcohol.      [9:40] Paul introduces Greg.    Greg is 35 years old and from Orange County, CA.  Greg is an actor and has a 4-year-old daughter.  For fun Greg likes to go on adventures with his daughter and create music.    [12:25] Give us a background on your drinking.   Greg first started drinking alcohol as a social lubricant.  Alcohol made it easier to talk to people and deal with things that he had tried to avoid.  In the beginning Greg was more of a clown when he drank, but in his early to mid-twenties his drinking got out of hand.  He was no longer drinking for fun anymore; he was relying on it to get through the day.    [19:07] Was there a time when you knew the gig was up but you didn’t know where to go for help, or how to stop?    Greg said yes, that it was a really demoralizing moment involving alcohol and cocaine.  He woke up, went outside in the rain, chain smoked about 10 cigarettes, and knew he needed to talk to somebody.  He called his sister, and without giving it much thought, told her he needed help.  His sister was there 20 minutes later, and with Greg’s mom helped get him into a place.           [20:55] What happened after that?   Greg entered a treatment center and white knuckled it the first two weeks, and then eventually the clarity started to come.   [24:30] Talk to us about your experience after rehab.       Greg said he surrounded himself with sober friends and family.  He started going to school and focused on that, and also stated going to meetings.  About 6 months out Greg got a job volunteering at a treatment center.  He said he stayed really busy with a lot of structure.        [26:35] Why do you think it’s so hard for people to ask for help?   Greg said he thinks that it’s our pride that gets in the way a lot of the times.  Greg said he had a hard time asking for help because he felt that he would be a burden on someone and he didn’t want people to become resentful of him.             [36:00] How could it affect us if we are always thinking about the past or the future?   Greg says if we are always thinking about the past we are going to tend to be depressed, and if we are always thinking about the future, we are going to tend to be anxious.  Either one just drags us down and we are not productive.        [38:00] Why do you think addiction is higher in the entertainment industry?   Greg said that there are several reasons, one being that it is more readily available.    [44:00] Rapid Fire Round    What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?    Witnessing my daughter being born.    What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?    My trip to Argentina.     What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?    Yerba Mate Revel Berry.     What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?    AA literature, online literature, stuff like that.             What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?    Seeing my daughter have kids.     And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?    Don’t be afraid to ask for help.    You might need to ditch the booze if...   You get married in a blackout.       Upcoming Events and Retreats.  Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020 Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind - in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020 Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica: From Jungle to the Beach - October 8 - 18th, 2020 You can find more information about our events here.   Resources mentioned in this episode:   Care Of For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to www.TakeCareOf.com and enter the code elevator50 This episode is brought to you in support by Care/Of. For 25% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter the promo code ELEVATOR   Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free Sobriety Tracker iTunes  Sobriety Tracker Android Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com   “Recovery Elevator – It All Starts from the Inside Out.  We can do this.”

Greg took his last drink on October 2, 2012.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alcohol-SH-Re-ignite-Recover-Person/dp/1086176545/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a>!  You can get the Audible version <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Alcohol-is-Sht-Audiobook/B07XGDMXQF?qid=1569247192&amp;sr=1-2&amp;pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&amp;pf_rd_r=TY51EJJZJ0XQDPRMN0MA&amp;ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a>! Registration is now open for the 2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind.  The event will take place June 11-13 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here.</a> On today’s episode Paul talks about what happens to the dome when you stop drinking alcohol.  There is a long list of benefits of quitting alcohol, and the mental health aspects are just as important as the physical ones.  In the first year away from alcohol, and beyond, neurons in the brain that no longer fire together, no longer wire together.  This means the neural connections that spark when we want to drink, or take a drink, begin to fade.  In time new neural connections are created that don’t involve alcohol.    [9:40] Paul introduces Greg.  Greg is 35 years old and from Orange County, CA.  Greg is an actor and has a 4-year-old daughter.  For fun Greg likes to go on adventures with his daughter and create music.  [12:25] Give us a background on your drinking. Greg first started drinking alcohol as a social lubricant.  Alcohol made it easier to talk to people and deal with things that he had tried to avoid.  In the beginning Greg was more of a clown when he drank, but in his early to mid-twenties his drinking got out of hand.  He was no longer drinking for fun anymore; he was relying on it to get through the day.  [19:07] Was there a time when you knew the gig was up but you didn’t know where to go for help, or how to stop?  Greg said yes, that it was a really demoralizing moment involving alcohol and cocaine.  He woke up, went outside in the rain, chain smoked about 10 cigarettes, and knew he needed to talk to somebody.  He called his sister, and without giving it much thought, told her he needed help.  His sister was there 20 minutes later, and with Greg’s mom helped get him into a place.         [20:55] What happened after that? Greg entered a treatment center and white knuckled it the first two weeks, and then eventually the clarity started to come.  [24:30] Talk to us about your experience after rehab.     Greg said he surrounded himself with sober friends and family.  He started going to school and focused on that, and also stated going to meetings.  About 6 months out Greg got a job volunteering at a treatment center.  He said he stayed really busy with a lot of structure.      [26:35] Why do you think it’s so hard for people to ask for help? Greg said he thinks that it’s our pride that gets in the way a lot of the times.  Greg said he had a hard time asking for help because he felt that he would be a burden on someone and he didn’t want people to become resentful of him.           [36:00] How could it affect us if we are always thinking about the past or the future? Greg says if we are always thinking about the past we are going to tend to be depressed, and if we are always thinking about the future, we are going to tend to be anxious.  Either one just drags us down and we are not productive.      [38:00] Why do you think addiction is higher in the entertainment industry? Greg said that there are several reasons, one being that it is more readily available.  [44:00] Rapid Fire Round <ol> <li>What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?</li> </ol> Witnessing my daughter being born. <ol> <li>What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?</li> </ol> My trip to Argentina.  <ol> <li>What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?</li> </ol> Yerba Mate Revel Berry.  <ol> <li>What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?</li> </ol> AA literature, online literature, stuff like that.          <ol> <li>What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?</li> </ol> Seeing my daughter have kids.  <ol> <li>And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?</li> </ol> Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  You might need to ditch the booze if... You get married in a blackout.     Upcoming Events and Retreats.  <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/thailand-retreat-2020/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Asia Adventure</a> – January 20-31, 2020 <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/denver-2020/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind</a> - in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020 <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/costarica/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica: From Jungle to the Beach</a> - October 8 - 18th, 2020 You can find more information about our events <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here.</a> Resources mentioned in this episode: Care Of For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to <a href="http://www.TakeCareOf.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.TakeCareOf.com</a> and enter the code elevator50 This episode is brought to you in support by Care/Of. For 25% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, go to <a href="http://takecareof.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">TakeCareOf.com</a> and enter the promo code ELEVATOR <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com “Recovery Elevator – It All Starts from the Inside Out.  We can do this.”

RE 256: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Drinking Alcohol  

Randy, with 124 days of sobriety, shares how he did it. Ponder this. We have been conditioned to think that alcohol is relaxing. Now, cue the visions of a Corona commercial; a couple on the beach, kicking back beer after beer… In fact this notion of “relaxation” has the exact opposite effect on our bodies.  Alcohol actually slows down your brain’s function, affecting two neurotransmitters, Glutamate and GABA. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is released by nerve cells in the brain. It is responsible for sending signals between nerve cells, and under normal conditions it plays an important role in learning and memory. When we consume alcohol, Glutamate production slows W-A-Y down, completely bogging down your brain’s neuro-highways. GABA, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces energy and slows down brain activity. Alcohol increases GABA productions…. Folks, that is just not a good thing. This process starts instantly after just one drink… And stays with you long after you stop drinking… Resources mentioned in this episode: Connect with Cafe RE  For $12.00 per month, you receive unlimited, private access to groups of like-minded people via in-person meetups, unsearchable Facebook groups, and travel. First month FREE with Promo Code: Elevator. RE on Facebook RE on Instagram  Jason Vale’s book : Kick the Drink...Easily! Support the Recovery Elevator Podcast by shopping at Amazon with the Recovery Elevator link: www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/   SHOW NOTES [ 07:34 ] Paul Introduces Randy Randy has been sober for 124 days (using the sobriety tracker). “It feels great, every day is a new experience.” Randy is from the East Coast (grew up in RI) and made his way around the world in the Air Force. Randy found his career through the military. Randy now works in aviation with the FAA in Guam, U.S.A. Randy is a hardcore cyclist, with a renewed passion for pedaling. [ 11:29 ] What was your elevator like? What was your bottom? “I’d been a lifelong drinker and never thought that I would have a problem, I thought drinking to some degree was healthy…” Randy made all  kinds of "plans"… a 30-day sober binge, operating in moderation, writing, using apps, etc… “IT DID NOT WORK!”… “I have that switch, once you turn it on, it doesn’t really turn itself off…” In preparation for his daughter’s baby shower, Randy noticed that he went through a 6-pack within an hour… He quickly opened up the next 6-pack and shortly thereafter found himself drinking a bottle of wine… “The next morning I’m completely useless, I wasn’t there, I wasn’t available…” The shower happened and the next day I thought to myself, ”I don’t want to do this anymore, that continuous vicious cycle.” [ 26:30 ] Randy speaks about his clarity and peace of mind being sober. [ 26:59 ] What does your recovery portfolio look like today? Walk me through a day in the life of Randy. “It’s staying engaged with the process and the journey of sobriety. I think about alcohol multiple times throughout the day, and then I just have to let it go…” “Yeah, yeah, there’s the beer (commenting on the coolers full of beer @ Kmart),” says Randy. "Just noticing these thoughts and letting them go, constantly reminding myself why I’m doing this. Cafe RE is the strongest network that I have. I’ve been to one meeting (AA), and it was a candlelight vigil. I just haven’t found myself showing up at meetings, just not yet anyways.” [ 36:02 ] Rapid Fire Round   What was your worst memory from drinking? “The day that I ran my own sailboat on the ground. I haven’t shared this with too many people, I nearly lost my boat that day and it was absolutely alcohol related. I was boating under the influence and couldn’t execute all of the steps necessary to avoid the reef.”   Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? “Oh many! The sailboat ride where I had my hand in the cooler for 8 hours was one for sure…” What is your plan moving forward? “More of the same. Reminding myself of all of the positive things that have come from leaving alcohol behind. And, living my life! Just knowing that I don’t have to have a drink to experience things.” What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? “Listening to yourself. If it doesn’t feel right to you, then it probably isn’t okay.” What parting piece of guidance can you give to our listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? “Just to be honest with yourself. If you wake up with that heavy feeling like you’ve gotta take action, do it. Don’t beat yourself up, listen to yourself and take it one day at a time.” What brand of boat shoes would you recommend? “If you’ve got a boat, you don’t need shoes… unless you’ve got a staff…” You've got listen to really get it!       QUOTABLES “Enough is enough. I was tired of waking up with that dull, heavy feeling in the mornings.” - Randy “I’ve got to take this one day at a time.” - Randy “If you’re a real boater, you don’t need shoes.” - Paul “Maintain a clean deck.” - Randy   “We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up. WE can do this!” Drop us a line: info@recoveryelevator.com Support the Recovery Elevator Podcast by shopping at Amazon with the Recovery Elevator link: www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/ This episode was brought to you by Cafe RE and get your daily AA email here!

Randy, with 124 days of sobriety, shares how he did it. Ponder this. We have been conditioned to think that alcohol is relaxing. Now, cue the visions of a Corona commercial; a couple on the beach, kicking back beer after beer… In fact this notion of “relaxation” has the exact opposite effect on our bodies.  Alcohol actually slows down your brain’s function, affecting two neurotransmitters, Glutamate and GABA. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is released by nerve cells in the brain. It is responsible for sending signals between nerve cells, and under normal conditions it plays an important role in learning and memory. When we consume alcohol, Glutamate production slows W-A-Y down, completely bogging down your brain’s neuro-highways. GABA, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces energy and slows down brain activity. Alcohol increases GABA productions…. Folks, that is just not a good thing. This process starts instantly after just one drink… And stays with you long after you stop drinking… Resources mentioned in this episode: <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a> <ul> <li>For $12.00 per month, you receive unlimited, private access to groups of like-minded people via in-person meetups, unsearchable Facebook groups, and travel.</li> <li>First month FREE with Promo Code: Elevator.</li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/recoveryelevator/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RE on Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/recoveryelevator/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RE on Instagram</a></li> </ul> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kick-Drink-Easily-Jason-Vale/dp/1845903900/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1471550423&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=jason+vale" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jason Vale’s book</a> : Kick the Drink...Easily! Support the Recovery Elevator Podcast by shopping at <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> with the Recovery Elevator link: <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/</a>   SHOW NOTES [ 07:34 ] Paul Introduces Randy Randy has been sober for 124 days (using the sobriety tracker). “It feels great, every day is a new experience.” Randy is from the East Coast (grew up in RI) and made his way around the world in the Air Force. Randy found his career through the military. Randy now works in aviation with the FAA in Guam, U.S.A. Randy is a hardcore cyclist, with a renewed passion for pedaling. [ 11:29 ] What was your elevator like? What was your bottom? “I’d been a lifelong drinker and never thought that I would have a problem, I thought drinking to some degree was healthy…” Randy made all  kinds of "plans"… a 30-day sober binge, operating in moderation, writing, using apps, etc… “IT DID NOT WORK!”… “I have that switch, once you turn it on, it doesn’t really turn itself off…” In preparation for his daughter’s baby shower, Randy noticed that he went through a 6-pack within an hour… He quickly opened up the next 6-pack and shortly thereafter found himself drinking a bottle of wine… “The next morning I’m completely useless, I wasn’t there, I wasn’t available…” The shower happened and the next day I thought to myself, ”I don’t want to do this anymore, that continuous vicious cycle.” [ 26:30 ] Randy speaks about his clarity and peace of mind being sober. [ 26:59 ] What does your recovery portfolio look like today? Walk me through a day in the life of Randy. “It’s staying engaged with the process and the journey of sobriety. I think about alcohol multiple times throughout the day, and then I just have to let it go…” “Yeah, yeah, there’s the beer (commenting on the coolers full of beer @ Kmart),” says Randy. "Just noticing these thoughts and letting them go, constantly reminding myself why I’m doing this. <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a> is the strongest network that I have. I’ve been to one meeting (<a href="http://www.aa.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AA</a>), and it was a candlelight vigil. I just haven’t found myself showing up at meetings, just not yet anyways.” [ 36:02 ] Rapid Fire Round <ol> <li>What was your worst memory from drinking? “The day that I ran my own sailboat on the ground. I haven’t shared this with too many people, I nearly lost my boat that day and it was absolutely alcohol related. I was boating under the influence and couldn’t execute all of the steps necessary to avoid the reef.”  </li> <li>Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? “Oh many! The sailboat ride where I had my hand in the cooler for 8 hours was one for sure…”</li> <li>What is your plan moving forward? “More of the same. Reminding myself of all of the positive things that have come from leaving alcohol behind. And, living my life! Just knowing that I don’t have to have a drink to experience things.”</li> <li>What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? “Listening to yourself. If it doesn’t feel right to you, then it probably isn’t okay.”</li> <li>What parting piece of guidance can you give to our listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? “Just to be honest with yourself. If you wake up with that heavy feeling like you’ve gotta take action, do it. Don’t beat yourself up, listen to yourself and take it one day at a time.”</li> <li>What brand of boat shoes would you recommend? “If you’ve got a boat, you don’t need shoes… unless you’ve got a staff…” You've got listen to really get it! </li> </ol>   QUOTABLES “Enough is enough. I was tired of waking up with that dull, heavy feeling in the mornings.” - Randy “I’ve got to take this one day at a time.” - Randy “If you’re a real boater, you don’t need shoes.” - Paul “Maintain a clean deck.” - Randy   “We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up. WE can do this!” Drop us a line: info@recoveryelevator.com Support the Recovery Elevator Podcast by shopping at <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> with the Recovery Elevator link: <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/</a> This episode was brought to you by <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/community/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe RE</a> and get your <a href="http://www.transitionsdaily.org/subscribe.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">daily AA email here!</a>

RE 79: Alcohol and Relaxing | What Really Happens

Justin took his last drink on November 5, 2018.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon  here!  You can get the Audible version  here! On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.  2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind, will take place June 11-14 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events here. On today’s episode Paul talks about manifestation, how you basically create your future with your thoughts.  We all do it, most often unconsciously.   What is, and isn’t, possible isn’t your business, it’s nature’s business.  Your business is to thrive towards what you want; sobriety, the why.  To create what you want it must be clear in your mind, stay the course, make a commitment to this clear and coherent goal of quitting drinking.  If you don’t know what you truly want, seek love and connection in the mind with thoughts.  Those two alone will blast through addiction.    [14:25] Paul introduces Justin.    Justin lives in Santa Cruz, CA.  He is a musician and has been playing music for about 22 years.  He is 31 years old.        [17:27] Give us a background on your drinking.   Justin says he got introduced to drugs and alcohol around the age of 16.  He says he always wanted just a little bit more than everyone else, and then he started mixing up the drugs and alcohol at the same time.    Shortly after graduating high school Justin’s mother passed away and that sent him down a spiral.  He started to really abuse drugs and alcohol, waking up sick every morning and hardly able to function.  He realized that he needed to get help or he was going to die.    [19:00] How old were you when you realized you needed to get help?    Justin says it was around the age of 24 that he first really realized it, but that it wasn’t until the age of 27 that he really that he had thoughts of really quitting.   At 27 Justin realized he had to stop, and that he couldn’t stop.    [19:43] What happened then?   One of Justin’s friends told him about the plant medicine ayahuasca.   Justin felt like he had to options, rehab or try the plant medicine.  He signed up for an ayahuasca ceremony.    Within a couple hours of drinking the plant medicine the first night Justin says he had a life changing experience.  He was taken right to his mother’s death and says she was there with him, holding him.  After that experience that night Justin completely quit everything and was sober for 16 months.    [23:20] What sneaky ideas did the thinking mind put in your head at 16 months?       It was New Year’s Eve and Justin had the thought that he would just drink a couple drinks that night, and go back to his sobriety the next day.  What happened is he got black out drunk, doesn’t remember the night, and woke up sick.    [24:38] How long did you go back out for, and what brought you back?   Justin said he went back out for 7 months, and then he did another ayahuasca ceremony, which brought him back.  At the time he felt that he needed the plant medicine to bring him back, but now he’s learning he can access that state of consciousness with yoga and meditation.          [26:15] Get us up to speed to your sobriety date.   There very last night Justin drank he told himself that he needed to stop.  He started the night saying he would just drink one pint.  The one pint led to at least 10 more drinks and Justin found himself getting kicked out of the bar.  He got in his car, blacked out drunk, and sped away to the gym he goes to.  He walked into the gym with a 12 pack of beer, went to the locker room and started chugging them, and puking in the lockers.  Justin made a big scene and many other members were complaining about him.  He was asked to leave the gym, or they were calling the cops.  At the end of this night Justin woke up naked, covered in puke, in a bush in his yard, not remembering anything.    [35:39] Talk to us about how you did it?   Justin said he called a therapist the next morning, to talk about rehab.  He was going to at least one AA meeting a day the first couple weeks.  He still goes to a meeting about once a week, but doesn’t feel that meetings help him as much as meditation and yoga.  Justin says a recent meditation cruise was the best trip of his life.    [42:25] Talk to us about meditation.    Justin says he feels that his alcohol abuse was led by feeling there was a hole, or emptiness, that he wanted to fill, or that he wasn’t enough.  He wanted to cover up all those thoughts with alcohol.  But now, he’s learned, that instead of covering up the thoughts he doesn’t want, to create the thoughts he does.    [52:30] Rapid Fire Round    What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?    To love myself.        What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?    Meeting all these amazing people that are connected to the heart.     What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?    Probably water, honestly.     What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?    Plant medicine and YouTube.             What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?    Creating more music to help people heal.     And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?    I would say to spend more time connecting to your heart and spirit.    You might need to ditch the booze if...   You’re waking up naked, outside your house, on two hits of acid.         Upcoming Events and Retreats.  Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020 Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind - in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020 Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica: From Jungle to the Beach - October 8 - 18th, 2020 You can find more information about our events here.   Resources mentioned in this episode:   Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free Sobriety Tracker iTunes  Sobriety Tracker Android Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com   “Recovery Elevator – It All Starts from the Inside Out.  We can do this.”

Justin took his last drink on November 5, 2018.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alcohol-SH-Re-ignite-Recover-Person/dp/1086176545/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a>!  You can get the Audible version <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Alcohol-is-Sht-Audiobook/B07XGDMXQF?qid=1569247192&amp;sr=1-2&amp;pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&amp;pf_rd_r=TY51EJJZJ0XQDPRMN0MA&amp;ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a>! On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.  2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind, will take place June 11-14 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here.</a> On today’s episode Paul talks about manifestation, how you basically create your future with your thoughts.  We all do it, most often unconsciously.   What is, and isn’t, possible isn’t your business, it’s nature’s business.  Your business is to thrive towards what you want; sobriety, the why.  To create what you want it must be clear in your mind, stay the course, make a commitment to this clear and coherent goal of quitting drinking.  If you don’t know what you truly want, seek love and connection in the mind with thoughts.  Those two alone will blast through addiction.  [14:25] Paul introduces Justin.  Justin lives in Santa Cruz, CA.  He is a musician and has been playing music for about 22 years.  He is 31 years old.      [17:27] Give us a background on your drinking. Justin says he got introduced to drugs and alcohol around the age of 16.  He says he always wanted just a little bit more than everyone else, and then he started mixing up the drugs and alcohol at the same time.  Shortly after graduating high school Justin’s mother passed away and that sent him down a spiral.  He started to really abuse drugs and alcohol, waking up sick every morning and hardly able to function.  He realized that he needed to get help or he was going to die.  [19:00] How old were you when you realized you needed to get help?  Justin says it was around the age of 24 that he first really realized it, but that it wasn’t until the age of 27 that he really that he had thoughts of really quitting.   At 27 Justin realized he had to stop, and that he couldn’t stop.  [19:43] What happened then? One of Justin’s friends told him about the plant medicine ayahuasca.   Justin felt like he had to options, rehab or try the plant medicine.  He signed up for an ayahuasca ceremony.  Within a couple hours of drinking the plant medicine the first night Justin says he had a life changing experience.  He was taken right to his mother’s death and says she was there with him, holding him.  After that experience that night Justin completely quit everything and was sober for 16 months.  [23:20] What sneaky ideas did the thinking mind put in your head at 16 months?     It was New Year’s Eve and Justin had the thought that he would just drink a couple drinks that night, and go back to his sobriety the next day.  What happened is he got black out drunk, doesn’t remember the night, and woke up sick.  [24:38] How long did you go back out for, and what brought you back? Justin said he went back out for 7 months, and then he did another ayahuasca ceremony, which brought him back.  At the time he felt that he needed the plant medicine to bring him back, but now he’s learning he can access that state of consciousness with yoga and meditation.        [26:15] Get us up to speed to your sobriety date. There very last night Justin drank he told himself that he needed to stop.  He started the night saying he would just drink one pint.  The one pint led to at least 10 more drinks and Justin found himself getting kicked out of the bar.  He got in his car, blacked out drunk, and sped away to the gym he goes to.  He walked into the gym with a 12 pack of beer, went to the locker room and started chugging them, and puking in the lockers.  Justin made a big scene and many other members were complaining about him.  He was asked to leave the gym, or they were calling the cops.  At the end of this night Justin woke up naked, covered in puke, in a bush in his yard, not remembering anything.  [35:39] Talk to us about how you did it? Justin said he called a therapist the next morning, to talk about rehab.  He was going to at least one AA meeting a day the first couple weeks.  He still goes to a meeting about once a week, but doesn’t feel that meetings help him as much as meditation and yoga.  Justin says a recent meditation cruise was the best trip of his life.  [42:25] Talk to us about meditation.  Justin says he feels that his alcohol abuse was led by feeling there was a hole, or emptiness, that he wanted to fill, or that he wasn’t enough.  He wanted to cover up all those thoughts with alcohol.  But now, he’s learned, that instead of covering up the thoughts he doesn’t want, to create the thoughts he does.  [52:30] Rapid Fire Round <ol> <li>What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?</li> </ol> To love myself.     <ol> <li>What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?</li> </ol> Meeting all these amazing people that are connected to the heart.  <ol> <li>What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?</li> </ol> Probably water, honestly.  <ol> <li>What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?</li> </ol> Plant medicine and YouTube.          <ol> <li>What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?</li> </ol> Creating more music to help people heal.  <ol> <li>And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?</li> </ol> I would say to spend more time connecting to your heart and spirit.  You might need to ditch the booze if... You’re waking up naked, outside your house, on two hits of acid.       Upcoming Events and Retreats.  <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/thailand-retreat-2020/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Asia Adventure</a> – January 20-31, 2020 <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/denver-2020/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind</a> - in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020 <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/costarica/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica: From Jungle to the Beach</a> - October 8 - 18th, 2020 You can find more information about our events <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here.</a> Resources mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com “Recovery Elevator – It All Starts from the Inside Out.  We can do this.”

RE 254: Your are What You Think

With 91 days of sobriety, Sarah shares how she did it! In this podcast episode I cover an article from Sober Nation covering why Alcohol is such a potent drug. Sarah also shares how she made it to 91 days of sobriety! In this episode I review The Staying Sober Handbook, by Howard P Goodman and I would definitely recommend it for someone who is in recovery or as an informational piece if you want to know more about the disease in general. Don't isolate yourself and join the discussion in the Recovery Elevator Private Forum.  Come join the ultimate Recovery Elevator meet-up in Peru where we will be volunteering at orphanages with Peruvian Hearts, working with local alcoholics, and why not hike the 38 mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu while were down there! This episode was brought to you by Sober Travel and Sober Nation. In this episode I review The Staying Sober Handbook, by Howard P Goodman and I would definitely recommend it for someone who is in recovery or as an informational piece if you want to know more about the disease in general. Don't isolate yourself and join the discussion in the Recovery Elevator Private Forum.  Come join the ultimate Recovery Elevator meet-up in Peru where we will be volunteering at orphanages with Peruvian Hearts, working with local alcoholics, and why not hike the 38 mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu while were down there! This episode was brought to you by Sober Travel and Sober Nation.

With 91 days of sobriety, Sarah shares how she did it! In this podcast episode I cover an article from <a href="https://www.sobernation.com/3-reasons-why-alcohol-is-actually-the-most-dangerous-drug/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sober Nation</a> covering why Alcohol is such a potent drug. Sarah also shares how she made it to 91 days of sobriety! In this episode I review <a href="http://amzn.to/1Wz0U4x" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Staying Sober Handbook, by Howard P Goodman</a> and I would definitely recommend it for someone who is in recovery or as an informational piece if you want to know more about the disease in general. Don't isolate yourself and join the discussion in the Recovery Elevator <a href="http://community.recoveryelevator.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Private Forum. </a> Come join the ultimate Recovery Elevator <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/peru/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">meet-up in Peru</a> where we will be volunteering at orphanages with <a href="http://www.peruvianhearts.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peruvian Hearts,</a> working with local alcoholics, and why not hike the 38 mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu while were down there! This episode was brought to you by Sober Travel and <a href="http://www.sobernation.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sober Nation.</a> In this episode I review <a href="http://amzn.to/1Wz0U4x" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Staying Sober Handbook, by Howard P Goodman</a> and I would definitely recommend it for someone who is in recovery or as an informational piece if you want to know more about the disease in general. Don't isolate yourself and join the discussion in the Recovery Elevator <a href="http://community.recoveryelevator.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Private Forum. </a> Come join the ultimate Recovery Elevator <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/peru/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">meet-up in Peru</a> where we will be volunteering at orphanages with <a href="http://www.peruvianhearts.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peruvian Hearts,</a> working with local alcoholics, and why not hike the 38 mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu while were down there! This episode was brought to you by Sober Travel and <a href="http://www.sobernation.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sober Nation.</a>

RE 62: Alcohol is Deadly, but These Facts, Won't Keep you Sober

Please listen with an open heart and open mind. - Paul

Please listen with an open heart and open mind. - Paul

RE 170: Plant Medicine and Ayahuasca

The best episodes for anyone looking to learn more about topics such as happiness, fulfillment, depression and psychology/mental health in general. With interviews with industry experts, personal stories of individuals, this topic has lessons applicable to everyone. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Mental Health, Emotions & Thoughts

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!