by Paul Churchill | May 15, 2017 | Podcast
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Ashley, with 16 days since her last drink, shares her story…..
Do not forget the AALRM race in Bozeman MT, on 5/20. This supports recovery. You can also sign up to do a virtual run at www.recoveryelevator.com\run. Enter promo code “recovery” for a discount.
The Café RE private face book group will be capped at 300 members. If you would like to join the original group, now is the time to sign up. Go to www.recoveryelevator.com and enter the promo code RE1 to get your first month free.
Alcohol does not make us more intelligent. We all know that drinking and drinking is not good. When we start drinking, our mind starts to shift and suddenly is seems like a good idea. We only have a short distance to drive, right? The statistics show that we drink and drive 76 times before getting caught. Drinking also causes us to say and do stupid things, like trying to coax a poodle to run across 5 lanes of traffic, or shout out that a girl had a funky looking toe at a bar. It you would like to send an e-mail with the most unintelligent thing you have ever done while drinking, drop a line to info@recoveryelevator.com.
SHOW NOTES
[11:22] Paul Introduces Ashley.
Ashley – I have been sober for 16 days and feel more focused this time. I am from Iowa, 32 years old and have 3 sons. I am trying to find new sober hobbies.
[13:11] When did you first notice that you had a problem?
Ashley – I started drinking at the age of 12. I would party with older people. I was sneaking booze at the age of 14 and my family sent me away to a home. By the time, I was 21, I had 3 children and 2 DUI’s. I still did not think that I had a problem. I later lost my license for 5 years. I was home alone, couldn’t drive and my drinking really took off.
[16:11] Was it hard getting sober at such a young age?
Ashley – It has been really hard since everyone I know drinks. I am trying to distance myself from my drinker friends and find sober friends.
[17:47] You were sober before. What happened to cause you to drink again?
Ashley – I was doing a cleanse to try and lose some weight. But then a concert came around and I drank there. I stopped for a few weeks but went to a funeral where everyone was drinking. I ended up doing a shot and it was game on from there. I drank for 6 days straight after that. I just couldn’t say no whenever someone offered me a drink.
[21:11] Did you ever put any rules in place to try and control your drinking?
Ashley – I’ve tried every rule imaginable; from only drinking on the weekends, to never drinking at home, or only drinking after the children went to bed.
[24:00] How did you get sober this time?
Ashley – I try and go to AA every day and I listen to podcasts.
[25:41] What are you going to do differently this time?
Ashley – I am distancing myself from my drinking friends and trying to make new sober friends. I also am looking for on-line support in order to locate sober people in my area.
[27:54] Do you think you will ever be able to attend shows sober?
Ashley – Right now, no. But I love music so eventually I would like to be able to go. It is going to take some time.
[29:23] Did you ever go to any “dark” places while drinking?
Ashley – I had tons of blackouts and I lost my license for 5 years.
[29:23] Paul and Ashley talk about a time when she felt like drinking but managed to control the urge.
Ashley – I was recently home alone and starting getting those thoughts of drinking. I watched a few videos on U-Tube and thought that if I drank, I would ruin my week again.
[33:05] What is a typical day like for you?
Ashley – I try to keep very busy with work. I also plan what AA meeting I am going to attend and get up and go.
[34:52] What are your thoughts on a HP?
Ashley – I believe in God and would go to church occasionally as a child. I am trying to get back into church.
[35:49] What are you most proud of and how are your relationships now?
Ashley – I am most proud of being there for my children. I am more active with them. My relationship is much better with them. My children see me being active and happy.
[37:33] Do you have anything on your bucket list?
Ashley – I want to be able to truly love myself and my life. I want to be able to do things without booze.
[38:35] Rapid Fire Round
1. What was your worst memory from drinking? when I was drunk, I got jumped in an ally way
2. Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? not being able to stop drinking while attending that funeral
3. What’s your plan moving forward? stay distant from my drinker friends, go to AA, podcasts
4. What’s your favorite resource in recovery? Verbal surgery podcast
5. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? do not think so far ahead
6. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? start right now, focus on today
7. You might be an alcoholic if…… you go to your local gas station and the cashier is questioning why you do not have any beer
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
Check out the upcoming Machu Picchu trip in 2018. Send an e-mail to info@recoverelevator.com
“We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!”
by Paul Churchill | May 8, 2017 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Laura, with 41 days since her last drink, shares her story…….
Do you ever feel duped by alcohol? Throughout high school, we were all told to “just say no” to drugs but not much was ever said about alcohol. The reality is that only 1 in 10 people with an alcohol problem get treatment. The research shows that the number 1 most addictive drug is alcohol. It kills more people than all other drugs combined.
In 2015, Paul started the RE podcast just to stay accountable for himself. Now, the podcast has gotten so popular because so many people are still struggling. Even though addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, the stigma attached keeps people from getting the help that they need. The challenge for all of us in recovery is to be open about out alcohol use, and get it out in the open.
SHOW NOTES
[13:29] Paul Introduces Laura.
Laura – I am 40 years old and have not had a drink in 41 days. I am married with 2 boys and I live in Michigan. I am a special education teacher and enjoy most outdoor activities.
[16:41] When did you realize that you had a problem?
Laura – I had been drinking pretty heavily since my 20’s. Last summer when I wanted to stop, I could not. During a routine physical, I mentioned to my Dr. that I had some liver issues and that perhaps I should go to rehab. He advised against it stating that there were only drug abusers in there. He suggested I see their social worker but she wouldn’t see me because I was still drinking. I felt like I was going around and around. I even tried Harm reduction which did not work.
[19:46] When you stopped drinking did your health problems go away?
Laura – not entirely but they have gotten better. I exercise more since I am not drinking and that makes me feel better. My rheumatoid arthritis is still there. I thought that once I quit drinking, I would be pain free but that was not the case. After 40 days of not drinking, I am starting to feel some relief from pain. I have started reading “The All Day Energy Diet.”
[23:14] Paul and Laura discuss the Harm Reduction Plan.
Laura – you are supposed to moderate and keep track of how many drinks you have each day. It wasn’t working for me. I found it difficult remaining in contact with the other people in the group. School started and things got crazy so I started drinking again every night. I wanted to stop but just didn’t want to put the work in to do it.
[25:25] How did that feel when you wanted to stop but just wasn’t ready?
Laura – I could get a few days of sobriety under my belt but would always drink on that 3rd day. I was a responsible drinker and would get everything done in my household by 8pm so that I could start drinking.
[30:00] So how did you get 41 days of sobriety?
Laura – I kept myself very busy or would go for a walk just to keep my mind off of it. Every morning I try to exercise and it feels great to not have the guilt about drinking the night before. After work if I get cravings, I will drink a cup of coffee. I also enjoy reading sobriety books and once the summer starts, I would like to check out some AA and SMART meetings.
[32:14] Do you have anything on your sobriety bucket list?
Laura – I would like to run a 5K, travel, and spend more quality time with my children.
[32:59] What advice would you give to your younger sense?
Laura – Stop drinking when you are young. Drinking is not realistic. It is OK to experience your emotions. Do not be afraid to feel them.
[33:03] What are your thoughts on relapse?
Laura – The thought of relapse scares me. I do not want to lose control like that again.
[35:00] Rapid Fire Round
- What was your worst memory from drinking? I mistakenly hid my husband’s iPad instead of my son’s. The next morning I could not remember where I had hidden it.
- Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? I was at a bar with my then boyfriend. I made him so mad that he never spoke to me again and I have no idea what I had done
- What’s your plan moving forward? stay connected, trying some AA and SMART meetings and giving back to the community
- What’s your favorite resource in recovery? I am reading the 30 Day Sobriety Solution, the RE podcast and the RE Face Book group
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? take it 1 day at a time
- What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? Use the resources that are out there and do not give up.
- You might be an alcoholic if….. you order 2 drinks at a time because the bartender is to slow
Interesting fact – India has passed a law that establishments that serve liquor cannot be close to federal highways. They have 400 traffic fatalities a day and a big portion of these are due to alcohol. You might be an alcoholic if you remove federal highway signs and replace them with city signs, so that your business is not affected by this new law.
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
Check out the new Recovery Elevator sobriety tracker
AALRM – run for recovery. The link is at recoveryelevator.com/run. Enter the promo code recoveryelevator to receive a discount
Book – The All Day Energy Diet by Yuri Elkaim
“We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!”
by Paul Churchill | May 1, 2017 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Julie, with 92 days sober, shares her story………
Big alcohol companies like to blame the individual rather than the poison that they sell. The liquor industry spends millions of dollars on advertisements that tell us we should drink responsibly. If we do not drink responsibly, than we are to blame. We should know when to say when, right? The facts show that alcohol kills 85,000 people each year. But to the companies selling the booze, money is the name of the game. These companies make billions while avoiding high taxes because alcohol is not taxed as high as other beverages.
*********************************Don’t be duped by alcohol advertisements*****************************************
SHOW NOTES
[9:21] Paul Introduces Julie
Julie – I have been sober for 92 days and it feels really good. I did not think that I could do it. I am 35 years old and work as a nurse. I enjoy music and going to concerts.
[11:00] When did you realize you had a problem with alcohol?
Julie – I have known for years. I just could never get enough. My first issue was with drugs so I did not focus on my alcohol problem. I went to rehab for drug abuse in 2010 and stayed sober for 18 months after that. The rehab helped with my drug use but then I turned to alcohol. When I tried to quit alcohol, I had hallucinations and ended up spending 4 days in the psych ward.
[14:24] What happened after your 18 months of sobriety?
Julie – I had already started planning to drink. I knew I was going to attend another concert and thought I could drink normally. I ended up drinking so much that I blacked out and continued to drink for 5 more years. I always told myself, “when _______ happens,” I will stop drinking. But I never stopped. I woke up each morning feeling defeated, angry and bitter.
[18:00] Was your rock bottom 92 days ago?
Julie – I did not have a bottom 92 days ago. I was just tired of being sick and tired. I kept wondering when I was going to lose my medical license. I knew it was just a matter of time before this happened. Then, I thought I would try to quit and when it didn’t work, I could at least say that I had tried.
[19:05] Paul asks Julie how she got sober 92 days ago.
Julie – I listened to a lot of podcasts and made it to 30 days. I was feeling really good but still ordered a glass of wine while at lunch with my brother. I did not even enjoy it. I finally admitted to my family that I was done drinking.
[21:23] Paul and Julie discuss accountability.
Julie – My family has been super supportive of my sobriety. I try to take it 1 situation at a time. I still have not been completely honest with them about how much I was consuming but my parents are very encouraging to me.
[25:00] What else did you do?
Julie – My best friend has been sober for over a year and she has been supporting me. I do a lot of reading and am constantly working at changing my mindset.
[27:47] How have your cravings been?
Julie – I try and distract myself by taking my dogs for a walk or keeping busy. I know that the cravings will pass.
[28:34] How did you feel during your first week of sobriety?
Julie – I was pretty apprehensive the first week. I did not think that I could do it. Once 30 days went by, I felt that I had a chance at making it. I am more confident as each day passes.
[29:34] What advice would you give to your younger self?
Julie – You pay a price for everything that you do. You do not know everything when you are young. Drinking is not fun and games anymore.
[30:00] What have you learned in sobriety?
Julie – When I was drinking, I was not living in reality. I was just going through the motions. I have learned that it is possible to live sober and have a clear mind. I did not want to accept that I would be drinking for the rest of my life and possibly losing my career.
[31:00] What are your rules in sobriety?
Julie – Attitude is everything and I am learning as much as I can.
[33:38] Do you have a bucket list?
Julie – I would like to get out of my comfort zone more, try meditation and yoga.
[34:47 ] Rapid Fire Round
- What was your worst memory from drinking? withdrawing while in the pysch ward
- Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? every day was an oh shit moment
- What’s your plan moving forward? staying active and reading
- What’s your favorite resource in recovery? RE podcast and the private FB group
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? do not feel like you have to do it all at once
- What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? take the first steps and worry about tomorrow when it gets here
- You might be an alcoholic if….. you loathe the existence of everyone at the gas station because when they see you, they know that you cannot drink normally
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
Good Reads to Check Out: Blackout, This Naked Mind, Beyond the Influence
“We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!”
by Paul Churchill | Apr 24, 2017 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Coral, with 7 months since her last drink, shares her story……
Do we have to say it again? Let’s drop the stigma regarding addiction. The research shows that alcoholics have a genetic predisposition towards alcohol. It is not a character defect, nor a moral weakness. Yet, even after these results are published, about 20% of the general population, along with many psychiatrists still believe that it is a personal weakness.
Kenneth Bloom conducted early experiments on neurology and molecular genetics. Hundreds of these experiments showed that alcoholism is hereditary. Many adoption studies have also been done and they show that children with at least 1alcoholic biological parent were 3 to 4 times more likely to become an alcoholic, regardless of their non-alcoholic adoptive parents.
When an alcoholic drinks, our neurotransmitters go awry and our bodies break down booze differently than normal drinkers. That’s the facts folks.
SHOW NOTES
[14:08] Paul Introduces Coral.
Coral – I am 32 years old and live in Idaho. I work in an industrial plant. I am married and have a 9 year old son.
[16:08] Did you think you had a problem with drinking?
Coral – My husband and I have been trying to conceive but after our IVF failed, I went on a 2 week bender, full of self- pity. I would grab a beer first thing in the morning. Drinking was not helping anything. Now it just feels surreal to be sober. I did not think that I could do it. Drinking has always been a part of my life. But being in a recovery program keeps me from getting stagnant.
[19:21] When did you realize that you had a problem?
Coral – There were plenty of times I told myself that I should slow down. These slow down plans never worked. I would try to limit hard liquor or not drink during the day. Sometimes I was able to slow down but it never lasted long
[22:11] Paul and Coral discuss her bottoms.
Coral – One of my worst memories was having some new friends over to my house for a BBQ. I ended up tripping over something in the yard and fell into the fire pit. I was burned over 10% of my body. Even after this, I never looked at myself as having a problem. It took a few months to re-cooperate after this accident. I was on heavy pain medications and still drank while on them. After 3 months, I went to the doctor to get a refill of my pain medication. He would not refill my prescription and I ended up going through withdrawal.
[26:00] How did you quit drinking 7 months ago?
Coral – I started listening to podcasts and going to meetings. I joined the Club Soda club on-line and I also started seeing a therapist.
[30:00] Paul and Coral discuss her relationship with her husband and his drinking.
Coral – My husband was also a drinker and struggles a little bit. He has been very supportive of my recovery. He has his own path in recovery and I have mine.
[31:33] When did your thinking shift from “I can’t do this” to “I can do this?”
Coral – Probably around 90 days. I had been denied a promotion that I thought I had in the bag. I felt like jumping out of my own skin. I decided to get in the car and drove many miles to a meeting. I left the meeting wondering why I hadn’t gone to a meeting in so long. It was so good to be around other people with this same problem. Sobriety is my #1 priority now, otherwise I will lose everything.
[33:33] What have you learned the most about yourself?
Coral – I am still learning about myself. Right now I am in the middle of the 4th step and it has been very eye opening.
[34:34] How have your cravings been?
Coral – I do eat a lot of sugar. I gave up alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes at the same time. So I need my sugar. When a craving hits, I try to meditate, exercise or go to a meeting.
[35:40] How have your relationships changed?
Coral – My husband and I get along much better. Instead of having arguments, we discuss things now. I am also closer to my extended family since they are non-drinkers.
[36:43] What is a typical day like for you?
Coral – I usually say a prayer every morning and then head off to work. I will go to a few meetings each week and enjoy spending time with my family.
[37:00] Rapid Fire Round
- What was your worst memory from drinking? falling into the fire pit
- Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? I had a major blackout while drinking as a teen. Everyone told me I was running around screaming and I do not remember a thing.
- What’s your plan moving forward? working the steps and helping others
- What’s your favorite resource in recovery? SHAIR podcast, The Bubble Hour podcast and The Big Book
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? You are the average of the 5 people that you hang around with the most.
- What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? If you think you have a problem, than you probably do. You can still have fun without drinking.
- You might be an alcoholic if… you fall into a fire pit but still blame it on the misc. objects in your yard
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!”
by Paul Churchill | Apr 17, 2017 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Michael, with 32 years since his last drink, shares his story.
In a recent CNN interview with Jeremy Broderick, he talks about how the GOP replacement plan for Obamacare makes things worse for the addict. Many treatment plans were covered under Medicaid as well as the Affordable Care Act. Trump-care isn’t what is seems to be and pushes more for accessibility instead of universal coverage. In the meantime, 200 people die a day while the government sorts this out. It is estimated that for every $1.00 spent on treatment, $4.00 is saved on healthcare and for every $1.00 spent on education/prevention, $50.00 is saved on healthcare.
SHOW NOTES
[8:18] Paul Introduces Michael
Michael – I am 60 years old with 32 years of sobriety. I have 2 twin sons and I run health and wellness websites. I like to walk, hike and meet like-minded people.
[10:48] When did you realize that you had a problem?
Michael – it was long before I was 28 years old. I started drinking alcoholically at age 14. I was in an accident and arrested for DUI at the age of 19. My drinking slowed down a little when my uncle died but I picked up smoking weed instead. Cocaine was finally my downfall. I was starting to spend hours in blackouts and was continuously apologizing for things that I had done.
[13:14] What were your drinking habits like?
Michael – During nights’ outs, I could drink 20 bottles of beer. We would go out to the bars starting at midnight and drink until 7am.
[14:08] Did you ever put any rules into place to control your drinking?
Michael – I couldn’t start drinking early in the day because I would keep going. I intentionally started drinking later in the day so that I had a chance to make it home safely.
[15:23] What drug do you think led you to cocaine? Pot or alcohol?
Michael – It was probably the pot. I needed it when I first woke up in the morning just to be able to get to work.
[16:04] How did you do it?
Michael – I started going to meetings and was completely overwhelmed by the love of the community. They enveloped me with their hugs and love. Our motto was hugs, not drugs. I went to 1 sober party after another. There wasn’t any time to do drugs. I learned to be careful who I surrounded myself with. Build your community of sober friends. Community is everything to me. I never feel alone when I surround myself with people who are moving in the same direction. There is no addiction sigma within these sober communities.
[22:29] Did you start with NA or AA?
Michael – I started with NA and we were a small group. We were sponsoring 5-10 people at a time. I received some advice that I should try an AA meeting in order to see what longer term sobriety was. My first AA meeting had some old timers who basically told me to, “sit down and shut up.” They taught us what real time recovery was.
[25:35] What is your advice for finding real recovery?
Michael – You’ve got to tap in to your resources. There are many milestones that are going to happen to you in recovery. Your world can still fall apart at any time. You will always have to deal with emotional experiences.
[27:27] What advice would you give to your younger self?
Michael – When we are drinking, we tend to gravitate towards other drinkers. Most of the rest of the population does not drink like we do. It is OK to be with these normal/non-drinkers. There is an entire world full of incredible people who do not care whether you drink or not.
[30:00] Tell us your thoughts regarding sugar addiction.
Michael – I think that sugar is the real gateway drug. It is so subtle that you do not realize it is even happening. Sugar is a powerful psychoactive drug. You can become physically and mentally addicted to sugar. We crave it when we need a mental break. When we eat sugar, we temporarily feel better about ourselves.
[35:40] What is viral recovery.com?
Michael – It is my website where I advocate to change the stigma of addiction with healthcare. I post what others are doing (such as Paul!) to change the attitudes surrounding addiction.
[36:51] Rapid Fire Round
- What was your worst memory from drinking? I had been in a car accident and a telephone pole was literally sitting in the passenger seat of my car
- Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? every time I woke up in the morning with wet pants
- What’s your plan moving forward? spread the message and stay tight with your sober community
- What’s your favorite resource in recovery? On-line recovery tools
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? my sponsor had me look up at the stars and asked me if I thought it was possible that the whole world just might not be about me
- What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? be kind to yourself, learn to self-care and be aware of not degrading yourself
- You might be an alcoholic if…..you look ahead through weeks of weddings, work parties, etc. and it’s exhausting trying to juggle and control your drinking.
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
www.viralrecovery.com
www.sugaraddiction.com
www.facingaddiction.org – to sign the petition
“We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, we can do this!”
