The Recovery Elevator Blog
James’s Story: I Started Drinking When I was 13, Casually Stealing Beers When I Could.
First, I want to say thanks for the podcast. It's been a huge help on my road to recovery - it's been 53 days! I've been listening to RE since I decided to get sober and only felt compelled to write you after listening to the last episode about cognitive dissonance...
Willingness to Change – How to Stop Drinking
I have heard it said that to recover from an addiction, you need some intangible qualities. Among them are honesty, willingness, and an open-mind. These qualities may not come easily. They may only develop after you take some actions that you do not yet believe in,...
The Fear of Finding an AA Sponsor | Navigating Alcoholics Anonymous
"I wish there was a Tinder style app for finding a sponsor." I exclaimed with frustration to my roommate last week. "It's genius! Each person would have their photos, a short recovery bio, their daily routine and a list of hobbies. You could swipe right (to say yes)...
Numbers | Running Reclaimed in Recovery
Four years ago today I ran 26.2 miles in three hours, five minutes, and 42 seconds. It was and still is the shortest length of time it has taken me to complete that distance. I am extraordinarily proud of that personal record, but I feel as though it should have...
The Calm During the Storm | Life on Life’s Terms in Sobriety
So when I think about my mind, I imagine myself paddling a canoe, with the water beneath me as my thoughts. Sometimes it's a pleasant current underneath a warm sun. Other days, it's a bit rainy, maybe a few waves, but manageable. Today, on the other hand, I was...
Recovery Excavation at Five Months Sober
I have returned after a long absence! Things are proceeding along for me, and I’m over five months sober–157 days. My neighborhood is surrounded by a major construction project, one of many throughout our fair city. I have determined this to be more than the usual...
Your Body In Recovery | The Effects of Alcoholism on Our Bodies
I remember the first 60 days of recovery like it was yesterday – and that's a good thing! It's one of the memories of my sickness that keeps me from going back to the bottle. The emotional side of alcohol recovery is hard enough – feelings of depression, sadness,...
Made It Through the Woods, Fell Into a Bottle | Relapse in Alcoholism
On January 16, at 18 days sober, I got up before dawn and drove 50 miles outside of the city to toe the line for a 25K trail race. I had no competitive goals; I just wanted to enjoy racing again. And...I did. It was invigorating, challenging, and at times even...
Goodbye Alcohol: A Breakup Letter | Alcohol and You
Good-bye alcohol. It's just time to let you go. You've been a loyal friend for all these years, but our relationship is getting way too toxic. You were awesome in the beginning, steady in the middle, and unpredictable towards the end. But damn, in the last 8 months,...
Nutrition in Recovery | How To Deal With Sugar Cravings In The Early Stages of Alcoholism Recovery
The brain sees sugar, opiates and alcohol in a similar way – as mechanisms to improve our moods and “take away the pain” from memories of our past and the current state of our lives. While many alcoholics have never concurrently abused other substances, it is not...
