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Facts about Alcohol: Less than 20% of people with alcohol abuse disorders actually seek treatment for their disease. Excessive alcohol consumption costs the U.S. economy an estimated 250 billion dollars in lost productivity according to a study from 2010. Alcoholic’s Anonymous success rates vary depending on the source.
Makenzee, with 1 year since her last drink, shares her story
SHOW NOTES
[12:05] Paul Introduces Makenzee. I am from Boise Idaho. I am 23 years old and I work in the emergency department at the hospital. I love crafting, and fitness and nutrition. I got married 9 months ago.
[13:15] Paul- When did you first realize you had a problem with alcohol?
Makenzee- I had a constant build up of sickness and hangovers on my days off. I started to realize that my hobbies didn’t exist anymore. I wasn’t really present in the moment. It was miserable.
[16:57] Paul- 13 days ago, did you have a rock bottom moment? Tell us why you quit drinking.
Makenzee- It was hard to say one specific thing happened. I was excruciatingly hung-over 13 days ago. It lasted about two and half days. I was going through some physical withdrawals.
[25:22] Paul- Let’s back up to Day 1,2, 3, 4, 5, how have you gotten this far?
Makenzee- Days 1,2,3,4,5 were… I’m not going to sugar coat it, absolute hell. My body was physically aching. I had a hard time wrapping my head around the situation. Yesterday was the first day I did not feel miserable. It was very difficult the first few days.
[31:36] Paul- What have you learned most about yourself over these past 13 days?
Makenzee- I’m actually a good person. I beat myself up a lot. I realized everyone is not going to like me. But I like me, and I am comfortable in my own skin.
[36:52] Rapid Fire Round
- What was your worst memory from drinking? Blacking out after my husband face timed me from overseas, and not remembering talking to him.
- Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? Waking up after our wedding night and not remembering the last half of it.
- What’s your favorite resource in recovery? Café RE, and self-care.
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? Facing it is the only way to overcome it.
- What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? Rip it off like a Band-Aid. It’s terrifying; it hurts like hell, but just do it. Your life will flourish.
- You might be an alcoholic if… you buy a plane ticket to Vegas instead of paying for a lawyer for your DUI.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Recovery Elevator in Dallas January Social
Connect with Cafe RE– Use the promo code Opportunity to waive the set up fee.
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!”