Recovery Elevator

If you haven't done so already, make sobriety your number one priority.  It may seem selfish to prioritize yourself over other things, but to really be present and of service to our loved ones and the community at large, we must take care of ourselves.  When we root ourselves in something real, concrete and bigger than ourselves, our daily struggles and problems often feel small by comparison.  "E...

  Step Four – "Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves" The Recovery Elevator Podcast isn't affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous, but we cover the steps due to listener demand.  For easy lookup:  episode 142 was Step 1 episode 146 was Step 2 episode 152 was Step 3.  The fourth step is probably everyone's least favorite step, as it involves things we don't want to do... face our...

"Enhanced Dopamine Receptors" or EDR The word "alcoholic" carries such a stigma in today's society and also implies that one's addiction to alcohol is somehow different compared to other addictions.  A more accurate way to describe the situation of those struggling with alcohol or any addiction is that they have "enhanced dopamine receptors."  Jim, with 57 days since his last drink, shares his sto...

"Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting" You can't always believe what you hear.  Just because we believe that everybody was kung fu fighting, doesn't mean that everyone was actually kung fu fighting.  In fact, upon further research, it turns out that no one was kung fu fighting in the original music videos for this song.  The same applies to "Everybody drinks".  When we drink, our beliefs about everyone...

Many of the stereotypes surrounding alcoholism don't match up with reality.  The image of the homeless guy holding the bottle in a brown paper bag and living under a bridge doesn't correctly represent the average alcoholic, despite the image's popularity.  Recent data shows that only 3-5% of alcoholics are homeless or on the street.  As a group, alcoholics have enhanced dopamine receptors.  They t...

In this episode, Paul vents a little bit of his frustration and anger in recovery about AA and "big alcohol".  Without alcohol in our lives to help us deal with difficult emotions.. anger, resentment, and frustration (to name a few) often rise to the surface.  Paul expresses his concern for the abundance of alcohol in society, despite the overwhelming evidence that it is destructive and harmful. ...

"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? ...

" Does anybody have experience with naltrexone, Antabuse (disulfiram), or Campral (acamprosate)?"  These drugs are designed to help people deal with the physical side effects of quitting alcohol.  While readily available, most 12 step programs will not mention quit aids such as these.  In the Radio Lab episode "The Fix", they mention that a very small percentage of people in the early stages of dr...

"Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon."   This phrase is commonly heard in 12 step meetings.  When it comes to recovery, a half-hearted attempt could have disasterous results.  Recovery can be confusing.  Half measures might yield mediocre results in other areas of life, but due to the nature of the beast, unfortuna...

Paul summarizes Step 3 from the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous.   "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." Step three in a nutshell means we are asking for help.  A God of our understanding can be anything.  We must be convinced that a life run on self will can hardly be a success. Jenna, with over 3 years since her last drink, shares her s...

The American Medical Association recognized alcohol dependence as a disease over 55 years ago. Alcohol dependence fits the disease model because it is a dysfunctional state with characteristic form. Use of some drugs, including alcohol, may cause dependency. The medical term for this dependency, or addiction, is Chemical Dependency. In order for a chemical to be addictive it must possess three pro...

It is January 1st, 2018.  Today represents the start of a new year.  The fact that you are listening to a podcast that is all about bettering your life sets you apart from all the rest.  Addicts and alcoholics need altruistic relationships in our lives with others who do not drink. Tricia, with 1 year since her last drink, shares her story   SHOW NOTES   [8:38] Paul Introduces Tricia.  I live in D...

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  ...

Randy Craig, with 49 days since his last drink, shares his story.   SHOW NOTES   [2:53] Paul Introduces Randy.  I was born and raised in Casper Wyoming.  I went to school in Colorado, and worked there for a few years.  Music has been a part of my life since I was very young.  I like to read, play music, take my dog on walks.  My passion revolves around my music.   Randy tells his story in detail t...

The 3 basic camps of addiction can be broken into the following categories: The prevailing wisdom today is that addiction is a disease. This is the main line of the medical model of mental disorders with which the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is aligned: addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disease in which alcohol use becomes involuntary despite its negative consequences. The ide...

Paul discusses Step 2 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.  Mike, with 86 days his last drink, shares his story   SHOW NOTES   [11:31] Paul Introduces Mike.  I live in Vermont; I'm 33 years old.  I work as a social worker; I hang out with my wife, my 12-year-old son, and play video games.      [16:50] Paul-  D...

These 4 Strategies will help us get through any social situation.  Will power can only last us so long.  Accountability Play the tape forward Always have an exit strategy Stop and think.  Alcohol is a poison.  Neal, with 20 months since his last drink, shares his story   SHOW NOTES   [8:20] Paul Introduces Neal.  I am in my late 50's.  I have 2 boys, 2 grandchildren.  I do maintenance work, I like...

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." – Cynthia Ozick What is gratitude, and how can this help us get and stay sober? Service and Gratitude go hand in hand.  Here's Paul's Holiday challenge: Write 10 things you are grateful for 10 days in a row.  Be thankful for something you totally have taken for granted your entire life.  After 10 days when you have 100 it...

Paul discusses reverse interventions.  They, "normal drinkers" don't get it.  How can we expect normal drinkers to understand what we are going through?  What do you need to cover in a reverse intervention?  Let them know this isn't easy for you.  Having the real conversation and being vulnerable.  Lay out your game plan.  Accountability is key. Amy, with 11 years since her last drink, shares her...

Paul discusses Step One: " We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable." from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.  David, with 46 days since his last drink, shares his story   SHOW NOTES   [10:20] Paul Introduces David.  I'm a dad of 2 great boys aged 11, and 7.  We live in Atlanta.  I work at a software firm.  I have been there for quite some time.  I...

Anxiety as it relates to drinking is discussed.  Alcohol suppresses the nervous system.  It is a depressant.  If we depress the nerves for long periods through binge drinking, our body reacts once the alcohol is gone by releasing adrenaline to compensate.  This gives us severe anxiety in return.  Which totally unbearable, and creates a fear that grabs you right in the chest. Aaron, with 16 days si...

Paul discusses anxiety and depression as interpreted through an episode of the Dharmapunx Podcast.  Heather, with 269 days since her last drink, shares her story   SHOW NOTES   [10:50] Paul Introduces Heather.  I'm 37; I live in Los Angeles, CA.  I've been here for about 7 years.  I grew up in south Texas.  I work for a small cable network.  I love yoga, hiking, going to the movies.  I have an ide...

This week's topic is PAWS- Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms/Syndrome.  Paul explains what PAWS is, how to deal with it, and some of the signs to look for. Josh, with 15 months since his last drink, shares his story   SHOW NOTES   [8:13] Paul Introduces Josh.  I am from Phoenix originally, now living in LA; I am a digital content producer.  I am 36 years old.  I like hiking and exploring with my mini...

Paul summarizes an article from National Geographic "The Science of Addiction."  Nearly 1 in 20 adults worldwide are addicted to alcohol.  21 million Americans have a drug or alcohol addiction.  Making the disorder more common than cancer.  Addiction is a pathological form of learning. Carey, with 40 days year since her last drink, shares her story   SHOW NOTES   [8:52] Paul Introduces Carey.  I a...

I want to talk about the word Alcoholism, more specifically, the tail end of that word, the ISM- Incredible Short Memory, the painful acute memories are sobriety fuel.  We cannot do this alone.  Adam, with 57 days since his last drink, shares his story   SHOW NOTES   [8:50] Paul Introduces Adam.  I'm 36; I live in New Hampshire, married with 2 awesome sons and a beautiful wife.  I love being outdo...