Recovery Elevator

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...

New data has revealed that one in eight Americans are now alcoholics due to an alarming rise in alcohol consumption in women, elderly people and ethnic minorities. Experts at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism say that the rise could constitute a public health crisis that is being overshadowed by the opioid epidemic and marijuana legalization.  During an 11 year gap, the number...

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 no...

Paul summarizes the Retreat, which took place in Bozeman, Montana.   SHOW NOTES   [13:22] Paul Introduces Kristin 238 days sober, Amy 11 years sober, Dave 12 days sober, and John with 18 and ½ years of sobriety.     [15:55] Paul-  What did you think the retreat was going to be like?   Dave- I didn't have any set expectations.  It has been sharing, but so much more.  I have connected with every sin...

Paul summarizes the article "America's Drinking Problem Is Much Worse This Century" by John Tozzi   Alcohol abuse has shot up since 2001, and the number of adults who binge weekly may top the population of Texas. Americans are drinking more than they used to, a troubling trend with potentially dire implications for the country's future health-care costs. The number of adults who binge drink at lea...

Self-Loathing is rampant in addiction, and it needs to be addressed and curtailed if we want to find long-term recovery.  Self-trash talk is a double whammy when we judge ourselves harshly.  We are both the attacker, and the attacked.  Dr. Kristin Neff's book "Self Compassion" is summarized. Tori with 16 days since her last drink, shares her story.   SHOW NOTES   [9:25] Paul Introduces Tori.  I am...

Paul summarizes a talk by Tara Brach named "Healing Addiction: De-Conditioning the Hungry Ghosts"  Addiction is addiction, it doesn't matter what it is, it is applicable.  Tara talks about the "hungry ghosts" of addiction.  There is a sense that something is missing.  A feeling that this moment does not contain enough happiness.  How you live today is how you live the rest of your life.  When we d...

Paul summarizes the book "When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chodron.  How can we live our lives when everything seems to fall apart—when we are continually overcome by fear, anxiety, and pain? The answer, Pema Chödrön suggests, might be just the opposite of what you expect. Here, in her most beloved and acclaimed work, Pema shows that moving toward painful situations and becoming intimate with them...

Paul  comments on a video show on stopdrinkingexpert.com titled "Alcohol will kill you"  If we can put "smoking kills" packaging of cigarettes, why can't we put similar labels on alcohol?  This documentary takes place in the UK, but is contemporaneous throughout the globe.  They found that 50% of the people tested had elevated liver values.  The price of alcohol has become significantly cheaper th...

Paul breaks down and discusses the article: "The Spiritual Consequences of Alcohol Consumption" by Zahrah Sita Although it is mass produced, mass promoted, legal, and ingested by a multitude of people all over the world, most people don't ever consider or understand the spiritual consequences of drinking alcohol. Let's begin by taking a look at the etymology of the Word alcohol. Etymology means th...

Rule Number One of podcasting is plug in the microphone. Pete, with 488 days of sobriety shares his story.   SHOW NOTES   [2:19] Paul Introduces Pete.  I am 38 years old, and golfing is my favorite leisure activity.  I have an 8-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.  I am in construction sales, mostly traveling around Ohio and surrounding states.    [6:07] Paul- When did you realize you had a pr...

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it."  - Amelia Earhart Paul discusses his difficulties in quitting smoking, and it's parallels to quitting drinking.  Alcohol is not your friend.  Stop drinking cold turkey, and don't try to a taper off strategy.  Rip the Band-Aid off.  Get rid of the booze from your house.  At this moment, you are not stronger than your addiction.  One day at a time.  Th...

Paul discusses the webinar, which took place in Café Re, and focused on why taking action is so hard.  It's much better to focus on the action and not the results.  We are definitely in a results oriented society.  Focus on the journey and not the destination.  Success can follow a flawed effort, and failure can follow a flawless effort.  If your happiness is predicated on your success, and if you...

Garrett, with 16 days since his last drink, shares his story   SHOW NOTES   [ 9:15 ] Paul Introduces Garrett .  I've had stretches of sobriety, I had 14 months, and I've had 3 years.  I live in Southern California, in Santa Clarita.  I work in outside sales, which is a non-structured job perfect for an alcoholic with hangovers.  I'm 43, married, like going to Dodger Games.  I have 2 kids, 1 in hig...

Mary, with 3 years since her last drink, shares her story…. We all think that the cities we live in should be on the "Nations Drunkest Cities" list.  The state of Wisconsin wins the prize for the largest number of cities on this list.  Listed below are a few of the favorites: Greenbay, WI O'Clair, WI Appleton, WI Fargo, ND Missoula, MT Iowa City, IA Lincoln, NE Milwaukee, WI   SHOW NOTES   [6:31]...

Becky, with 10 months since her last drink, shares her story………… What I learned after spending the weekend with 12 other people at a lake house: People did not care that I was not drinking People were appreciative to have a designated driver Drunk people have the memory of a goldfish Hangovers still suck Noticed potential problem drinkers Everyone overshot their mark Alcohol makes you act like an...