Episode 368 – The Mind F&ck of Alcohol

Today we have Stephen. He is from New Jersey and took his last drink on September 15, 2020.

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Highlights from Paul

Paul shares an email from a listener who asks Paul how people without a drinking problem can get help. He talks about the A&E show "Intervention" and how he often watched it while drinking alone, grateful he didn't have a problem with alcohol. The show, Intervention gave Paul countless examples of how alcohol "f&cks" with your mind. After 276 interventions on the show, 270 accepted treatment, with 151 remaining clean and sober today, which is a 55% success rate. If those numbers are accurate, they are much more optimistic than the broadly accepted low teen success rate you hear from the industry.

Paul reminds listeners that you probably have a drinking problem if you are listening to a sobriety podcast. The point of addiction is to get to know yourself and love yourself.

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[13:10] Stephen is 45 and lives in New Jersey. He is a father (a "girl dad"), coach, and owns his own business. He loves coaching, sports, and everything outside.

Stephen's relationship with alcohol evolved over 25 years. Alcohol was his biggest challenge, but he also used marijuana. He dabbled in underage drinking and had fun on the Jersey shore. He managed his drinking well for many years. When his second daughter was born, he began to acknowledge his drinking was problematic. His drinking escalated over the years. He and his wife danced with moderation, and he occasionally took days off drinking. Stephen was the driver of the drinking in his marriage.

Stephen credits Paul Churchill's book with getting him sober. He tried several programs before he found Recovery Elevator. Ultimately, he went to a four-day detox. He was full of energy and enthusiasm after leaving detox. He relapsed a few times but rallied and has been able to stack days. Mismatched drinking habits pushed the end of his marriage. Meditation, journaling, exercise, and accountability are his best sobriety tools.

Value Bombs

• Learning that alcohol was the symptom, not the problem, was eye-opening
• Enjoy the moments
• Once it gets good (in sobriety), it gets great quickly. Everything compounds.

Odette's Summary

If you are seeking anything outside of self, you are taking the long way home. Odette reminds us that everything we need is inside of us. There is no shame in having doubt. Stay on the path! Remember, you are not alone. Together is always better.

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Recovery Elevator – it all starts from the inside out. I love you guys.