Recovery Elevator | Stop Drinking, Start Recovering. | Alcohol, Addiction & Life In Sobriety

Vinny took his last drink 9 ½ years ago.  This is his story. On today’s episode Paul talks about change.  Whether you like it, or not, you are always changing.  You’re either building new circuits or adding new blockages to your energy field.  With an addiction it’s either gaining momentum or you’re lessening the energetic bonds of the addiction.  You must make time to always do the work.    [15:45] Paul introduces Vinny.    Vinny is 61 years old and lives in Bangkok.  For fun Vinny like to read, watch a good TV series, going to meetings and helping people.       [19:20] Give us a background on your drinking.   Vinny discovered alcohol in his late teens and continued to use it for 10 years. The next 10 years involved alcohol and smoking marijuana.  He added crack to the mix and became a crack addict for the following 5 years.  He went to 2 treatment centers and didn’t get clean until 2004.  He hit his bottom while living (homeless) in Las Vegas.  He managed to get sober after that and it lasted 3 years.     [

Sofi took her last drink on April 28, 2014.  This is her story. On today’s episode Paul talks about tough love.  If you are saying you want to quit drinking…but…”you can’t because…fill in the blank ”, or “you can’t because you don’t want to…fill in the blank”, in other words, you want to quit but don’t want to put in the work, well here’s some tough love for you…that doesn’t work.    [11:00] Paul introduces Sofi.    Sofi is 30 years old and it from London.  She has 4 older sisters.  For fun Sofi enjoys exercise and hanging out in nature while listening to podcasts.    [15:00] Give us a background on your drinking.   Sofi says she has always had an addictive personality.  With alcohol Sofi noticed a change around the age of 14.  She was at a boarding school so all her drinking took place on the weekends.  Sofi says that the wheels came off when she went to university.   Freshman year she was going out every night. By her 2nd year of university, when most of her friends had slowed down, Sofi continued her drink

Lisa took her last drink on December 16, 2017.  This is her story. On today’s episode Paul talks about moderate drinking, and whether or not it works.  For almost everyone, when we first decide to quit drinking, we try to moderate.  The question isn’t, can I still have alcohol in my life, but…do I want to be a moderate version of my authentic self? Are there success stories of moderate drinking?  Sure.  But they don’t work out in the long run.    [18:30] Paul introduces Lisa.    Lisa is from Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She is 40 years old and has 2 kids, a 21-year-old and 18-year-old.  Lisa has been a single mom for 13 years.   She is a RN and does patient care part time and education full time.  For fun Lisa loves going to the gym, and when the weather is nice, she likes to hike.         [22:00] Give us a background on your drinking.   Lisa started drinking at the age of 14.  She wasn’t a huge drinker, but whenever she could drink, she did, and she always wanted to get wasted.  At 27 she was newly divorced with

Andrew took his last drink on February 16, 2019.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On today’s episode Paul talks about 2 things.  Number one is about how it is the simple things in life that matter the most.  Number two is, watch out for addiction whack-a-mole, or transfer addiction, with an emphasis on technology and smart phones.    [16:15] Paul introduces Andrew.    Andrew is 47 years old and lives in Sidney, AUS.  He is divorced and enjoys spending time by the water.         [20:20] Give us a background on your drinking.   Andrew was about 15 years old the first time he drank and he realized that, when he drank, he didn’t quite behave the same way as everybody else.  He says that he felt that alcohol calmed him down.    [23:00] When did you first recognize that alcohol was causing more damage than good?   By age 19 Andrew had 4 drunk driving charges.  Andrew thought that spending 5

Scott took his last drink on December 2, 2018.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! Registration is now open for the 2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind.  The event will take place June 11-13 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events here. On today’s episode Paul talks about control.  He also talks about an article, by Anna Ronan Shaw, that he read.  The article is titled Addiction Isn’t a Sin, It’s an Adaption, and you can find it here.  Paul shares his take, that addictions represent part of our personalities that are in the most need of healing.    [11:25] Paul introduces Scott.    Scott is 48 years old and lives in Denver, CO.  He is a bicycle mechanic.  For fun Scott likes to ride bikes, exercise, and hang out with his dogs, Willie and Waylon.       [22:00] Give us a background on your drinking.   Scott started drinking in Jr. High/High Sch

Bianca took her last drink on October 3, 2018.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! Registration is now open for the 2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind.  The event will take place June 11-13 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events here. On today’s episode Paul talks about the process of rediscovering what you like to do, after ditching the booze, and to let it happen organically.  He encourages you to engage in activities where you find yourself in a ‘flow state’, or ‘in the zone’.    Instead of focusing on new hobbies and fun activities, try to find things where you almost lose yourself.    [7:30] Paul introduces Bianca.    Bianca is 22 years old and is from Austin, TX.  She recently graduated from college and is working for a temp agency while she looks for that full time job.  Bianca lives with her girlfriend.  For fun Bianca spends her tim

Greg took his last drink on October 2, 2012.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! Registration is now open for the 2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind.  The event will take place June 11-13 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events here. On today’s episode Paul talks about what happens to the dome when you stop drinking alcohol.  There is a long list of benefits of quitting alcohol, and the mental health aspects are just as important as the physical ones.  In the first year away from alcohol, and beyond, neurons in the brain that no longer fire together, no longer wire together.  This means the neural connections that spark when we want to drink, or take a drink, begin to fade.  In time new neural connections are created that don’t involve alcohol.      [9:40] Paul introduces Greg.    Greg is 35 years old and from Orange County, CA.  Greg is an a

Kerri took her last drink on November 6, 2018.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! Happy New Year!  On January 1st the 4th Café RE group, UP, opened.     2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind, will take place June 11-13 in Denver, CO.  Registration opens on January 8th, you can find more information about our events here. On today’s episode Paul talks about meeting the man he would stay with while in Mexico, hearing his story, and discovering they had a connection through the TEDx Talk that Paul gave.  You can find the TEDx Talk, I’ve been duped by alcohol, here.  Paul also discusses a video he recently watched, an interview by Dr. Gabor Mate, (author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts).  Dr. Mate says if you want to look at what causes the addiction you have to look at the benefit of addiction.  That the greatest myth on addiction is that its genetic, the other myth ar

Justin took his last drink on November 5, 2018.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.  2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind, will take place June 11-14 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events here. On today’s episode Paul talks about manifestation, how you basically create your future with your thoughts.  We all do it, most often unconsciously.   What is, and isn’t, possible isn’t your business, it’s nature’s business.  Your business is to thrive towards what you want; sobriety, the why.  To create what you want it must be clear in your mind, stay the course, make a commitment to this clear and coherent goal of quitting drinking.  If you don’t know what you truly want, seek love and connection in the mind with thoughts.  Those two alone will blast through addiction.    [14:25] Paul introduces

Val took her last drink on June 26, 2019.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.  2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind, will take place June 11-14 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events here. On today’s episode Paul talks about some recent events that he has gone through and why he ended up in Oaxaca, Mexico.  While meditating this past June, Oaxaca; the name, the city, just showed up.  Shortly after that, Oaxaca started showing up in film, tv, Netflix episodes, the Internet, and a gift he received from his mom was from Oaxaca.  Paul says he then knew he had to travel to Oaxaca.  Sobriety is your superpower, and an offshoot of that superpower is putting the body and mind in a state of calm.    [12:00] Paul introduces Val.    Val is 30 years old and is from Fort Collins, CO.  She works from hom

Wendy took her last drink on June 4, 2017.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.  There will be 2 in-person meetups in Australia this December.  If you would like more info or would like to RSVP please email [email protected].  On today’s episode Paul talks about incessantly thinking in the future, why we do that, what that leads to, and how to put that thinking beast back into the cage.  When we are living in the future, we start to feel stress.  Once we recognize, and become aware of how often we are future tripping, we can no longer ignore it and the deprograming has already begun.  We deprogram first, then we reprogram.    [13:45] Paul introduces Wendy.    Wendy is 57 years old, married and lives in Sun City Center, Florida.  She has two sons and one grandson.  She works as a critical care nurse which she loves.  For fun Wen

Torey took his last drink on October 9, 2017.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.  There will be 2 in-person meetups in Australia this December.  If you would like more info or would like to RSVP please email [email protected].  On today’s episode Paul talks about what happens when a loved one quits drinking.  First off, relationships are tricky even when not exposed to addiction turmoil.  It is important to remember that both parties need healing.  Here is some advice for the problem drinker in the relationship; remember communication is key and ask for help.  Here is some advice for the normal drinker in the relationship; first off, you can’t change the problem drinker, make sure you protect yourself and your energies, set boundaries.    [13:30] Paul introduces Torey.    Torey is 47 years old and lives in Bainbridge, WA and

Dee took her last drink on January 17, 2019.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.  There will be 2 in-person meetups in Australia this December.  If you would like more info or would like to RSVP please email [email protected].  On today’s episode Paul talks about PAWS, or what he refers to as ‘healing symptoms.  You can find a YouTube video on these healing symptoms, or PAWS, here.  This period of experiencing these healing symptoms usually lasts anywhere from 3 – 6 months, but could last a little longer.  You have 2 choices.  The 1st choice is to keep drinking.  With this choice there will be a painful progression and whatever emotions and physical repercussions you’re experiencing now will only be enhanced in time.  The 2nd choice is to quit drinking and embark on the most heroic journey.  This choice gives you options, and

Lauren took her last drink on November 17, 2018.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On today’s episode Paul talks about the ‘how’, and says not to worry about the how you are going to quit drinking.  Once you know the ‘why’ you want to quit drinking the how always solves itself.  If you need help coming up with the why, most likely you have an encyclopedia of evidence behind you.  It could be the intense emotional dips, depression, anxiety, letting yourself or those you love down.  Put that why to work in your favor.    [13:30] Paul introduces Lauren.    Lauren is 38 years old.  She lives in Sharon, Mass, and is adjunct faculty at a university in Boston in their School of Social Work.  Lauren is married and has 3 children.  For fun Lauren enjoys spending time outside, listening to LIVE music and hanging out with friends.    [15:47] Give us a background on your drinking.   Lauren says al

Patrick took his last drink on January 1, 2019.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! A new Café RE group will be launching January 1, 2020!  Also, Recovery Elevator Meet-ups in Australia have been scheduled for December!  Be sure to check the events calendar or the weekly email.  Paul is currently working on a meditation course, that he hopes to have out by early next year…warning, you may just might fall in love with yourself.  On today’s episode Paul talks about sharing and owning our story.   This can be therapeutic, but also, if done too many times, dangerous.  Why?  Your story becomes your future.  How do we stop this?  We learn to protect us from our thoughts.  When you take your energies and thoughts off your past addictions and traumas they can disappear.  One way to do this is through meditation.   [11:15] Paul introduces Patrick.    Patrick was born and raised in Boston.  He is

Jody took her last drink on October 20, 2015.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On today’s episode Paul shares with the listeners the many (12) steps, and team members, it takes to put a podcast episode together.  And listeners…you are part of the team!  Paul also covers an article he came across that talks about the relationship between alcohol and antisocial behavior is well documented.  You can find a link to the article here.   The question is, can we blame our bad behavior on the alcohol?  The study in this article says no.  Alcohol, according to the study, does not change your personality.  Drunken you has the same moral compass as sober you.    [10:20] Paul introduces Jody.    Jody is 30 years old and lives in Orlando, Florida.  She is a flight attendant and a mindset and transformation coach.  Jody is not married and does not have any kids, yet.  She loves to travel, read, cook

Wendall took his last drink on June 13, 2019.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On today’s episode Paul talks about the 5 responses you get when you tell people you don’t drink.  He also discusses what you do when you accidently post on social media that you no longer drink.  The 5 responses:  70% of the time you hear total support, “Wow that’s so cool, because I want you to be the best version of you.”   20% of the time the response will be that the person you told has a family member or close friend that has also quit drinking alcohol.    5% of the time you will get bombarded with questions as to why you don’t drink.    4% of the time they will be supportive but will no longer be a part of your life, drinking was the reason they were.    1% of the time they will not be supportive of your decision to ditch the booze.    [22:30] Paul introduces Wendall.    Wendall lives in Toronto Onta

Jay took his last drink on Decemeber 26, 2018.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On today’s episode Paul talks about a response to a post on Reddit.  Not knowing exactly what the initial post said, Paul guesses it was something about the poster wanting to ditch the booze, but not being able to.  The response…” You know what, you‘re heading in the right direction to win.  You want to stop.  You literally cannot win without that.  I’ve lost friends to booze and none of them wanted to stop.  Wanting to stop provides friction.  It adds resistance to drinking, which has the effect of reducing your intake.  Maybe you start an hour later in the day.  Maybe you drink one glass less.  That helps.  It makes it easier to apply more friction in the future.”  The intention to stop is the most important thing.    [9:44] Paul introduces Jay.    Jay is 37 years old and grew up in upstate New York.  He

Gracie took her last drink on September 29, 2018.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On today’s episode Paul talks about connection.  Human connection is an innate need to create a social bond with others.  For those that found a temporary connection with alcohol and are now trying to ditch the booze now find them facing disconnection head on.  You are listening to the inner voice that isn’t craving alcohol, but is craving connection.  How to connect…ask for connection every single morning.  Aim for 50% to be external connections, and the other 50% internal.  If a connection is built within, we can go through difficult times in life and still feel that warmth.  If you address the internal connection the external connection solves itself. SHOW NOTES   [14:25] Paul introduces Gracie.    Gracie grew up in the Midwest and is currently living in Chicago.  She is 32 years old and is a nurse. 

Patty took her last drink on July 19, 2017.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! On today’s episode Paul talks about the two main sources of unhappiness and how hope is sending us barreling off a cliff.  On the surface hope is great.  But where is it located on a timeline?  In the future, not in the now.  If hope isn’t serving us, then what?  Throttle back on the hope and lean into ‘this moment’.  SHOW NOTES   [12:00] Paul introduces Patty.    Patty is 665 years old and is originally from Fairbanks, AK.  She currently lives in Corvallis, OR.  Patty has 3 children in their forties and 7 grandkids.  She worked at a university for 30 years and is now retired.  For fun Patty likes to hike, kayak, and sailing.    [13:55] Give us a background on your drinking.   Patty says she was 14 years od the first time she got drunk, and that she was a black-out drinker her very first time.  It wasn’t unti