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

Episode 401 – Welcome Back   Today we have Jen.   She is 52, from Connecticut, and took her last drink on March 10th, 2022.   Restore: https://www.recoveryelevator.com/restore/   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   Highlights from Paul In episode 391, Paul asked listeners what they wanted to hear. Jeff L, with 5 years alcohol-free (That’s what’s up!) said he wanted to hear from past guests. Great idea Jeff as we are also curious as to where they are now.   Paul gives updates from 15 past guests. [20:30] Jen lives in Connecticut, has 2 kids (21 & 23), and just recently got a new job as a counselor at a treatment center. Jen had her 1st drink at 13 years old playing quarters, which resulted in her blacking out and being sick for 3 days. She says that was a sign of what was to come and that drinking was never fun for her. At 19 she started thinking she was an alcoholic and became a daily drinker. Jen was sober for 10 years (and then another 8 years). Those first

Episode 400 – Chasing a Carrot on a Stick   Today we have Nick.   He is from Vancouver, B.C, and took her last drink on December 7, 2018.   Recovery Elevator website: https://www.recoveryelevator.com/ Soberlink:  https:///www.soberlink.com/   Highlights from Kris   Kris speaks to the crossroads of recovery. He acknowledges that so many new thoughts, podcasts, tools, mindsets, books, and videos on recovery. Then there is real life with an equal number of views, podcasts, and tools, on how to meet deadlines, be a great husband and father, a great worker, and a good friend.   With all these different concepts flying at us and life asking us to show up, how do you handle recovery and life simultaneously? For Kris, the crossroads show up often, and he has come to appreciate them as options. He has also learned that the best way to handle all possibilities is to sit with them, observe them and refrain from acting immediately. Krist describes this practice as combining mindfulness and refraining. Kris is working on

Episode 399 – What’s the hardest part about quitting drinking?   Today we have Zita.   She is 31, from Minnesota, and took her last drink on November 27, 2021.   Restore: https://www.recoveryelevator.com/restore/   Highlights from Paul   An AF life is overall better than drinking.  The key word is overall.  Quitting drinking is the hardest thing Paul has ever done, and, it’s the best decision he’s ever made.    Not quitting is harder on you than you realize.  The domino effect of addiction cascades to your health, your relationships, your livelihood, and your sense of well-being.   Those rock bottoms get worse and hit new depths that create despair, shame and helplessness.  The decision to quit drinking can be harder when you don’t have those rock bottom moments, but you still have that voice in your head telling you, it’s time.  Quitting isn’t easy, particularly in the beginning, but it has its own set of dominos, the path toward a better life.   The hardest part about quitting drinking isn’t the withdrawals

Episode 398 - This Moment Always Wins   Today we have Adam.   He is 30, from Vancouver, and took his last drink on February 8, 2013.   We have many upcoming events:   Costa Rica For Info:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/   Highlights from Paul   Paul celebrated his eight-year recovery milestone and is thankful for all the support he gets from listeners, family, friends, and the Café RE community.    Paul’s insights include:  alcohol is sh!t; addiction is an invitation to make a sweeping change in your life; burning the ships is part of the journey; the opposite of addiction is connection; focus on the wins; admit you are wrong when you need to, in real-time; you have to take action; don’t worry about the sobriety clock, keep doing the work; join the party - the AF movement is taking off; be kind to others, help others; be of service; leverage your drinking problem to expand your life; be mindful of the company you keep; there is nothing wrong with you;  not drinking makes you a bad-ass;   Better Help

Episode 397  - The Ultimate Connection   Today we have Santino.   He is 43, from Massachusetts, and took his last drink 43 days ago.   We have many upcoming events:   AF Photo Class Restore Regionals Ukulele Costa Rica For Info:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/   Highlights from Paul   Paul shares that our actions are felt for seven generations in our lineage.  When you quit drinking, do the inner work, the ripple effect can last 150 years.   Eckhart Tolle defines love as recognizing oneness in a world of duality. The ego craves separation, judgements. When we are drinking, we are reinforcing that divide. The worst side effect of alcohol is isolation. But when we drop the bottle,  we give ourselves a chance to find love, or maybe let love find us.   Congratulations Dusty and Lotus on your recent nuptials.   Love yourself and love yourself first.  Love in recovery can be rediscovering nature, it can be planting a garden, it can be zipping around on a one wheel, it can be learning a new instrument, pic

Episode 396  - The Brain and Alcohol – Genetic Predisposition   Today we have Rene.   He is 33, from California, and took his last drink January 18, 2022.   Register for RE’s AF Photo Class:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/afphoto/   SoberLink:  https://www.soberlink.com/recovery-elevator   Highlights from Paul   Alcohol has many biochemical and neurochemical effects on the brain. There are dramatic changes in the neurons that control the release of serotonin when we consume alcohol. Serotonin is the feel-good chemical and 80% of it is created in the gut. When we mix alcohol and serotonin it gets converted into acetaldehyde. This acetaldehyde acts as a toxin.   Alcohol changes the relationship between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenals.  The adrenals release chemicals called epinephrine and cortisol, which are involved in the longer-term stress response.   People who consistently drink are more stressed out at baseline. They have more cortisol released form their adrenal glands even whe

Episode 395  - Can you have fun without alcohol?   Today we have Jim.   He is 50, from New York, and has been sober since June 19, 2022.   Curious Elixirs:  https://curiouselixirs.com/   Highlights from Paul   Paul and our listeners would like to hear from prior podcast guests. Please send us a note (approximately 200 words) to let us know how you are doing. We would love an update on your sobriety journey.     Email:  info@recoveryelevator.com   Yes!   You can have fun without alcohol. Paul just finished hosting the Bozeman retreat, and it was FUN. One of the highlights was an ecstatic dance party. Imagine 60ish sober people dancing on a basketball court in the afternoon.   There was also a silent dance party on the last night. Paul loved watching and participating in pure joy and fun.    Sober fun is a learned skill, but it’s worth it.   You learn to have fun without an external substance. Life is like a movie. Consider yourself the director. You can guide or nudge it any way you want. Leave room for other

Episode 394  - Fixin’ to Grow   Today we have Kristie.   She is 47, from Michigan, and has been sober since May 2020.   Ditch the Booze/Mindfulness and AF Photography 101:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/   Highlights from Kris   Return to school is here and is the catalyst for conversations about expectations. Growing up, the letter on the report card was the measure of success. Kris has begun to consider praising the work instead of the result.    Neuroscientists have identified two different mindsets:  the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. A fixed mindset looks at intelligence as static. The effort is pointless – you’ve got it, or you don’t. It’s all about the result. The growth mindset is more about a learning goal. The effort is seen as a path to mastery.    What is your goal in recovery? Language matters. Think about the metrics. If you are fixed on being alcohol-free and have a slip, you might feel like a failure. Embrace the growth in yourself and let that be enough.    Better Help:  www.

Episode 393  - Hello Listeners   Today we have Alina.   She is 32, from Northern California, and has been sober since June 20, 2022.   Fire Brew:  https://www.drinkfirebrew.com/ Ditch the Booze/Mindfulness:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/   Highlights from Paul   If you are in a cycle of continuous Day ones, keep showing up and listening to the podcast. We believe in you.   If you have quit drinking, don't forget incredible short memory can get us any time. Don't look back. That old way of life didn't work. Keep building the new.   If you are a normal drinker here to support someone, we are glad you are here. The opposite of addiction is connection, and we appreciate your support. The healing process is a collaborative effort that requires both parties to come together.    If you are in your teens or twenties, you are learning vital lessons and building resilience. When the dust settles, and your normal drinker friends begin to phase out of the party years as they marry and have kids, you will have

Episode 392  - One Week Without Alcohol.   Today we have Megan.   She is 34, from Florida, and has been sober since June 22, 2021.   Gruvi: https://www.getgruvi.com/   Highlights from Paul   Stacking days, which is a day here, and a couple of days there, is fantastic, but your body and mind will respond faster to continuous sobriety, and I think a week is the most doable chunk of time. I know for me, even 30 days was overwhelming.   Day 1:  Drink water, then more water. Eat at least one full, healthy meal. Your body is detoxing today. Anxiety is part of this. Embrace the process. Remember the pain. Exercise will help with sleep. Sleep won't be great, and night sweats are expected. Expect cravings, and ice cream is your friend.   Day 2:  Expect to be tired, exhausted, and anxious. Drink water, sleep, eat ice cream and worry about sugar later.   Day 3:  Sleep should improve and welcome back appetite. Eat a healthy breakfast.   Day 4:  Your body is healing. Drink water, sleep and eat (sugar does help with cravin

Episode 391  - What do you Want?   Today we have Polly.   She is 50, from Minnesota, and has been sober since December 23, 2021.   Ditch the Booze Mindfulness Course starts 9/20.:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/   Recovery Fit – Paul Lapine.  Lapine Fitness Center.  https://Lapinefit.com/recoveryfit Insta:Paul_Lapine_   Highlights from Paul   Paul shares that he created the podcast to create a new level of accountability for himself when he quit drinking.   He is grateful for his listeners and proud of how the podcast has evolved since the first recording. Paul would like to hear more from listeners about what they want to hear during the intro portion of the podcast.   Email Paul at:  info@recoveryelevator.com   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored                                                                               [10:09]  Polly has been sober for six months. She is a high school English teacher, has two daughters, and has been married for 24

Episode 390  - The Secret to Change   Today we have Jess.   She is 37, from Ontario, and has been sober since May 7, 2022.   Ditch the Booze Mindfulness Course starts 9/20.:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/   Recovery Fit – Paul Lapine.  Lapine Fitness Studio.  https://lapinefitness.totaltransformationtoday.com/ Insta:Paul_Lapine_   Highlights from Paul   YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT! Anyone who doesn’t quit quitting eventually creates distance from alcohol. “The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not fighting the old, but building the new.” Socrates. This journey is about transformation. It’s an invitation to create a life where alcohol isn’t needed. It’s about letting part of you go. It’s about saying goodbye to the aspects of your life that aren’t working,   Paul suggests fighting the old is a waste, and addiction is a messenger letting you know your life is out of balance. Desperation leads to surrender, which leads to openness and willingness.   Don’t resist change as it is one constant

Episode 389  - Journal Speak   Today we have Christy.   She is 42, from Denmark, and has been sober since April 5, 2022.     Costa Rica 2023:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/costarica2023/     Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE 20   Highlights from Paul   Paul talks about “journal speak,” an informal, off-the-cuff style of journaling. The point is to get unprocessed, uncomfortable emotions out of you. It makes you feel less alone and more connected to yourself. This is a significant component connecting with the raw, unheard, vulnerable, pissed-off version of you. When you feel a craving coming on, this is one of the best times to do this because a part of you is screaming to be heard.   Paul suggests starting with 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night. Make it informal, with no spelling or grammar check, and toss or burn it when you finish. Generally, you will find that you feel better and have cleared your mind.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #spon

Episode 388  - Identity   Today we have Liz.   She is 55, from Bend, OR, and has been sober for five months.   Ditch the Booze Mindfulness and AF Photography. www.recoveryelevator.com/events   Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE 20   Highlights from Kris   After returning from a trip to DC, Kris realized that connecting his identity to his accomplishments is something he left behind. Presenting his achievements as a “Who I Am” was typical for Kris when he was in active addiction. Kris hoped that showing others the good in him might help him to see the good in himself. Approval seeking was directly linked to his self-worth and what others thought of him. This created conflict because Kris felt like he was leading a double life: the list of accomplishments he shared with others and the poor self-esteem that felt more like the “real Kris.”   Ultimately, Kris hit a tipping point that led to his recovery. During those early days, he identified with the bad things he had done while drinking. With treatment, c

Episode 387  - Why Some Make it, and Some Don’t   Today we have Becca.   She is 43, from Montana, and took her last drink on September 18, 2017.   Sober Travel Update – Costa Rica 2023. Stay tuned for dates. www.recoveryelevator.com/events   Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE 20   Highlights from Paul   Paul believes that taking responsibility for your drinking or choosing not to be a victim increases your likelihood of “making it” L.” listening to this podcast means that you are open to new ideas, pathways, resources, and a new outlook on life. Paul suggests telling yourself that you will make it or are already there. Awareness that you have a drinking problem is the beginning, then ownership of the solution.    Paul believes a drinking problem is an invitation to a new life. Never quit quitting. Paul says yes, you are going to make it. You are already making it.    Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored                                                        

Episode 386  - The One Mistake People Make When Quitting Drinking   Today we have Shad.   He is 46, from Indiana, and took his last drink on March 19, 2021.       Café RE Open House Chat: July 16, 2016, at 12 ET. Join Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83057111516? pwd=NlJyaFdtZ0RBYnhMaytxbkdRU2tMdz09 Meeting ID: 830 5711 1516 Passcode: recovery   Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE 20   Highlights from Paul   Don’t quit drinking without learning coping strategies, understanding why you drink in the first place, and get some tools for your recovery toolbox. Don’t sell yourself short on how rich your life can be without alcohol. Say yes, to as many recovery opportunities as you can. Books, podcasts, quit lit, retreats, spiritual teachers, music, chats, meetings. Some of it is work. These investments of time into yourself will pay HUGE in the future. A whole new world awaits you after the bottle.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored                              

Episode 385  - You’re Free   Today we have Steve. He is 34, from Boston, MA, and took his last drink on February 18, 2021.   Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE 20   Bozeman Retreat Upcoming Courses:  AF Photography and AF Mindfulness Service Project Courses: https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/ Bozeman Retreat: https://www.recoveryelevator.com/bozeman/   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   Highlights from Paul   An elementary view of freedom is free will or doing what you want. A more rewarding form of freedom includes commitments, discipline, and boundaries for extended periods. Freedom also includes sleep, routine, forgiveness, being present, being of service, overcoming fear, and adding value. Freedom gives you choices; the most important choice is to be your authentic self.                                                                                 [8:40]  Steve has been sober for over a year. Steve’s parents were born in El Salvatore, and Ste

Episode 384  - The path of least resistance   Today we have Matt. He is 40, from Edmonton, Canada, and took his last drink on April 8, 2019.   Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE 20   Café RE Chats:  https://recoveryelevator.com/cafere/   Highlights from Paul   Sobriety is the path of least resistance. Moderation was miserable, and drinking is killing me. Paul describes his own experiences with moderation and points out that with moderation, you continue to have decision fatigue and only moderately heal.    Moderation is often a step along the journey toward ditching the booze.   The path of least resistance means – you won't get a DUI or be sent home from work because you smell like booze. Your sleep improves, your liver health improves along with your connections and relationships, and you enjoy more fun (and skittles).    Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month                                                                               [13:06]  Matt has been sober for

Episode 383  - Clearing space   Today we have Phillip. He is 46 and took his last drink on February 28, 2019.   Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE 20   Bozeman Retreat:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/ Early Recovery Podcast Guests:  email info@recoveryelevator.com   Highlights from Paul   It's hard to visualize a sober life when you are still drinking because your body is using every drop of energy to get rid of the poison that is alcohol from your body. Paul suggests once you ditch the booze, sit back and be the observer to watch your life unfold and resist the urge to control everything. In his eighth year of sobriety, Paul bought a home in Costa Rica, a longtime dream. After quitting, his life became a blank canvas, and now he is exploring his love for nature in his new home – which would not have been possible if he was still drinking. Paul feels connected to his inner child and is grateful for his life today.   In chapter 4, Paul wants to showcase listeners' talents. Feel free to send an

Episode 382– So now what?   Today we have Ryan. He is 40, from Denver, and took his last drink on January 7, 2013.   Exact Nature:  https://exactnature.com/RE 20   Bozeman Retreat:  https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/   Highlights from Paul   Recovery Elevator Newsletter:  https://recoveryelevator.com   Paul shares Odette’s wise words,  “we can’t be hard on ourselves when we do hard things.” He also examines those who abuse alcohol and the correlation with being hard on ourselves. Could the pace you are setting for yourself be driving you to drink?   Not drinking isn’t an activity. I quit drinking, so now what? You are making space for a new chapter in your life. A theme you will find in that chapter is your relationship with yourself.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month                                                                               [11:15]  Ryan has been sober for over nine years. He is the founder of Free Spiritual Community for addicts to break the cy