by Paul Churchill | Nov 19, 2015 | Podcast
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The past Sunday, Shane Ramer from That Sober Guy Pocast, Omar from the Shair Podcast and I got together and did a mini meeting/episode and it was so much fun. I guess you could say in the end we all produced content for our respective podcasts, but that was just an added bonus because the experience of hanging out with these guys for 2 hours on a Sunday morning was incredible. Just 14 months ago I would have been drinking at a bar watching the Denver Broncos play. On the way home from that bar, I most likely would have pulled into a gas station and purchase a lot more alcohol to drink by myself at home. That was a miserable life to live, but I no longer have to live that way.
by Paul Churchill | Nov 16, 2015 | Podcast
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In this episode I talk about the signs of a relapse that occurs WAY before that first drink. Also I interview Douglas Lail, who paints portraits of the faces in recovery and he has created an amazing project called Hello My Name Is.
- Routine
- Sleeping in
- Schedule
- Body cycles
- Diet
- I constantly need to be aware of what I am eating. I have learned the hard way that it’s as simple as garbage in, garbage out and I mentally land myself in a total fog after not eating right.
- 3/1 vegetable to fruit ratio
- Fish oil, Flaxseed oil, Hemp Protein, and other essential vitamins
- Eating fast food
- Taco Bell and their delicious cinnamon twists. Reece’s Pieces.
- Missing meetings
- We all get busy, but I need to keep affirming to myself this is an absolute priority.
- Not working out
- Although working out for vanity reasons will get us in shape for a certain season, my motivation for working out is to get the endorphins firing in the brain.
- Coffee
- Too much caffeine is a poison to the body and I need to be cognizant of drinking caffeine alcoholically
- Hanging out with the wrong crowd
- You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.
- If you spend a lot of time in a garage, you don’t eventually become a car but spending a lot of time with people who constantly include multiple beverages in their evening plans will take it’s toll over time.
- Nicotine and Chewing Tobacco
- Yes, that is correct. I am 33 years old and am experimenting with chewing tobacco. Please send me a virtual slap in the face
by Paul Churchill | Nov 9, 2015 | Podcast
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All of these quotes come from Recovery Reflections and instead of scrolling through and picking my favorite quotes, I went right down the line even if the quote didn’t resonate with me. Quotes in recovery are inscribed inside the walls of our brain when we are serious about sobriety and long term recovery. I say things like “one day at a time”, “you can do this”, “don’t beat yourself up”, to myself several times a day.
“Resistance doesn’t come from doubting the words, it comes from doubting the person using them.” – S
“Validate the newcomer by letting their pain be the biggest thing in the room.” – S
“Bad luck is just a missed lesson.” – G
“The loudest voice in recovery will be the struggling voice. You will never hear about a perfect recovery.” – J
“Dealing with an addict is going to force you to deal with your own issues.” – Dr. T.
“Failure can teach resilience.” – A
“There’s a tendency for people to think they are doing the right thing because they’re saying the right thing. This is not true. Doing talks the truth more than saying.” – K
“My kid looks at me and he is already taught.” – D
“Addictions are excuses to not ask for help.” – J
“There is a time to lend a hand and a time to keep it in your pocket. The smart ones know how to use their pockets.” – P
“Forgiveness understands the last moment is no longer yours.” – J
“Learn to harness your most devastating faults in a way that lifts up humanity.” – N
“A grudge is a good place to put hurt; It gives it a direction.” – M
“The only thing more motivating than achieving a goal, is not achieving it.” – C
“Don’t confuse a “mental condition” with behavioral choices you use to fill a void.” – L
“An addict will violate their standards quicker than they can lower them.” – R
“Motivation comes from deficits, not strengths.” – Sarge
Jessica with 141 days of sobriety shares her favorites “you might be an alcoholic if” line.
You might be an alcoholic if you have a name for each day of the week relating to alcohol:
Sloppy Sunday
Margarita Monday
Trashed Tuesday
Wasted Wednesday
Trashy Thursday
Effed up Fridays
by Paul Churchill | Nov 2, 2015 | Podcast
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I’ve heard several times from people with significant time lengths of sobriety that its not a good idea to get into a relationship the first year of sobriety. It piggy backs off the don’t make any major life changes in early recovery, like change jobs, move to a different state, or leave your loved one, and getting into a relationship would fall under that category of a major life change. First of all, we alcoholics don’t have much to contribute on an emotional level to a relationship in early sobriety, but what if this relationship goes wrong and we end up in a desperate situation where we are eager to make the pain disappear and a drink seems like not a bad option at the time.
The main issue is that this first year of sobriety should be about self exploration with the focus on yourself and not a different person.
6 ways to be successful in dating while in recovery. These came from a great article called 6 Tips for Dating in Recovery by Pro Talk.
- Don’t stop your recovery
- Be honest about your recovery and fast
- Have at least 6 months to 1 year of sobriety
- Take it slow
- Understand your priorities and sobriety comes first
- Don’t date someone that could rock your routine
Also in this episode I interview Anthony Alvarado, with nearly 3 years of sobriety, who is a man on a mission aiming to eliminate the stigmas associated with addiction and people in recovery. Anthony is a founder of Rise Together and has spoken to over 70,000 students!
by Paul Churchill | Oct 26, 2015 | Podcast
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In this episode, Robert with 5 days of sobriety joins the podcast again. Robert was previously on episode 17 and he is determined to achieve sobriety.
According to the Time News Feed article, there are 4 types of drunks. Which one are you?
