Ever wondered what it really takes to quit drinking? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Paul Churchill sits down with Sofi, who took her last drink on April 28, 2014. Sofi, a 30-year-old from London, opens up about her struggle with alcohol and the turning points that led her to sobriety. From her teenage years at boarding school to the chaotic nights of university, Sofi's journey is a raw and honest look at the challenges of addiction.

She talks about her addictive personality, the dangers of isolation, and the negative self-talk that kept her trapped in a cycle of drinking. But Sofi's story is also one of hope and resilience. She shares how seeking professional help and finding common ground with others in recovery helped her build a fulfilling, alcohol-free life. Whether you're struggling with addiction yourself or supporting someone who is, Sofi's story offers valuable insights and inspiration.

Tune in to hear how she overcame her obstacles and what life looks like for her now.

Join Paul Churchill on Recovery Elevator as Sofi shares her journey from addiction to sobriety, highlighting the challenges and triumphs along the way.

Sofi's Story: Breaking Free from Addiction on Recovery Elevator

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 drinking ways.    Sofi never finished university and at the age of 21 was in her fist rehab.  That began a revolving door for the next 4 years…rehab, relapse, rehab, relapse.     [21:00] 13 treatment centers, was there ever a time when you just felt like the next one wasn’t going to work?   Sofi says she liked rehab.  She liked that when she was there, she met people that thought like she did.         [25:50] What does ‘you can’t think your way out of this problem’ mean to you?   Sofi said she had learned all the tools in all of her rehab stays, but because she didn’t know how to use them, she kept relapsing and going back.  It wasn’t until she had a moment of clarity that it all came together and made sense.    [31:15] Talk to us about what you learned in those first 3 years, and then in the 2 years after that.   Sofi says she was learning to live through the highs and lows during the first 3 years.  She also learned, through the AA community, that she wasn’t such a bad person and how to make things right with her family.  The biggest thing that Sofi has learned, and is still learning, is that she does not need to punish herself.       [34:05] How do you address self-loathing?   Sofi says she at the place where she accepts herself, most of the time.    She tries to treat herself as she would treat someone else.    [36:15] Talk to us a little bit about your experience here at Hope Rehab.   Sofi says it is such a fun environment.  Hope Rehab is teaching people how to enjoy life sober.  There is a big emphasis on exercise.      [41:15] Rapid Fire Round   <ol> <li>What is a memorable moment, that a life without alcohol, has given you?</li> </ol>   Going on holiday with my family again, for the first time sober.   <ol start="2"> <li>What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?</li> </ol>   Hard to narrow it down, but anything sour.    <ol start="3"> <li>What are some of your favorite resources?</li> </ol>   It’s easily other people.    <ol start="4"> <li>What’s on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?</li> </ol>   I’m living it now, going around the world and seeing as much of it as I can.    <ol start="5"> <li>And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?</li> </ol>   Stay connected.    You might need to ditch the booze if...             You have started drinking secretly.          Upcoming Events and Retreats.  <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/denver-2020/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind</a> - in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020 <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/costarica/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica: From Jungle to the Beach</a> - October 8 - 18th, 2020 You can find more information about our events <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">here.</a>   The book, Alcohol is Sh!t, is out.  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Alcohol-SH-Re-ignite-Recover-Person/dp/1086176545/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="> here</a>!  You can get the Audible version <a href= "https://www.audible.com/pd/Alcohol-is-Sht-Audiobook/B07XGDMXQF?qid=1569247192&sr=1-2&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=TY51EJJZJ0XQDPRMN0MA&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_2"> here</a>!   Resources mentioned in this episode:   Hope Rehab <a href= "https://www.hope-rehab-center-thailand.com/">https://www.hope-rehab-center-thailand.com/</a>   BetterHelp  Visit <a href="https://betterhelp.com/ELEVATOR" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">betterhelp.com/ELEVATOR</a> and join the over 500,000 people talking charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional. Recovery Elevator listeners get 10% off your first month at <a href="https://betterhelp.com/ELEVATOR" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">betterhelp.com/ELEVATOR</a>.      <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href= "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com   “Recovery Elevator – It All Starts from the Inside Out.  We can do this.”

RE 261: Do You Want to Quit Drinking or Not?

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It isn't a NO to alcohol, but a YES to a better life!  Best selling author Paul Churchill, along with Kristopher Oyen interview people who have stepped away from alcohol in their own lives. Each week this podcast does a deep dive into an exploration of what a booze free life might look like from various perspectives and opinions. 

If you are sick and tired of alcohol making you sick and tired, we invite you to listen to Recovery Elevator. Check out what an alcohol free life can look like as others share their own stories of sobriety. If you are sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one or living your best life already in recovery, then you are in the right place.

This podcast addresses what to do if you’re addicted to alcohol, or if you think you’re an alcoholic. Other topics include, does moderate drinking work, does addiction serve a purpose, what happens to the brain when we quit drinking, should you track sobriety time, is A.A. right for you, spirituality, and more. 

Similar to other recovery podcasts like This Naked Mind, the Shair Podcast, and the Recovered Podcast, Paul and Kris discuss a topic and then interview someone who has ditched the booze.

Recovery Elevator

Ever wondered what it really takes to quit drinking? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Paul Churchill sits down with Sofi, who took her last drink on April 28, 2014. Sofi, a 30-year-old from London, opens up about her struggle with alcohol and the turning points that led her to sobriety. From her teenage years at boarding school to the chaotic nights of university, Sofi's journey is a raw and honest look at the challenges of addiction.She talks about her addictive personality, the dangers of isolation, and the negative self-talk that kept her trapped in a cycle of drinking. But Sofi's story is also one of hope and resilience. She shares how seeking professional help and finding common ground with others in recovery helped her build a fulfilling, alcohol-free life. Whether you're struggling with addiction yourself or supporting someone who is, Sofi's story offers valuable insights and inspiration.Tune in to hear how she overcame her obstacles and what life looks like for her now.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 261: Do You Want to Quit Drinking or Not?

RE 261: Do You Want to Quit Drinking or Not?

RE 261: Do You Want to Quit Drinking or Not?

Monday 17th February 2020

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Recovery Elevator

Sofi's Story: Breaking Free from Addiction on Recovery Elevator