Ever wondered if there's a way out when alcohol seems to have you cornered? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen introduce us to Jenny, a 36-year-old from Hudson, WI, who took her last drink on February 16, 2020. Jenny's story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. She opens up about her battles with childhood trauma, eating disorders, and drug problems, which eventually led her to alcohol.

But the turning point came when she joined Café RE, an alcohol-free community that provided her with the support and sense of belonging she desperately needed. Jenny talks candidly about the grief and fear that come with realizing alcohol no longer serves you but feeling unable to imagine life without it. She describes this as the 'best and worst place' to be with a drinking problem.

Yet, it's also a tipping point—a chance to embark on a journey towards a life you were meant to live. With the help of Café RE and the act of surrendering, Jenny found a way to simplify her life and leave alcohol behind. Her story highlights the importance of community in recovery. She emphasizes how being part of Café RE made her feel understood and less alone in her struggles.

Jenny also discusses the concept of surrendering, which, although daunting, was a crucial step in her path to sobriety. This episode is not just about Jenny's struggles but also about the hope and recovery she found. It's a reminder that sobriety is within reach, and with the right support, you can reclaim your life. Tune in to hear Jenny's inspiring journey and discover what a life without alcohol can truly look like.

Jenny shares her journey to sobriety on Recovery Elevator, emphasizing community support and surrender in overcoming addiction.

Jenny's Journey: Finding Hope and Community in Sobriety

Episode 417 – The Best and Worst Place to be With a Drinking Problem   Today we have Jenny, she is 36 from Hudson, WI and took her last drink on 2/16/2020.   Shout out to our <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Café RE</a> hosts!  They do an amazing job. If you are interested in joining, click the link and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to wave the setup fee.   [02:45] Intro Summary:   When Paul describes the best and worst places to be with a drinking problem, they both look a lot alike.   That realization that alcohol no longer serves us, but we can’t imagine life without it can be a scary place to be. Alcohol has us right where it wants us. It may feel like part of you is dying, that feeling is grief.   But on the flip side, when we realize that alcohol no longer serves us, we can see that as an invitation to live the life we were meant to live. We are at the tipping point about to embark upon the greatest journey in our life.   We are all right where we need to be. Life will keep giving us the same lesson until we are ready to learn or make a change. By making that first jump into the unknown, you give others courage to do the same.   Better Help: <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/elevator"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored     [10:15] Paul introduces Jenny:   Jenny is 36 and lives in the small town of Hudson WI.  She is married and they have one son together. She works in education and enjoys the outdoors – camping, backpacking, she also enjoys gardening, yoga and in recovery she learned that she likes to read.   Jenny’s drinking started when she was just 11 years old. A traumatic event that she didn’t share with anyone had her feeling alone and out of place. Jenny realized she loved drinking right from the start. She grew up aspiring to be the bad girl with the tough persona because it helped her put up a guard to protect herself. She enjoyed drinking and was willing to try any other drugs.   When she was 20 her and her boyfriend moved to Montana. She thought she could escape her issues, but that didn’t work. Her addictions got worse and while she would quit some things, the alcohol remained which helped her believe that she didn’t have a problem because drinking was socially acceptable. At age 30, she lost a pregnancy and her drinking evolved from drinking for fun to being self-destructive.  She later got pregnant again and her son was born 18 months later.  She still struggled to quit drinking during pregnancy and since her doctor told her it was ok, she saw that as a green light to keep drinking.   When their son was 7 weeks old, they moved back home from Montana to their hometown to be close to family. In debt, postpartum with no job, the lived in her in-law’s basement and her drinking got really bad. No one called her out because drinking was all part of the culture.   Her turning point was after Super Bowl Sunday when she had crippling anxiety the day after and ended up staying in bed for two days with very dark thoughts. There is a history of suicide in her family and that is what stopped her from that path.   She says she was sober from alcohol for the first 14 months but doesn’t feel like she was in recovery. She ended up going to AA in April of 2021 and hasn’t looked back.   To her, there is a big difference between being sober and being in recovery. She is doing things that she likes to do instead of just not drinking. She feels like every day is a victory and she counts every day as it helps motivate her. At first, she had a hard time letting go of the old persona, but now she has let go of that and has redefined who she is. She loves mornings now and is doing well in her job. She also loves yoga and attends AA meetings frequently as well as other online community events.       <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/"> Connect with Cafe RE</a> - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee. <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> - Subscribe here! <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i"> Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a>     Recovery Elevator I love you guys We can do this.

RE 417: The Best and Worst Place to be With a Drinking Problem

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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 if there's a way out when alcohol seems to have you cornered? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen introduce us to Jenny, a 36-year-old from Hudson, WI, who took her last drink on February 16, 2020. Jenny's story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. She opens up about her battles with childhood trauma, eating disorders, and drug problems, which eventually led her to alcohol.But the turning point came when she joined Café RE, an alcohol-free community that provided her with the support and sense of belonging she desperately needed. Jenny talks candidly about the grief and fear that come with realizing alcohol no longer serves you but feeling unable to imagine life without it. She describes this as the 'best and worst place' to be with a drinking problem.Yet, it's also a tipping point—a chance to embark on a journey towards a life you were meant to live. With the help of Café RE and the act of surrendering, Jenny found a way to simplify her life and leave alcohol behind. Her story highlights the importance of community in recovery. She emphasizes how being part of Café RE made her feel understood and less alone in her struggles.Jenny also discusses the concept of surrendering, which, although daunting, was a crucial step in her path to sobriety. This episode is not just about Jenny's struggles but also about the hope and recovery she found. It's a reminder that sobriety is within reach, and with the right support, you can reclaim your life. Tune in to hear Jenny's inspiring journey and discover what a life without alcohol can truly look like.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 417: The Best and Worst Place to be With a Drinking Problem

RE 417: The Best and Worst Place to be With a Drinking Problem

RE 417: The Best and Worst Place to be With a Drinking Problem

Monday 13th February 2023

About this podcast

Recovery Elevator

Jenny's Journey: Finding Hope and Community in Sobriety