Ever wondered which recovery path might be right for you? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, host Paul Churchill sits down with Doug, a 59-year-old from Buena Vista, CO, who has been sober since July 28, 1982. Doug shares his personal journey to sobriety and the various recovery methods he explored along the way.

From community-focused programs like yoga and hiking to the use of naltrexone and the Sinclair method, Doug's story is a treasure trove of insights and practical advice. Paul kicks off the episode with some valuable thoughts on balancing external and internal recovery work. He suggests aiming for a 50/50 split between activities like attending AA meetings or calling a sober friend (external) and practices such as meditation or journaling (internal).

This balanced approach can help stabilize your nervous system and make the recovery process more manageable. Doug's narrative delves into the importance of community in recovery. He highlights how connecting with others through groups like AA, SMART Recovery, or Café RE can be a game-changer. Doug also touches on the significance of physical activities like hiking and yoga in his journey, which not only kept him active but also helped him build a supportive network.

One of the most compelling parts of Doug's story is his discussion on overcoming shame and guilt. He talks about how these emotions can be stumbling blocks in the recovery process and shares strategies for dealing with them. Doug also emphasizes the progressive nature of alcoholism and the need for continuous self-care to maintain sobriety. If you're curious about different recovery pathways or looking for inspiration to start your own journey, this episode is a must-listen.

Paul and Doug offer a blend of heartfelt stories and actionable advice that can help you find your way to a fulfilling, booze-free life.

Join Paul Churchill on Recovery Elevator as he chats with Doug about finding the right recovery path. Explore different methods and get inspired.

Finding Your Recovery Path: Doug's Journey on Recovery Elevator

Episode 425 – What Recovery Pathway is Right for Me?   Today we have Doug. He is 59, from Buena Vista, CO and he took his last drink on July 28, 1982.   Join <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/atlanta/">Recovery Elevator in Atlanta</a> over Memorial Day weekend for a fun conference style meet up at the Marriott in Alpharetta.  This event is all about getting your connect on and it will be a fun time.  Spouses or loved ones are encouraged to attend the Sunday night event and Silent Disco afterwards!   [2:30] Thoughts from Paul:   When building your recovery portfolio, a good goal is 50% external and 50% internal. At first, the internal work may be too big of an ask, but as your nervous system settles down, you want to aim for a balanced split. Here are some quick examples of what I mean when I say external vs internal:   External: Driving to an AA meeting, or hopping on a Café RE zoom chat Phoning a sober friend Working with a sponsor   Internal: Meditation Journaling Reading Quit-Lit   When building out your recovery I recommend this 5-tiered approach: 1. Community – AA, SMART, Café RE, therapy, sober friends. Burn the Ships! 2. Action/Movement – Chemicals of wellbeing, endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin are released when we move.   3. Inner Peace – Meditation, breathwork, creative ventures, writing, time in nature. 4. Knowledge – Podcasts, Quit-Lit, learning about new things in and out of recovery. 5. Universe – This is not religion, but it is the spiritual component of recovery.   Better Help:  <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/elevator"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored           [11:55] Paul introduces Doug:   Doug had his last drink on July 28th, 1982, when he was 19 years old. He lives in Buena Vista, CO and is married and they have two adult children. He has worked in upholstery, cabinet building and installations, and has built some houses with his son. He enjoys the mountains, biking and riding his motorcycle.   Doug grew up in a normal family and wasn’t exposed to heavy drinking. His first experience with alcohol was when he was 4 years old when he remembers having a few sips of his mother’s drink. He felt the warm glow and really liked it. Later when he was 12, a friend of his stole a bottle of liquor from his parents and while his friends were mixing it with soft drinks, Doug drank straight from the bottle. He felt something click – suddenly, he felt normal, and like everyone else.   When Doug was 16 his mother passed away and the drinking escalated and continued to be excessive after graduation. Some friends invited him to Alateen meetings, and he started attending weekly. Once a month AA members would come in and share their stories. He started identifying with some of the stories which got him to start question his drinking. He realized that he was becoming less like the person that he wanted to be.   When one of his former drinking friends disappeared from the meetings, he found out that they were working on sobriety with AA. That friend was a speaker at one of the meetings, and Doug noticed that they looked healthy and at peace. He chose to speak to him afterwards and expressed an interest in possibly attending AA but wasn’t quite ready for it.   Doug finally accepted the invitations to attend and was planning to go to a meeting on July 29th. The night before he found himself drinking and when he saw himself in a mirror started asking himself why he was drinking. He didn’t have a good answer for that.   AA has been a big tool for Doug, along with volunteer work. He knows that if he had continued drinking, he would not have had the life he has. He believes in counting blessings, finding things to be grateful for and putting sobriety before everything else.   <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">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> <a href= "https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a>   Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we all go home I love you guys

RE 425: What Recovery Pathway is Right for Me?

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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 which recovery path might be right for you? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, host Paul Churchill sits down with Doug, a 59-year-old from Buena Vista, CO, who has been sober since July 28, 1982. Doug shares his personal journey to sobriety and the various recovery methods he explored along the way.From community-focused programs like yoga and hiking to the use of naltrexone and the Sinclair method, Doug's story is a treasure trove of insights and practical advice. Paul kicks off the episode with some valuable thoughts on balancing external and internal recovery work. He suggests aiming for a 50/50 split between activities like attending AA meetings or calling a sober friend (external) and practices such as meditation or journaling (internal).This balanced approach can help stabilize your nervous system and make the recovery process more manageable. Doug's narrative delves into the importance of community in recovery. He highlights how connecting with others through groups like AA, SMART Recovery, or Café RE can be a game-changer. Doug also touches on the significance of physical activities like hiking and yoga in his journey, which not only kept him active but also helped him build a supportive network.One of the most compelling parts of Doug's story is his discussion on overcoming shame and guilt. He talks about how these emotions can be stumbling blocks in the recovery process and shares strategies for dealing with them. Doug also emphasizes the progressive nature of alcoholism and the need for continuous self-care to maintain sobriety. If you're curious about different recovery pathways or looking for inspiration to start your own journey, this episode is a must-listen.Paul and Doug offer a blend of heartfelt stories and actionable advice that can help you find your way to a fulfilling, booze-free life.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 425: What Recovery Pathway is Right for Me?

RE 425: What Recovery Pathway is Right for Me?

RE 425: What Recovery Pathway is Right for Me?

Monday 10th April 2023

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Recovery Elevator

Finding Your Recovery Path: Doug's Journey on Recovery Elevator