Ever felt like you're drowning in a sea of struggles and just need a moment to breathe? In this heartfelt episode of Recovery Elevator, Jeff from Salt Lake City opens up about his battle with alcohol and the turning points that led him towards recovery. At 35, Jeff faced deep depression and heavy drinking, feeling trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and pain.

He couldn't let the love from his family and friends in, stuck in the belief that he wasn't enough. But Jeff's story is one of resilience and hope. He shares how pivotal moments of clarity nudged him to seek help through therapy, attend the Bozeman Retreat, and find solace in music. Each step, no matter how small, was a victory on his path to a better life.

Jeff's journey reminds us that recovery isn't a straight line; it's a series of small steps forward. His candidness about his struggles and triumphs sheds light on the power of vulnerability and the importance of connection and self-acceptance. If you're looking for inspiration and a reminder that you're not alone in your journey, Jeff's story is a must-listen.

Listen to Jeff's inspiring journey from battling depression and heavy drinking to finding strength and hope in sobriety on Recovery Elevator.

Jeff's Road to Sobriety: Finding Light in the Darkest Moments

Episode 442 – Time to Breathe   Today we have Jeff, he is 35 from Salt Lake City, UT and had his last drink on April 6th, 2023.   Shout out to the Café RE chat hosts. Thank you for continuing to hold space for our community and for creating an environment where we can come together and heal.   <a href="https://gobrewing.com/">Go Brewing</a>. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off.   [03:46] Highlights from Kris:   Kris finds sober anniversaries a good opportunity to reflect on where he was and where he is today. He asks himself questions such as “What have I gone through? How have I been able to meet the challenges placed in front of me? Am I moving in the direction I want to in my life?”   In active addiction Kris was not able to show love to himself. He knew that the things he was doing were hurting other people and himself. He knew his wife, kids, parents, and friends all loved him, but he couldn’t let the love in. He was stuck in the loop of “I’m not enough, I’ve screwed up too much, I deserve to feel this way.”   If you’re listening, and you’re there today, know that you are not alone. Many of us have been there and know how hard it is.    We don’t have to be perfect RE… that’s never going to happen. All we have to be is willing. We have to be willing to be honest with where we are today. Without judgement, where are things in our life right now? What is the next right thing to step into our new future? Where can we find support? Don’t worry about trying to resolve every issue in your life all at once. Just take little bites.   Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [09:40] Kris introduces Jeff:   At the time of recording, Jeff is celebrating 90 days of sobriety and plans to celebrate with cacao.  He is 35 and lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and two dogs. For fun Jeff enjoys mountain biking, skiing, running, and music is a big part of his life.   Growing up, alcohol was always present at celebrations hosted by his parents and their friends. It was normal for him to see people drink to excess. Jeff’s first drink was when he was 16 with some friends and stolen rum. Early on he recognized that his drinking was different than other people’s. On the outside, he was successful at school but was suffering from depression that alcohol helped him escape from.   After high school Jeff went to the east coast to play hockey for two years. This required a lot of discipline, so Jeff’s drinking was limited to one day each week. He never moderated and usually ended up blacking out.   When Jeff turned 20, he started college where he played hockey and studied engineering. During his freshman year he got a bad concussion and struggled a lot with the side effects afterwards. He initially used drinking to self-medicate the side effects but drinking started to become the answer to everything.   After college Jeff moved back to Alaska for a job. He had his own place with two roommates who he frequently drank with late into the night. He was able to keep up with work and other activities so in spite of some health consequences, he didn’t feel he had a problem.   Jeff started questioning his drinking after he caught himself drinking and driving frequently. He found Allen Carr’s book and was able to stop drinking for 11 days. Since then, he has been in the cycle of quitting and then starting back with different lengths of time between drinks.   Therapy has been helpful for Jeff over the last three years and his wife has been very supportive. Connection has become very important to him.   Jeff’s plan in recovery moving forward: moving forward with integrity and owning who he is.   Jeff’s parting piece(s) of guidance: it’s ok if you think this is hard because it is hard. Even just listening to this podcast is a huge win. Recovery is not a straight line.   <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 You’re the only one that can do this, but you don’t have to do it alone. I love you guys.

RE 442: Time to Breathe

Recovery

Sobriety

Alcohol

Personal Recovery Stories

Relationships

Self-Help

Mental Health

Society and Culture

Interviews

Faith-Based Recovery

Alcohol, Addiction & Recovery

Creativity & Innovation

Sexual Health & Wellbeing

Substance Abuse & Drug Recovery

Health & Wellness

Financial Empowerment

Family & Relationships

Comedy & Culture

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 felt like you're drowning in a sea of struggles and just need a moment to breathe? In this heartfelt episode of Recovery Elevator, Jeff from Salt Lake City opens up about his battle with alcohol and the turning points that led him towards recovery. At 35, Jeff faced deep depression and heavy drinking, feeling trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and pain.He couldn't let the love from his family and friends in, stuck in the belief that he wasn't enough. But Jeff's story is one of resilience and hope. He shares how pivotal moments of clarity nudged him to seek help through therapy, attend the Bozeman Retreat, and find solace in music. Each step, no matter how small, was a victory on his path to a better life.Jeff's journey reminds us that recovery isn't a straight line; it's a series of small steps forward. His candidness about his struggles and triumphs sheds light on the power of vulnerability and the importance of connection and self-acceptance. If you're looking for inspiration and a reminder that you're not alone in your journey, Jeff's story is a must-listen.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 442: Time to Breathe

RE 442: Time to Breathe

RE 442: Time to Breathe

Monday 7th August 2023

About this podcast

Recovery Elevator

Jeff's Road to Sobriety: Finding Light in the Darkest Moments

Episode Overview