Ever felt like you're swinging from one extreme to another in your journey with alcohol? In this episode of 'Recovery Elevator', Paul Churchill chats with Zach, a 34-year-old from Richmond, Virginia, who took his last drink on July 18th, 2023. Zach’s story is not just about quitting alcohol; it’s about finding balance in a life that once felt out of control.

Paul kicks things off by diving into the concept of change and why most New Year's resolutions fail before February. The key issue? A lack of balance. We often replace one addiction with another, like becoming obsessed with the idea of not being addicted. Zach's journey exemplifies this struggle. He opens up about the highs and lows, the slip-ups, and the pivotal moments that led him to a balanced, sober life.

What makes Zach’s story so compelling is his honesty about the difficulties he faced and the strength he found in community and connection. If you’re looking for a story that’s real, raw, and ultimately uplifting, this episode is for you.

Join Zach on 'Recovery Elevator' as he shares his journey to sobriety, focusing on balance and the power of community.

Zach's Path to Sobriety: Balancing Life and Recovery

Episode 463 – Addicted to not Being Addicted     Today we have Zach. He is 34 years old and lives in Richmond, VA. He took his last drink on July 18th, 2023.   Our Dry January course <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/restore/">RESTORE</a> starts tonight, so get your register on, and join us at 8 PM EST for our first live session later this evening.   On January 27th we start our six-week alcohol-free <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/ukulele/">ukelele course</a>. This course is brought to you by <a href= "https://kalabrand.com/">Kala Brand</a>.   Check out our sponsor <a href="https://gobrewing.com/">Go Brewing</a>. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off.   [04:14] Thoughts from Paul:   Today we are talking about change. Research suggests that only 9% of people that make New Years resolutions complete them. Many quit well before February even starts. The main reason that these resolutions fail is our energies swing all the way to one side of the spectrum. In other words, we are out of balance.   With drinking, we find ourselves addicted to alcohol. Then the mind comes up with the idea that we need to not be addicted to alcohol, then we become addicted to the idea of not being addicted. This is equally out of balance. So that’s the word I want to plant with you today as we begin the new year is balance. On our sobriety journey, we cannot fight, or go to battle with an alcohol addiction.   So, in terms of quitting drinking and not going overboard in the theatre of war against yourself, let’s keep it simple. All you have to today is one thing, that is not pick up a drink. Are we quitting for a lifetime? God no. That would be out of balance. We are only quitting for today.   <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Café RE</a> - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee   [10:36] Paul introduces Zach:   Zach was originally from California but currently lives in Richmond, VA. He has two sons who live nearby with their mother. He is a technical writer for the federal government. He enjoys the gym and spending time outdoors.   Zach grew up in a home where alcohol wasn’t very present. He attended a small college where it wasn’t very prevalent either. He took his first drink after finishing college and was a normal drinker throughout his 20’s. Drinking didn’t become a problem for Zach until he was laid off of a job and his mental health started suffering. He was processing things from childhood and started having panic attacks and his sleep was an issue. He started drinking to help him sleep but over time it progressed to a daily habit.   Zach says he got a wake-up call when he and his wife split up. He was able to get a few months of sobriety, but he ended up back drinking after the divorce was finalized. He had relocated for a new job and didn’t know anyone. He had too much free time to drink heavily when he wasn’t spending time with his kids.   Zach was drinking at work and ended up having a meeting with HR where he finally told someone he had a problem. While he felt relieved to share this, he still struggled to quit and eventually lost the job. After his lease was up, he moved out of state to stay with some friends that were going to help him get back on his feet.   When he relapsed while the friends were out of town, Zach ended up trying Antabuse to help him quit drinking once and for all. He attended rehab and then went to sober living. After a while he decided he needed to move back closer to his kids and was able to find a place in Richmond with the help of a friend in recovery.   Zach tried a few different recovery modalities, but AA ended up working best for him. He got a sponsor who he has spoken to every day since they met. His sponsor has helped him realize that he cannot return to drinking. Zach is starting to see the benefits of not drinking, both physically and mentally. Community has been vital to Zach and his recovery.   Zach’s favorite resources: an app called The Big Book, and the RE podcast while at the gym.   Zach’s strategy to beat a craving:  a walk and a phone call.     <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/recoveryelevator/">Instagram</a>   <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 It all starts from the inside out. I love you guys.

RE 463: Balance

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 swinging from one extreme to another in your journey with alcohol? In this episode of 'Recovery Elevator', Paul Churchill chats with Zach, a 34-year-old from Richmond, Virginia, who took his last drink on July 18th, 2023. Zach’s story is not just about quitting alcohol; it’s about finding balance in a life that once felt out of control.Paul kicks things off by diving into the concept of change and why most New Year's resolutions fail before February. The key issue? A lack of balance. We often replace one addiction with another, like becoming obsessed with the idea of not being addicted. Zach's journey exemplifies this struggle. He opens up about the highs and lows, the slip-ups, and the pivotal moments that led him to a balanced, sober life.What makes Zach’s story so compelling is his honesty about the difficulties he faced and the strength he found in community and connection. If you’re looking for a story that’s real, raw, and ultimately uplifting, this episode is for you.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 463: Balance

RE 463: Balance

RE 463: Balance

Monday 1st January 2024

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Recovery Elevator

Zach's Path to Sobriety: Balancing Life and Recovery

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