What does it take to break free from the grip of alcohol addiction? In this episode of the Recovery Elevator podcast, host Paul Churchill sits down with John Seigenthaler, who has been sober for five years. John opens up about his intense battle with alcoholism, including the moment he woke up covered in vomit and knew he needed to change his life.

He discusses the critical role of support systems like the Recovery Elevator community and AA in his journey to sobriety. John also delves into the benefits of living alcohol-free, such as improved relationships and personal growth. He offers practical advice for those struggling with addiction, emphasizing the importance of not trying to quit alone and the power of healthy habits like exercise.

John's story is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and that seeking help can lead to a fulfilling, sober life.

Hear John's inspiring journey from alcoholism to sobriety on Recovery Elevator. Learn how support and healthy habits transformed his life.

John's Sobriety Journey: From Rock Bottom to Recovery

<h2>John has been sober for 5 years... This is his story...</h2> <h2>Resources mentioned in this episode:</h2> <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/community/" target= "_blank">Connect with Cafe RE</a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;">For $12.00 per month, you can have unlimited, private access to groups of like-minded people via in-person meet-ups, unsearchable Facebook groups, and travel.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">First month FREE with Promo Code: Elevator.</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/sobriety-tracker/" target="_blank">Sobriety Tracker</a> <a href="http://www.aa.org/" target= "_blank">AA</a> <a href= "http://www.recoveryelevator.com/2015/02/001-do-you-have-a-drinking-problem/" target="_blank">Recovery Elevator Episode #1: Do You Have a Drinking Problem</a> Support the Recovery Elevator Podcast by shopping at <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> with the Recovery Elevator link: <a href= "http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/" target= "_blank">www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/</a> <h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2> <h2 style="text-align: left;">SHOW NOTES</h2> “In <a href= "http://www.recoveryelevator.com/2015/02/001-do-you-have-a-drinking-problem/" target="_blank">Episode 1 of RE</a>, we (the human Paul & the dog Ben) do a test to determine if I am an alcoholic. The results… Blatantly clear. Yes, I am an alcoholic.” Paul found it extremely difficult to stop drinking after having just one drink. For about a decade, he lived in the pickle of “one drink was too much and 1,000 drinks was just not enough.” How the hell do you navigate that? Well, the answer is definitely, “Don’t drink.” Now, at Episode 85, Paul has an even better test to determine if you’ve got a drinking problem. Preliminary steps before taking this self-assessment: <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure you are hydrated. Drink lots of water (if you are already drinking a beer during this portion, then yes, you too are an alcoholic).</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Stretch out. Loosen up. Maybe even do some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZQA08SlJnM" target= "_blank">burpees</a>!</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure you’ve got enough lead in your pencil and ink in your pen!</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Take some deep breaths.</li> </ol> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Paul’s Self-Assessment Test:</h3> (***This is going to be the new metric moving forward, I guarantee it! No need to go spend a ton of money on any other tests...This assessment is free and accurate.***) <ol> <li style="text-align: left;"> <h5>Have you ever wondered, “Do I have a drinking problem?” YES or NO</h5> </li> </ol> ***FEEL FREE TO PRESS PAUSE, GRAB A GLASS OF WATER, SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL, ETC., AS THIS IS THE HALF WAY POINT OF THE SELF ASSESSMENT TEST*** <ol start="2"> <li> <h5>Have you ever asked yourself, “Would my life be better without alcohol?” YES or NO</h5> </li> </ol> CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have just finished the Recovery Elevator self-assessment! Answer Key: Listen to Paul on RE 85 @ [ 5:11 ]  "Quitting drinking isn’t easy, but my life is exponentially better since I’ve quit drinking." In the previous 84 podcasts, there's a pretty good roadmap already laid out for you… Not only will your life improve (yes, there will be speed bumps), but the lives of those around you will improve too! In all honesty, these self-assessment tests are this simple. It’s not easy, but it’s better.   [ 10:25 ] Paul Introduces John. John was born and raised and lives in Wichita, Kansas. He has a 3-year old son. He enjoys working on his car, experimenting with cooking, and comic books… He is engaged to be married to a woman who is also in the program (<a href="http://www.aa.org/" target="_blank">AA</a>). John’s last drink was August 28th, 2011… John kept trying to do it (quit drinking) on his own, but time and time again, it just didn’t happen! After telling himself, “I’m just going to have two beers..." 3 or 4 beers, a few mixed drinks, sake for the whole table (they were going to a bar after dinner) and a $400 bar tab later… "I woke up on the floor in my undies, covered in puke (puke in the hallway, puke in the bathroom)... I just felt that someone was telling me to get help.” John realized he just couldn't do this alone. [ 20:29 ] When did you decide to first quit drinking? “I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I kept trying to do it myself, but I’d always find a “special” occasion to drink.” This is one of those things (choosing sobriety) where you actually have to do the work! [ 22:19 ] “I think I got this.” John explains what this means for him... To John, this phrase means that he’s letting his ego tell him how to run things. “I tried on my own without a program, guidance or a schedule and it just wouldn’t stick. Ever.” When John got his 2nd DUI, he knew something was up… John knew that if he drank again, he would get behind the wheel. [ 24:15 ] Talk to us about Alcoholics Anonymous. John was completely blown away by the spectrum of diverse people that made up his first AA meeting, which was quite contrary to what he “knew” AA was going to be! [ 31:08 ] John discusses weight loss, cooking and what he does with all his booze-FREE time! [ 32:59 ] What’s your favorite dance move? Thanks Paul for getting in some humor! In his sobriety, John has really enjoyed running, but he does not prefer the “Running Man,” and claims that the “Robot” is more his style... <h2>[ 35:48 ] Rapid Fire Round</h2> <ol> <li>What was your worst memory from drinking? “I had the DUI 50-moped (the scooter I rode when I had my license suspended) and I had been drinking. I got on the moped… I just could not stop myself from drinking and driving.”</li> <li>Did you ever have an “oh-shit” moment? “That day that I swore to myself that I’d only have 2 beers at the restaurant and ended up wondering, “How the hell did this happen?”</li> <li>What’s your plan moving forward? “Keep going to meetings, keep being thankful for my sobriety, keep asking for more sobriety, keep being honest with my sobriety, and keep reaching out to people.”</li> <li>What’s your favorite resource in recovery? “Right now, it’s the podcasts. I can take them anywhere. I can listen to it and nobody even knows.” John listens to <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/" target= "_blank">Recovery Elevator</a>, <a href= "https://theshairpodcast.com/" target="_blank">SHAIR Podcast</a>, and the <a href="http://www.thebubblehour.com/" target= "_blank">Bubble Hour</a>.</li> <li>What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (on sobriety)? “Look for the similarities. We all want to stay sober.”</li> <li>What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking? “Just do it. You’re going to want to find a reason to not start, to give it one more day. Just do it. Just stop. Today. Right now. Just stop."</li> </ol> <h3> </h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;">“We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up. WE can do this!”</h3> Drop us a line: info@recoveryelevator.com Support the Recovery Elevator Podcast by shopping at <a href= "http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/" target= "_blank">Amazon</a> with the Recovery Elevator link: <a href= "http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/" target= "_blank">www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/</a> This episode was brought to you by <a href="http://www.recoveryelevator.com/community/" target= "_blank">Cafe RE</a> and get your <a href= "http://www.transitionsdaily.org/subscribe.html" target= "_blank">daily AA email here!</a>

RE 85: Do You Have a Drinking Problem Part II

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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

What does it take to break free from the grip of alcohol addiction? In this episode of the Recovery Elevator podcast, host Paul Churchill sits down with John Seigenthaler, who has been sober for five years. John opens up about his intense battle with alcoholism, including the moment he woke up covered in vomit and knew he needed to change his life.He discusses the critical role of support systems like the Recovery Elevator community and AA in his journey to sobriety. John also delves into the benefits of living alcohol-free, such as improved relationships and personal growth. He offers practical advice for those struggling with addiction, emphasizing the importance of not trying to quit alone and the power of healthy habits like exercise.John's story is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and that seeking help can lead to a fulfilling, sober life.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 85: Do You Have a Drinking Problem Part II

RE 85: Do You Have a Drinking Problem Part II

RE 85: Do You Have a Drinking Problem Part II

Monday 3rd October 2016

About this podcast

Recovery Elevator

John's Sobriety Journey: From Rock Bottom to Recovery