Luke Worsfold
Luke Worsfold
The Evolution of an Alcoholic with Gary Menkes
The Evolution of an Alcoholic with Gary Menkes
The Evolution of an Alcoholic with Gary Menkes
Monday 9th October 2023
Join Gary Menkes on Inside Addiction as he shares his journey from early alcohol use to recovery and launching The Begin Again Podcast.
50 minutes
Inspiring
Hopeful
Raw
Honest
Resilient
About this podcast
Author:
Luke Worsfold
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
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Episodes:
53 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Gary Menkes: From Chaos to Clarity in Alcohol Recovery
Episode Overview
- Gary shares his childhood experiences with alcohol, reflecting on his early encounters and the normalisation of drinking from a young age
- He recounts a pivotal moment at 16 when he was arrested for assaulting a police officer, highlighting the serious consequences he faced
- Gary discusses his journey through various jobs, shedding light on the impact of alcohol on his professional and personal life
- Amidst 9/11, Gary's perspective on life shifts, leading to a transformational moment of surrender and a commitment to seeking sobriety
- He shares the challenges of early sobriety, the significance of gratitude, and the profound impact of rehab and the 12-step programme on his journey
I have words like gratitude today, Luke, that weren't in my vocabulary. And I try to be grateful for everything that this day is. I also try to live in just today, you know? I can project, I can have all my fears and go down rabbit holes, but 99.9% of those fears are projections into the future that aren't today. Yesterday is history.
Imagine starting your journey with alcohol as early as fourth grade. Gary Menkes, the voice behind The Begin Again Podcast, opens up about his life-long battle with alcohol in this compelling episode of Inside Addiction. Growing up on Long Island, New York, Gary’s story begins with sneaking shots from a friend's mom's liquor cabinet and escalates to weekend beer runs. But the real turning point came at 16 when he was arrested for assaulting a police officer on Thanksgiving morning.
This incident marked the beginning of a tumultuous relationship with alcohol that would follow him through various jobs, including bartending and working on Wall Street. Gary takes listeners through the chaos and devastation of 9/11, a day that profoundly changed his perspective on life. It was in the aftermath of this tragedy that Gary reached a moment of surrender, prompting him to seek sobriety and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
He shares candid insights into his experiences with rehab and the 12-step programme, emphasizing the challenges of early sobriety and the significance of gratitude in his recovery. Throughout the episode, Gary's narrative is raw and introspective, offering a heartfelt portrayal of addiction's complexities and the transformative power of recovery. His story culminates in the launch of The Begin Again Podcast, a platform where he continues to inspire others on their own journeys to sobriety.
This episode is a testament to hope, resilience, and the possibility of a new beginning, making it a must-listen for anyone touched by addiction.