RE 258: SOBER - Son of a Bitch, Everything’s Real

Scott took his last drink on December 2, 2018.  This is his story.

Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here!

Registration is now open for the 2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind.  The event will take place June 11-13 in Denver, CO.  You can find more information about our events here.

On today’s episode Paul talks about control.  He also talks about an article, by Anna Ronan Shaw, that he read.  The article is titled Addiction Isn’t a Sin, It’s an Adaption, and you can find it here.  Paul shares his take, that addictions represent part of our personalities that are in the most need of healing. 

[11:25] Paul introduces Scott. 

Scott is 48 years old and lives in Denver, CO.  He is a bicycle mechanic.  For fun Scott likes to ride bikes, exercise, and hang out with his dogs, Willie and Waylon.    

[22:00] Give us a background on your drinking.

Scott started drinking in Jr. High/High School.  Within a couple of years Scott got 2 DUIs, 9 years later he got his 3rd DUI and lost his license for 5 years. 

In January 2004 Scott decided to go to rehab.  After making some phone calls he entered rehab on January 3, 2004, and stayed for 28 days.  Once out of rehab Scott immersed himself into recovery and AA.  In 2005 Scott was cleaning a family members house and found a vile of cocaine.  He says that within seconds he had it lined up, and up his nose.  He looked at that relapse as a lesson, reminding him how powerless over drugs/alcohol he was.  He continued his AA and recovery journey. 

In 2008 Scott says he said the 3 most dangerous words an alcoholic can say, “I got this”.  He gradually left the support of his AA community and the farther away he got the emptier his “sobriety toolbox” got. 

In 2012 Scott bought his first house and thought it would be cool to sit on his porch and drink NA beers.  Because of his 2 surgeries, and not liking pain pills, Scott started to smoke pot to help the pain.  In October of 2013 Scott’s father got in a really bad bicycle accident.  In the ambulance ride to the hospital with his father Scott saw a liquor store across from the hospital.  As soon as Scott’s father was settled in the hospital Scott headed for the store.  Without thinking about the 9 ½ years he had been alcohol free Scott got drunk that night. 

[32:33] What happened between then and 2018? 

Scott says his dad really never recovered from the accident.  He had multiple surgeries that were all unsuccessful.  On November 27, 2016, Scott’s father committed suicide.  After that Scott says he couldn’t use, or drink, enough.  He had no stop button. 

Scott sought out help from a therapist, who referred him to a doctor that agreed to help him stop drinking.  He prescribed meds that Scott waited a couple weeks before taking.  On December 3, 2018, Scott took his first benzo and hasn’t drank since. 

[48:45] Rapid Fire Round

1. What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?

I think when I finally surrendered.  When I accepted that I am an alcoholic and a drug addict, and that that’s not a bad thing. 

1. What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?

I would have to say that panel in Montana. 

1. What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?

A raspberry Italian cream soda with Topo Chico.

1. What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?

I want to be a sponsor and I want to help newcomers at my meeting. 

1. And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?

There is no good day to start this, except today. 

You might need to ditch the booze if...

You have a little bit left in a whiskey bottle and you decide to try to drink it all at once so you slam it down, and you throw up in your mouth and swallow that, and keep drinking the bottle and finish it. 

Upcoming Events and Retreats. 

Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind - in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020

Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica: From Jungle to the Beach - October 8 - 18th, 2020

You can find more information about our events here.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Care/of

For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter the code elevator50

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to [email protected]

“Recovery Elevator – It All Starts from the Inside Out.  We can do this.”