About this episode
Today we have Kaylee. She's 33 years old from Camp Hill, PA and took her last drink on December 24th, 2024. Sponsors for this episode include: Better Help – 10% off of your first month Sober Link – learn more and save 50% off of a device Registration for our annual alcohol-free retreat in Bozeman is now open. From August 6th through 10th, we will be spending lots of time in nature, doing breathwork, a lakeside hangout, laser tag and more. [03:38] Thoughts from Paul: Paul shares a comment that he heard recently in a Café RE chat. Stephanie said she eventually called the fight with alcohol. It is another way to frame the moment where we surrender to what is when it comes to our drinking. We know moderation isn't working, anxiety is getting worse and the shame and torture from alcohol is reaching unprecedented levels. It becomes time to throw in the towel. He also shares a line from an upcoming interviewee who stated, "sobriety has given me the keys to the car of my dreams, I just hate the color". So, the universe will always align with our hopes, our dreams, and desires, but we may want the package to look different. It is all about accepting the journey that life places in front of you. [07:08] Paul introduces Kaylee: Kaylee is 33 and lives in Camp Hill, PA. She has two daughters aged 15 and six. She is still trying to figure out what she likes to do for fun, but enjoys movies, concerts and spending time with her daughters. Kaylee says she was a sensitive kid. She struggled with depression and self-harm when she was very young and was always searching for a remedy her feelings. Kaylee drank experimentally by sporadically sneaking alcohol out of her mom's cabinet. When she was 15, she was assaulted and learned early on that using alcohol could help numb her pain. Kaylee says that any time her emotions were strong, she knew she could use alcohol to not think about the negative emotions and things that happened to her. Her usage became a regular thing on the weekends with friends while she was a teenager. Kaylee had her first daughter when she was 17 and thought maybe she was done with the party life. She didn't drink while pregnant but not long after her daughter was born, she was right back to drinking. Moving to her first apartment at age 21 also contributed to an increase in her drinking and now she felt free to drink however she wanted to, including by herself. When Kaylee went right back to drinking after her second daughter, she knew she needed to try to cut back and moderate. She was taking online quizzes asking, "am I an alcoholic?" and considered AA meetings only to determine she was fine and could cut back on her own. After a few years trying moderation, Kaylee found herself in a dark place with suicidal thoughts. She decided to seek therapy and was open with someone about her drinking for the first time. She was able to get sober for about six months. In January 2024 after a breakup, Kaylee found herself drinking heavily again. After calling a suicide hotline looking for help, she ended up going to detox for a week. After detox she continued an outpatient program but again thought she could moderate. As Christmas approached, Kaylee was thinking that she could not continue drinking into another year. She began to talk to a good friend of hers who was extremely supportive. The first few weeks were tough, but she started to get better physically. Within the first month she says her mind started coming back and she started feeling more like herself. Kaylee reconnected to her faith and became more open about her struggles which she says helps a lot. Kaylee says the tools she uses the most in her recovery are journaling, talking to someone when she is having cravings or triggers, praying and meditation, and staying open with those close to her. Recovery Elevator Rule 22 – lighten up, let's not take ourselves too seriously. I love you guys. Café RE RE on Instagram RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes