About this episode
Episode 515 – The Joys of Detox Today we have Patrick. He's 43 years old from Montreal, Quebec and took his last drink on November 11th, 2024. Join Recovery Elevator for our Restore Dry January course. This is our most intensive course, and it's all about accountability. This is the best setup we've had yet for this course as participants get access to all of Café RE, including the chats and the community when they sign up for the course. Recovery Elevator's first ever Men's Retreat will be April 5th through the 12th in Costa Rica. We've got space for 12 guys. Registration for this event opens December 30th at 8AM EST. AG1 – offering new subscribers a free $76 gift when you sign up [3:58] Thoughts from Paul: **DISCLAIMER** alcohol is the most dangerous substance to detox rom. Listen to your body and seek medical attention if you think you need to. It doesn't matter what you're eliminating from your diet, the body does not like change. Studies have shown that when we take that first step forward in making change, the body can and will create chemicals of discomfort to pull you back into your comfort zone. Part of the withdrawal from alcohol is your dopamine center learning how to create it's own dopamine again, but much of this discomfort is your body rebuking any change whatsoever. Yes, there will be some discomfort but after doing Recovery Elevator for ten years, Paul says that not one person he has met has regretted there decision to quit drinking. It's a one-way street once you begin to feel and see the benefits. [7:57] Paul introduces Patrick: Patrick is 43 years old and lives in Montreal, Quebec. He works in the administrative field at a hospital, and he enjoys running (5k every day), spending time with his friends and watching TV. Patrick says he was born prematurely and wants to share that Fetal Alcohol Disorder exists. Both of his parents were alcoholics, and he had to parent them early in his life. At the age of 13, Patrick became responsible for his mother's care when she was diagnosed with Korsakoff Syndrome. He tried to help get her sober, but she was unable to and she ended up passing when she was 42 and Patrick was 16. Patrick says that while in school he drank mainly on the weekends with friends. After school he moved to Montreal and says that drinking was glorified in his community. This continued until his mid thirties when he met someone and fell in love. His drinking stopped without him noticing. Their relationship changed when his partner decided to move to the US. They ended the romantic relationship but remained close friends. Not long after COVID hit, Patrick and his friend were talking on the phone, and his friend told him that he was struggling with addiction. Patrick was planning to meet up with him and talk about their common issues, but unfortunately his friend passed away from an overdose. Not being able to have any closure after his friends passing, Patrick's drinking picked up from functional to full time. He started to recognize his mother in himself and decided to quit drinking cold turkey. This lasted for several months but then he landed back where he was. This November Patrick quit again and says this time he feels more stable. He has sought assistance from doctors and attends 12 step meetings along with mediation and running. He realizes that one drink is not an option. In order to reinforce the plan to stay sober, Patrick meditates and has learned to say "no" to events that will challenge his sobriety, he is avoiding places where he used to purchase alcohol, he has friends he can call on and he does at least seven meetings each week. Patrick's parting piece of guidance: listen to your inner voice. Give 12 step meetings a try. Have an open mind and listen. You'll learn about others and most importantly, you learn about yourself. Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we'll all go home. I love you guys. Café RE RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes