RE 267: When Facing Crisis

Today we have Lucas. He took his last drink November 13th, 2018. This is his story. Today's Sponsor: Café RE Use the promo code CONNECT for one free month in the alcohol-free community Café RE. On today's episode Paul talks about crisis. In some languages the word 'crisis' is coupled with the word 'opportunity'. Everyone experiences crisis' in life, but we are the fortunate ones that are forced to reach out for help. We are then in this together…think the movie, The Breakfast Club. [11:15] Paul introduces Lucas. Lucas is 32 years old, was born and raised in the DC metro area. He is married, no kids yet. Lucas is a UPS driver. He has a dog that they rescued from a shelter. For fun Lucas likes to work out, go to sporting events, and concerts. [17:00] Give us a background on your drinking. Lucas started drinking when he was 13 years old. By the time he was 15/16 he says he would routinely blackout from drinking. It was at that time he started to realize that it was something he perhaps should look at. Even though he was aware that he may have a problem at this young age his drinking continued to progress through his 20s and college. Lucas said he really started to see the effect that his behavior had on his life in his late 20s, early 30s. [28:44] How powerful was it to bring your wife along with you on your journey? Lucas said that it has been vital to his sobriety, that it was so critical because it (sobriety) has been such a hard, and courageous, thing to do. [33:33] Talk to us about what you meant when you said, "moderation in all in my mind". Lucas says that moderation is not an attainable thing for him, that it is a word that was made up to make him feel better and convince himself that he could continue to have alcohol in his life. Once he realized that moderation wasn't a thing it was freeing. [39:55] Talk to us about quitting Adderall? Lucas said that Adderall was something he started taking in college and not because he really needed it, but because he liked its mood-altering qualities. Once he quit taking it, he realized that it actually was making him less productive and less organized. [44:10] Walk us through a sample day in a life without alcohol. Lucas said he is a creature of habit. He wakes up, lets the dog out, reads meditation passages, goes to the gym, goes to work, goes home, sometimes reads, cooks dinner, visits with his wife when she gets home from work and is in bed by 10/11 PM. [51:00] What is an excuse that you used to tell yourself for why you couldn't quit drinking? Lucas would tell himself that he didn't have a problem. [51:35] Rapid Fire Round What's a lightbulb moment you've had on this journey? When I realized how much time I was spending pursuing the feeling that I was never going to obtain again. What's your favorite alcohol-free drink? Lime flavored seltzer water. What are some of your favorite resources? AA, my meditation books, and "In the Rooms", which is online AA meetings. What is on your bucket list in a life without alcohol? I need to travel the world. What parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners? To remind yourself how vulnerable, dangerous, and susceptible we all are when we live in unreality. You might need to ditch the booze if... You find yourself asking if you have a drinking problem. The book, Alcohol is Sh!t, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here! Resources mentioned in this episode: Sobriety Tracker iTunes Sobriety Tracker Android Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to [email protected] "Recovery Elevator – You took the elevator down, you have to take the stairs back up. You can do this."