Turns out… i thought i had control until monday (Ep. 20)

At the time we recorded this, Charlie is 90 days sober. His story is about thinking he had control until one Monday proved otherwise.Charlie walks us through the quiet unraveling. The routines that kept him skating by. The embarrassment at work that finally broke through the noise. And the moment he found himself sitting in a room he never planned to be in, saying something out loud for the first time.We talk about early sobriety. The shock of honesty. The weight people carry without realizing it. And what happens when the consequences finally matter more than the buzz.This is a conversation about surrender, willingness, and what changes when you stop trying to manage it quietly.00:00 - Sweatpants, public rules, and warming up the room02:41 - Brian's sobriety intro03:09 - Meeting Charlie. 90 days sober03:39 - What life looked like 120 days ago06:54 - Thinking it was under control07:24 - "No addiction October" and the thought to quit drinking08:22 - The Vikings game and slipping after 20 days09:18 - The Monday that broke him11:14 - Embarrassment vs consequences12:41 - Getting "tricked" into Quest14:06 - Realizing where he was15:32 - Choosing to stay and listen18:21 - Thinking he could do it on his own19:50 - Step four and the room breaking open21:15 - Saying "I'm an alcoholic" out loud22:50 - Finding similarities instead of differences24:45 - Realizing he wasn't alone27:20 - Writing inventory. Crying alone. Facing himself31:00 - The illusion of being the "fun guy"32:00 - Surrender and faith shifting33:51 - Early sobriety and the craving question36:46 - Noise, temptation, and choosing tomorrow38:40 - The wedding. Saying no. Over and over40:06 - Having someone to call42:59 - Remembering the day it stopped being worth it45:54 - What's annoying about sobriety46:53 - Why Quest feels different50:36 - Nightmares, cravings, and adding Saturday meetings53:19 - Sitting on the bench vs doing the work55:35 - Losses turning into lessons57:32 - Living in the early sobriety "high"58:30 - Is Charlie's story unusual?01:00:29 - Courage, discomfort, and choosing bravery01:03:57 - Elevator pitch: the last 90 days01:06:20 - Closing reflection and invitationNeed help? Find your local AA or Celebrate Recovery group. Or email us at [email protected]