I've been duped by alcohol | Paul Churchill | TEDxBozeman
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- čas přidán 8. 06. 2017
- Paul Churchill heard countless warnings about drugs from speakers who came to his school, but absent was any reference to alcohol. As far as he could tell, if he was 21 years of age, everything was going to be just fine. After moving to Spain and buying a bar, he found that alcohol wasn’t the benign drink he thought it would be. Over the following 3 years, Paul was blacking out 6-7 nights per week until he eventually walked away from the bar. In this talk, Paul shares his struggles with addiction and how he used accountability and his voice to beat addiction. He feels addiction and alcoholism is something that should be talked about instead of something we keep secret. Through community, we have the best chances of beating this.
In 2006, Paul Churchill moved to Granada Spain where and purchased a bar. In the following three years he became a dependent on alcohol, blacking out close to 7 nights per week.
In February, 2015 Paul launched the Recovery Elevator podcast as an accountability tool to stay sober. Today, it’s been over 2.5 years since Paul last took a drink of Alcohol and the podcast is approaching 1 million downloads. The Recovery Elevator podcast is in the 96th percentile of all podcasts on iTunes and has been downloaded in all 50 states and over 130 countries.
The Recovery Elevator podcast has evolved into a private membership community, with over 250 members from all over the world. In August, Paul will be hosting a ‘summer camp’ themed recovery retreat in Bozeman, Montana. Paul has spoken to thousands of students about alcohol awareness and was a featured speaker at My Brave LA this January.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
I have never went more than 30 days being sober I think since I was 19. 32 now and just hit 31 days today !
Congrats ...
I knew someone who became addicted to alcohol in his late 20's ... and drank everyday of his life for the next 25+ years - at first functional, yet creating pain and chaos constantly in those closest to him year after year as he tried to convince everyone he did not have a drinking problem.
Unfortunately, he hit a point where his health rapidly and severely declined - damaging almost every organ in his body ... his mind went from having an excellent memory - to not being able to remember how to do simple math or what he did one hour earlier. Yet despite his escalating health problems - he would not stop. He lost his health, his mind and eventually lost his life solely due to his obsessively destructive alcohol consumption - he was 30+ years younger than his parents when they passed. He always thought he was invincible. Tragic.
@@ridgebriar17 what a damaging substance my god.
I'm 24 years old. I hate Alcohol. It ruins taste of pipe.
@@JinnYoungKim taste of what pipe?
You can do It brother!!!!!
I watched this video just over 5 years ago and was shocked that only 5% of people who quit for 90 days make it. I wanted to stop so bad but struggled up until that point. As of July 27th I am 5 years sober and wish I would have seen this video 10 years ago. Thank you Paul
True congratulations you should be very proud of yourself. Take care and only the best wishes
Watch me make it to day 91 then drink
I'm coming up for 2 years sober. One thing I can confirm to anyone who's still on their first month is that it gets easier, you begin to forget about alcohol completely. And life is way less stressful. I feel very grounded and clear headed. In terms of money? I've got it coming out of my ears now, where as before I was always making ends meet. Good luck to everyone just starting out
I'm right behind you on almost 19 months and I echo everything you have posted.
Even when life gets stressful 🙃, we can help each other and still stay sober. Coming on 4 years myself. Congrats to you 👏
6 weeks in man. After what I went through in the first 10 days with withdrawal… still feel like I’ll never drink again. Go to weekly AA meetings and it really helps. Love to all.
I am 15 days sober. Goal is 90 days. Never been that far in the last 10 years.
I am now 35 days sober.
Awesome. 👏🏻 Keep going!
I am 7 days sober and I keep counting.
I am 64 days sober.
Good going!
I'm on day five of being sober, which is pretty good for me, the goal is forever.
Keep going,eat healthy,do a bit of exercise and in a month you will feel brilliant.I was killing myself with over 5 litres of wine a day on occasions and horrible withdrawls,I know,keep going.
Good luck! And get some sunlight. 🌞
Miketrt keep going please. Sobriety is so worth it
You got this
do one day at a time. u wont be sober forever. but u can be sober today for every day
Nothing beats the deep sleep you get after about a week of no drinking. That becomes my new addiction.
It only took a week?
Having my memories return has been amazing
That was my reason for finally stop getting drunk. It totally wrecks your REM sleep, keeps you right under the surface rather than all the way down in the sleep cycle. You wake up feeling like you slept 10 minutes because REM-wise you did.
I used to dread the night. I knew it would be hours of tossing and turning only to drag myself out of bed completely exhausted in the morning. Dry 3 months now and I look forward to hitting the sack each night. I sleep like a log!
@@mikec.4343 Excellent stuff man, I'm at three weeks today and waking up a little earlier and fresher each morning for the past week or so. Pretty excited to see how I feel in another three weeks. And another etc etc
I’m 26, alcohol has been my biggest vice and I’ve made so many horrible mistakes in my life while being blackout drunk/extremely intoxicated. I’ve managed to cut down a lot and rarely get drunk now. one day I hope to be totally substance free!
Good luck in your journey! I’m trying to give up casual drinking, it’s so normalised in our culture :( x
Same age and same dilemma
You can do it ♥️
Good luck xox
If I don't have alcohol, I don't even want to get out of bed. I don't feel any happiness doing things I used to love; like reading, gardening and make-up tutorials. I'm trying to fight that feeling. I'm going to force myself to get up, shower, read, run, etc...even though I feel like I can't and it doesn't bring me happiness at first. I'll always be an addict it's a lifelong disease, but I want to live without it so badly! I am sure I can learn to enjoy life without alcohol. Please wish me luck and keep me in your prayers!
I'm almost ten years sober, I didn't realize that the odds were so stacked against me.
Thank you for letting me know how completely awesome I am. 😊
LOL, your welcome;)….
You are awesome! Keep being awesome!!!!
Legend!
Stopped for 6 months last year to take a break, drank for 6 months after and decided to cut it out all together. Coming up on 3 months sober and this one is for life
One day at a time.
Donald Boston I am with you. I Was sober for 5 months and had one drunk weekend and it made me NEVER want to again. One day at a time. WE got this.
Good for you ! I hope you’re still on that same path
I’ve lost the love of my life. An important internship, nearly was evicted the other day. Alcohol has shattered my life into pieces. And I keep going back again and again. No more. Today is the day I never drink again. I’ve said it before but I mean it now. I’m so tired of this thing ruining everything in my life. My grandfather and father were alcoholics. I will not continue the cycle of this incredibly dangerous substance. Everyone has been lied to.
How are u holding up?
PLANE JAIN No answer so obviously fell off the wagon.
I really hope you’re doing well
Stop again Johnny. Stop as many times as it takes. You don’t fail unless you give up trying to quit.
You are too kind Victoria Violet. I am just a mother, daughter, friend and human being that sees what happens when people give up. Nothing changes if we don’t make the effort. Sometimes we get it right the first time other times it takes 100 times. Without hope we are nothing. ❤️
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE being SOBER!!!! No comparison, it is MUCH better than being a drunk! Save your health as well!
Can people drink with the intention to enjoy and not get drunk?
Sandy Heesom wish i could stop drinking but if i did I’d have no friends and be lonelier than i am already
@@phelps1485 Good question...It is a drug/poison, and it has side effects. I think it is natural for humans to want to alter their minds, but some ways do not have side effects. Alcohol consumption has been conditioned into our culture. The fact that it is legal, and marketing it as desirable is mostly illusion. Part of me wants to accept that drinking a glass of organic red wine with a good dinner is acceptable, and maybe it would be , but people tend to abuse alcohol.
Sean Filips what’s the difference? Haha
@@phelps1485 Alcoholics have an allergy to alcohol. When consumed a physical craving sets in. Usually due to hypoglycemia. Some people become donut addicts to eat up the extra insulin created by the pancreas, others use the sugar in alcohol and the body then craves it to feel balanced.
Im on day one, lost the girl I loved more than anything, other than alcohol. I'm 50yrs old and have drank most of my life. It's cost me a lot of money and many people I love. I will beat it and get my life back. Good luck to everyone
Same here. 53. Been sober a month and a half. I really don't feel an urge to drink. You have to make something in your life a priority over alcohol. I want to be present every single day of the rest of my life, which is a gift. And unfortunately alcohol doesn't let me be present with the blackouts and god-awful hangovers. Good luck to everyone
How are you now Robert? 🙏
Day 9 no alcohol. Day 3 no nicotine. Past the month mark on marijuana. I'm done! Feel free to reply now or later to hold me accountable. Much love!
Proud of you for making the changes to better yourself. Stay on your path of continued self love and live the life you were meant to live :)
Alcohol is poison. Americans treat it like an amusement park ride. Sober is the best choice.
Yessir so much truth to this. 8 days sober now. I'm done. My kids deserve so much more than an absent dad.
I kicked it out for 1 year and half. 🤜🍺
Yeah, no one drinks alcohol but Americans. You are a moron.
I think he's just from that country and speaking from his own frame of reference, it's not an attack. It's a problem all over the world except in places without alcohol or where it's culturally or religiously forbidden but even there the problem would be forced underground.
Roger Cottrell I agree
After innumerable attempts to quit drinking I finally made it stick. I hit 5 years of sobriety back in November. If you don’t want to drink anymore, the good news is you don’t have to!
Good for you !! I hope you’re still on that same path
Congrats Keith! You’ve found the key. ❤
How are you going these days?
Sober two years now after a couple ER visits thinking something was wrong with my heart. I got help. The first week after stopping was the most painful experience of my life. Sweats, shakes, the whole thing. Now I haven’t looked back. I sleep better, I feel better, and I have an increased awareness of my spiritual self. The only things I’ve lost since stopping drinking are fake friends and health issues.
How did you do it
Being comfortable with sobriety is your real state.
Nail on the head
Health is wealth! Almost 1 year free 🙏🏽
Good on you!! I'm 20 and I have yet to taste alcohol myself.
Good work Josh, and I hope if you read this you are now a year and a half. Speaking of wealth...the amount of money I have saved over the years not drinking. It's absolutely astonishing
@@nelzelpher2088 it's not worth it
I relapsed and was 7 yrs drunk. I celebrated 2 yrs of sobriety June 25th thanks to the grace of God and the fellowship of AA.
I really hope you’re still doing well
Alcohol was a secret killer in my life. I’ve been drinking since I was 13-14 I just turned 21 and have been drinking everyday multiple drinks a night. I have been sober for 4 weeks now and I feel better then ever. Now going to the gym everyday and grinding at work🤙 it’s possible y’all, you just gotta change the flow in your life.
I hope you’re still doing well :)
30 days sober today. Decades of drinking has robbed me of joy. My favorite saying is: Giving up everything to have one thing VS. Giving up one thing to have EVERYTHING! Good luck, everyone.
Have you stayed sober? Either way so hope you are feeling blessed 🙏🏻
@@BigChiillin Yes, I have 162 days today! Hooray!
@@shannonbradley4699 That is awesome, pumped for you 🙌🏻 Day 7 for me 😉
@@BigChiillin WOOT! It just gets better and better, my friend.
Was at about 16 months sober, had about an 8 month relapse. 9 days sober now!
Keep coming back! Don't ever give up.
Still impressive, rooting for you
Keep fighting
Chris Cold, I am in Recovery myself how can I help?
Relapses are a part of recovery. And every day sober is a victory!!
I'm not gonna lie I went to AA for 8 years, averaging three to five nights a week and it just didn't help. If it helps others, that's truly great and I am happy for them. The one problem I had with the message you are taught is that "you have NO POWER OVER YOUR ALCOHOLISM AND NEVER WILL" and this is the ONLY way to get sober, to find that higher power, even if you weren't particularly religious. What took me from being a daily functional alcoholic to never having a sip for the past 8 years, was watching people older than me that were drunks, and vile abusive drunks. I never was a mean drunk, but I never wanted to become one some day. My mom's boyfriend attacked her while drunk and I dived across the room and let him have it for attacking someone two hundred pounds less then her. I kicked him out the next day, and poured all the available alcohol left in the house down the drain. From the experience on I have not wanted one sip and I am now actually at the point I can be around moderate drinkers of family members during holidays and such. I don't feel any need, and am completely not tempted, as if something from seeing that changed connections in my brain. The stigma still sticks with me to this day, but I don't have anymore hangovers, feel great every morning, lost weight and got back into hiking and traveling. If you need help, get it. We also really gotta drop this stigma of drug addicts in this country. All it does is ruin lives, even if you have been sober for years because most jobs don't want to deal with a potential wino or something, when getting back into society only helps to heal and make you feel worthwhile.
Today is my first day..
I know I can do this.
I hope you're doing well
Same! But we got this
How u doing know❓❓
One day at a time
185 days sober today and REALLY needed to hear this. Thank you TED
I hope you’re still doing really well. It’s a hard path to follow bit if he can do it then we can also
@@hollyg9589 thank you, I am well. Almost 1000 days sober now. Yes, we can do this.
@@jubelivion182 good for you ! Damn that’s inspiring
I'm very close to 3 years sober. So many good things have happened since I quit drinking. New position at work, closer to my family, and lost a bunch of weight. If anyone reads this comment, if I can do it you can do it. I was pretty hooked on it, but took a look in the mirror and decided that nothing good came out of drinking and leaving it behind me forever was easily the best decision I ever made.
I'm 23 and i too have a severe alcohol addiction. I fortunately got sober 6 months ago and I'm thankful every day I chose to drop alcohol from my life. And I post on Facebook about being sober and I celebrate monthly with a fresh homemade batch of chocolate chip cookies. Lifes better sober
I really hope you’re still doing well :)
How are u today brother I hope you have been staying sober . God has helped me tremendously as I’m sure he has helped you too
I woke up one morning to the sound of my mother yelling for me. I ran downstairs to see my father dead in the living room with a pool of blood coming out of his mouth. He was a severe alcoholic that we tried to help any way we could. I then drank alcohol myself to suppress my PTSD. A few weeks later I had a profound dream of my father and I sitting in his truck. At some point I realized he was dead and that I’m dreaming. He then looked at me and smiled. I said “oh my god I love you and I miss you so much.” Then I woke up. It was so overwhelming I started crying. I still don’t quite get what happened, but I will always remember that dream. To rationalize this I thought of it as him saying “it’s okay.. I’m okay” It was an amazing and relieving experience.
I started listening to his podcast about a year ago and with every show I listen to I was inspired to want to get sober, although not ready and still drinking I continue to listen. Having the opportunity to hear other individuals talk about their struggle with alcohol was a big help for me.
I'm also grateful for the opportunity I got to be interviewed on Paul's podcast ( Recovery Elevator).
Without his podcast my drinking may have lasted longer. Today I'm almost 5 months sober!!
Through the support of SMART Recovery meetings, friends and family I'm looking forward to continuing my sobriety.
Have you heard of the Sinclair Method?
Congratulation on your journey being sober. Never give up!
1 month sober today!! After 6 years of drinking, easily the best decision I’ve ever made. It feels good to take care of myself again. Praise the lord!!! I couldn’t have done it without him. Good luck to you if you’re thinking about/ trying to quit. You can do it!! It took me just simply being tired of being tired and I made the decision to quit. I have to actively make that same decision every single day. But after 2 weeks the cravings really started to subside and I started feeling better. I pray I can keep this up!!!
I hope you’re still doing well :)
It is destructive ulitimately. Tricks you into thinking it won’t affect YOU this way. I kept a journal, in which I recorded how bad the hangovers were and how I wanted to quit. This helped me to quit.
I quit at 42 to regain my physical and psychological health. 2 years 3 months sober now. I advise people to adopt intermittent fasting and occasional prolonged fasts, this will greatly assist in your liver healing. Keep sight of the goal, accept whatever emotions surface good or bad and realize that every day of abstinence is an investment in your long term health and happiness.
I watch these videos when Mr hide comes calling at around 4pm , thanks for the help.
19 days sober today. I feel like i can beat this.
What I find relatable is the attempt to be secretive about my alcohol addiction. I was secretive about my drinking and I was secretive about quitting. It wasn’t until I started speaking openly and honestly about it that helped me remain sober.
This is so true. When we speak to people about things it almost makes it easier because we become more accountable. I hope you’re still doing well
@@hollyg9589 421 days, thank you for asking
@@jhgfdsertuiokjhg good for you
78 days and counting. Glad you're doing well man.
AA rules on 29 years sober ODAAT ❤ stopped when I was 23, love from Scotland .
See you on the road to happy destiny!
29 years at AA would seem like I'd got another addiction!! Just not for me!!
Nigel smith Why would someone stop doing the very thing that got them sober, and was the vehicle for a great life??? That would be insanity!
@@markg.4246 yes you're right Mark. Just my opinion AA didn't do anything for me. Will power was my way out!
Nigel smith AA provides the “design for living” that allows us to live in the solution, instead of the problem. Very few people are willing to put forth even a fraction of the effort, compared to the effort they put into drinking. For the chronic alcoholic, “willpower” is an illusion! I don’t know how long you’ve been sober, but it sounds like you are willing to live differently, which is what it takes. Good for you! Best wishes to you.
Sober 29 years. Best thing I've EVER done! I am only alive today because I stopped.
He’s so right. I was duped but woke up 6 years ago. 👊
While not a very good public speaker, this guy makes some good points.
I had a very long love affair with alcohol. Did my best to kill myself with it a few times for reasons I won’t explain. Been sober for 9 months. Don’t plan on rekindling the romance.
Good for you bud. I hope you're well. XX
Well done! Respect and honour to you. What a brilliant place you must be in now
First time taking part in Sober October. I haven’t gone this long without a drink in probably over 2 years. The hardest part is the people around me with the same habits. Trying to keep a healthy social life with all the temptations around me. Even people saying rather discouraging things like “why would you do that? Or “we’ll see about that” ...
I struggle with anxiety and depression and I’m learning more about myself through these challenging weeks than I ever have. My impulses and fears. The reasons why I drink. It felt like alcohol protected me from my insecurities but it’s a god damn liar. Accepting myself for who I really am and not hiding behind the bottle.
I’ve definitely have become more irritable in social situations and don’t open up like I normally do but day by day I’m closer to a path of healing.
I really hope you’re still doing well
3 Feb I'm goin for 4, thanks to Jesus, that I prayed and prayed and one time he listened, one time I felt a warm touch in my inner self inside my heart, something that made me smile, since then I don't have the need for a drink, thank Jesus for your kind incondicional love, here as a testimony so may others reach to you
Amen for me too it was a miracle I can not explain in words the power in Jesus Christ took broke the chains of addiction and total freedom and joy I went back to the days alcohol was nothing to me any1 struggling call on the name of Jesus because it's a spiritual battle too
Jesus ain't got nothing to do with it.
KickDrumKid23
neither do you
At 4:14 I began to tear up. I have 29 years of sobriety.
That is wonderful!
Awesome!
You rock!
Now that is SWEET, good for you. 16 years here
Sept 7th is also my sobriety date. One year sober in just a few more days! Yippee!
Karen Berry Great job
Taken a drink?
I had an epiphany several years ago. I looked at everything that was bad, negative, wrong, damaging or unnecessary and I realized that alcohol was involved in one way or another. Ask yourself, out of all the negative things that have happened to you or anyone you know, was alcohol involved? Alcohol has hindered society and progress for too long.
As a recovering drug addict it blows my mind that alcoholics consider themselves in a different category than the rest of us. I went to an AA meeting once and they acted like I shouldn’t have been there.. so arrogant.
Also take note of how the general public responds to alcoholism vs drug addiction. They see someone drunk and it’s funny, plus the person usually says something along the lines of “we’ve all been there before”. Then they see a homeless drug addict sleeping on the ground and look at that person with disgust and rejection with no sympathy or empathy. Just my experience
I am sober through the grace of God and a 12 step program for 8 years and 10 months. My life has changed in multiple ways for the good. Alcohol was my master until I found a solution.
Good for you Jo-Lynn. Being a part of the fellowship, has been the greatest adventure of my life. (May, 2019 will be 25 years) See you on the road to happy destiny! : )
One day at a time. "How do we beat this". Failed right there...
@@markg.4246 See you in Detroit!!!
Just passed 12 years sober and whilst life can still be hard and difficult at times, it's still better than drinking my way through it.
Absolutely, face life head on and take it 1 day at a time! 16 years 11 months here
I met Paul in Houston airport by chance he paid for a massage chair for me and we had a really good conversation about my addiction to methamphetamine and prostitutes and his with alcohol and other things. All I have to say is I'm thankful for the opportunity to meet you. You really gave me a fresh perspective on life thank you Paul have fun in Australia and New Zealand man hope you are healthy and happy brother much love
Sober for 4 years. Thanks for sharing this. Sobriety is cool!!!!!
I have given up alcohol a few times but been sober now over 6 months and feel soooo much better!!!
Honestly, this opened my 👀
This is Something I will listen to EVERY morning and EVERY night, for myself.
Finishing my 1st week sober as 32; I started drinking in college and never really took a break. Last visit to the dr, my blood test results showed high liver enzymes and my doc advised me that the path to eliminating alcohol is strongly recommended to keep me alive and healthy. This stuff is poison and I’m determined to leave it behind. Thank you for sharing.
Good for you ! I hope you’re still on the sober path :)
Everybody needs some help in removing alcohol addiction. It is not easy to do that without the help of someone. 😪
I have been sober now for 17 years. It would have killed me by now if I hadn’t quit. Much respect to all you giving it up, it could save your life too
5 years sober. Regular drinker for about 23 years. I didn’t stop for addiction reasons. I ended up with heart issues so I stopped. Alcohol is poison! ☠️
Isn't it ironic, the two drugs that cause the most damage in the world are legal; Alcohol and tobacco. And, if alcohol was discovered today?! It would be illegal.
Totally. Its bad in itself. It isnt just the smoking, because people chew tobaco and get mouth cancer! Tobacco is just toxic.
Yes, so don't legalize weed or that will be a greater problem too. Duh!
Plenty of ways to consume weed without tobacco dude
Human detox an addict cannot swap their drugs they will always return to their drug of choice. The only solution is to quit!!
This is the argument every pot head makes while they crank up their Grateful Dead CD!
After getting some horrible lab results back from my doctor, due to alcohol of course, I decided to quit after 20 plus years of heavy drinking. It's only been 5 days so far. My anxiety level is thru the roof, not sleeping well but I will continue to do my best to rid me of this demon.
Don't give up 💪🏽
I still remember my first drink at 16 yrs old. That was over 45 yrs ago. I would binge drink 4 years and quit 5,7,8 yrs. In my 30's drinking was a problem. I binged on wine up to a bottle a day. I don't look at this as wasted time but a lesson. I take from those experiences and realize I can't drink casually or normally. This journey is one day at a time to remain sober. Reading ppls stories always make me happy when ppl find the clarity to make change.
Thank you so much Paul, you and your podcast helped me so much in getting sober.
We live in an alcohol-centric world. Have to have it at parties, just have one, just try my new drink, oh come on, be socialable. World needs a better focus on how to have a good time
Non-alcohol drinks are the best !
Yes - not that long ago in the scheme of things you were paid part coin part alcohol ticket where you could drink as much as you want then sleep it off on a straw
I m a practicing hindu. I had a drinking problem for the last 8 years. Tried giving it up and relapsed multiple times. Alcohol was destroying everything my parents and me worked so hard for. Ultimately, I hit rock bottom one day when I blacked out at a tavern in the noon and my father had to carry me back home.
I then took my vows and wore the sacred thread. No more. Not one more drop of alcohol. I have been sober for a month now. Cravings r still there but lesser in duration and weaker.
My friend, you are not alone and deserve a huge feeling of pride. You were strong enough. Keep going❤️
@@antonvrb1510 5 months sober now.
@@liverightdieproud2189 There you go bud!!! You've got it beat. Keep identifying temptations and turning you back on them. I am sure your loved ones are proud of you too!
I'm 18 months sober now. After losing my apartment, rehab for 13 months. Living in a camping cabin for 6 months I finally have my own contract in my own name! An apartment. I had have a good recovery from alcoholism. It's there inside me. I don't have to drink. I love to take care of my self. For me drinking and use of drugs is a disaster , big time. The consequences,!? The consequences,!? The consequences,!? Greetings from Sweden Regina. Buy the way, Thanks.
Great interview Paul every time you speak it's like your speaking to my soul
Thank you for watching. It's because your soul is ready to listen.
Thank you for the post, it’s been 5 months without an alcoholic drink for me, I discovered that I was using alcohol as a crutch, a place to turn when I had a bad day... I learned that I have an addictive personality and cannot do moderation, also I don’t like not being in control so decided that I shouldn’t drink. I find friends saying I should drink to ‘loosen up & have fun’ I don’t think I’m going to be strong enough to resist... thank you for sharing this video.
If your friends think alcohol is a way to have fun, they seriously need to get a life. Good luck to you though!
Growing up, I never saw myself as someone who would be substance free. What a boring existence. However, in my late 20s I began to gradually become disenchanted with alcohol and drugs. This March will mark 1 year of sobriety. I love me sober. No, I dont have those late nights blabbering on to other drunk people, but I am clearheaded and 100% ME. It's pretty neat.
I am so grateful to be alive
I am grateful to be three years clean
I am content being myself
living my new way of life
I don’t need anything external to myself
except
the healthy air that I breathe
the healthy food that I eat
the healthy liquid that I drink
the clothes that I wear !
I look after my own self being
with my own self care everyday
with my own acceptance of life as it is
with my own awareness of how I am .
I live by improving my choices .
I don’t control myself
I don’t control others
I don’t control life itself
I make choices in my mind
and my brain 🧠
controls the actions
not I .
Have a beautiful day everybody
take good care of yourselves
as well as each other
and stay safe !
Love and Kindness to you all !
🌹✨♥️🙏♥️✨🌹
are you a priest?
QUINT34577
No .
you sounded like one.
QUINT34577
That is your perception of understanding
not my own !
yes
This is kind of what I did with my fb and Instagram. Props to you and your podcast dude!
10 years sober this month! Psychedelics and Cannabis are where it’s at though! I do them whenever I feel like but never crave them; the way I would get the itch to drink hard regardless of the consequences.
I’ve been sober 7 months. Don’t miss it at all, been reaching my goals quicker, no hangovers, no wasted time. I’ve been to bars and clubs but just drank non-alcoholic beer or Topochico lol. Gained so much to ever go back
Trying to order non alcoholic drinks at bars and restaurants discretely is such a disaster for me every time.
@@morganzimmerglass9925 Lol do you feel uncomfortable or out of place?
Thank you for this talk. Alcohol is more widely accepted and the most addictive. Not only does it destroy the alcholic but the effects of trauma to the loved ones watching are devastating. 💔 😥
He was great. He spoke the truth.
Great presentation! It's true what he says about how alcohol is presented at school. When I was in high school, we also received the lectures about the dangers of illegal drugs. But I never heard a negative word about alcohol, except in driver's ed class, where it was solely depicted as a road safety issue. Otherwise, not a single word!!
I tryed everything and it failed but I went thru full blown delirium tremens for a week and got scared sober. I'm almost 3 months free of alcohol. Everything's changed for the better ;)
Please dont beat your self up You havent failed you just havent succeeded yet. I am here for you. 3 months free is superb. I couldnt do 3 hours. I am 60 and stopped alcohol when I was 25 cold turkey. Havent had a drop since. If I can do it , anybody can do it. I am nothing special - just an alcoholic. You are stronger than you think. You can dump the desire for alcohol on me. Spiritually, I will take the desire you have, into my heart and return it to you in the form of healing, love and light. I know it sounds wierd but what I am talking about is something called tonglen and it heals. Imagine your favourite drink is petrol - you wouldnt drink it because it will kill you. Pretend for 6 months. Your subconcious mind doesnt know the differnce between the truth and a lie, Thats what I did. It works - its all in your mind Praying for you - you can do it Bill
Great presentation Paul. Thanks for all you have done for us and yourself.
Everytime you drink from the bottle, the bottle drinks from you!
Truth!
I got two years guys you can do it! Keep your head up
Awesome message!! Good work!!
Rarely see another Ashworth in the comments! 👋
Sober for 5 days after a 3 year struggle with alcoholism. That poison is a demon, and whenever I look at alcohol, I will always remember those demons that I talked to.
Honest inspiring talk. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.
I self medicated my depression problem with alcohol for years. Now at age 63 I'm paying the price. I no longer have depression but my brain is ruined. I have a constant bad feeling in my head and there is no treatment for it. DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL FOR ANY REASON. You'll regret it.
what feeling? headaches?
@@rsd1954 No headache. No pain. It's a feeling that can't be described....
@@paddyotable Fasting heals everything and regenerates the body inside out. Fast for 30 days on water only and watch the miraculous!
@@paddyotable sounds like some antidepressants could help
Oh, lots of people get better way worse than you are. I've seen it. Please stop with the excuses and melodramatics and try it. Not to late if you're still reading this. Don't use it as an excuse to keep using.
I've seen two generations leave this life prematurely through alcohol abuse. This last eleven years have been the best years for health and fitness in my life. Your body is dying for you to give up alcohol, it has so many adventures for you to enjoy just say NO!!! for a new you
Paul is a great guy. Helped me a lot by listening to his podcast.
I have been stuck on this horrible cycle for way too long and today has to be the day I stop it.
Today is my day 1
Damn! He just sounds like an awesome guy to drink with! The accessibility of alcohol is probably the reason why it leads the stats on the other drugs..
Important message. Well done!
71 days clean, A.A has been a great help for me this time. Cravings have been non existent thank god.
Wish we could understand addiction better. I’m ok with alcohol but am addicted to food and overeat daily and am borderline obese. It’s so frustrating.
For all those who have abused alcohol like myself. Start fasting for prolonged periods of times. The body has an amazing recovery system!
Fasting from alcohol? Or do you mean actually fasting?
@@seandunn2062 Fasting implies giving your digestive system a rest from food. It helps detoxification to do intermittent fasting as well as sobriety,, but fasting while drinking is not fasting either.
Day 3 of being sober. Been drinking heavily the past 3 years and on and off since 16. Never thought I'd be in this predicament. Good luck to all fighting this awful disease.
It was such a motivating video ! I do thank you
I started drinking at 14, now at 40 I started wondering how much it influenced my development. I've been having hangxiety recently, and going through a second anxiety crisis which I can clearly notice drinking makes worse. Things are not going well in my country and crossing out a pointless expense is a smart move anyway. I miss the pleasure of getting tipsy, or at least the lack of worries, that kind of heartburn anxiety gives you. It is easier to avoid alcohol when I know it may be much worse if I drink any. But man, it's hard to kill this kind of habit...
Our paths of drinking have been different but seems like I'm in the same place you were 2 years ago but I'm currently trying to stop! I hope life finds you well my friend!
Great Video!! I've been clean for 1 year and 11 months!!! 🤗🤗 You can do this!!!
I don't relate to much he said. He said that by giving up alcohol that we could return to a life of happiness. I was never really happy in life and that's why I drank so heavily. I would put on the mask and tell people I was happy but dying on the inside . Alcohol was only a symptom of my problem. I was the problem. Until I understood this, only then I could work on the problem, me.
@Quarto Escuro well said my friend. That's a better way of putting it. You thought me something new today. Thank you. Yes it's all one big illusion that we think we are. We can't differentiate between the false self and the true self.
Alan Mcnamara AA has a solution to your problem. alcohol was but a Symptom.
@@MAC-di1dp i know its great. I was the problem. All those lies in my head.
Stopping drinking is only the first step. Try the other 11, your life will change. Guarantee
People who talk about road to Damascus conversions and pink cloud periods etc are missing the point that most of us were self-medicating, and once that illusory panacea is revealed as the scorpion who will kill us because that is its nature, it may well be too late. Childhood trauma is a huge indicator of addiction later on. I still feel uncomfortable in AA meetings but I found a really great sponsor and that is part of the package. I also needed a shrink, amazing guy, and have stopped feeling bad about asking for help. So I totally get what you're saying. The speaker has not been sober all that long; 2, 3 years? My sis has 30 plus years and is still mindful of being the best person she can. Best wishes indeed!
Great speech just when I needed it.
TED talks always inspire me , very good for physic and mental health
Drank for 5 years, quit for 7, drank for 13 years quit for 8 and now i am drinking for the past 11 years. Today i hope to quit again forever. I am 58 now and i don't want to die a drunk. It isn't easy.
You stated drinking as a young teenager because you were young and impressionable, and it was a way to fit in with the crowd I suppose. I learned to associate alcohol with having a good time, and so I have had to learn to enjoy activities sober. After all you did fine without alcohol before you ever got started, and you probably had a lot of innocent fun as a kid. Why can't it still be that way?
@@bradcampbell5766 i always have thought. I remember life before alcohol. Why is it so hard to get back there?
thats a lot of math. but all the best bud!
8 months sober ❤️
This is beautiful!!! God bless!!
Going to rehab soon. I want to be a better person. It will be hard, but i know the struggle will be worth it.
Good decision, I know it's expensive but it's worth every penny.