Ashley, with 16 days since her last drink, shares her story….. Do not forget the AALRM race in Bozeman MT, on 5/20.  This supports recovery.  You can also sign up to do a virtual run at www.recoveryelevator.com\run.  Enter promo code “recovery” for a discount.  The Café RE private face book group will be capped at 300 members.  If you would like to join the original group, now is the time to sign up.  Go to www.recoveryelevator.com and enter the promo code RE1 to get your first month free. Alcohol does not make us more intelligent.  We all know that drinking and drinking is not good.  When we start drinking, our mind starts to shift and suddenly is seems like a good idea.  We only have a short distance to drive, right?  The statistics show that we drink and drive 76 times before getting caught.  Drinking also causes us to say and do stupid things, like trying to coax a poodle to run across 5 lanes of traffic, or shout out that a girl had a funky looking toe at a bar.  It you would like to send an e-mail with the most unintelligent thing you have ever done while drinking, drop a line to info@recoveryelevator.com.    SHOW NOTES   [11:22] Paul Introduces Ashley.   Ashley – I have been sober for 16 days and feel more focused this time.  I am from Iowa, 32 years old and have 3 sons.  I am trying to find new sober hobbies.   [13:11] When did you first notice that you had a problem?   Ashley – I started drinking at the age of 12.  I would party with older people.  I was sneaking booze at the age of 14 and my family sent me away to a home.  By the time, I was 21, I had 3 children and 2 DUI’s.  I still did not think that I had a problem.  I later lost my license for 5 years.  I was home alone, couldn’t drive and my drinking really took off.   [16:11] Was it hard getting sober at such a young age?   Ashley – It has been really hard since everyone I know drinks.  I am trying to distance myself from my drinker friends and find sober friends.   [17:47] You were sober before.  What happened to cause you to drink again?   Ashley – I was doing a cleanse to try and lose some weight.  But then a concert came around and I drank there.  I stopped for a few weeks but went to a funeral where everyone was drinking.  I ended up doing a shot and it was game on from there.  I drank for 6 days straight after that. I just couldn’t say no whenever someone offered me a drink.   [21:11] Did you ever put any rules in place to try and control your drinking?   Ashley – I’ve tried every rule imaginable; from only drinking on the weekends, to never drinking at home, or only drinking after the children went to bed.     [24:00] How did you get sober this time?   Ashley – I try and go to AA every day and I listen to podcasts.   [25:41] What are you going to do differently this time? Ashley – I am distancing myself from my drinking friends and trying to make new sober friends.  I also am looking for on-line support in order to locate sober people in my area.   [27:54] Do you think you will ever be able to attend shows sober?   Ashley – Right now, no.  But I love music so eventually I would like to be able to go.  It is going to take some time.   [29:23] Did you ever go to any “dark” places while drinking?   Ashley – I had tons of blackouts and I lost my license for 5 years.   [29:23] Paul and Ashley talk about a time when she felt like drinking but managed to control the urge.   Ashley – I was recently home alone and starting getting those thoughts of drinking.  I watched a few videos on U-Tube and thought that if I drank, I would ruin my week again.   [33:05] What is a typical day like for you?   Ashley – I try to keep very busy with work.  I also plan what AA meeting I am going to attend and get up and go.   [34:52] What are your thoughts on a HP?   Ashley – I believe in God and would go to church occasionally as a child.  I am trying to get back into church.    [35:49] What are you most proud of and how are your relationships now?   Ashley – I am most proud of be