Patrick took his last drink on January 1, 2019.  This is his story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here! A new Café RE group will be launching January 1, 2020!  Also, Recovery Elevator Meet-ups in Australia have been scheduled for December!  Be sure to check the events calendar or the weekly email.  Paul is currently working on a meditation course, that he hopes to have out by early next year…warning, you may just might fall in love with yourself.  On today’s episode Paul talks about sharing and owning our story.   This can be therapeutic, but also, if done too many times, dangerous.  Why?  Your story becomes your future.  How do we stop this?  We learn to protect us from our thoughts.  When you take your energies and thoughts off your past addictions and traumas they can disappear.  One way to do this is through meditation.   [11:15] Paul introduces Patrick.    Patrick was born and raised in Boston.  He is a high school teacher and teaches religion and history.  He is married and has a 6-year-old daughter.  For fun Patrick likes long distance hiking, car camping and road trips.     [14:20] Give us a background on your drinking.   Patrick says he accepted that he was an alcoholic at the age of 18 when he entered the seminary.  He got a fake ID at the age of 16 and was going into liquor stores at 16 and buying his own liquor.  At the age of 18 Patrick started going to AA meetings.  Patrick started drinking again, about the age of 29, and only beer.    The next couple of years the beer became scotch, then vodka.  After about 2 weeks of consuming vodka for 2 weeks Patrick contemplated suicide.  When his baby was only 2 weeks old Patrick went to the hospital.  He is 45 years old.  He is checked into the hospital for 9 days to detox.  A year later…picking up his 1-year chip at an AA meeting, he had already had a couple drinks before the meeting.      [19:35] What happened next?   Patrick and his wife decided they were going to have a baby.  Wasn’t what he planned…but he started hitting the bottle hard.  He started hiding bottles all over.  Patrick wrapped bottles in his hospital bag to get through the birth of his child.    [33:50] What was different this time?    Patrick says he reached a turning point, he could stay on the couch drinking scotch and vodka and have his wife leave him, or live the life he knew he wanted.         [39:45] How’d you do it??   Like a bird…worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.  Be fully present in every moment.        [43:50] What are some of the lessons you have learned about yourself along the way?   Patrick says he is discovering who he’s always been.      [45:30] Were there cravings?   Patrick says he has had cravings in the past but not the past 9 months.       [47:05] How has your life changed without alcohol?   Patrick says he is fully present with his wife and with his daughter…and fully present with himself.        [47:50] Rapid Fire Round   What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?   Honesty.  I lied mostly to myself, and then when I stopped it got better.    What is a gift that sobriety has given you?   Camping on the river with my daughter.    What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?   Polar Mango Cherry Bliss.     What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?   Podcasts…Recovery Elevator, This Naked Mind, Recovery Revolution, I go to AA and volunteer at a detox center.    What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?   A cross country trip with my 6-year-old.       And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?   Brutal honesty with self.    You might need to ditch the booze if...   You shoot vodka nips on your way to your 1-year AA anniversary.    Upcoming retreats: Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020 You can find more information about this event here   Resources mentioned in this episode:     Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code O