“You’ve got to surrender - I came here and gave it all up to you.” -Sher Today, Ben and I chatted with Sher Canada, a former client at Rock Recovery Center. We could tell that she was someone special shortly after she arrived at Rock Recovery. In our interview with Sher, you’ll find out how addicts can recover into an exciting life with a purpose and not have to live their sober days bored and complacent.  Early Life with an Alcoholic Mother When she was young, Sher discovered the slew of alcohol bottles her mom hid in their bathroom. She remembers almost being killed in car accidents and then becoming “mom” to her siblings at age 14 when her mom went away to rehab.  She decided to move to Miami to attend college, drove to Miami from her home in Nebraska, and started working in retail. “I always liked to have nice things,” says Sher. In addition, she also loved to make women feel beautiful. As a result, she was able to sell and moved up in ranks. Sher eventually became VP of the hottest retail company in the US by the time she was 30. Deciding to Take Alcohol Out of Her Life Living in California, she married her personal trainer. Having to travel often for work, she didn’t realize that her husband had become an alcoholic. When her husband lied to her about his addiction, she moved out the same day. With her dad an alcoholic, her mom a recovered alcoholic, and her sister also an alcoholic, Sher didn’t want to perpetuate the alcoholism in her life.  Check out our website, where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Highlights [02:45] Sher’s childhood with an alcoholic mother. [11:33] Striking a balance between serving addicts and family life.  [21:57] Retiring at the age of 56, Sher joined a tennis club and started drinking. [25:06] Her partner starts to realize she is drinking too much.  [35:55] Figuring out what you love to do and make money at it for your career. [37:10] Sher’s partner moves out and leaves alcohol recovery center information behind. [44:03] Her first few days at Rock Recovery Center. [56:36] No matter how successful you are, alcohol and drugs can bring you down in life. [61:33] Finding her sponsor through the AA program.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions  

Real Recovery Talk

194 - Sher Canada Gets Her Life Back at Age 58

In today's episode, Ben and I talk with Vince, a 25-year-old recovering addict from Philadelphia. He stole a bottle of vodka and drank the entire bottle in sixth grade. In the summer of his freshman year of high school, Vince started smoking pot. Cocaine became a weekend sports celebration during his junior year of high school. Vince became an addict after his team coach gave him a prescription narcotic drug in his second college year. Vince was involved in sports as early as he could remember. His family consisted of three sisters, one of the older and two of them younger than him. Both of his parents were supportive of him and good, hard-working people. "Growing up, I was instilled with morals and values." He was brought up to respect elders, women, and to have good social manners. "I remember going to this fight in third grade. Everybody started cursing and fighting. Immediately after that, I said my first curse word, then I went home and started watching fighting videos." He isn't sure if this one incident brought him down a negative road, but his life was very different after this experience. The next year in fourth grade, he ended up getting kicked out of school for fighting. "I was fighting and cursing and doing things kids that age shouldn't be doing." He felt a purpose playing sports as he was always asked to play with the older kids in the next league up. "Everything on the outside just mattered so much, and I thought that was who I was. I thought that I was based on all external things." However, if anything went wrong, he immediately turned to anger and aggression, which he remembers his father modeling for him at an early age. His school discipline record was horrible. However, the school let him slide because of his athletic abilities. Vince remembers not having any consequences for fighting during his high school years. This enabled him to continue this behavior, along with smoking pot with his friends. Listen in as Vince tells his story of how he lost his scholarship to Rutgers, what happened when he became addicted to opiate drugs, and his multiple attempts at getting sober. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:09] Vince talks about his past experiences growing up in Philadelphia. [07:11] His first experience drinking in sixth grade. [13:33] Social acceptance and drug culture. [15:21] Personal identity associated with career for men. [18:25] Vince had his first experience with opiate drugs his senior year in high school. [19:45] He started stealing from his family to buy more opiate drugs. [25:11] The “Florida Shuffle” moving on from the treatment facility to another facility. [28:40] Ben talks about the incredible recovery culture in Florida. [33:10] Why Vince having his daughter wasn’t enough to keep him sober. [37:01] Sobriety and addiction and how these two can easily interchange.  [40:13] What is different for Vince in this recovery process? [43:42] His biggest fears for the recovery process. [45:27] Vince’s spiritual AA experience. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions 

193 - Vince has been to 10+ treatment centers - What will be different this time?

“What alcohol was doing for me outlaid what it was doing to me.” --Tom Today, Ben and I are talking to Tom, who works in the recovery field. Born and raised in downtown Manhattan, he became a drug dealer and eventually became sober from drugs and alcohol. He has been on the road to recovery for the past seven years. Starting the Drinking Habit at Age 10 Born and raised in New York City, Tom grew up in abusive family life, reflected in his poor behavior at school. Feeling like something was missing in his life, he discovered that alcohol filled that void at 10. From the beginning, Tom drank too much and didn’t know how to stop drinking as he was trying to impress the older adults who surrounded him. He was so obsessed with drinking and doing drugs that he had to stay an extra year in high school to finish up the credits that he missed from his addiction during the school year. Falling into Becoming a Drug Dealer Since many of his friends ended up selling weed in high school, Tom decided to go the same route as college wasn’t even on his radar. “I had a big retail business with guys delivering for me. I was a career pot dealer.” Although he knew he was living a lie as a drug dealer, the thought of becoming clean was scary because Tom realized if he left dealing drugs and his lifestyle that he would have to grow up and become responsible. Check out our website where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Notes: [02:05] Tom’s early years and how he became addicted to alcohol.  [04:22] How New York and growing up in a fast-paced environment impacted Tom’s addiction. [10:32] His circle of friends in high school was drug dealers selling weed. [14:00] The thought of getting sober was scary for Tom because he realized he would need to grow up. [16:55] The first time he decided to stop being an addict was on 9-11. [18:33] Discovering opiate drugs and how Tom thought he would be OK with opiates. [21:44] Adding cocaine to his alcohol and opiate drug addiction. [26:29] First time Tom experience hope in his life to get off of drugs and alcohol. [35:14] The point at which Tom stopped making excuses in his life. [40:16] Surrendering and how this affected his healing journey to recovering.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

192 - Growing up in Manhattan- Selling drugs and living a lifestyle of destruction- Tom Fabricitore shares his story

191 - Al Dutzik- The Real Deal Alcoholic- The importance of community and benefits of Sober Living

Here we are with Real Recovery Talk! Do you know someone who is considering going to a treatment facility for up to 30 days? Today, I’m going to talk about how you most likely won’t be cured by going to treatment for 30 days. There are a few people who have been successful after just 30 days; however, they are few and far between. The first day of treatment consists of detox, which generally ranges from day one to day seven. Detox can vary from one to fourteen days, depending on the individual and specific variables. Variables that can affect the length of detox are the types of drugs you are using, how long you are using drugs, the vehicle of use of drugs. For example, are you using drugs IV, orally? Similar variables apply to alcohol, with some additional factors such as drinking alone or with others. A detox facility is a safe place where you can get meals, medical attention, and be in a safe environment when you detox. During this time, your body will start to repair the damage inflicted by drugs and alcohol. From this point, you can now transfer to a residential facility where you will be day and night for treatment. You may have a behavioral technician keeping tabs on you every 15 minutes when you join the residential treatment program. This part of the team makes sure everyone is safe and comfortable. They also ensure that you are getting to your programs, meetings, and medical appointments on time. This period is known as a “drying out period.” Therapy is still minimal, as you are usually not yet ready to start treatment. At this stage, you’re detoxed and are moving toward creating a support group, getting to know your peers, and your therapist. Next, you’ll need to figure out your personal triggers. What are your triggers? Are there specific environments in which your triggers are set off? Have you developed tools in your toolbox to deal with these triggers and to keep your calm in anxious situations? Have you considered your role or your family dynamics when dealing with triggers and healing from addiction? Listen in to find out why the first thirty days of recovery only scratch the surface. Understand why recovery is a process in which each individual needs to move through at their own pace. Learn why you’ll need to continue healing and be consistent to work through previous trauma and have a successful recovery. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Look for our new daily shows, which are five minutes or under! Listen in for yourself or for a friend. You can also find our new short episodes on our Facebook page. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Notes: [05:48] What the first seven days of treatment will most likely be for an addict in recovery. [06:05] Variables which affect the length and severity of detox. [09:28] The next phase of your healing: moving to a residential facility. [12:24] You may have spent multiple years becoming an addict, you will most likely spend months if not years to recover to the point of not falling back to your addiction. [14:41] Have you identified your triggers? If so, what are coping skills you are using to calm your reaction to your triggers? [16:48] An example of what shouldn’t happen when you come in for recovery. [19:42] We work with clients for three to four months on a continual basis to continue their recovery process.   Links and Resources: Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com  

180 - The First 30 Days of Treatment

“Kratom feels like an opiate, you get strong feelings similar to opiates.’” -Perry Today, Ben and I are talking to Perry, a 24-year-old from Maryland and started smoking marijuana at age 16. He lost everything that he owned and had to drug and alcohol abuse in a short period of time. We talk with Perry about his experience with Kratom and how it negatively affected his life. Kratom and Kava Kratom is sourced from an Asian variety of pine trees and works the same as an opiate drug in your body. Kratom is addictive and you easily get hooked. Kava is a root herb from the Polynesian islands that is not addictive and is mostly used by people for relaxation and sleep. In many states, Kratom is illegal because of its addictive side effects. In low doses, Kratom is a stimulant. In higher doses, it’s a sedative. Perry’s Experience with Kratom After taking Kratom, Perry quickly realized that this legal street drug has very similar physical and mental effects to opiate drugs. He thought he had found the answer to his addiction issue and felt he would be able to continually use Kratom without negative side effects. What he soon learned is that he could build tolerance and that Kratom has the same effect as addictive drugs. Check out our website where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Notes: [01:33] Perry talks about his backstory and history of addiction. [04:11] How he became interested and addicted to psychedelic drugs. [06:55] Social aspect of doing drugs and participating in raves. [11:47] Ben talks about what Kratom is and why it’s a bad choice to get off of drugs. [14:44] The first time Perry tried Kratom and how he became addicted to this drug. [22:09] How Perry decided to get back on Kratom after he was clean for a year. [31:57] Different phases of Kratom use when taking it daily. [36:07] Life became unmanageable once he was addicted to Kratom. [41:57] How Perry decided to get off Kratom and his plan for his future.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

189 - Perry - Struggles with KRATOM and the anxieties that surrounds it

188 - Ken B - 35 retired from the Army, discusses his alcoholism and addiction throughout his life and ultimately where it led him

“I can’t even put into words how tight-knit a community that we’re a part of.” -Ben Today, Ben and I will cover the top five unexpected benefits that have come about because of our sobriety. These positive side effects are items that naturally and organically happen through the process of sobriety. But, of course, these come with time and work on ourselves, along with setting goals. Original Thoughts On Sobriety Initially, I thought that I would spend 45 days in a sober rehab facility, then go back to Pennsylvania and spend time drinking beer with my buddies. As developments happened over time, I realized that I couldn’t fully comprehend the life I could potentially have for myself. Ben was living in a false reality. From his perspective, every person drank alcohol and did drugs, and that some people have figured out a way to moderate their addiction. Surrounding Yourself with Other Alcoholic and Drug Addicts  I surrounded myself with alcohol and drug addicts while living an addiction lifestyle. I thought that they were true friends, but I realized everything that we did revolve around alcohol. There wasn’t a gathering that I attended that didn’t consist of massive amounts of alcohol. So when my friends started changing, and I changed friends, my life started moving in the right direction. You can tell who wants to be sober and do the work to get better, and while in treatment, I surrounded myself with that crowd. What AA and NA Has to Offer Not only do AA and NA offer drug and alcohol recovery, but they also offer so much more! One of our clients attending AA wasn’t into the work to achieve the 12 steps. In conversation with him, I mentioned the amount of professional networking at meetings, which can potentially build his business. There are many opportunities outside of sobriety when you build trust in relationships during sessions. We encourage our clients to participate and share with others so that the community can get to know them better. Change of Hobbies with Sobriety Golfing, bowling, and archery were all activities that I used to participate in while drinking. It took me some time and effort to realize that I could again do these activities without having alcohol involved. Ben had re-tuned his life and activities and is now better at the hobbies that he enjoyed when he was an addict. Not only is his skill set increased, but he enjoys his hobbies much more now that he is sober.   Check out our website where you can download any episode along with helpful information for those in recovery and the families of those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Notes: [02:51] Ben’s benefits from sobriety that he didn’t expect. [05:00] Ben thought that every person was an addict when he was addicted. [07:50] I talk about how my friends’ circle changed when I became sober. [11:01] How addicts typically view the AA program when they first get into recovery. [17:15] Using the sober community to support yourself during recovery. [18:17] Finding and participating in new hobbies and activities sober. [21:54] Ben explains how much time he wasted on drugs and alcohol.  [25:32] How I spent all my money before I earned my money. [30:00] Ben talks about his financial insecurities when he entered sobriety. [35:12] Hiding alcohol and drugs and learning to cope with reality without the addiction. [42:38] The importance of filling your spirit when recovering.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions  

187 - 5 advantages to sobriety that we didn't see coming

“You have choices in what you do with your time, and that’s up to the individual.” -Cody Today, Ben and I are chatting with Cody, who was very successful in life, and then addiction took it all away. Listen in to find out how he is rebuilding his life as a sober member of society and how drugs and alcohol can create alternative negative behaviors that aren’t a part of who you really are. Growing Up with Learning Disabilities Cody had multiple learning disabilities in grade school growing up. Because of his learning disabilities and not getting support in the school system, Cody couldn’t make good grades. He wanted to play sports but could not get on a team because of his low marks in school. He quickly learned that smoking pot was a solution to lessen his school anxiety and found that it helped him in school. Using Drugs in High School When he entered high school, Cody continued to use drugs. In addition, he also decided to make an income selling drugs. At one point, he was making a better income than his mom during his high school years. Going to Prison for Drugs Cody ended up in prison for violence, acting under the influence of drugs and alcohol from the age of 17 to 21. While in prison, another inmate introduced him to AA meetings. Even though he was in prison, Cody was able to easily access drugs and alcohol through the microeconomy of the prison. Success and Addiction With his first success at age 21 creating an app, he was bringing in good money. However, since he was an addict, Cody says, “being an addict gave me no respect for the scenario, and I needed drugs and alcohol as the highlight of the situation. Drugs and alcohol always came first in my life.”   Check out our website where you can download any episode along with helpful information for those in recovery and the families of those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Notes: [03:00] Cody talks about his drug and alcohol use starting at an early age. [04:16] Ramping up from using drugs to distributing drugs. [07:32] Attending his first AA meeting in prison at the age of 19. [12:34] Differences between jail and prison. [17:37] Why drugs and alcohol make you violent. [21:58] How addiction can take down the most successful people. [30:01] Philanthropy in addiction and recovery. [36:45] Reflecting on his previous decade of life and figuring out what he needs to do to make amends. [44:11] Negotiating and figuring out how to get money when you’re an addict. [47:34] Building blocks needed for an addict to recover their life.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions  

186 - Cody W - His successes, finance and all things money and how it can impact our sobriety

185 - Kevin W- Shares about anxiety, cutting treatment short and having a psychic change

“At Rock I’m getting to talk to people and come to an understanding of what each of the twelve steps means.” -Darell Today, Ben and I are chatting with Darell, who served 13 years in the United States Air Force as an EOD. We talk about his challenges post-service in the military and his progression of alcoholism through childhood, the military, and how he found solutions to his addiction when he returned to civilian life. Darell’s History with Alcohol Growing up in New York, Darell can’t remember when alcohol wasn’t in his home. His first memory of his grandfather around the age of three was giving him tobacco to chew. So Darell spits it out, and his grandfather gave him a beer to wash it down. Growing up on a farm, he always had early morning farm chores with his siblings. His older sister would drink beer with his dad after chores in the morning. In addition to the morning alcohol at age five, he also remembers large parties at his farm where his parents would truck in kegs of liquor. Addicted to Alcohol as a Teen At 14, Darell was an addict, inviting friends over for drinking parties. “Once I started my goal was to get blackout drunk.” He refused to stop drinking, and as his disease progressed through his teen years, he came to a point where he would drink an entire bottle in one night. Joining the Air Force as an Alcoholic Darell says, “I wanted to get away from where I was because everyone was on their second or third DUI.” He realized that this was where he was headed if he didn’t change his environment. Since many of his family members had positive experiences in the military, Darell thought this would be an excellent way to sober up and reclaim his life. “For me it was a no-brainer just do what you’re told and you’ll get through this,” he says of his first days in the military. His job was to dispose of explosives and other weapons in his unit. He spent three tours abroad, disarming bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Listen in and find out how Darell was able to get alcohol while on tour, why being in the military didn’t stop him from drinking, and why he decided to quit drinking. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Notes: [01:40] Growing up with alcohol on a farm in New York.  [04:30] Starting his alcohol addiction at age 12. [10:00] Addiction norms depending on your culture and location. [15:26] Ben’s inability to stop drinking while addicted. [18:35] How different people get into alcoholism. [20:11] Why Darell decided to join the Air Force. [25:57] His job and the responsibilities that came along with ammunition disposal. [27:52] How Darell was able to acquire alcohol while on tour in Afghanistan. [33:37] His exit from the military and circumstances leading to his medical discharge. [37:09] The diagnosis of PTSD and how that led him to medical treatment. [45:01] Transitioning from military to civilian life. [49:00] Changes that happened when he exited the military. [53:30] What’s different for Darell now that he has his second round of sobriety.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions  

184 - Darell shares why he turned to alcohol to deal with night terrors and PTSD - His treatment experiences and the path moving forward

“I’ve built routines here at Rock Recovery Center that I still have today.” -JP Today, Ben and I are chatting with JP Burton, an alumnus of Rock Recovery Center. We speak about essential life skill development that accompanies the treatment process and the road to recovery. Listen to our conversation about prayer, meditation, and positive lifestyle changes that have stayed with JP through his treatment and beyond. JP’s History and What Led Him to Drug Use Before drugs, JP enjoyed a life full of family, a home, and a comfortable lifestyle. Through his addiction, he lost his home, his relationship with his children and wrecked or sold his vehicles. By the time he was admitted into treatment in November of 2019, JP was homeless, and the only item he owned was the clothing on his back. Putting Addiction First JP acknowledges that he didn’t lose his family, homes, and cars. He readily admits that he had a choice and gave away all that he had. “No one was holding a gun to my head, I just gave it all away.” When he first went to treatment, he was healing from a compound fracture to his leg and started walking in detox. “You’ve never seen someone so excited about treatment.” However, when he finally was able to get drugs out of his body, he realized he needed to change his mindset if he could survive and thrive after addiction. It’s not a Drug Problem, It’s a Personality Problem Ben says that his mentor told him that he didn’t have a drug problem; he had a personality problem. After years and years of repeated patterns and behavior, learning to become sober long-term equates to creating changes in thinking. You can put down the alcohol and drugs, but remember that this takes time to find and replace negative habits with positive habits. Building New Routines for His New Life JP has never missed a day of routine since he came to Rock Recovery Center. He wakes up at 5 am, prays, and reads. Then, he’s off to the gym to work out. Establishing this routine and making an effort to meet others who are also in recovery has helped him rebuild his life step-by-step and give him the ability to make his world better. Listen in and find out why community is a big part of a successful recovery, why helping others with their sobriety brings joy to JP, and why JP believes that routine is vital for successful sobriety. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Notes: [03:34] Why JD decided to put drugs first and lose everything. [04:33] Playing the victim role when we lose material goods to drugs. [07:38] When alcohol or drugs take over your life, you start to lose the ability to choose.  [10:24] The realization of what life is like without drugs and alcohol. [14:12] How JP’s mindset changed once he was at Rock Recovery Center. [16:10] Building new routines for a more successful life. [21:18] Buying into the process of routine and becoming a member of the community. [26:12] Why JP wants to help as many people become sober as possible.  [30:03] JP’s routine and why it keeps him moving forward in his sobriety.  [36:00] What to look for if you’re searching for a good recovery center for your loved one.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions  

183 - JP Burton - Gaining control of his life through sobriety

182 - Tommy L - How one Corona took him down a deep dark path

“My mom was my biggest enabler and as soon as she took her foot off the gas pedal my life came crumbling down around me. That’s where the biggest change and growth came from.” -Noah Today, Ben and I are chatting with Noah, who was 20 when he received his first DUI. His parents kicked him out of the house after this event. Forced to attend AA, his grandmother took him to his meetings. Not understanding the program or the benefits of completing the 12 Step Program, Noah wasn’t an engaged participant in the program when he first started his road to recovery. Events that Led to Noah Receiving His First DUI “Me and my mom would get into it over anything and everything,” explains Noah. He would fight with her about little details and would refuse to help out around the house. Noah liked his work pattern: go out to drink, come home, and repeat this daily pattern. Although his mom was encouraging Noah to seek help, he didn’t believe he had a problem. “I was living life the way I thought it should be lived.” He didn’t see his alcoholism because he found that many of his friends lived the same type of lifestyle, so Noah normalized his way of life through others. His Life Post-DUI Losing the ability to be independent and drive himself to where he wanted to go, Noah soon realized the humiliation that accompanied losing his privilege to drive. “I had all this freedom to do what I wanted and then suddenly it was stripped away.” Sitting at his parent’s house, his mom caught him drinking. She sent him to a nearby detox center to clean up his act. Relapse Patterns and His Struggle to Become Sober Not feeling like he belonged in treatment, Noah wanted to fast track to the next step so he could get home and live the way he wanted to live. Putting on a show and not being his genuine self, Noah refused to dive into what he needed to do to become a sober member of society.  After going through his first detox treatment in his hometown, Noah ended up back drinking alone in his room. His mom sent him back to detox again. Listen in and find out why the crowd at the detox center affected Noah’s ability to get clean, what happened when his mom wouldn’t let him live at home, and why Noah was kicked out of recovery. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:33] Noah’s first DUI, which led him down a negative spiral of life events. [04:20] What led Noah’s parents to kick Noah out of their home. [05:53] His life after getting kicked out of his parent’s house post first DUI. [10:34] Noah struggles through multiple attempts at recovery. [14:42] What happened after Noah left his first detox treatment in Illinois. [17:21] His mom reaches her breaking point and doesn’t allow Noah to live with the family again. [21:01] Ben explains recovery capital and the reason for living after addiction. [22:12] Rehab romance and why it didn’t end well for Noah. [26:11] Noah was asked to leave on administrative discharge because he wasn’t progressing through the addiction program. [28:59] Ben tells mom to stop paying for all of Noah’s mistakes. [31:37] Noah regresses back to drinking after this fourth time in recovery. [34:13] The importance of pulling the plug and not enabling your addict. [41:49] Why a support group is needed to hold each other accountable.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

181 - Noah didn't get straight A's in treatment, but he is thriving!

“Alcoholics Anonymous didn’t just save my life, it taught me how to live a life worthy of having been spared and changed me from the inside out.” -Eric Sheets Today, Ben and I are chatting to Eric Sheets, who is sharing his story of recovery and how he has taken his experience to give back and help other addicts become sober again. Eric’s Background with Drugs and Alcohol Eric says he came to the 12 Step Program a “broken man” and admits that this is the first time he has been honest with himself. “I could see that fear has governed my life as long as I can remember.” He did have a stretch of sobriety between 2003 and 2010 when his wife fell ill with a rare lung disease and was terminally ill. “In that time I found God and my understanding of him” because, for the first time in his life, he understood his purpose. Although he realized that God put his wife into his life, he still didn’t believe that he was an addict and didn’t understand what this lifestyle entails. The Second Phase of Drinking for Eric After his wife passed away, Eric didn’t drink for several weeks until he was invited to a dinner party where a woman gave him a glass of wine after convincing Eric that he wasn’t an alcoholic. He remembers that moment like it was yesterday and picked up his addiction at the moment he left off. At the moment he realized he couldn’t move on anymore, he walked into a hospital and told the emergency staff he was going to commit suicide; and he was baker-acted and introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous. Living a Life of Purpose “Living a life of purpose makes me happy,” Eric comments. He found that when he has a purpose, he can live sober and help others live sober. “Living in communion with my creator is how I found my purpose and what greater purpose can there be?” Listen in and find out how Eric came to find his purpose, what happened when he stopped being of service, how fear and selfishness crept into his life, and how he rebuilt his relationship with his son. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!   Show Notes: [05:01] History and background on Eric’s early history. [10:58] The days and weeks following his wife’s death. [12:45] Picking up his first glass of wine after being sober for seven years. [14:54] Eric’s rapid progression through alcoholism. [17:05] When Eric started working the 12 steps, he started to care about other people. [18:56] How Eric found purpose in his life and how his purpose motivated him to stay sober. [20:53] The importance of addressing the little issues that trip up addicts. [23:30] How Eric patched his relationship with his son. [34:11] Eric found his new wife after his addiction. [40:23] Putting a “why” between his alcohol and his addiction. [43:34] The importance of having faith when you’re a recovering addict. [53:13] His spiritual experience when going through the fifth step.   Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions  

180 - The Importance of Staying Connected and How Giving Back has Kept Him Sober with Eric Sheets

If you or a loved one are battling alcoholism or drug addiction, this podcast will give you inspiration and hope that there is a way out. Addiction isn't a life sentence. People recover everyday. It takes time and some hard work, but in the end it is worth it! Hosted by Tom Conrad, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict himself. Tom shares from his own experiences and the experiences of others to teach you the things that you can do TODAY to start living a sober and free lifestyle!

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