Real Recovery Talk

My wife and I brought a beautiful baby girl, Winnie Margaret Conrad, into the world three weeks ago! -- The question to ask yourself when you are considering treatment: How do drugs and alcohol add value to my life today? There are many different reasons addicts will not go into drug and alcohol rehab. One reason may be because the addict thinks they won't be able to become clean, so what is the point of going? With that attitude, you definitely won't become clean and sober again. I'm here to tell you, relapse is NOT a part of recovery. This statement, which I've heard many times, is BS. Relapse is only a part of recovery if you choose to make this a part of your recovery. In this episode, I'm going to talk about the most common fears people have when considering treatment options. Many people have a fear of the unknown. Remember, treatment for any problem, whether the issue is medical, such as a broken leg or addiction, is purposeful. The reason you go for treatment is for repair. Treatment is generally uncomfortable; however, the goal for your treatment is to heal successfully. When you enter into drug and alcohol treatment, it may be hard to comprehend your life moving forward without drugs and alcohol. You may be asking yourself the following questions: What does drug and alcohol treatment look like? What can I expect during this process? What are the actions and steps I'll have to do in the addiction program? What types of treatments will my rehab consist of? Who will be leading my rehabilitation? What types of doctors, psychologists, will I be working with during rehab? What will this process look like for me? I'll be speaking with my guest, Griff, today about his fears about going into drug and alcohol rehab. He has been in rehab for six months and will talk to us about dealing with emotions. Fear #1: Talking about your emotions. As an addict, we tend to live emotionless lives to avoid feeling emotions. You are using drugs and alcohol to mask your true emotions. Your feelings are overwhelming; however, if you do not process your emotions, you have a significant chance of falling back into the addiction cycle. When Griff first started feeling emotion, he felt love for the first time. This was the first experience he had with loving himself. Also, he experiences the emotion of hate for his actions in the past. He now realizes he has a choice not to live a life of addiction. He feels he is a better person now than he was before. Griff realizes that he feels different if he is around others who are drinking. Fear #2: Loneliness: Make sure to have a trusted counselor or other professional to work through your emotional process and have a clean and positive community of friends who can be there for you when you are working through the recovery process. Griff talks about how vital the community at the Rock Recovery Center is for him through his process of recovery. He felt welcome and accepted at the Rock Recovery Center. Even though he considers himself an introvert, he realizes how his new friends are looking out for him. Listen in to hear more detail about three common fears many people experience when considering drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:54] Trying to comprehend your life without drugs and alcohol. [04:06] Common modalities and activities you may have in your recovery program. [04:33] Fear #1: The fear of dealing with your emotions [05:59] My guest Griff talks about using since he was 12 and not having to deal with emotions for a very long time. [07:02] Feeling guilt and shame when going through the treatment process. [07:25] Griff talks about harnessing his new found emotions to change and become a better person. [09:09] Going through and processing emotions with a trained therapist who you can trust and feel comfortable with when healing from addiction. [10:56] Stay away from environments which have drugs or alcohol when you are in early recovery. [11:09] Fear #2 the fear of loneliness. [12:39] Griff talks about the relationships he has developed during treatment. [13:39] Be an asset to your community during treatment. [14:59] Griff talks about his new found "family" at the Rock Recovery Center and the importance of having this community for his well-being. [17:04] The community at the Rock Recovery Center holding each other accountable. [20:04] Perspective: look at how wonderful your life would be without dependence on drugs and alcohol instead of thinking about life without drugs and alcohol. 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

My wife and I brought a beautiful baby girl, Winnie Margaret Conrad, into the world two weeks ago! -- I'm going to give you three things you can do to end your addiction. Whether you're addicted to drugs, alcohol, or nicotine, consistently following these three steps can get you out of your addiction and onto your road of recovery. These three steps are so easy to do, normies do this every day: Get Busy - the saying "idle hands make the devil's workshop" applies to #1. Don't sit around and let time pass you by. Doing the same thing day in and day out, without purpose, is not healthy. You want to fill your time with productive, purposeful activities to be in the right frame of mind. You can volunteer at a local pet shelter, go back to school, or pick up a new trade or hobby. Find activities you like to do and do them every day. Get out of Toxic Relationships - when you are inactive addiction, you will surround yourself with others who approve of your negative behavior. You can easily cosign your addiction when you stay in toxic relationships. Remember to look around, the toxic person doesn't have to be an addict, they can be a normie but is emotionally, physically, or sexually abusive. Find positive friends, moving forward in life, and lead meaningful lives. Get Support - find others outside of your immediate family to positively support you in your journey and will hold you accountable. Find a support group or support system of others outside your family who you can talk to when you need support. Your family may love you; however, family situations can be stressful and create the opposite effect. Family members who don't understand how you feel usually can't support you in the way you need to be supported. They want to help you but do not have the tools to assist you in the road to recovery. A good support group or person can walk you through a tough journey. When we are stuck in our heads and have no way to get out of our heads, the negative self-talk will walk back into our minds. From this point, the negativity snowballs, and we are back on the path to addiction. Whether your addiction is shopping, gambling, or drugs, this applies to all addictions. Remember, toxic relationships include any person who is not serving a positive purpose in your life. Breakaway from these people and move from your "comfortable" place. You have to get rid of toxic people and relationships, or you'll be fighting an uphill battle. These people will not support you wanting to get clean or get out of your addiction. Find a MeetUp group that doesn't drink. Make sure to be with positive people who can build your sobriety and help lift you back up. Positive support will assist you in being and stay sober. There's no guarantee, however, if you are consistent and follow-through with these three steps, you can be on your way to sobriety. Listen in to hear more detail about my three steps to put you on the path of sobriety, no matter what your addiction. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [02:15] I introduce my new baby girl, Winnie Margaret Conrad, [03:55] Three things you can do to end your addiction. [04:51] The first thing you can do to put an end to your addiction - be productive and engage yourself in mindful and meaningful activities. [08:56] Number two: Get out of toxic relationships - surround yourself with healthy, good people. [13:22] Number three: get support! Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes

I hope that Steven's message today will give you the ability to go out and get help with your addiction. Listen in on his message of hope. Steven decided to come onto the show today to share his message of hard work and determination when coming off drug addiction. His early life, as a child living with his mother, gave Steven his first exposure to drug use and addiction. This was a radical difference from the structured and disciplined military life he led when he was under his father's care. At eight years old, his aunt gave him his first joint, and his uncle gave him his first beer that summer. Later that year, he started smoking cigarettes, also given to him by a family member on his mother's side. By the time he was 13, he was smoking a pack a day of cigarettes. Enabling children and giving them what they want tends to lead a person down the path of addiction. Being able to do "anything you want" gives the impression that doing anything is OK. The enabler is not able to stop the behavior that is allowing the addict to continue. Steven's introduction to continual access to drugs and alcohol started in middle school, where he would idolize rock bands, play music and go out into a field and get drunk with his friends. In high school, he joined his first band, half of whom were on probation. Steven himself ended up on probation for six months. During his probation, he developed a reliance on synthetic cannabinoids. Even though he was on-track to graduate early from high school, he was expelled his junior year and dropped out twice his senior year. Steven thought drinking was a typical teen activity. Looking back, he realized his behavior wasn't normal - the party never stopped - he was continually drinking throughout the day. Playing in a band gave Steven purpose, finding a role in music was where he fit in socially. His world as an adult is still tied to his childhood traumas, with abandonment issues and feeling he isn't good enough. These are the feelings that lead to addiction and make addiction so hard to break. In 2017, Steven broke up with his girlfriend, and he realized he was always drunk. He would buy beer, put the beer in his backpack, and drink beer in the bathroom every hour he was at work. His ex-girlfriend was also addicted, she didn't want to be addicted. Steven realized that he, as well as she, needed to go into rehab. Listen in to hear Steven's story of drinking, being miserable and him being in and out of IOP and working a 12-step program. Show Notes: [04:29] I introduce Steven and he gives background on his lifestyle growing up and the large amount of difference between living with his mother and living with his father. [07:25] Steven tells about his family growing up, how his family became a blended family. [09:29] His mother and aunt are still addicted and not clean. [11:45] Steven and I talk about the enabling aspect of addiction. [15:26] Where Steven's addiction stems from. [17:20] Steven's first consequence: probation for six months. [19:27] The party never stopped for Steven, he was always drinking. [20:30] He describes how playing in a band gave him purpose. [25:49] Steven deals with abandonment issues, even as an adult. [27:24] The turning point where Steven decides he has to make a change. [35:23] How Steven started drinking more to cope with the misery of the breakup with his girlfriend. [38:03] What is Steven doing now and what would he say to the Steven that was living under the bridge several years ago. [44:05] The message I'm hearing is hope! [48:26] "Give yourself a shot, even if you don't think you're worth it." Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube

Gormy is an Instagram influencer @gormy_goes_keto. He has a history of food addiction, starting as a child. At his heaviest, he weighed 540 pounds. He built a life that supported and enabled his food addiction and focused his world around food. As long as he could access food, he didn't care about his health issues, reduced mobility, or an unhealthy lifestyle. Gormy realized, after not being able to find work, that he needed to change and get into better shape. He developed habits such as "sneak eating," how he would only lose weight to please his parents, and how Gormy didn't have any ownership in moving toward a healthy lifestyle. As an adult, he realized that he needed to lose weight to get a job. He got to his goal weight of 210 for his 40th birthday in 2011. Then, he decided to have a cheat meal, which turned into a cheat weekend and then snowballed into completely giving up into eating any type of healthy food. He put on 100 pounds in the first month of eating in this fashion. Gormy went from 210 to 480 in 6 months. Listen in to find out how Gormy went from resigning life to moving to be an inspiration to others. Show Notes: [03:23] I introduce Gormy and he gives background on how he developed Gormy Goes Keto. [04:12] Gormy talks about his food addiction history, dating back to when he was a child. [07:15] After college, Gormy's food addiction turned for the worse. [08:58] Gormy talks about the physical challenges of being obese. [10:15] He talks about how he avoided doctors, even with multiple medical conditions. [12:31] The psychological impact of his parents paying him money to lose weight when he was a child. [17:19] His second diet, at 16, he started off at 350 pounds. He would "sneak eat" food and throw out the wrappers so his family didn't know what he was eating. [23:42] As soon as Gormy found a new job on the East Coast, he was back eating again and gained back much of the weight he lost. [34:09] Gormy resigns himself to dying and writes a letter to his family. [40:01] We compare food addiction to drugs and alcohol addiction, what do these have in common? [43:34] Gormy remembers his stepmom crying because she thought he was going to die because of his weight. [45:51] Eating too much has become normalized in our society. [48:18] Gormy realizes his responsibilities have changed when his dad asks him for help to take care of two newborns. [50:33] Gormy realizes his life has impact and that he is now responsible for somebody else other than himself. [54:19] He thinks about who he wants to be as a person, as well as what does he want to weigh? [01:00:50] What steps does Gormy take now for his accountability? Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Gormy on YouTube Gormy on Instagram Gormy's Blog The Fat Guy Forum on Apple Podcasts

Brandon Lilly is a strength coach and top ranked powerlifter. He was ranked as one of the strongest powerlifters of all time lifting over 2000 pounds in multiple classes. His Cube Method has also helped other men do the same and has helped women total over 1000 pounds. After a devastating knee injury that required Brandon to have 17 surgeries, he ended up in bed with time for reflection. During this time, he realized that his powerlifting had become an obsession, and he had let most other aspects of his life fall by the wayside. Addiction can take many forms, and it doesn't have to only apply to drugs and alcohol. As Brandon explains, it can even apply to powerlifting. Show Notes: [03:37] Brandon started to recognize that addiction is somewhat woven into the fabric of human existence. We all have addictive qualities to some degree. [04:48] We've done a poor job of classifying people as broken, when they're not broken, they're just human. [05:12] Brandon was so addicted to powerlifting that he made choices for the progression of the sport not the progression of himself. Powerlifting consumed who he was and his life. [06:24] Brandon had a catastrophic injury that required multiple knee surgeries. When he wasn't able to power lift, it gave him time to take a pause and think about all that he had given up in order to powerlift. [07:48] He knew the isolation and loneliness that he was feeling was going to be recurring if he didn't make some changes in his life. [10:38] The first step may be changing the food or the drink, but there has to be a second and third step. Patterns have to be broken. [16:38] Mark Bell had a similar experience when he was injured, and it was a pivotal moment in his life. [18:51] Brandon experienced a lot of loss and wanted to use that to be the best in powerlifting, but he was alienating himself from his family while being obsessed with the sport. [22:07] He had so many issues with his leg, because he wouldn't give up what was killing him. He should have only had 3 surgeries, but he had 17, because he wasn't taking care of himself. [23:34] Brandon realized that he was exactly where he was, because that is where he put himself. [24:30] For him, the powerlifting was a positive expression until it wasn't. [26:24] We all have something that we are fighting against. Brandon was mad at the world for no reason. [28:25] He was the smallest kid on the block and had a chip on his shoulder. He always felt like he needed more to be more. [33:01] Success doesn't happen quickly, it's better to build something for life. [37:50] People have to decide they want help on their own and not be forced into it. [42:55] It's no effort to do the things that you are truly doing for yourself. [44:23] Brandon speaks for himself and doesn't want to be controversial. He doesn't fall into the trap of trying to impress people anymore. He's very real about his struggles. [52:18] It's important to have a community and find people who support you and help you reach your goals. [59:09] Without the hard days, Brandon wouldn't be able to enjoy the sunrise that he enjoys now. [01:06:31] If Brandon can make someone's life better with a smile, he'll smile. [01:07:06] Brandon got very strong very fast when he started powerlifting. He wanted to be liked, followed, and make a living. Now he just wants to be a functional human. [01:08:29] His workouts now consist of two heavy days one upper and one lower, two rep days one upper and one lower, and two speed days one upper and one lower. He takes one day off and also hikes three to four days a week. [01:12:51] Hold on and recognize the small miracles and things that matter. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Brandon Lilly Brandon Lilly on Instagram Brandon Lilly on Twitter BrandonLilly3@yahoo.com Ep. 48 – Mark Smelly Bell: Founder and CEO of Super Training Gym and The Slingshot: Using fitness and nutrition to help with your addiction Terrence Mitchell on Instagram Born to Run The Cube Method

Getting sober and being sober is great, but how can you ensure that you're going to have sustainable long-term sobriety and recovery? For those who struggle with relapse and can't string together any substantial clean time, it becomes like a repetitive hamster wheel that they feel like they can't get off of. I'm on my ninth year of sobriety. For me, as time goes by, it's easier to stay sober. This doesn't mean I don't have those low points that can make staying sober a challenge. It just means that I've found ways to help stay sober. Today, I'm going to discuss some techniques that I use to ensure that I have long lasting sobriety. Show Notes: [05:54] You have to understand that nothing about the process is easy, but the longer you go the easier it gets. [07:05] I don't want to lose any of the things that I've gained that has monetary value. [08:30] Wants someone is getting sober and gets a job, it feels good to have money in their pocket. [10:35] There will be challenges, but you need to be resilient. [11:50] People who are sober get knocked down and they pick themselves up, they don't go and get high. They do whatever they need to do to protect their sobriety. [12:31] We need to learn to delay gratification. [13:36] If I want something, I try to table it for 30 days and then if I'm still thinking about it, I'll think about getting it. [15:26] We need to slow down and understand what the steps are for as we work them not rush through them. [16:35] I've also taken on new interests that are outside of the recovery world. [18:58] I want to do things that I wouldn't have done before I was sober. I want to experience what life has to offer. [23:06] You have to have community. Not just community in your 12-step group. As human beings, we need to be surrounded by human beings. [25:06] It's even possible to isolate in a public place. [25:37] In sobriety, you can't isolate. You need to be around people that have gone through what you have gone through and gotten to the other side. [26:31] It's also great to have a community with your outside interests. [27:36] You can still have friends who drink. We need people to help us reach our goals and be better people. [28:57] Sobriety is going to be tough. Build some interests. Keep in fun. Experience new things. Build a community around you that you can reach out to. [30:03] You will have low points and need people to help pick you up. If you do these things, you can maintain sobriety. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube

We've been getting a lot of comments and questions about SMART Recovery. So today, Tom and Ben discuss SMART Recovery along with why it's important to do some type of treatment and get the help you need. You really just have to pick something, and then you have to do it. Ben has attended a SMART Recovery meeting. He shares the acronym for SMART goals, and his opinion of the program. We also talk about how important it is to stick with whatever program you choose to get the results that will benefit you for your entire life. Show Notes: [03:49] Ben is an AA 12-Step guy through and through. He has also learned not to pigeon himself into one way and one way only. [04:15] The acronym SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely when referring to goals. [05:06] We want clients to be self-sufficient and find jobs. Finding a job isn't specific, but filling out 10 applications is. [07:11] You want your goals to be attainable and realistic. [09:19] A lot of recovery programs are similar and related. [09:58] SMART Recovery is also based on therapy. It's based on three musts. I must or I'm a failure. You must treat me a certain way. I must not have pain, worry etc. [11:12] Realistically you will feel negative feelings. You need to apply rational thoughts and reframe situations. [13:23] SMART Recovery has an ABC. A is an activating event. B is a belief. C is the consequence. It's a process of rational thinking. [14:21] Ben went to a SMART Recovery meeting. It's like group therapy without the therapist. They are run differently from state to state. There is consistency in 12-Step programs. [20:09] Whatever program you are using, you need to go to the meetings and practice it. You have to give it time and an opportunity to work. [23:25] Don't say something doesn't work until you've done the whole thing. If you do everything you are supposed to do, it will work. [26:32] Don't focus on the end date. Focus on the journey and the program. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube SMART Recovery AA

People often say, why don't you just stop using? It's obvious what it's doing to your life and the lives of those around you. If curing addiction where that easy, everyone would do it and addiction issues wouldn't be an issue. We all know that addiction is an issue and has a strong hold on many. This episode goes into the reasons why it's impossible to just cure addiction. We talk about how humans are programmed for pleasure, how drinking initially feels good, how it can turn into something that is almost impossible to stop, and more. People have a lot of different opinions about this topic. I would love to hear what you think, so feel free to weigh in with your opinion. Show Notes: [03:17] Human beings are programmed for pleasure and like to feel good. Drugs and alcohol give people a euphoric feeling that they enjoy. [04:32] The problem is that the good feeling eventually turns into problems like DUIs, lost relationships, withdrawal symptoms, and so on. [05:08] That first sip of alcohol can make us feel good and limit inhibitions. We love that dopamine hit. [06:01] People also have addiction with relationships. If we don't address the underlying issues, we'll just look for something else to make us feel good. [06:54] The underlying issue that's fueling the addiction needs to be uncovered. [07:25] People get addicted to things to avoid pain. When people stop drinking and drugging they have to deal with the pain without the substances. [08:43] If we're not getting clean and sober, and we're experiencing emotional or physical pain, the only way to deal with it is drugs and alcohol. [10:06] People always have multiple issues going on. As people get clean and sober it takes a lot of work to uncover the underlying issues. Anxiety and depression are very common. [12:54] The system is often set up to punish people. There is nothing rehabilitating about going to jail. Drugs addict can find drugs in jail. Once again, the underlying issue needs to be addressed. [14:12] Lack of purpose is a common issue with drug addicts. People need to feel like they have some type of purpose. [16:25] Once the drugs and alcohol are gone, it's time to figure out why you are here. Having something that you really enjoy will give you something to look forward to. [18:34] It's my opinion that addiction can't be cured. It can be put at bay. It can be maintained, but it can't be cured. [19:30] If we're willing to do the work, we can put the addiction on the shelf, but it's unfair to say it can be cured. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube

Hannah Marks is someone who Tom has known for seven years, and they have both been sober ever since. Hannah and Tom talk about Hannah's journey to addiction and sobriety. Her story is a little different, because she started drinking when she was 11 and got sober at 17 years old. Hannah shares how her gateway drug was trauma, and how she started drinking after the death of her father. Hannah is also the founder of an advocacy website called Wherehab. This site helps people explore treatment options without a sales pitch. It doesn't operate on leads. The focus is just to help educate people about treatment options and what would work best for their unique situation. She also has an app launching soon. We talk about trauma, sobriety, treatment, Hannah's great life, and world travel. Show Notes: [03:02] Trauma was Hannah's gateway drug. Her dad died when she was 11, and she started drinking a lot. [03:56] After getting sober, Hannah still had a lot of mental obstacles to overcome. She had to really dig deep and do a lot of therapy. [04:27] She wasn't talk the coping skills to deal with what she was dealing with, and she didn't have a strong sense of self. [05:04] After getting sober, she realized that she had more things to deal with. She learned that trauma could be from not trusting herself and having an identity. [06:18] Trauma is different for everyone. [08:46] After her dad's death, it took Hannah five or six years to get her feelings back. She didn't know how to feel feelings like sadness, so she would do whatever it would take to distract herself like eat. [10:11] If she wasn't getting high, she felt like she would die. Drugs and alcohol are a symptom to deal with thoughts and feelings. [11:41] Hannah was 17 when she got sober. She started going to meetings and was involved with positive people. [13:58] After high school, Hannah's sister invited her to stay in Gainesville. She ended up at an AA meeting by chance after giving someone a ride. [16:50] A sense of community is so important. [18:32] Getting sober is kind of like facing the fear of death. You either have to have the community or hit rock bottom. [20:29] Wherehab is resource where you can learn about quality treatment providers without being sold leads. They have a blog, and you can learn about different treatment modalities. [22:05] Hannah has toured over 500 rehab centers. [23:03] There isn't a one type fit all treatment. Different plans will work for different people depending on where they are at. The way you learn recovery will be unique to you. [25:35] Hannah makes her own work schedule and goes on awesome trips around the world. She has the perfect sober life. She is also more selective about who she lets in her life. She is also going to Asia for a month. [26:59] She has been to Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Canada, England, Italy, France, Japan, India, Burma, Thailand, Germany, Austria, Hungary, or 13% of the world. [27:33] She also just did a soft version of a meeting finder app. It has many functions like finding a community, mentors, and setting goals. It's called SYN or Sober Young Network. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Wherehab Wherehab on Twitter Wherehab on Facebook Hanna on LinkedIn Wherehab on Instagram

Ben's cousin Joel H. is here today to talk with Tom and Ben about his story of addiction, what he went through, getting sober, and staying sober. Joel is four years older than Ben and was super influential on Ben when they were growing up. Ben also shares how important it was for him to see Joel go through the process. Ben was born with one hand, but that didn't deter him from playing all of the sports especially karate. His mom also encouraged him to be social and surrounded him with friends. Like many of us, Joel drank as a teen. His addiction issues didn't really flare up until he was injured and tried oxycontin. We talk about this and more in this encouraging and entertaining episode. Show Notes: [03:55] Ben shares how Joel got him to work out by punishing him on heavy weights. He was a huge influence to him. [05:00] Ben also took Joel to his first AA meeting. [06:07] Joel was born with one hand. He was an only child, but his mom always made sure he had friends around and got to try all of the sports. Karate was his favorite. [07:04] His parents drank on weekends. That didn't seem to have a huge effect on his addiction. [08:16] When he was nearing the end of his teen years, several events took place that he didn't have the coping mechanisms to deal with. He went through a breakup. His grandfather died, and his parents also got divorced. [08:50] He also had two groups of friends. The church group that was into sports and the pot smoking surfer group. [09:06] He started spending more time with the second group, because he liked the effects of alcohol and it helped him cope with his current losses. [09:24] He was still responsible. He went to school, worked, and got married. [10:14] When he was 28 years old, he had an accident in the weight room. He began taking Oxycontin for the pain and ended up spending his money on it for the next two years. [11:39] He got to a point where he overdosed. [12:03] He divorced and got into a new relationship. His pain began again, and he got legitimate pain meds. This led to addiction and depression. [13:01] Joel got into trouble for the first time in his life. Joel shares a story where he ended up being dubbed the one handed bandit. He also broke into a courthouse building. [14:36] He ended up turning himself in and losing his home and relationships. [15:21] Ben and some friends knew it was time to get him into treatment. [16:06] Joel started to go to meetings, get a sponsor, and work the steps. [20:03] Part of the process of re-evaluating your life is taking an inventory of the way you were behaving and the way you would like to behave. [21:08] It's more fun being sober and not waking up with a hangover. The biggest gift of recovery is peace of mind. [23:01] At treatment, Joel felt like he wasn't alone. He was around people with a similar story, and the counselors were great. [25:05] Tom found out that his false beliefs were at the center of his addiction. [26:16] Joel couldn't imagine dealing with his pain without using. In meetings, he learned that this was possible. [29:22] Praying started helping Joel to get his confidence back. He surrounded himself with winners. [34:14] Fitness really helps with sobriety and having goals and something to shoot for. Joel inspires other people with his one handed bench presses. [37:13] Ben shares how hiking and speed walking can alleviate depression and anxiety. [40:37] A lot of common sense stuff can be applied to treatment. Going for walks or to the gym really helps. [42:15] Part of treatment is practical application of the tools. [44:06] Joel was in a sober living environment for almost two years. That attests to his willingness to do the work. [46:27] The recent loss of Joel's mom made him feel helpless. His treatment tools and support group enabled him to cope with the loss that would have normally sent him back into addiction. [52:49] Joel now works in treatment, and it's great for his relationship with Ben. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube AA Fern House Dave Ramsey