I've been duped by alcohol | Paul Churchill | TEDxBozeman

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.

[DominikPavel-fkwb]

I started drinking since my teenage, got addicted to alcohol. Spent my whole life fighting alcohol addiction. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Alcohol addiction actually destroyed my life. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[TrevorFosterTheFosterDojo]

I have never went more than 30 days being sober I think since I was 19. 32 now and just hit 31 days today !

[KanwarAnand]

I am 15 days sober. Goal is 90 days. Never been that far in the last 10 years.

[ap]

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

[marshalltenbears]

Nothing beats the deep sleep you get after about a week of no drinking. That becomes my new addiction.

[rogercottrell]

Alcohol is poison. Americans treat it like an amusement park ride. Sober is the best choice.

[thomashind]

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

[linbeek]

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!

[loneranger]

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

[darksoul]

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. 😊

[Miketrt]

I'm on day five of being sober, which is pretty good for me, the goal is forever.

[johnnyz]

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.

[yellowdayz]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE being SOBER!!!! No comparison, it is MUCH better than being a drunk! Save your health as well!

[keithgrant]

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!

[robertthompson]

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

[phyllisarrington]

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.

[wellbeing]

Being comfortable with sobriety is your real state.

[BlackfoxCritterGlitter]

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.

[jubelivion]

185 days sober today and REALLY needed to hear this. Thank you TED

[footprintsinthesand]

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!