I am a father, a husband, and a son. I am also a recovered alcoholic, an ex-booze hound. I am 49 yrs old and drank for 25 of those years. I come from 12-step, but I realize that recovery comes in all shapes and forms. There are many paths up the mountain. I take my recovery seriously, but don’t take myself seriously (remember rule #62!) Hospitals, jail cells, detox and the asylum (oops, I mean treatment center) brought me to a place of surrender and with the help of others and a connection to the Creator, I have been lifted to a place far better than I could have imagined in my entire life.
I am also a life coach who specializes in addiction recovery and also helping others re-evaluate their relationship with alcohol. I also help people in their life transitions – retirement, new careers, moving house, promotions, etc. whatever it is that brings you to that place of self-doubt, low confidence and lack of accountability in making decisions.
You can find out more at my site, Paul Silva Coaching.
I wish you a marvelous and amazing journey to a newer and shinier you. You are exactly where you need to be!
Just found your blog from another blog (isn’t that how the blog world works?) and I love the message you share. I look forward to catching up and reading new posts. God bless.
Sherry
Thanks for the follow! I remember seeing your recent comment on ByeByeBeer’s latest post, and I was going to look you up, but you beat me to it. Happy to have connected here. I hope to post and comment more in the near future–life has thrown me a few curve balls lately. Take care, Christy
Thank you for deciding to follow another old alkie…wishing and praying the very best for you and yours…much love to you brother…be encouraged!
Catchy title. I like it. Ditto for the background beach stones. I look forward to reading your blog.
I’m glad you found my blog! That way I can read your path through recovery. I think ED’s and alcohol addictions are quite parallel. I’m looking forward to reading you and I wish YOU the best in your recovery, Paul! Nice meeting ya.
Thanks for visiting. Just started this one.
Thanks for liking my blog. I’m curious, do you have any brothers or sisters? I didn’t see that in your intro. Glad you found your way out of the bottle and are sharing the message. The Inside Out Men’s Home uses Celebrate Recovery which as I understand it is a combination of the 12-step principles and Biblical principles.
I found your blog, and I’m really glad I did. My mother also a “recovering” alcoholic. If she were to write an ‘about me’ section it would almost match yours apart from the ‘I take my recovery seriously’ as she is still drinking despite all the detox centers, police involvement, social service involvement, support groups, medical warnings, self-help books and mindfulness.
I think that’s why I am so interested in your blog. I want to know from what source do you gain your strength through that my mother hasn’t? She was told that if she continues she will be dead in >5 years; yet she continues, ignoring the fact that my siblings are still young enough to need her care for at least another 10/15 years.
Also, as a child of an alcoholic, without needing to know the in-depth details, I must say thank you; you have done more for your children than you can imagine. You have taught them strength and willpower and most importantly that you love yourself and them too much to let a substance ruin everything. I hope this post hasn’t come across wrong.
My main point was, I understand how hard a road it is, and I have the up most respect for you.
Great to hear you have turned your life around. I wonder when time comes that you know you have to take steps to getting help. Is it when you realise you have tried on your own before and failed and you got sick of the struggle, or because there was literally no where lower to go? Curious for a loved one…..
Good luck with it all, sending blogging blessings and regular blessings to you!
Just found your blog- I’m on this recovery journey as well- I’m a mother of 2- 30 something… Blessings to you! Keep up the great work!
Love your rule #62 🙂
I don’t know why I didn’t stop by here before. It’s great to read you that bit closer.
Alcohol, such a sinister spirit. I started in teens, been drinking 30 years. It’s now on the peripheral of my life, almost kicked. There’s an element of me that holds on to it. I can’t figure that as I consciously prefer sobriety, clear headedness, more productive and alert days. Yet sometimes I just want to hit myself over the head with a bottle.
I’m on a 100 day challenge (day 2!!). I was not able to manage 10 days, so when I saw a blog saying ‘Make this pledge, I won’t drink no matter what… etc.. and send me an email stating ‘Sober today'” – when I saw that on the weekend, I thought I’d do it. Alcohol has ceased to be the big problem it was, but there is clearly something about me that seeks to sabotage myself from time to time.
Anyway! Thank you for being there, true and honest.
Just found your blog! Thanks for sharing:) I am new to sobriety and finding a great deal of comfort in the blogs like yours. Writing my own blog is also therapeutic. Thanks for your honesty. Feels good to know I am not the only 40 something year old and the only alcoholic out there:-)
Hi Paul,
Thank you for the follow. I’ve read many of your comments on Christy’s blog. She has the highest regard for you, and so do I. I apologize that it’s taken me this long to share that with you. I’m looking forward to reading your blog postings.
It’s a pleasure to ‘officially’ meet you. 🙂
Victoria
Author Catherine Lyon told me about your blog because we share a certain….problem. I have seen that we all tend to follow the same patterns and past to some extent. I am looking forward to reading more.
Hey there. Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogosphere and liking my post. Blessings =)
Hey Paul. Just stopping by to let you know that I’ve nominated you for “The Versatile Blogger Award”. You can find the rules here: http://stacilys.wordpress.com/?p=749
Blessings =)
Staci
Me again Paul. Supposedly there was a problem with the link for the post. It’s fixed now so you can see it at http://stacilys.wordpress.com/
Blessings=)
–Staci
Beautiful site and words…I’m hooked and ready to read more. I’m also glad to see that you and Christy (runningonsober and Christina’s words) found each other–she is amazing!
I can see that you are, too 🙂
Looking forward to seeing more!
Paul,
Thank you for visiting, reading, and following. Glad to meet you. I’ll have to thank El Guapo for the introduction.
Blessings,
Kina
“Garden variety.” Gardens are beautiful. Thanks for being here.
Recovery is one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed. Thank you for sharing your story here!
I nominated you for the sunshine award!
http://emotionaldrinkingdotcom.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/gratitude-for-sunshine-award/
Thanks for all your support and for brightening my days.
Hi! I keep seeing you around so I thought I better come check out your blog. 🙂 Congratulations on your recovery. That takes a lot of hard work and commitment so you have much to be proud of. I look forward to reading more.
I just wanted you to know that I nominated you for an award here – http://annarosemeeds.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/awards-galore-and-what-to-do-with-awards/
Husband, father, son, 42 years old. Ditto on all four. 25 years of drinking out of the 42? Give or take, yeah. That too. But you must have started regular consumption a bit younger, because I only have 73 days since my last drink, while you’re in long enough to have sponsees. Thanks for writing here. I need to read good words from people with time. And it helps when I’ve got some stuff in common with the writer.
Hey Paul, I know you’re taking a break and may not really accept awards, but I think your awesome. Sooooooo, that being said, I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Bloggers Award. Of course you don’t have to accept it. But if you should choose to, you can read about it and find the rules here:
http://stacilys.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/versatile-blogger-award/
🙂
Hi, I’m thinking that i am glad i found this blog and others! I havent had a drink for 10 months, though my whole life I heard that small still voice telling me to give it up. It didnt ruin my life, i was the very very funcional alcoholic, ( and dysfuncional while alone.). When I got so gravely ill with another physical/cerebral issue, that was it. Hadn’t had a desire for so long and recently the “need” is creeping in again. My whole story is on blog which started to not go bonkers on bedrest for so long. Anyway, will subscribe and hope to pass by more often. 🙂 Mar
Glad to meet you via Wayfarer, Paul! Keep up the great work and I look forward to reading more from you.
Thanks. I found you through Holistic Journey. I like the site. I passed it along. See me @ memoriesofatime on WP
Cool !!
Picking up inspiration from you & others.
I been happy joyous free & sober for 8 years now. I’m brand new to the blogging & tweeting world.
I’ll be back to visit yours!!
Hi Paul. Just discovered KLEN and SOBER which led me to you. Am listening to the podcast you did with Chris and Jeff and getting so much from the conversation as I am about a year and a half sober now…Anyway, looking forward to getting familiar with your blog and thoughts…Thanks.
I’m thinkin it has been TO LONG since my last visit!! You classed the place up with a new funky look? Love it ! Hope all has been blessed your way friend 🙂 XO
Now I will go read what you have been up to! LOL.
Blessings,
Cat
Thanks for your openness about your experience with recovery! So important to help fight the stigma!
I wanted to encourage you to check out Quartet’s Patient Advisory Committee, it’s a cool opportunity for people who are open to sharing their experiences with chronic behavioral health conditions to make an impact: http://www.quartethealth.com/patients