Alcoholics and Their Intentions (The Daily Trudge)

Alcoholics and Their Intentions (The Daily Trudge)

How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober? This Daily Trudge instalment of the RAW Recovery Podcast follows Dion as he talks frankly about why good intentions weren’t enough to keep him – or many other alcoholics – out of the bottle. Drawing on the Big Book, he looks at the gap between what alcoholics meant to do and what actually happened once the obsession kicked in.

Dion admits, “When you said that you wanted to quit good and for all, you meant it… but alcohol had a different idea,” and drives home a key line he leans on: “An alcoholic, even with the best of intentions, will do the wrong thing without accountability.” You’ll hear him talk about powerlessness, the “negative 20 willpower” he feels around alcohol, and why a spiritual solution alongside solid clinical support has been crucial in his own journey.

There’s chat about shame, broken promises, and that familiar cycle of meaning to stop, drinking anyway, then drowning the guilt with more drink. The conversation also branches into everyday examples of intention – from opening doors for strangers to how people behave in traffic – as a way of asking: what’s the real motive here? Dion keeps it light with humour, but he stays honest about uncomfortable truths.

For those curious about recovery housing, he shares early plans for a spiritually based, community-focused sober living project run with a clinical partner, stressing clear ethics, no drama, and strong accountability. If you’ve ever wondered why wanting to quit wasn’t enough, or you’re asking yourself whether your actions match your intentions today, this candid chat offers something to sit with. Where might a bit more honesty and accountability change your own path?