Ever wondered how to enjoy a concert without the buzz of alcohol? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, hosts Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Santino, a 35-year-old from Taunton, Massachusetts, who shares his story of attending his first sober concert. Santino took his last drink on May 24, 2022, and his journey is both inspiring and practical for anyone curious about living alcohol-free.

He opens up about the challenges he faced, from battling cravings to navigating social events without a drink in hand. But it’s not all struggles; Santino also highlights the joy and clarity that come with sobriety. The episode is packed with useful tips for those new to the sober scene, like giving yourself some alcohol-free time before diving into social events and having a support system in place.

Paul and Kris also weigh in with their own advice, making this episode a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone on the path to recovery. Whether you're newly sober or just looking for ways to support a loved one, this episode offers a blend of heartfelt stories and practical advice that will leave you feeling hopeful and empowered.

Join Recovery Elevator as Santino shares his journey to sobriety and tips for enjoying your first sober concert. Gain practical advice and inspiration.

Santino's First Sober Concert: Tips and Triumphs

Episode 449 - How to Make it Through Your First Sober Concert?   Today we have Santino. He is 35 from Taunton, MA and took his last drink on May 24th, 2022.   Our latest Ditching the Booze course begins Monday October 2nd at 7:30pm EDT/4:30pm PDT and is free to Café RE members. The 5-week course is called Writing a New Narrative and is designed to help you explore your sobriety story through journaling and writing prompts.   <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Cafe RE</a> - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.   We have partnered with <a href= "https://www.soberlink.com/partners/recovery-elevator">Sober Link</a>.  You can find some tips and can sign up for a $50 off promo code.   [03:05] Highlights from Paul:   Today’s question comes from Kelly in our Café RE Up Group. The question is “how do you make it through your first sober concert?”   The first of eight fantastic tips include giving yourself a little alcohol-free time before going to a concert. Once you’ve got some time under your belt, and the cravings are in check, then you can hit the green light on concerts.  Regardless of how many days you have, if you are feeling squirrely the dray of the concert then sit it out.  Sobriety is the priority.   Paul then shares several tips to include:   -       Always have a non-alcoholic beverage in hand. -       Do not volunteer to be the DD. -       Make sure everyone you are attending with knows your intentions.   Some of the best parts about sober concerts? You will remember it. You will save money. You won’t get a DUI on the drive home.   Better Help:  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/elevator"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [10:14]: Paul introduces Santino:   Santino is a repeat guest and has maintained his sobriety since his last appearance on <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/re-397-the-ultimate-connection/"> episode 397</a> where he was on day 43.   Santino is married and has one son. For fun, he loves going outside in nature to go hiking and go to the beach, but he also says that there is fun in everything since quitting drinking.   Santino had his first drink as a young teen. His mom was a single parent for a while, and he feels that he may have started drinking because the absence of his father bothered him. He learned that alcohol became a friend to him, and he feels like he used it for connection with his father and in contrast, to disconnect from her mother.   Santino joined the Air Force out of high school and found alcohol to be part of the culture. Between his early 20s and his early 30s he started deliberately planning his drinking to include before going out and drinking alone. Santino says he used a lot of rationalization that he wasn’t as bad as other people when it came to how he drank. He often pushed off having to think about it.   There wasn’t much hiding it from his spouse initially because they both drank. His hiding became more intentional as time went on, specifically after his son was born and during the pandemic. He found himself being sneakier about it. Santino started struggling with mood swings and being less communicative and didn’t want to address the fact that he needed help to quit drinking. He started to realize that this was going to destroy his family and he needed to rip the band aid off and address it. Once he addressed it with his wife, he felt freedom but was also worried about the process.   In the early days of his recovery, Santino and his wife began counseling to work on rebuilding their relationship. Santino also found that he started to feel healthier in general, was getting better sleep and did not miss the hangovers at all. Santino has been able to save money which assisted him with paying off some credit card debt he incurred while drinking.  As a parent, he feels more centered and present with his son. He attends AA frequently, listens to podcasts, and surrounds himself with others in recovery.   Santino’s parting piece of guidance: give yourself grace in all the moments that you feel that you don’t even deserve it.   <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/recoveryelevator/">Instagram</a> - We regularly feature content here – often with goats! <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href= "https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a>   Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we all go home. I love you guys.

RE 449: How to Make it Through Your First Sober Concert?

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It isn't a NO to alcohol, but a YES to a better life!  Best selling author Paul Churchill, along with Kristopher Oyen interview people who have stepped away from alcohol in their own lives. Each week this podcast does a deep dive into an exploration of what a booze free life might look like from various perspectives and opinions. 

If you are sick and tired of alcohol making you sick and tired, we invite you to listen to Recovery Elevator. Check out what an alcohol free life can look like as others share their own stories of sobriety. If you are sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one or living your best life already in recovery, then you are in the right place.

This podcast addresses what to do if you’re addicted to alcohol, or if you think you’re an alcoholic. Other topics include, does moderate drinking work, does addiction serve a purpose, what happens to the brain when we quit drinking, should you track sobriety time, is A.A. right for you, spirituality, and more. 

Similar to other recovery podcasts like This Naked Mind, the Shair Podcast, and the Recovered Podcast, Paul and Kris discuss a topic and then interview someone who has ditched the booze.

Recovery Elevator

Ever wondered how to enjoy a concert without the buzz of alcohol? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, hosts Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Santino, a 35-year-old from Taunton, Massachusetts, who shares his story of attending his first sober concert. Santino took his last drink on May 24, 2022, and his journey is both inspiring and practical for anyone curious about living alcohol-free.He opens up about the challenges he faced, from battling cravings to navigating social events without a drink in hand. But it’s not all struggles; Santino also highlights the joy and clarity that come with sobriety. The episode is packed with useful tips for those new to the sober scene, like giving yourself some alcohol-free time before diving into social events and having a support system in place.Paul and Kris also weigh in with their own advice, making this episode a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone on the path to recovery. Whether you're newly sober or just looking for ways to support a loved one, this episode offers a blend of heartfelt stories and practical advice that will leave you feeling hopeful and empowered.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 449: How to Make it Through Your First Sober Concert?

RE 449: How to Make it Through Your First Sober Concert?

RE 449: How to Make it Through Your First Sober Concert?

Monday 25th September 2023

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Recovery Elevator

Santino's First Sober Concert: Tips and Triumphs

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