How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, we meet Kerri, a 51-year-old from Maine, who shares her journey to sobriety after taking her last drink on June 7th, 2025. With the theme of self-love and acceptance, Kerri discusses the importance of building a 'sobriety team'—a network of support that includes community, professional help, and personal resources like books and spirituality.

The episode highlights how Kerri navigated her recovery with the support of her sister and her involvement in AA meetings, podcasts, and journaling. Paul Churchill, the host, emphasises the need for self-love now, rather than attaching it to milestones. He uses the metaphor of an 'expedition team' to describe the essential support needed for sobriety, likening it to the historic journey of Lewis and Clark.

Kerri’s story is one of resilience and hope, reminding us that we don't have to face the trenches of recovery alone. As she reflects on her journey, she encourages listeners to find at least one person to join them on their path to sobriety. Are you ready to build your own expedition team and embrace a life free from alcohol?

Join Kerri as she shares her inspiring journey to sobriety and the importance of building a supportive 'sobriety team'.

Building Your Sobriety Team with Kerri's Inspiring Journey

Today we have Kerri. She is 51 years old from Maine and took her last drink on June 7th, 2025.   This episode is brought to you by: <a name="_Hlk195860230" id= "_Hlk195860230"></a>  Sign up and get 10% off: <a href= "https://www.BetterHelp.com/elevator">Better Help</a> <a name="_Hlk212206499" id= "_Hlk212206499"></a><a href= "https://www.soberlink.com/partners-soberlink-users/recovery-elevator">Soberlink</a> – sign up and claim your $100 enrollment bonus   If you have been thinking about joining <a href= "https://www.cafe-re.org/">Café RE</a>, now is the time. The monthly price is increasing to $29 per month on March 1st. If you're already a member, your price will not increase, this is only for new membership.  Keep in mind that $29 per month is most likely a fraction of what you may have spent on alcohol per month.   [04:09] Thoughts from Paul:   Last week we talked about patience and how preparation is sacred work. This week, we are talking about building your expedition team a.k.a., your sobriety team.   First, there is this podcast. Paul and the RE production team are part of your team. All interviewees are part of your team.   Then you need community. This can be in-person or online with other sober people. You need people who get it, who've been where you are, and who can remind you why you are doing this. There is also no shame in seeking professional help or a therapist.   And don't forget God, or a higher power, or the universe, or whatever you want to call that thing bigger than yourself. Because when you're in the wilderness and the map runs out.   This week, ask yourself: who's on my team? And if the answer is "nobody yet" then your mission is to find at least one person. Because you can't do this alone. You weren't meant to do this alone. Lean in.   [08:14] Paul introduces Kerri:   Kerri is 51 and lives in Maine. She is a registered nurse, divorced and has two older teenagers. For fun she loves live music, yoga, sauna, kayak, writing and spending time with her kids.   Kerri first tried alcohol when she was 12. She grew up in a townhouse community with lots of other kids and limited supervision. Kerri went to college in Boston where she says she partied like the guys did and was the girl that was let in. Her 20's were pretty healthy and she doesn't feel her drinking was a problem at that point.   Kerri has a sister in recovery. She says their alcoholism was more overt and people would comment on it, but Kerri kept drinking privately and faked control over it. When she got married, she and her husband were drinking partners and would drink daily. Over time she says she felt a switch flip and began to try and control her drinking with little luck.   When she got divorced, Kerri says she was undone. Alcohol became her coping mechanism, but she kept it concealed and remained functional. She tried to quit after her first DUI, but it lasted nine months and then she began to test the water again every few months afterwards. Kerri feels that moderation is a lie, from her experience.   Last June, Kerri lost her job as a school nurse and says she hit an emotional rock bottom. She no longer cared about herself, drank a box of wine and then drove leading to another DUI. Prior to this event, her drinking had been ramping up to the point her kids were noticing it. Her kids reaction to her DUI led Kerri to decide she needed to quit.   Utilizing her sister as a resource and attending AA, Kerri was determined to work on her recovery. Her life was crashing down around her, and her sister asked her what she was going to do differently. Kerri found herself on her knees surrendering and asking for help, which is something that has never been easy for her.   Podcasts have been a great tool for Kerri because she lives in a rural area and it's hard to get to meetings. Other tools she uses are journaling, sauna, yoga and she is committed to attending AA once a week.   Kerri's message to those that are still struggling: "your life will get better. It is so incredibly worth it. It could be the most challenging thing you're ever going to go through but imagine being clear and present for your own life".       Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down You've got to take the stairs back up We can do this       <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/recoveryelevator/?hl=en"> RE Instagram</a> <a href= "https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a> <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g"> RE YouTube</a>

RE 574: Your Sobriety Team

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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

How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, we meet Kerri, a 51-year-old from Maine, who shares her journey to sobriety after taking her last drink on June 7th, 2025. With the theme of self-love and acceptance, Kerri discusses the importance of building a 'sobriety team'—a network of support that includes community, professional help, and personal resources like books and spirituality.The episode highlights how Kerri navigated her recovery with the support of her sister and her involvement in AA meetings, podcasts, and journaling. Paul Churchill, the host, emphasises the need for self-love now, rather than attaching it to milestones. He uses the metaphor of an 'expedition team' to describe the essential support needed for sobriety, likening it to the historic journey of Lewis and Clark.Kerri’s story is one of resilience and hope, reminding us that we don't have to face the trenches of recovery alone. As she reflects on her journey, she encourages listeners to find at least one person to join them on their path to sobriety. Are you ready to build your own expedition team and embrace a life free from alcohol?

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 574: Your Sobriety Team

RE 574: Your Sobriety Team

RE 574: Your Sobriety Team

Monday 16th February 2026

About this podcast

Recovery Elevator

Building Your Sobriety Team with Kerri's Inspiring Journey

Episode Overview