PODCAST:Search Engine
TITLE:When do you know it’s time to stop drinking?
DATE:2024-01-12 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
The "Search Engine" podcast episode titled "When Do You Know It's Time to Stop Drinking?" hosted by PJ Vot, explores the complex and deeply personal journey towards recognizing and addressing alcohol addiction. The episode features a candid conversation with AJ Delario, a writer and the founder of the Small Bow newsletter, which focuses on recovery and personal transformation.
Delario shares his own struggles with substance abuse, detailing his journey from a high-flying career in media, where his substance use was both a part of his brand and a coping mechanism for deeper issues of inadequacy, depression, and anxiety. His first experience with rehab at 19 was more about addressing his depression rather than acknowledging a drinking problem. However, over the years, his relationship with substances grew more problematic, culminating in a realization in his 40s that he needed to seriously address his addiction.
He recounts his experience in detox centers and rehabs, initially in denial about the severity of his addiction compared to others. Delario describes the turning point in his life when he received free drugs from a dealer shortly after leaving a detox center, which made him realize he wasn't ready to commit to sobriety. It wasn't until a subsequent, longer rehab stay that he acknowledged he couldn't have a future with substances.
Post-rehab, Delario faced the challenge of rebuilding his life, recognizing the need for fundamental changes in his behavior and relationships. He discusses the loneliness and difficulty of re-entering society, the changes in friendships, and the process of learning to live sober. He emphasizes the difference between simply stopping drinking and committing to sobriety, which involves a deeper transformation and confrontation with oneself.
In 2018, two years into his sobriety, Delario started the Small Bow, despite fears of seeming insincere or exploitative. The newsletter offers essays and illustrations about long-term recovery, aiming to provide a voice for those grappling with sobriety. Delario describes the Small Bow as a platform for sharing stories of struggle and recovery, often showcasing the ongoing process of learning to live a sober life.
The episode also touches on the idea of grace and forgiveness in recovery, underscoring the challenge of learning to love and accept oneself after addiction. Delario's journey illustrates the complex and nonlinear path of recovery, marked by setbacks, realizations, and gradual self-acceptance.
Overall, the podcast episode provides a nuanced and honest look at the realities of confronting addiction, the personal and social challenges of recovery, and the ongoing journey towards self-compassion and change. It offers a deeper understanding of what it means to struggle with substance abuse and the transformative power of sobriety.
