I stood there stirring the olive oil slowly as I dumped in the spicy red onions. As the red onions began to sizzle I worked on seeding and chopping a particularly spicy pepper. The combination of seasonings and ingredients would soon turn into a delicious meal. I feel better when I cook. Alcohol recovery has that effect on you.
[clickToTweet tweet=”I feel better when I cook. Alcohol recovery has that effect on you. @live_rehab ” quote=”I feel better when I cook. Alcohol recovery has that effect on you.”]
The power of being in control of my own life really hit home. You see in the past this drug called alcohol used to exert the ultimate control and power on me. It would tell me when, how and why to do things that I knew were bad for me.
“Here. Have another one” it would say. Or, “don’t worry about work tomorrow”. Perhaps my favorite one that I hear from clients all the time is “you’re ok to drive”. Fuck alcohol.
I’m sure you’ve been in these kinds of situations before where you know certain decisions are right and certain ones are wrong. So why does alcohol exert this much control over so much of your mind and body?
Part of the allure and charm of this evil drug is the slow-roll approach it takes to destroying your life. I’ve seen family members who have been drinking for 50+ years who are dealing with devastating health effects at 65.
Alcohol works on the slow, depressive approach to wrecking your brain. It is a depressant and eats away at the serotonin in your brain. Regular drinking actually lowers the levels of serotonin in your brain – a chemical that helps to regulate your mood.
So, what used to feel relaxing is actually causing you more physiological damage than you even know. I use cooking in my life as an amazing way to exert control in my own life and actions. I’m not a professional. In fact, quite often I burn things.
Tonight’s dinner though was amazing. We had family members come and enjoy the food that I’d prepared. It sounds silly but Section 6, Lecture 18 of the Stop Drinking Alcohol – Get Sober at Home course talks about building new routines specifically so check that out if you need extra help.
We’re still running a special $20 for those of you who haven’t already signed up (thanks to everyone else who has!). But it won’t last forever at this price. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting sober today; now is your chance.
Cheers
Nick (p.s. I made Chana Masala and a homemade mango chutney – all sugar free too! Let me know if you want the recipes in the comments below)
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