Alcohol Recovery: A success story.

In the 20+ years I have been helping people to get sober from alcohol addiction, I have seen the many different levels of addiction.

From the high school and college student, to the stay at home mom, to the executive and even the homeless person.

They all had the same issue, and they all became sober, finally.

One man I remember quite well was dependent / addicted to alcohol for 30 years. He had never been arrested, no DUI's, no loss of jobs because of it...but he knew it was running and ruining his life.

In 8 weeks, he left the world of alcohol behind. In 8 weeks his life totally changed. His friends changed, his social life changed, and he was the last one who thought this would work.

He did finally see, the toll it had taken on his love life, his peace, and his happiness. Relationships that had failed, and the large amount of money spent, that he would never see again.

Now sober for two years, the inner peace he had always wanted, is a part of his reality.

Watch this short video, and let us help you to become free today. We do sobriety, very differently than most programs available today.

We believe 1 on 1 help, is the best way for many people to get, and stay, sober.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D6DkdEkh7w

I too am in recovery, and I love it.

Love, david www.davidessel.com 941 266 7676

Miami:A city of addictions, alcoholism, and recovery

I love the city of Miami, and specifically South Beach where we have our office for addiction recovery, and the more time I spend there the more I see the prevalence of high levels of addiction and alcoholism.

Some of the reasons for the high rates of addiction, as explained in this short video, are also the reasons that many are drawn to this beautiful city. As a matter of fact, we decided to open our second practice there because it has an incredible energy that attracts an eclectic, artistic and business minded group of inhabitants.

Here are some thoughts to consider on this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YGL5AZIcNY

Let's slow down, and look for new options for recovery, if you live in Miami.

We are happy to be a part of the solution.

Contact us if we can help in any way at all.

Love, david http://www.davidessel.com 941 266 7676

"Let Go, Let God", cute saying, how do we do it?

"Let go, let God", is a very cute saying, that holds no real power in life if we don't know how to really use it in an effective way.

Many people want this miracle statement to simply take their stress away, which it will never , ever be able to do if we simply repeat it as a mantra, with no legs underneath it.

Watch this short video to see what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZvdsi3ZJHI

Slow down.

Love, david http://www.davidessel.com

Recovery slip up: What to do?

So, you've just messed up your recovery program, you had a slip. Maybe it was a drink, a cigarette ....a spending spree......a walk back into drug use. Maybe you ate in secrecy again, or vomited up your last meal.

The question now is, what do you do? and, what do you do with the quilt associated with a slip up?

Watch, we can begin to help you with this short video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmGo5pngRus

Taking action today is the key to getting back on track.

Slow down, to heal.

Love, peace, David. http://www.davidessel.com

Social Drinking? Is it a problem? Let's see.

So, how do you know that your social drinking has become a problem in your life? Many people can have a drink or two, and there has never been a negative ramification.

While others, seem to have a shift in their emotional state, that affects their energy and relationships in a negative way, even after just 1 or 2 drinks. Let's watch this story of one woman who found out that her social drinking was causing issues in her life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9emxg7VgREA

Slow down, think, shift, share this blog with your friends and family.

Love, peace, david http://www.davidessel.com

My Clients Walk into Sobriety: Step 1: Surrender

I'm so very excited to share with you one of my recent client's blog writing on her walk into sobriety.

From time to time, with her permission, I will share her writings, so that anyone thinking about living without alcohol, or any other substance, can hear firsthand what it is like.

Please enjoy, then feel free to share this with as many people as you would like. love, david

www.davidessel.com

STEP 1:

I have been working to uncover the denial and the belief of what I used to tell myself all the time: "everything is ok and I can handle it". I’ve been able to admit that I am powerless over alcohol and that my life was unmanageable. I knew I was powerless over alcohol because I would quit every morning and be drinking again by nightfall.


I wanted more
I became irrational
I couldn’t help myself

My life was unmanageable:

I drove drunk
Spent too much money
Gained weight
Lost energy and work time
Life was harder
Emotions built up

All sorts of resentments built up and lived under the surface for years, covered up, escaping my conscious thought but all the while hurting me. And now I’m dealing with all that.

I find my strength in recovery by being vulnerable and honest and doing something about these emotions and by releasing them. By talking, writing and going to God. God says thank you Angela for trusting me and coming to me. I will never leave you or forsake you. I’ll always be by your side. The other day I was so ashamed and guilty for so many things. The feelings came up and were with me for about 16 hours. I had to sit down and work to identify the feelings, sit with them, surrender to them and write them down. This is what is called walking into the fire.

In the fire, what I discovered by sitting with these feelings is that my deepest pain is my unworthiness. Unworthiness is a core issue for many people and is a driver for unhealthy behavior, thoughts and feelings. It is tied to low self esteem (check), wanting to be accepted (check) and trying hard to fit in (yep, that was me too). It’s also tied to a lack of spirituality and being disconnected from a Higher Power. I sat with this, talked about it, cried, reached out and prayed. And I inched a little closer toward worthiness through gratitude, self care, connection to others and God, forgiveness and prayer. I want to emphasize the importance of reaching out to others. If you’re like me and want to recover alone it will never work. One of the keys to admitting we are powerless and having a chance at true recovery is reaching out for help.

Thank you God and thank you all my friends and family who surround me with love and support every day.

With an open heart,

Angela

For more information on our 30 day Holistic Program on Sobriety, please see www.davidessel.com

My Sobriety: One Moment with God, Life Changing.

For many people like myself, thinking about letting go of a substance like alcohol from our evening wine at meals to a few beers on a hot day, yes becoming sober, can be a frightening thought.

In one moment, after years of abusing this substance, I had an experience with God that was life changing.

You can experience the same thing, and you don't even have to be fully ready to do so!

Watch this video, share it with friends and family members, and experience the freedom from any substance that you are currently dependent upon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQxiMXEYfog

Slow down, look inside, decide to change today, and help others do the same by spreading the message of great health, sobriety, freedom...one day at a time.

Love, peace, david

www.davidessel.com

Alcohol Recovery: An Amazing Success Story

Anyone can recover from alcohol abuse, or dependency, and there are millions of people right now who are walking success stories to prove this statement. And unlike some theories you may have heard about, you do not have to be fully ready to quit to be successful in sobriety. You do not have to truly want to quit to get sober. You do not even have to be at the absolute rock bottom of your life, as many will tell you, in order to live a free, happy, sober life.

I get so tired of hearing this crap about "if you're not fully ready to quit drinking, it will never work. " Hogwash. Baloney. What a bunch of drivel. How do I know that these statements are so off base? Because in the past 24 years of helping people to create the life they've always dreamed of, of helping people to get sober, most of my clients did not fall into any category of being "fully ready to quit, or at their absolute rock bottom."

Yes, a few were at rock bottom, but not the majority. A few were finally, fully ready to quit, but again, not very many.

Most of the people I have helped to recover from alcoholism, or alcohol dependency, were just like Randy, the man you are about to read about.

The day I first met Randy in my office, he was a mess. Filled with anxiety. His wife had recommended they come together the first session, to see if I might be a good match for him, to help him get sober. To get him off the anti-anxiety drugs he had been on for 10 years, and the alcohol that had been a part of his life for 38 years.

In all honesty, Randy told me he wasn't sure he was ready to quit drinking, and was not at all ready to give up his prescription drugs. As we've talked over the past several months, he told me recently he was about 30% ready to quit drinking, at the high end, but 70% of him as he sat in my office, wanted to keep drinking.

You see, you do not have to be ready to quit, you just have to be ready to meet someone who works in this field, and begin the process. That's all. One day at a time.

His anxiety was at an all time high due to his rocky marriage, his poor investments, the economy, as well as the fact that he might not drink again. I could see the nervousness in his eyes, how unsure he was just sitting in a recovery coaches office. I know those feelings all so well, as I once was in his shoes. I at one time felt the panic surrounding the fact that I might never drink again. Which is why I told them both, we'll just take this one day at a time.

Here's what Randy has to say about his decision to get into a recovery program with me:

"When I first meet David my entire life was total unmanageable and I was spinning out of control in every aspect of my life.

I had been using drugs and alcohol for 38 yrs.

Financially - I was at my bottom.

Personally - I was losing my wife and child after over a 1 ½ yr. of going through a divorce.

Health – I had lost over 30 lbs and taking many prescriptions drugs.

Spiritually – I was a lost soul.



David got me to agree to get sober off alcohol and drugs for one day.

I knew I had a problem with drugs and alcohol, however I could not go to rehab for 30 days and miss work as I felt like I would lose my job.



David put me on his 30 day program, for me it was like checking into a rehabilitation center. As his program held me accountable every day and night for 30 days.



TODAY I am sober and thinking like I did 20 years ago. Making clear and concise decisions.

My wife and I are working on reconciling our marriage.

I have a plan for my finances.

My health is improving everyday with eating right and exercise.

I am finding my soul and have surrendered my life to “My Higher Power”.



David’s program is not just a program that is pre-designed for one fits all. He customized a program that I personally needed for my life and it is working for me.

He is truly a life coach.

David has opened many doors in my life and helped show me the way to personal growth.

David is a VERY thought provoking person.



“Most important I am sober TODAY” with David’s program that was designed for me.



Randy

Randy's success is not rare, as a matter of fact it is becoming very normal for people who are at least ready to try. To try, and trust someone to help them build a program that fits their needs, lifestyle and personality.

There are many such programs available today, and we feel so excited about the future for anyone who is even the slightest ready to give life without alcohol and or drugs a shot. Over the years, I have gained so much insight myself as I see our clients free of addiction, free of the "gorilla on their back", that had prevented them from experiencing the amazing life they've always wanted.

I am so blessed personally to have found this path of sobriety, and it is now my mission to assist as many people as possible to let go of the "anchors" that are holding them back, and to become another success story themselves, as one other person who has recovered from alcohol abuse or dependency.

Slow down, reach out,and ask for the help you need today. Let go of the shame, let go of the guilt, and do what Randy and millions of others have done as their first step to sobriety from alcohol or drugs, ask for help today. Choose to get help, today.

Love, peace, David Essel http://www.davidessel.com

Surrender Part 2: Alcohol..The Accepted Addiction

Depending on what statistics you look at , up to 30% of our population at any given time are alcoholics, addicted to alcohol in one way or another.

Now, this might be the person who drinks only on New Years Eve, yet once they begin they don't want to stop.

Or it could be the one who simply celebrates weddings and birthdays with drinks, that could never stop at just one.

And, it could be the person who has just wine with dinner, every dinner, and the thought of not being able to enjoy those drinks makes them irritable.

It could be your husband or wife, who seem to handle their alcohol quite well, although you have no idea that they're actually sneaking drinks when you're not around...or making sure their wine glass is always topped off, so that it doesn't look like they're really drinking alot.

I fall into many categories when it comes to being an alcoholic, thankfully and gratefully in recovery, and got away with it for years because it is such an acceptable addiction.

We rationalize drinks when we're stressed, tired, excited, elated, bored, mad, discouraged, happy....when it's Friday, Saturday, Sunday with the game, Monday , Tuesdays, "Hump day"...just to get through the week.

I think you get the picture.

Alcohol is available everywhere, and for anyone in business, it is the acceptable way to say" hi, goodbye, great to get the contract, I can't believe we didn't get the contract, let's brainstorm about business ideas"....and about 1 million other excuses to have that drink.

I was blessed several years ago, after over 30 years of being an addict and alcoholic myself, when a woman I was dating sat me down and told me her story of addiction, alcoholism,and recovery.

She finally told me after several months of dating, not because she wanted me to change, but she felt that if I heard it from someone else, I might leave her.

Wow, and do you know that her story moved me so, so deeply, that I finally surrendered.

Two days later, I admitted I had had a problem for years and years, and called the facility she went to and checked myself in over the phone.

Thirty days later, she drove me to the Hanley Center for Addiction and Alcoholism in West Palm Beach , Florida, and began my true surrender by walking through the doors for my 30 day stay.

Without a doubt, one of the most amazing moves that I have ever done in my entire life.

Pure fear coursed through my body as she left me in the detox wing. Tears of anxiety, loss, and wanting so badly to have her stay, so as I left one of my best friends I had had since 16, alcohol, at least she would be there.

That of course was against the rules, so I had to surrender all that I knew about feeling safe too.

I know that the full surrender to a higher power is the only proven way to sobriety.

Sobriety to any addiction, money, power, spending, nicotine, sex, negative thinking, low self worth, drugs, alcohol, food...is only truly possible through the path of surrender.

I had tried so many other paths, therapies, drugs to reduce cravings...and not one brought the full relief that surrender, part of all 12 Step programs, did.

If you're one of the millions who struggle with alcohol, make today the day you let go, trust God, find help.

I will forever be grateful to the woman who opened my eyes through her story, a story that changed my life forever.

Now, in my coaching practice, I am getting the chance to help hundreds of kids and adults get clean from alcohol and drug abuse.

The accepted addictions, aren't acceptable anymore.

Slow down.

Love, peace, David Essel www.talkdavid.com

Success through Surrender

In a recent seminar a man raised his hand and asked why he had not reached a higher level of financial success, after all of the long hours, countless phone calls, and numerous networking events he went to weekly? " I bulldog my way through every week, and have been on this intense schedule for several years, but still find myself in the same income level! What do I need to do now?"

The answer I give to each client is the same...... the path to success is often found by doing the exact opposite in some ways than what we are doing right now.

In other words, surrender your "bulldog mentality", and replace it with confidence and a joyful approach to your work.

To the wife or husband who has been working hard to change their partner into a more positive thinker, surrender your approach. Just sit and be with them, regardless how challenging at first this might be.

To the person struggling with alcohol or nicotine, surrender the fight to stay sober, quit "white knuckling" it, quite forcing yourself every day past the drink, past the cigarette, and surrender to the cravings. Yes, just sit with them.

When we surrender to any situation, we are not giving up, but rather progressing forward, with a new mindset. Twelve step groups have mastered the art of surrender for people who are struggling with food, or any form of addiction, obsession.Find one in your area today.

Keep your positive mindset, set your goals, do the work each day, but with an attitude of acceptance to what is, surrender to what is........and watch your world, your income, your body, your life change for the better.

Slow down.

Love, peace, David Essel www.talkdavid.com