“At Rock I’m getting to talk to people and come to an understanding of what each of the twelve steps means.” -Darell
Today, Ben and I are chatting with Darell, who served 13 years in the United States Air Force as an EOD. We talk about his challenges post-service in the military and his progression of alcoholism through childhood, the military, and how he found solutions to his addiction when he returned to civilian life.
Darell’s History with Alcohol
Growing up in New York, Darell can’t remember when alcohol wasn’t in his home. His first memory of his grandfather around the age of three was giving him tobacco to chew. So Darell spits it out, and his grandfather gave him a beer to wash it down.
Growing up on a farm, he always had early morning farm chores with his siblings. His older sister would drink beer with his dad after chores in the morning. In addition to the morning alcohol at age five, he also remembers large parties at his farm where his parents would truck in kegs of liquor.
Addicted to Alcohol as a Teen
At 14, Darell was an addict, inviting friends over for drinking parties. “Once I started my goal was to get blackout drunk.” He refused to stop drinking, and as his disease progressed through his teen years, he came to a point where he would drink an entire bottle in one night.
Joining the Air Force as an Alcoholic
Darell says, “I wanted to get away from where I was because everyone was on their second or third DUI.” He realized that this was where he was headed if he didn’t change his environment. Since many of his family members had positive experiences in the military, Darell thought this would be an excellent way to sober up and reclaim his life.
“For me it was a no-brainer just do what you’re told and you’ll get through this,” he says of his first days in the military. His job was to dispose of explosives and other weapons in his unit. He spent three tours abroad, disarming bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Listen in and find out how Darell was able to get alcohol while on tour, why being in the military didn’t stop him from drinking, and why he decided to quit drinking.
Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery.
Show Notes:
[01:40] Growing up with alcohol on a farm in New York.
[04:30] Starting his alcohol addiction at age 12.
[10:00] Addiction norms depending on your culture and location.
[15:26] Ben’s inability to stop drinking while addicted.
[18:35] How different people get into alcoholism.
[20:11] Why Darell decided to join the Air Force.
[25:57] His job and the responsibilities that came along with ammunition disposal.
[27:52] How Darell was able to acquire alcohol while on tour in Afghanistan.
[33:37] His exit from the military and circumstances leading to his medical discharge.
[37:09] The diagnosis of PTSD and how that led him to medical treatment.
[45:01] Transitioning from military to civilian life.
[49:00] Changes that happened when he exited the military.
[53:30] What’s different for Darell now that he has his second round of sobriety.
Episode Links and Resources
Real Recovery Live Chat
Real Recovery Talk on the Web
Real Recovery Talk on YouTube
Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes
Rock Recovery Center
Real Recovery Talk on Facebook
Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family
Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com
Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions
328 - Staying Sober thru the holidays!
327 - Training for a 100 Mile Race: Sober 11 years after 6 Treatment attempts: Dom Shares his story of addiction, sobriety and fitness
326 - Shawn Co-Founder of LITT: Love in the Trenches
325 - Served as a US Marine: Struggling with Addiction: Transitioning into civilian life: Will Shares His story
324 - Joe and Charlie AA Tapes: Where does motivation come from?
323 - Ben Harrison: When to seek professional help while in recovery: How to navigate medication while sober
322 - Are you physically STRONG but emotionally WEAK?
321 - Alyssa w/ The Banyan Podcast: She got clean at 22 years old!
320 - This is what SOBRIETY has given us and MANY OTHERS!
319 - How to help yourself as a family member: Stephanie shares her story of transformation and growth thru her own recovery journey
318 - NO QUICK FIX for sobriety: It takes time and effort
317 - Matt Williams: Alcoholic Turned Entrepreneur: Founder of FROPRO Snack Bar
316 - Enjoy the Journey not the Destination
315 - How Diet and Exercise influence our sobriety!
314 - What to do if your LOVED ONE doesn't want to accept help for their addiction
313 - Relationships in early sobriety AGAIN! Fantasy Football drama: Surfing in Melbourne Beach, FL
312 - AA and NA differences: Importance of building community within sobriety
311 - Listeners E-Mail Questions: Can you talk about spirituality from your prospective?
310 - THREE QUESTIONS to ask a treatment center before committing to go
309 - Addiction treatment in Florida was corrupt at one time
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Meaningful Life with Andrew G. Marshall
Heal, Survive & Thrive!
A Voice In The Darkness
The Jordan Harbinger Show
BPLUS بیپلاس پادکست فارسی خلاصه کتاب