Today we have Odette. She's 37 years old, lives in San Diego, CA and she took her last drink 486 days ago.
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[03:09] Thoughts from Paul:
When 17 people send Paul an article in the span of 2-3 days, he knows it means something big just came out… and this one is big because it disarms one of the biggest reasons why it's so hard to quit drinking: everyone else is drinking. Which is no longer true. Several publication released this article and here's the link for the CBS article.
It says - only 54% of U.S. adults say they drink alcohol, a record low.
There is a growing belief that even moderate alcohol consumption is a health risk which is 100% correct. In 2015 28% of Americans though this but now in 2025, that percentage has almost doubled to 53%.
While mostly younger Americans are driving this trend, but older Americans are getting on board as well and the alcohol industry is tanking. Paul says that he can't help but feel that we all have had a part in this. That we, including you, the listener, have saved lives by doing our part getting the proper messaging out about alcohol, and people are listening.
So, you're not the only one who doesn't drink. Paul doesn't drink, Odette doesn't drink and 46% of Americans don't drink either.
[07:57] Paul introduces Odette:
In addition to being interviewed on episodes 128 and 231, Odette was the podcast host from episode 277 to 378.
Odette is from Guadalajara, Mexico but has been living in San Diego, CA with her husband, two kids and a variety of pets. She works in operations for a company called Chosen Foods. Around a year ago, she began teaching breathwork as well. For fun, she and her family enjoy being outside, especially at the beach.
Odette shares that addiction runs in her family, her father, who recently hit 16 years sober, went into rehab when Odette was 18. At the time she was struggling with an eating disorder and clinical depression. She never expected alcohol to be a problem for her.
Odette moved to the US with her husband after she graduated college. She kept her eating, and depression issues a secret for about a year after they got married but ended up going into treatment for it because she knew she needed to be healthy in order to have kids.
After having their first child, Odette says that she fell into the "mommy wine culture" pretty quickly. Playdates included toys for the kids and wine for the moms. Over time she began to look forward to drinking but there was always a knowing that this wasn't her authentic self, she says. The drinking helped her feel like she fit in.
The drinking and her eating disorder didn't play well together. She found the lines getting blurry and she wasn't listening to her body as well as before. Since she didn't drink much, she wasn't sure she really had a problem, but it was all taking a toll mentally.
During the time Odette was hosting the RE podcast, her grandmother got sick. She lives far from her family and the uncertainty of the situation and pain of not being there was too much for her. Even with all of her tools, Odette found herself relapsing. She struggled with the shame of it and felt a little lost but leaning into the community and learning how to accept herself has been important to getting her footing back.
Odette says recovery isn't about fixing yourself, it's about accepting all of the things that you are. Breathwork has been helpful for Odette to learn how to get back in touch with her body and be present.
The Harmony House
Odette Cressler
Recovery Elevator
You took the elevator down, you gotta take the stairs back up.
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