Episode 9: The power of hope and resilience in Sobriety with Nicolas Morales
Nicholas Morales, also known as Nico, joins Ray on this week’s Stack’n’Days Podcast. Nico is an author, inspirational speaker, and entrepreneur from New Mexico. Nico shares his story and discusses some tools and techniques that have helped him.
Nico shares that his substance abuse began as a coping mechanism for an adverse childhood experience. Drugs Nico started dealing drugs to help support his family and to support his own marijuana habit. However, he soon got hooked on Oxycontin and eventually turned to heroin. His addiction left him sleeping in his truck, committing armed robberies and selling drugs. At 22, Nico realized that he needed to turn his life around and started having conversations with God, seeking help and guidance. He managed to quit drugs cold turkey. Alcohol
Nico had his first drink at 23 after quitting opiates. It was fun and social at first but it led to him hitting rock bottom.
Doctors' recommended Nico use pharmaceutical drugs to get clean from alcohol but he wanted to stay away from them. He reduced his alcohol intake gradually, eventually giving up completely. He turned to God, got baptized, and felt renewed.
Nico's path to recovery Nico went to college and got a degree in Business Administration. He wrote a book titled Five Things to Know Before You Get Sober. He likes to share his story in interviews like this and helps others who may be struggling with addiction. Finding an identity outside of substances One way Nico found a sense of identity is through the use of a personality test called the DISC assessment. By taking this test he learned to identify his strengths, which helped him focus on the positive aspects of his personality. This shift in perspective also helped him to stop looking at events in their life as negative or bad things that happen to him, and instead see them as opportunities for growth and development. Morning routine and affirmations Nico believes the first 20 minutes of the day will shape how the rest of the day will be. Every morning, he spends some time with God and reads something inspiring to keep him focused.
Nico repeats affirmations to himself, such as "I'm clean. I'm cut. I'm calculated. I'm a son to the most high. I create. I see kingdom outcomes in all situations. I give generously without expectation because good things are supposed to happen to me. I expect to be successful. I’m building for a greater purpose. The gifts that I’ve been given, they’ll provide for me” Challenging the Defense Mechanisms Raymond and Nico discuss how overcoming addiction requires challenging one's defense mechanisms. Nico admits that it's natural to put up defense mechanisms and be defensive, but it's crucial to be mindful and work on vulnerability. He explains that it's not just about acknowledging the problem but also about continued work and repetition in vulnerable spaces to grow and move on. The W.A.I.T. Tool Nico shares a tool he uses called W.A.I.T. which stands for "What Am I Thinking?" He explains that by waiting and asking oneself this question, one can identify whether a thought is helpful or not. He emphasizes the importance of controlling one's thoughts, which in turn control feelings and actions. Tips for Embarking on the Journey of Healing Nico suggests identifying the "why" behind the struggle and seeking support from a trusted individual or professional. He also emphasizes the importance of being patient and kind to yourself throughout the journey. Nico’s information
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