The Lies We Tell - Self Deception: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/QFlL7lP1VYb

Zach joins us to share his journey from college party culture to rock bottom - and how he's maintained 10 years of sobriety. This isn't just another addiction story; it's a masterclass in recognizing self-deception and finding the path to restoration.

Key moments:

0:00 - "Us alcoholics, we try and rationalize things" - The self-deception begins

0:34 - Meet Zach: From watching our addiction episodes to sharing his story

1:14 - "That is the story of my life" - Why Zach reached out

1:30 - Middle-upper class upbringing: "Parents did everything to set me up for success"

2:30 - George MacDonald quote: "A man is addicted when he's a slave to anything less than himself"

3:38 - High school drinking vs. college reality at Ohio University (#1 party school)

4:31 - "Drinking was actually fun for me" - Fraternity life and MMA fighting

5:18 - Mom's hospital job offer: "Make sure you make mom proud" (spoiler: he didn't)

6:07 - Moving back home: "I'm backtracking in life" - The depression spiral

7:15 - 3 AM basement boxing matches while parents work at 5:30 AM

8:25 - November 5, 2015: Celebrating 10 years of sobriety

9:13 - The 3-day rule: "If I only drink Thursday, Friday, Saturday, I'm not an alcoholic"

10:23 - Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday becomes every single night

11:40 - The hospital operator position: When physicians' calls go nowhere

12:29 - CLIFFHANGER: The morning that changed everything

Zach drops truth bomb after truth bomb about addiction's progression. From convincing himself that three drinking days per week meant he wasn't an alcoholic, to eventually drinking every single night, his story reveals how quickly "college fun" becomes life-consuming addiction.

The connection to our recent self-deception episode is undeniable - Tilghman shares his own Monaco and shot-counting rationalizations that mirror Zach's three-day rule perfectly.

Most powerful moment: Even after 10 years sober, Zach still calls himself an alcoholic because "I am one drink away from being right back to that crazy person."

Part 2 drops next week - find out what happened when the hospital calls went nowhere.

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