School of Rock Bottom

Rick Keane was known as the fixer in Ibiza. If you needed a comedy act booked for Ibiza Rocks, a luxury yacht arranged or almost anything else sorted, Rick was the man who could make it happen. But behind the scenes, his life was slowly falling apart. Ketamine addiction, criminality, secrecy and denial eventually led him into residential rehab — twice. After six months in treatment, a period of recovery and a five month relapse, Rick had to start again. Now approaching 18 months in recovery, he's a barber, works in a homeless project and gives back at the rehab that helped save his life. Rick opens up about the reality of ketamine addiction and what life looked like when he could no longer control his use. He talks honestly about secrecy, lies, control, ego and losing control through drugs. Rick explains how ketamine initially gave him an escape from his thoughts and relief from emotional pain. We explore how his use progressed, the culture surrounding ketamine in Ibiza, tolerance, K-holes and why what initially felt like freedom became another form of captivity. Rick describes the physical consequences of ketamine, including severe ketamine cramps, bladder problems and a large hole in his nose. We discuss ketamine-induced bladder damage, why symptoms can develop quickly for some people and how people can continue taking the drug even after being warned about potentially permanent consequences. We go back to Rick's childhood and explore control, confrontation, people pleasing, seeking excitement, criminality, abandonment and the need for validation. We discuss why recovery isn't simply about stopping the substance — it's also about understanding the person underneath the addiction. Rick talks about his six months in residential treatment, initially entering rehab without really wanting recovery, and the moment something began to change. He explains how treatment helped him discover a different life, retrain as a barber and find purpose through helping others. We also talk about publicly funded drug and alcohol treatment in the UK, asking for help, residential treatment and aftercare, and why you don't necessarily have to feel completely ready before entering treatment. Rick is incredibly honest about relapse. He explains how a relationship became part of a much bigger build-up, why he initially wanted to blame somebody else, and what he discovered when he looked honestly at the months leading up to his relapse. Rick shares what the 12-step programme has given him, including the importance of Step Five, honesty, accountability and being able to speak openly about the things that previously crippled his life. Rick's story shows that recovery isn't about becoming perfect. It's about understanding yourself, taking responsibility and continuing to move forward when things don't go according to plan. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK, support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Sponsor - www.gavinsisters.co.uk and promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Support us: PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 3:00 A rock bottom moment 5:30 Rock bottoms in recovery? 7:30 HARD life lessons in treatment centre 10:30 Excitement & control 12:15 Stealing 14:00 Rick's life is a contradiction 16:00 Sobriety leads to clarity 18:00 Getting addicted to ketamine 22:30 The consequences of ketamine 28:20 Why is ketamine use on the rise? 31:30 How addiction is progressive 33:15 The K Hole stopped 34:15 Doing a geographical 36:15 NHS alcohol and drug treatment 40:00 Emotions in early recovery 45:15 Dating in early recovery 48:16 Coming back from relapse 51:00 Finding purpose and a new direction 53:15 Step 5 & relapse Follow Rick Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rick_keane27 Follow Oliver - https://linktr.ee/olivermason YouTube -https://tinyurl.com/3u2aftj6 Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/ycxywcby Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #KetamineAddiction #AddictionRecovery #Recovery

What happens when the attention you once craved becomes the very thing that destroys you? In this next thought, I revisit a conversation with Georgina Baillie as she opens up about cocaine addiction, sex work, eating disorders, validation, and the desperate search for love and self-worth that took her from feeling invisible to living a life that spiralled completely out of control. At 19, male attention felt like power. After years of feeling invisible, suddenly men wanted her, bought her things and made her feel important. But underneath that newfound confidence was an eating disorder, a growing dependence on drugs and what Georgina now describes as an addiction to validation and attention. What began as a search for acceptance eventually became something far darker. Georgina describes how her cocaine addiction led her into sex work because she needed drugs. At the height of her addiction, she would even bypass the money and ask for cocaine instead. Her story raises difficult questions about the relationship between addiction, sex, validation and self-worth. What happens when we become dependent on other people to tell us that we matter? And how do we rebuild a sense of identity when the things we once believed gave us value begin to disappear? Georgina also takes us to her first true rock bottom in 2017, when she was 31 and was assaulted by a pimp, leaving burst blood vessels across her face. But even that moment was part of a much longer journey towards understanding just how unwell she had become. Now approaching 40, she reflects on how dramatically her understanding of herself has changed. The looks, attention and status that once seemed like everything have become almost irrelevant compared with the things she now considers genuinely important. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/y9htydau Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/4a6353rp Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow Georgina Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/georgielondonart Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #Addiction #MentalHealth #Recovery

Ruth Harris used to drink vodka for breakfast. She survived years of addiction, repeated attempts to get clean and sober, domestic violence and some of the darkest moments of her life. Eight years later, she is a recovering addict, entrepreneur and TEDx speaker who has dedicated her life to challenging the stigma around addiction and helping people understand recovery. Ruth takes us inside her lowest moments that finally changed everything: waking up surrounded by drug paraphernalia, completely alone, consumed by shame and feeling that she would rather not be here than continue living that way. Ruth explains why a rock bottom moment was not necessarily the most catastrophic thing that happened to her, but the moment she experienced what she describes as spiritual bankruptcy. She had tried recovery before. She had stopped and started, made promises and relapsed. This time, something finally shifted. We go back to Ruth’s childhood to understand what was happening underneath the addiction long before she picked up a drink or a drug. She describes feeling uncomfortable in her own skin, feeling like an alien around other people and becoming dependent on validation, intense relationships and being liked. She also reveals how controlling food became another way of trying to manage feelings she didn't know how to process. Ruth speaks candidly about her relationship with alcohol, cocaine, crack, opiates and prescription drugs, and explains why she never really had a single drug of choice. We explore what substances initially gave her: confidence, connection, freedom from fear, guilt and shame, and the feeling that she had finally found somewhere she belonged. We then examine how that search for connection ultimately became isolation. We discuss relapse in detail, including why Ruth repeatedly believed she could eventually drink normally and how she grieved alcohol and drugs almost like losing a relationship. She explains the moment she realised the substance itself wasn't the entire problem and that she had to confront her thinking, identity and behaviour. Ruth also opens up about living with ADHD and bipolar disorder alongside addiction. She describes a mind that felt like a washing machine, constantly telling her she wasn't good enough. We explore self-medication, neurodiversity and the complicated relationship between ADHD, mental health and addiction. Ruth explains why isolation was so destructive for her and why community became such a powerful part of her recovery. She talks openly about the role the 12 Steps, meetings, spirituality, prayer, meditation and other people played in helping her rebuild her life. Then comes the plot twist: resilience and the unexpected strengths that can emerge from addiction and recovery. Ruth believes the determination, creativity, obsession and ability to solve problems that once fuelled her addiction can be redirected into something extraordinary in recovery. Support here: https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e SPONSOR - www.gavinsisters.co.uk promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Support us: https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 2:30 A rock bottom moment 5:20 Is there a spiritual rock bottom? 9:05 Codependency 11:50 The relationship of drugs & food 14:35 Alcohol, coke and crack 17:30 When does relapse start? 18:10 Addiction, bipolar & ADHD 27:00 Relapse 29:20 Thinking was the problem 31:30 Looking for LOVE 32:35 Why the 12 steps helped Ruth 36:50 Becoming nothing to become everything 38:20 Letting go 43:10 Humility & recovery 45:05 Transforming the energy of addiction 48:50 Hardships shape resilience 53:20 Hold your head high! Follow Ruth Website - https://www.ruthharrismethod.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fromhightodry Ted Talk - https://tinyurl.com/4cxzwy6s Follow Oliver https://linktr.ee/olivermason YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/49ht6efa Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3

Self-pity can keep addiction alive long after the drink or drug has stopped. In this next thought, Oliver Mason explores the connection between self-pity, addiction, relapse, shame and self-forgiveness, and why the way we speak to ourselves can become another form of self-harm. If you’re struggling with addiction, early recovery, shame or the belief that you don’t deserve happiness, this conversation may challenge the way you see yourself. Oliver breaks down what self-pity actually means in the context of addiction and recovery. He shares his own experience of relentlessly attacking himself, believing he was a terrible person and becoming trapped in a cycle where shame and self-pity fed directly back into drinking and relapse. Oliver explores three powerful lies that addiction can make us believe, beginning with the idea that we are somehow too damaged, too shameful or too undeserving to recover. He explains why the consequences of addiction are not evidence that someone is a bad person, but can instead be evidence of the powerlessness and loss of control that addiction creates. He also examines why understanding addiction matters when it comes to self-forgiveness, and why connection with other people in recovery can be so important. Sometimes hearing someone else tell their story and responding with compassion allows us to recognise something we struggle to give ourselves: forgiveness. This episode also explores the difficult relationship between shame, self-pity and relapse, including the uncomfortable possibility that holding onto guilt can sometimes become an unconscious insurance policy for future substance use. If you are in recovery from alcohol addiction, drug addiction or another compulsive behaviour, or you’re struggling to move beyond the things you did while in active addiction, this is a conversation about self-compassion, accountability, forgiveness and learning to believe that recovery is something you deserve too. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/4xmpzt7n Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1r Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #AddictionRecovery #RelapsePrevention #RecoveryIsPossible

Aish went from drinking 2–3 glasses of wine a week to more than 400 units of alcohol a week. She became physically dependent on alcohol, experienced severe withdrawal and alcohol-induced psychosis, got sober, stayed sober for a year, and then relapsed. Now sober since November 2025 and in early recovery, Aish joins me to tell the story of how her drinking spiralled, what finally brought her home from Canada, why she relapsed, and what recovery looks like this time. Aish has always struggled to find her place in the world. She began drinking to fit in after a misdiagnosis at 17, and what started as social drinking during years of summers abroad slowly became something far more hidden — and far more severe. At its worst, Aish became physically dependent on alcohol and experienced severe withdrawal, including vomiting, blackouts, confusion and episodes where reality itself became unstable. A move to Canada was meant to change everything. It didn't. By September 2024, Aish describes reaching complete exhaustion — mentally, physically and emotionally — sick and tired of being sick and tired. She flew home, got sober and, a year later, relapsed. Aish takes us inside the reality of severe alcohol addiction and explains how something that initially helped her feel accepted and normal eventually became something she couldn't function without. She recalls one of the darkest moments of her addiction: sitting on the floor of an airport toilet in Canada, drinking whiskey while families around her prepared to go on holiday. She was physically unwell, struggling to walk and drinking simply to prevent withdrawal so she could make the journey home. Aish also opens up about the periods when alcohol affected her perception of reality, including hallucinations and alcohol-induced psychosis. She explains how frightening it became when she could no longer trust what she was seeing and hearing. The conversation explores what may have been underneath her addiction, including a late diagnosis of ADHD and autism, an ongoing OCD assessment, trauma, masking, intrusive thoughts and years of feeling different and misunderstood. She talks about lockdown and becoming consumed by intrusive thoughts about death, leading to months of isolation and bad mental health. Aish is also incredibly honest about relapse. After a year sober, she returned to drinking despite knowing where alcohol had taken her before. She explains why getting sober for other people wasn't enough, what happened when she relapsed and how subsequent withdrawal became even more frightening. Oliver and Aish discuss the physical and emotional consequences of addiction, the guilt and shame that can follow it, and the difficult work that begins once the drinking stops. Now in early recovery, Aish is learning to stop masking, confront the parts of her past she previously avoided and discover who she is underneath addiction. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Sponsor www.gavinsisters.co.uk promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 4:05 A rock bottom moment 6:05 Sleeping tablets & Food 8:05 Feeling "different" 10:35 ADHD & socialising 12:45 Misdiagnosed with bipolar 14:35 Being sectioned 16:05 Masking 17:20 Lockdown accelerates drinking 21:05 OCD 24:05 Alcohol tolerance & 400 units a week 28:20 Suicidal thoughts 29:45 Alcohol psychosis 32:35 Alcohol withdrawal 34:45 Relapse 36:05 The kindling effect 38:05 Wet Brain 40:35 You have to WANT to get sober 41:20 Aish's recovery 43:50 Guilt, shame and vulnerability 48:05 Forgiving yourself 54:20 The joys of sobriety! 56:05 Try everything to get sober! Follow Aish TikTok - aish_thesoberseat Instagram - aish_thesoberseat Podcast - https://tinyurl.com/znf5m6ja Follow Oliver https://linktr.ee/olivermason YouTube - https://youtu.be/t3aMXncxaXM Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AlcoholAddiction #Recovery #Sobriety

What happens to relationships when you enter recovery? Can love help someone recover, or does recovery have to come first? In this next quick thought, I revisit a conversation with Joe Sealey as we reflect on one of the biggest questions people ask in early recovery: should you stay single, or can a relationship support lasting sobriety? We explore the reality of addiction, codependency, recovery, and why keeping life simple in those first few months can make all the difference. If you're struggling with cocaine, alcohol, or any form of addiction, or you're supporting someone you love, this conversation offers an honest, compassionate perspective on what recovery really looks like. It's important to say that this conversation is not suggesting that people already in healthy, supportive relationships should end them. A loving, stable relationship can be one of the greatest sources of strength in recovery. The discussion is about avoiding unnecessary complications in early recovery and recognising when a new relationship might become a distraction from the work of getting well. Recovery isn't just about stopping drugs or alcohol. It's about rebuilding a life from the ground up. We discuss why so many people in early recovery search for something new to fill the void, whether that's a relationship, a business, a pet, or another obsession, and why that instinct can sometimes become another distraction from the real work. We also explore the role relationships play in long-term recovery. Is it better to be with someone who understands addiction firsthand, or can a partner outside the recovery world provide the stability and normality that's often missing? It's a deeply honest conversation about love, boundaries, peace at home, and why the healthiest relationships don't always revolve around addiction at all. Of course, many couples who are both in recovery can have healthy relationships too! The episode also touches on the difficult reality faced by partners of people in active addiction. What should you do when someone is coming down from a binge? When is it time to step back? And how do you support someone without losing yourself in the process? Finally, we discuss one of the most emotional questions in recovery: can another person save your life? We explore gratitude, dependence, personal responsibility, and why, although love can be a powerful catalyst for change, lasting recovery ultimately has to come from within. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/s76869cw Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/y5hyzk3e Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Support the podcast - https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow Joe Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joesealey Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@joesealey1 Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #CocaineAddiction #JoeSealey #AddictionRecovery

Anthony Kavanagh was living the dream. Signed to Virgin Records at just 18 years old, he went on to achieve eight Top 40 hits, two Top 10 singles, and won Smash Hits Best Male Artist — becoming the pop star he had written down as a teenager that he wanted to become. But behind the fame, success and recognition was a hidden battle with addiction, alcoholism, identity, loneliness and the desperate search for validation. Anthony believed success would finally make him feel accepted, but the validation he spent years chasing never filled the emptiness underneath. Anthony was also carrying a secret struggle with his sexual identity and the pressure of hiding parts of himself while living in the public eye. By his early 20s, after moving to Hollywood in pursuit of bigger success and the bright lights, Anthony began to realise he was in denial about his addictions. What followed was a devastating descent from pop stardom into addiction, homelessness and complete breakdown. He went from performing in front of thousands of people to living without a home, occasionally being recognised as “that singer” while privately experiencing total collapse. At his lowest, Anthony’s addiction progressed into a life controlled by alcohol and drugs — morning drinking just to function, hiding alcohol in coffee cups and reaching a point where drinking was no longer a choice but a compulsion, even when his body was rejecting it. He experienced multiple rehab attempts, relapse and devastating losses while carrying deeper emotional wounds beneath the addiction — the death of his father, his sister’s illness and death, and a lifelong feeling of loneliness that he traces back to childhood. His memoir Pop Scars documents the full journey from pop success to rock bottom, without excuses or victim mentality. It is a brutally honest account of fame, addiction, shame and identity that is at times as funny as it is heartbreaking, earning rave reviews from readers, including praise from Marian Keyes and The Guardian. Now four years sober, Anthony Kavanagh speaks openly about alcoholism, addiction recovery, mental health, relapse and the daily work required to rebuild a life. This is a conversation about what happens when the person the world sees is completely different from the person suffering behind closed doors — and how hope can still be found after losing everything. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit - www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 4:00 A rock bottom moment 7:30 Escape, dream dreaming & loneliness 10:20 Using fame to fix the hole in the soul 14:40 Fame wasn't enough tuned to drugs 17:30 Coming out of denial 18:40 Addiction progresses slowly 20:10 Being smashed on TV 21:40 Cocaine 24:30 Coming out as gay 28:10 I just wanted to drink normally! 30:40 Relapse 31:30 Consequences & chaos 33:10 Fame and shame 36:40 Wanting to be loved 39:50 Not wanting to stop drinking 41:30 Recovery sayings made me angry 43:10 Connection and spirituality 44:55 Alcoholic obsession 49:10 Staying sober 50:30 There's always hope Follow Antony https://www.instagram.com/anthony_kavana Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - Spotify - Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #Addiction #Recovery #Sobriety

What if the biggest breakthrough in recovery isn't stopping drinking, but changing who you believe you are? In this next thought, I revisit a conversation with Nigel Jones and the mindset shift that finally set him free after years of failed attempts to quit alcohol. If you've ever promised yourself "this is the last time" only to relapse days later, this conversation could completely change the way you think about addiction, recovery and lasting change. This isn't about willpower. It's about identity. I share the moment my thinking transformed from seeing myself as a victim of alcoholism to becoming the hero of my own story. Inspired by the Hero's Journey, Nigel explain why recovery begins long before you put down the drink, and how changing your identity can make sobriety feel possible instead of impossible. We also explore the powerful link between intention, beliefs, values and behaviour, and why your destiny is shaped long before your actions become habits. Nigel explains why he chose to call himself a non-drinker from day one, rather than waiting to "earn" that identity after weeks or months of sobriety. If you're struggling with alcohol addiction, alcohol use disorder (AUD), repeated relapses, or you're supporting someone who is, this episode offers a fresh perspective that could help you build long-term recovery. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/msrrwcn6 Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/y8kmhm62 Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Support the podcast - https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow Nigel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/9kmby9am Website -https://www.9kmby9am.com Nigel's book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DLPH36R3/ Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #Sobriety #AlcoholFree #SoberCurious

What if addiction isn't the problem, but the solution to pain you never knew you were carrying? Anita Chellamah looked like she had everything. She appeared on Top of the Pops with Legs & Co, fronted and co-wrote The Cherry Bombz, supported Poison on tour in America, performed at the legendary CBGB in New York and on the Reading Festival Main Stage, was a member of Toto Coelo, who reached No. 6 in the UK charts and No. 4 in Australia, and became one of the first presenters on Sky Television and one of its first presenters of colour, hosting her own shows and performing Sky's 5th Anniversary song. From the outside, it looked like success in every direction. Behind the scenes, however, she was quietly battling addiction. At just 19, while performing in the West End production of Bubbling Brown Sugar, she was prescribed amphetamines by a private doctor who was later struck off. By her late twenties, nights began with champagne, continued with cocaine and ended with Night Nurse. At 29, she stopped. She hasn't had a drink or a drug since. Today, Anita is a trauma, addiction and DBT therapist with nearly four decades of sobriety. Qualified since 1998, she works in private practice, receiving referrals and working with organisations including the Priory, Steps Together and Castle Craig, specialising in addiction, trauma and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with individuals, couples, families and groups. Anita explains why rock bottom rarely looks like the movies, why childhood trauma, shame and emotional pain so often drive addiction, and why recovery is about far more than simply putting down the drink or the drug. We explore the hidden links between trauma, ADHD, binge drinking, cocaine addiction, alcoholism, codependency, self-worth, mental health, emotional regulation and long-term recovery. Anita shares how recovery transformed not only her relationship with alcohol and drugs, but also the way she understands herself, her emotions and the world around her. The conversation also tackles some of the biggest debates in recovery today, including trauma therapy, 12-step fellowships, medication in recovery, antidepressants, ADHD medication, relapse prevention, addictive personality and why there is no single path that works for everyone. Nearly 40 years sober, Anita's humility, honesty and wisdom offer hope to anyone wondering whether lasting recovery from addiction and alcoholism is really possible. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit - www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 2:55 A rock bottom moment 5:25 Binge drinking & progression 9:25 Childhood 12:45 ADHD and intrusive thoughts 14:30 Using performing arts as medicine 17:25 Access vs genetics 18:45 Dealing with denial 20:15 Recovery in 1988 25:35 Do all addicts have trauma? 30:35 We are all different 33:35 How therapy helped Anita 38:25 WE ARE NOT DOCTORS! 43:50 Still an addict after 38 years? 48:20 Humility & labels 51:35 Addictive personality & escape? 57:20 Boundaries Follow Anita https://www.instagram.com/anitachellamah Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/y5bwbcay Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/58jp2jyj Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #Addiction #Recovery #Sobriety

What does it really mean to call yourself an alcoholic? Why is that word still so difficult to say out loud? In this next quick thought, I revist a conversation with Mary-Kate Harrington as we explore whether embracing the word "alcoholic" can actually reduce shame, break denial and help normalise conversations around addiction and recovery. We discuss stigma, identity, sobriety and why the language we use around alcohol addiction matters more than ever. For many people, the word "alcoholic" still conjures outdated stereotypes of what addiction looks like. But alcoholism doesn't discriminate. It affects people from every walk of life, regardless of age, profession or background. In this honest conversation, we talk about the freedom that can come from naming our struggles, why shame loses its power when we speak openly and whether moving away from words like "alcoholic" could unintentionally reinforce stigma. We also discuss sobriety, recovery, dating while sober, social situations and why open conversations about addiction may help younger generations recognise that they are not alone. This episode isn't about telling people what label they should use. If the word alcoholic is not for you that is totally fine. It's about exploring identity, honesty and the importance of finding language that supports recovery while keeping difficult conversations visible. A reminder that everyone is free to use the language that best safeguards and empowers their recovery. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/454m93u3 Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/mw5btxfc Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow MK Instagram - www.instagram.com/marykatejoanharington Twitter - Mary-KateMKJH Times article - https://tinyurl.com/5n98y4f3 Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #AlcoholRecovery #GenZSobriety #SoberCurious

"I was smuggling drugs inside my body. I was passing out most nights. I hated my life." Eight years ago, Tash Peacock was a mum of two battling alcohol, cocaine and speed addiction. She was depressed, anxious, isolated and trapped in a cycle she couldn't escape. Addiction had taken her further than she ever imagined, leading her to take huge risks just to keep going. Then one morning, after a three-day binge, she found her two-year-old daughter playing in the same room where drugs had been taken just hours before. That moment cut through the denial and planted a seed. Tash opens up about the reality of addiction, relapse and recovery. We talk about getting drunk for the first time at 13 and ending up in hospital, being arrested as a teenager, using amphetamine-based slimming tablets, seeking chaos and excitement, and why she believes undiagnosed ADHD played a huge role in her addiction. We also explore why some people can have one drink and stop while others can't, whether addiction is a choice, why recovery can feel like grief, and why the life she once thought would be boring became the best thing that ever happened to her. This isn't just a conversation about addiction. It's a conversation about self-hatred, identity, hope and what happens when you finally decide you don't want to live like this anymore. Tash talks about sobriety with a joy that is genuinely infectious. You'll leave this conversation feeling lighter, more hopeful and with a reminder that even the most chaotic lives can be rebuilt, one decision at a time. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit - www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 3:05 A rock bottom moment 10:50 Do you REALLY decide to get sober? 13:05 How Tash smashed her denial 16:45 The moment Tash could no longer ignore the pain 18:25 Are addicts weak? 21:05 Nature vs nurture 23:05 Addiction to slimming tablets 26:45 Love addiction 28:05 Alcohol to coke/speed 31:20 Addiction link to ADHD 36:25 Functioning vs non functioning 38:50 Smuggling drugs inside yourself 42:35 Severe cognitive decline 44:35 How Tash got sober 50:05 The Clear Head Club Follow Tash Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theclearheadclub_ Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/2p24s75y Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/bdhvpmbk Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #addiction #recovery #sobriety

If you've ever believed alcohol is what makes nights out, parties or social events enjoyable, this conversation may completely change the way you think about drinking. What if the confidence, laughter and connection you've been giving credit to alcohol were actually there all along? In this next quick thought, I revisit a conversation with William porter and the surprising psychology behind socialising, why alcohol can become a placebo, and how it quietly convinces us we need it to relax. Understanding this one idea could change the way you experience every social occasion. Many people assume alcohol creates happiness, confidence and connection. But what if those feelings come from something much more natural? We explore the science behind endorphins, why social situations feel rewarding without alcohol, and how drinking can gradually convince us that we need it just to enjoy ourselves. We discuss why children naturally relax and have fun without alcohol, how regular drinking changes our expectations of social events, and why so many people believe they can't enjoy a party, holiday or night at the pub without a drink. We also talk about learning to feel comfortable again without chemical interference, the role of alcohol-free drinks in recovery, and why every recovery journey is different. Whether you're sober, sober curious, questioning your relationship with alcohol, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a fresh perspective on one of the biggest myths surrounding drinking. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/yxkh2eny Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/bdfj6568 Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver is an ambassadors for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow William https://www.alcoholexplained.co Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #Sobriety #AlcoholRecovery #SoberCurious

DJ Fat Tony has spent over four decades at the centre of British nightlife. He has DJed for Madonna, Prince and Elton John. He has played Glastonbury, Ibiza, and everywhere in between. He is one of the most recognisable figures in the global party scene. And for nearly three decades, he was also dying. By the time he reached his breaking point, he had almost no teeth left, weighed barely seven stone, and believed it was over. In 2007, he went into rehab. Today he is 19 years clean and sober. But this episode is not about that story. It is about what came after. Tony does not arrive with a polished redemption arc. He arrives with the version most people never tell — the rock bottom that happened six years into sobriety, when the substances were gone but the behaviour was not. Sex addiction. Drama. Ego. Homelessness again. The slow, humiliating realisation that getting clean is only the beginning. We go back to the beginning too. A Battersea council estate. A family soaked in addiction. A child who learned by age three that being ill got him attention, and built an entire survival strategy around chaos and crisis long before he ever touched a drink or a drug. Tony traces the through-line from that child to the man who, years into recovery, was still running the same patterns — performing in meetings, manipulating sponsors, using recovery itself as the newest addiction. What unfolds is a masterclass in the difference between sobriety and recovery. Tony breaks down powerlessness and what it actually means once you are no longer using it as an excuse. He talks about the 12 steps with the authority of someone who has both lived them and failed them. He is forensic about amends — why early apologies in recovery are almost always self-serving, why his own father told him to come back when he actually knew what he was apologising for, and why the only amends that count are the ones you live rather than speak. He also talks about sponsorship with a level of honesty that is rare. Picking sponsors to manipulate. Sponsoring people he was attracted to. The moment he finally got a sponsor who would not let him perform his way through the steps — and how that person changed everything. Tony’s new book, Recover Me, is the book he had to write after his memoir I Don’t Take Requests told the world a version of the story he had not yet been fully honest about. He talks about recording the audiobook and hearing himself read things he had previously suppressed. The shame versus embarrassment distinction that freed him. The moment he realised the more honest he became, the more free he felt. This conversation ends not in darkness but in something quieter and more powerful than just being drug free. Tony talks about the pinch-me moments that only become visible when chaos is no longer the baseline. From looking at his dog asleep in the morning to DJing to twenty thousand people and knowing the real success is simply waking up and being glad to be alive. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK, support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Sponsor - www.gavinsisters.co.uk promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Support the pod https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 4:10 A rock bottom moment 7:00 Sex addiction 8:30 Attention was my first drug! 11:00 Addicted do drama?! 13:30 Was Tony born an addict? 16:50 Breaking the stigma 20:30 Helping others 23:45 Are war stories important? 26:45 Is Tony powerless? 32:30 Changing meetings 34:15 Anonymous?! 35:50 Recovery and self validation 37:45 Shop around for recovery 40:50 Tony gets really honest 43:50 Guilt vs shame 45:45 Making amends 51:15 Sponsorship 54:15 The 90/10 rule 55:45 Pinch moments & recovery 58:10 Turn anxiety into drive! Follow Tony Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dj_fattony_ Tony's new book - https://geni.us/Recover_Me” Follow Oliver https://linktr.ee/olivermason Links YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/276aa99d Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3

Are triggers and cravings real, or have we misunderstood what’s actually happening in addiction and recovery? In this next thought, I revisit a brilliant conversation with Pax as we challenge one of the most commonly used ideas in recovery: that external triggers cause relapse. For many people early in sobriety, it feels obvious. Certain places, people, stress, even cities become labelled as “the problem”. But what if that’s not what’s really going on? This conversation explores a more uncomfortable idea — that the trigger may not be external at all, but internal. Not the environment, but the interpretation. Not the situation, but the reaction. And if that’s true, it completely changes how we think about relapse, responsibility, and control. We also go into cravings — what they actually are, when they’re neurological and physical in early recovery, and how they’re often mislabelled later on. At a certain point, is it still accurate to call it a craving, or is something else happening underneath it: obsession, emotional overload, or unresolved internal conflict? This is a conversation that challenges a lot of common language used in addiction recovery, and asks a simple but uncomfortable question: are we naming the problem correctly — or using the wrong language for what’s actually happening inside us? Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://bit.ly/42vXUPf Spotify - https://bit.ly/4aBsmJU Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver is an ambassadors for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow Pax Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paxhalai Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #SobrietyStories #HopeInDarkness #AddictionRecovery

Sean Willers was homeless as a teenager, served in Afghanistan, became an international DJ playing some of the biggest clubs in the world, and then woke up in a hospital bed with no memory of how he got there. That moment didn’t just end a night out, it ended an entire identity. In this episode of School of Rock Bottom, we explore what happens when success and self-destruction start to overlap, and the point where you’re forced to choose between continuing the cycle or rebuilding everything from scratch. Sean’s life moves through homelessness, early alcohol use, military service, the fitness industry, and a high-flying DJ career that gradually became dominated by cocaine and alcohol. What begins as escapism turns into dependency, shaped further by a nightlife culture where excess is normalised and boundaries slowly disappear. He breaks down the pivotal night in 2021 when a set in Nottingham, intended to mark a reset, spiralled into blackout, hospitalisation, and police involvement. That moment became the final breaking point with the music industry and the start of sobriety. From there, the conversation moves beyond the headline of addiction and into the mechanics of recovery itself. Sean challenges the usefulness of labels, questions whether traditional frameworks like AA work for everyone, and argues that long-term change is built less on willpower and more on structure, identity, and discipline. They also explore the often overlooked reality of early recovery: the substitution of one compulsion for another, the role of dopamine-driven behaviours, and the slow process of building stability without relying on extremes for regulation. At its core, this is a conversation about control. Not just stopping drugs and alcohol, but learning how to build a life that no longer requires them. Sean is now a high-performance life and wellness coach, working with people who look like they’ve got it all together on the outside but know something isn’t right underneath, helping them get in shape, quit drinking, and take back control. He has worked with over 500 clients across 15 countries. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit - www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 2:45 A rock bottom moment 6:00 Homeless at 15 8:15 Why Sean isn't a victim 11:00 The gym helps Sean as a teenager 12:40 Joining the army to straighten out 15:30 Was trauma the reason addictions increased? 17:00 DJ'ing and drugs 20:15 Why alcohol and cocaine had to go together 21:30 Why Cocaethylene is dangerous 23:45 Addicted to the coke persona 25:00 Coke leads to heavy porn use 30:00 Cross addiction 32:00 How Sean got clean and sober 35:45 Many paths to the top of them mountain 42:00 Willpower is for weak men! 44:00 Does moderation work? 46:30 Playing the tape forward! 49:45 Why Sean isn't perfect or doing it one day at a time 52:45 Remove yourself from your triggers Follow Sean Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sean_willerscoaching Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/y3ez4ssu Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/3tjemyxx Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #Sober

Anorexia isn’t just about food, weight, or body image. In this next thought clip, I revisit a conversation with Sophie Anderson about the deeper reality behind eating disorders, trauma, control, anxiety, family dynamics, and the hidden emotional pain that so often sits underneath them. My guest speaks with remarkable honesty about living with anorexia, the dopamine cycle of restriction, the terror around food, and the complicated comfort the illness can create. This is a conversation about survival, coping mechanisms, and what recovery really asks of someone when the illness has become part of how they navigate the world. We also explore the connection between anorexia and addiction, why eating disorders are often misunderstood, and how social media can influence vulnerability without being the full explanation. There’s a powerful discussion around emotional neglect, safety, codependency, hospitalisation, and the way trauma can quietly shape behaviour long before anyone notices the symptoms. Rather than reducing anorexia to vanity or “control issues”, this episode looks at the complexity behind the condition and why simplistic narratives can stop people from truly understanding it. If you or someone you love has struggled with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, addiction, anxiety, or mental health challenges, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and a perspective rarely heard in mainstream discussions around eating disorders. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://bit.ly/4jbvZdo Spotify - https://bit.ly/4air4TL Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Sophie received support from: Eating Matters (Norwich), Cruise Bereavement (National) & The Bridge (Bristol). Oliver is an ambassadors for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow Sophie Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sophiee.anderson Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #AnorexiaRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #EatingDisordersHelp

If you can imagine a life built around music, parties, friendship and a sense of total freedom, you start to understand the world Dan Charles lived in for over a decade. But that world came to a sudden stop in Ibiza in 2018 when a life-threatening medical emergency left him in a coma after a series of critical complications. What followed was not only survival, but a complete rebuilding of identity, purpose and direction. This is the first time Dan has ever shared his story publicly and his first ever appearance on a podcast. Today, I speak with Dan Charles, a Manchester-born, London-based creative whose life on the surface looked like an extended celebration of youth culture, nightlife and connection. Beneath that, however, was escalating drug use, denial about addiction, and a pattern of increasingly risky behaviour that would eventually culminate in a near-fatal incident by a swimming pool in Ibiza. Dan describes the moment he was found unresponsive, the severity of his condition, and the chain of events and people that ultimately saved his life. What makes this conversation compelling is not just what happened in Ibiza, but the honesty about what led up to it. Dan reflects on a 10-year period of recreational drug use that escalated within the context of club culture and electronic music scenes in Manchester and beyond. He challenges the conventional framing of addiction, explaining that although he never used substances daily, he still experienced repeated negative consequences and patterns of loss of control in specific environments. The discussion moves beyond the incident itself into the psychological aftermath. Dan speaks candidly about survivor’s guilt, particularly in relation to his family, who received a call while on holiday informing them that he might not survive the night. He also reflects on the complexity of regret, acknowledging deep remorse for the impact on his family while also recognising the formative role those experiences played in shaping who he is today. A central theme of the conversation is identity reconstruction. Dan explains how early recovery was not initially a conscious decision, but something imposed by circumstance and family intervention. Over time, however, that shifted into a voluntary and internalised commitment to sobriety, driven by changes in lifestyle, physical health, and mental wellbeing practices. He discusses how structured routines around sleep, exercise, nutrition, sauna, cold exposure, meditation and mindfulness replaced the chaotic rhythm of his previous life, alongside a growing sense of emotional stability and self-awareness. This is ultimately a story about consequence, survival and the redefinition of identity after a life that could have ended very differently. It raises difficult but important questions about addiction, pleasure, denial, responsibility and whether lasting change comes from punishment or perspective. Through his platform Second Chance Dan, he speaks openly about his journey — the real challenges, the choices, and what it takes to start over. Dan is drug and alcohol free nearly 8 years! SPONSOR www.gavinsisters.co.uk SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! SUPPORT THE POD https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 2:00 A rock bottom moment 8:00 Raving and hard drugs 9:40 Is there always trauma? 13:00 Drug use escalates in clubs 16:40 Is Dan an addict? 19:40 Other rock bottoms 24:40 Coming out of the coma 25:40 Dealing with guilt & shame 28:10 No regrets?! 29:40 Dan can't forgive himself 33:55 Recovery felt non negotiable 36:40 Dan's hospital records 38:00 Resisting urges and cravings 40:40 Moving energy into wellness 43:40 Spirituality & gratitude Follow Dan Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/secondchance.dan Follow Oliver https://linktr.ee/olivermason YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/3b5c4wy2 Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #SecondChance

What does sobriety actually mean once the alcohol is gone? In this next thought, I revisit a moment with Sober Dave for a discussion about addiction, identity, dopamine and emotional sobriety. Dave opens up about drinking from the age of 14, reaching 21 stone, hating the person staring back at him in the mirror, and the moment he realised quitting alcohol was only the beginning. If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, obsessive thinking, workaholism, online shopping, ADHD traits or the feeling of constantly chasing something to feel okay, this conversation will hit hard. Dave speaks openly about the emotional side of recovery, the idea of being a “dry drunk”, and why many people replace alcohol with other compulsive behaviours without even realising it. We talk about dopamine addiction, ADHD, self-worth, identity after alcohol, and why getting sober can feel like stepping out of prison into a life you no longer recognise. This episode also explores the hidden side of recovery that people rarely discuss publicly. From compulsive online shopping and addiction transfer to work addiction and validation seeking, we explain how the “ism” of alcoholism can quietly appear in other parts of life long after the drinking stops. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE YouTube - https://bit.ly/3VSPOw9 Spotify - https://bit.ly/402S5Hs Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver & Dave are ambassadors for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow Sober Dave Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberdave Website - https://www.soberdave.co.uk Podcast - Search "One For The Road" on all platforms Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth

If you think you enjoy drinking too much to ever stop, this episode will challenge you. Today I'm joined by Hattie Underwood from Sober Happy Free to talk addiction, sobriety, cocaine use, ADHD, anxiety, and what really happens when drinking stops working. From secretly drinking on Christmas morning with a newborn baby to nearly five years sober, this is a raw, honest look at alcohol addiction recovery and how change actually happens. Hattie shares the moment everything shifted - a quiet realisation there was nowhere left to hide. What follows is a story many people will recognise but rarely say out loud. The routines, the denial, the belief that things are still “under control” while everything underneath says otherwise. This episode breaks down the role of Dry January, relapse, and why temporary sobriety often isn’t enough without a deeper shift. There’s a clear distinction here between stopping and actually letting go — and why that difference matters if you’re stuck in the cycle. We also go deeper into the psychology behind addiction. ADHD, dopamine, anxiety, eating disorders — the patterns that existed long before alcohol, and why substances can feel like the solution before they become the problem. Recovery isn’t presented as perfect or instant. It’s practical. Community, 12-step fellowship, structure, honesty — and learning how to live without constantly needing to escape your own mind. If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, or even just curious whether things could feel different, this conversation gives you something real to work with. More about Hattie - Hattie is the face behind Sober Happy Free - a fast growing social media platform on Instagram and TikTok that’s built a community of more than 38,000 people in just 18 months. Using her own experience of addiction, Hattie shares honestly about what helped her get sober - and, just as importantly, what’s helped her stay sober - with the aim of helping others who might be struggling. She’s a passionate advocate for removing the stigma around addiction and believes real change is possible and is 5 years sober. Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit - www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Trailer & Intro 3:00 A rock bottom moment 6:15 Dry January turns into 4 months 10:00 Returning to drinking and cocaine 12:00 The benefits of Dry January 14:30 Did Hattie really relapse? 17:00 OCD before addiction 18:30 Bulimia 20:20 Undiagnosed ADHD 22:30 Alcohol and messaging boys 24:00 Using sex for self esteem 25:45 Cocaine addiction 34:45 Drug addiction escalates 38:15 Addiction stronger than love for children? 44:15 Rock bottoms, orgasms and a cure for addiction? 51:00 How Hattie stays sober 56:00 Suggestions for those stubborn to change Follow Hattie Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberhappyfree Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - Spotify - Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholFree

Many people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction dream of one day being able to drink or use normally again — to have one or two, enjoy it, and stop there. But what if that fantasy is part of the trap? In this next quick thought, Oliver Mason explores relapse thinking, cravings, sobriety, moderation myths, and why many problem drinkers do not truly want one or two drinks at all. They want the feeling that comes after. This episode looks at why social drinkers experience alcohol differently, why chasing “normal” can keep people stuck, and the uncomfortable truth that can help set people free. Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE Spotify - https://bit.ly/3RmMvu8 YouTube - https://bit.ly/3NuVwzU Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Oliver is an ambassadors for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth