School of Rock Bottom

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  How Do I Change and Go Sober? School of Rock Bottom Thought #46: Nigel Jones 27.07.2026 6Min.

  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 EPISODEYouTube - https://tinyurl.com/msrrwcn6Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/y8kmhm62Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3About 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/5dt5773eSupport the podcast -https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow NigelInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/9kmby9amWebsite -https://www.9kmby9am.comNigel's book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DLPH36R3/Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#Sobriety#AlcoholFree#SoberCurious
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  "I Didn't Drink Every Day - But I Was Still An Alcoholic!" School of Rock Bottom 89: Anita Chellamah 20.07.2026 59Min.

  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/5dt5773eThank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -www.gavinsisters.co.ukand 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro2:55 A rock bottom moment 5:25 Binge drinking & progression9:25 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 198825:35 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 Anitahttps://www.instagram.com/anitachellamahFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsPlease subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment!YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/y5bwbcaySpotify - https://tinyurl.com/58jp2jyjApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#Addiction #Recovery #Sobriety
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  Is Alcoholic a Dirty Word? School of Rock Bottom Thought #45: Mary-Kate Harrington 06.07.2026 10Min.

  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 EPISODEYouTube - https://tinyurl.com/454m93u3Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/mw5btxfcApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3About 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/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow MKInstagram - www.instagram.com/marykatejoanharingtonTwitter - Mary-KateMKJHTimes article - https://tinyurl.com/5n98y4f3Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#AlcoholRecovery#GenZSobriety#SoberCurious
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  "I Was Living With Addiction and My Children!" School of Rock Bottom Ep 88: Tash Peacock 29.06.2026 56Min.

  "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.ukand 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics -0:00 Trailer & Intro3:05 A rock bottom moment10:50 Do you REALLY decide to get sober?13:05 How Tash smashed her denial16:45 The moment Tash could no longer ignore the pain18:25 Are addicts weak?21:05 Nature vs nurture23:05 Addiction to slimming tablets26:45 Love addiction28:05 Alcohol to coke/speed31:20 Addiction link to ADHD36:25 Functioning vs non functioning38:50 Smuggling drugs inside yourself42:35 Severe cognitive decline44:35 How Tash got sober50:05 The Clear Head ClubFollow Tash Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theclearheadclub_ Follow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment!YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/2p24s75ySpotify - https://tinyurl.com/bdhvpmbkApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #addiction#recovery#sobriety
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  Do You Really Need Alcohol to Socialise? School of Rock Bottom Thought #44: William Porter 22.06.2026 8Min.

  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 EPISODEYouTube - https://tinyurl.com/yxkh2enySpotify - https://tinyurl.com/bdfj6568Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAbout 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/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow Williamhttps://www.alcoholexplained.coFollow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#Sobriety #AlcoholRecovery #SoberCurious
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  DJ Fat Tony: “I Was Sober… But Still Addicted!” - Addiction Recovery. School of Rock Bottom 87 15.06.2026 1Std. 1Min.

  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/5dt5773eSponsor -www.gavinsisters.co.ukpromo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!Support the pod https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro4:10 A rock bottom moment7:00 Sex addiction8:30 Attention was my first drug!11:00 Addicted do drama?!13:30 Was Tony born an addict?16:50 Breaking the stigma20:30 Helping others23:45 Are war stories important?26:45 Is Tony powerless?32:30 Changing meetings34:15 Anonymous?!35:50 Recovery and self validation37:45 Shop around for recovery40:50 Tony gets really honest43:50 Guilt vs shame45:45 Making amends51:15 Sponsorship54:15 The 90/10 rule55:45 Pinch moments & recovery58:10 Turn anxiety into drive!Follow Tony Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dj_fattony_Tony's new book -https://geni.us/Recover_Me”Follow Oliverhttps://linktr.ee/olivermasonLinksYouTube - https://tinyurl.com/276aa99dApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3
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  Are Triggers and Cravings Real? School of Rock Bottom Thought #43: Pax 08.06.2026 10Min.

  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 EPISODEYouTube - https://bit.ly/42vXUPfSpotify - https://bit.ly/4aBsmJUApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAbout 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/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow PaxInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/paxhalaiFollow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#SobrietyStories #HopeInDarkness #AddictionRecovery
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  "Why I Don’t Call Myself an Addict!" Addiction Recovery. School of Rock Bottom 86: Sean Willers 01.06.2026 56Min.

  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/5dt5773eThank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -www.gavinsisters.co.ukand 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro 2:45 A rock bottom moment6:00 Homeless at 158:15 Why Sean isn't a victim11:00 The gym helps Sean as a teenager12:40 Joining the army to straighten out15:30 Was trauma the reason addictions increased?17:00 DJ'ing and drugs20:15 Why alcohol and cocaine had to go together 21:30 Why Cocaethylene is dangerous23:45 Addicted to the coke persona25:00 Coke leads to heavy porn use30:00 Cross addiction32:00 How Sean got clean and sober35:45 Many paths to the top of them mountain42:00 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 time52:45 Remove yourself from your triggersFollow SeanInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/sean_willerscoachingFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsPlease subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment!YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/y3ez4ssuSpotify - https://tinyurl.com/3tjemyxxApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery#SobrietyJourney#Sober
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  Is Anorexia an Addiction? School of Rock Bottom Thought #43: Sophie Anderson 25.05.2026 7Min.

  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 EPISODEYouTube - https://bit.ly/4jbvZdoSpotify - https://bit.ly/4air4TLApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAbout 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/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow SophieInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/sophiee.andersonFollow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#AnorexiaRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #EatingDisordersHelp
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  "I Nearly Died in Ibiza!" Addiction Recovery. School of Rock Bottom 85: Dan Charles 18.05.2026 46Min.

  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.ukSCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!SUPPORT THE PODhttps://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro2:00 A rock bottom moment8:00 Raving and hard drugs9:40 Is there always trauma?13:00 Drug use escalates in clubs16:40 Is Dan an addict?19:40 Other rock bottoms24:40 Coming out of the coma25:40 Dealing with guilt & shame28:10 No regrets?!29:40 Dan can't forgive himself33:55 Recovery felt non negotiable36:40 Dan's hospital records38:00 Resisting urges and cravings40:40 Moving energy into wellness43:40 Spirituality & gratitudeFollow Dan Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/secondchance.danFollow Oliverhttps://linktr.ee/olivermasonYouTube - https://tinyurl.com/3b5c4wy2Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery#SobrietyJourney#SecondChance
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  What Does Sober Really Mean? School of Rock Bottom Thought #42: Sober Dave 11.05.2026 6Min.

  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 EPISODEYouTube - https://bit.ly/3VSPOw9Spotify - https://bit.ly/402S5HsApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAbout 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/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow Sober DaveInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberdaveWebsite - https://www.soberdave.co.ukPodcast - Search "One For The Road" on all platformsFollow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth
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  "Suddenly I Was Drinking in the Morning!" Addiction Recovery. School of Rock Bottom 84: Hattie 04.05.2026 59Min.

  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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics -0:00 Trailer & Intro3:00 A rock bottom moment6:15 Dry January turns into 4 months10:00 Returning to drinking and cocaine12:00 The benefits of Dry January14:30 Did Hattie really relapse?17:00 OCD before addiction18:30 Bulimia20:20 Undiagnosed ADHD22:30 Alcohol and messaging boys24:00 Using sex for self esteem25:45 Cocaine addiction34:45 Drug addiction escalates38:15 Addiction stronger than love for children?44:15 Rock bottoms, orgasms and a cure for addiction?51:00 How Hattie stays sober56:00 Suggestions for those stubborn to changeFollow HattieInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberhappyfreeFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - Spotify - Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholFree
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  Do You Really Want to Drink Normally? School of Rock Bottom Thought #40: Oliver Mason 27.04.2026 6Min.

  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 EPISODESpotify - https://bit.ly/3RmMvu8YouTube - https://bit.ly/3NuVwzUApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAbout 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/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth
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  Alcohol, Cocaine to Rice Cakes: Addiction Recovery & ADHD. School of Rock Bottom 83: Leanne Bayliss 20.04.2026 1Std. 3Min.

  If you think you’re in control of your drinking, listen to this. Today I sit down with Leanne Bayliss, who went from cocaine and alcohol addiction to raising a disabled child alone while rebuilding her life sober. This is not a journey about one period of struggle. It’s about what happens when you hit bottom repeatedly, and the moment you realise it’s live or die. Leanne speaks about the reality of addiction, from early coping mechanisms like bulimia to a life dominated by alcohol, cocaine and dependency on anything that could either elevate or sedate her mind. Diagnosed later in life with ADHD, she explains how substances became both escape and survival, creating a cycle that felt impossible to break. What emerges is not a neat narrative, but a deeply human one—messy, confronting and recognisable.At the centre of this episode is a moment that changes everything. An attempt on her life that becomes the turning point. Not because everything suddenly gets better, but because it forces a decision. Stay or go. Live or die. From that point, recovery begins...not as a single choice, but as a daily commitment.The conversation moves into territory many avoid. Motherhood in addiction. Raising a child through over 100 medical procedures while battling alcohol dependence. The guilt, the denial, the rationalisation, and the quiet moments no one sees. Leanne doesn’t sanitise any of it. She articulates something many people feel but rarely admit: the internal conflict between love for your child and the pull of addiction.There’s also a clear, grounded discussion about sobriety itself. Labels like “alcoholic”, the role of trauma, and the uncomfortable truth that there is no single path to recovery. Both Oliver and Leanne challenge rigid thinking in the recovery space, making it clear that what matters is not how you get sober, but that you do.They explore the neurological side too. ADHD, dopamine regulation, and why substances like alcohol and cocaine can feel like solutions rather than problems—until they aren’t. It’s a nuanced look at addiction that goes beyond willpower and into wiring, environment and lived experience.They talk about risk. The idea that you might have another drink in you, but not another recovery. This isn’t a journey wrapped in clichés or easy answers. It’s about responsibility, awareness, and doing the work - especially when no one is watching. Leanne is the author of the upcoming books From Cocaine to Rice Cakes and Single Mom Syndrome, where she shares unfiltered truths about sobriety, motherhood, and choosing yourself. Leanne is 5 years clean and sober. 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 podcast -https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics -0:00 Trailer & Intro2:55 A rock bottom moment4:25 Navigating multiple challenges6:25 Addiction would have killed me 8:40 Using everything to feel better12:40 Why alcohol stopped bulimia15:15 Why Leanne wanted to use drugs and alcohol 16:45 Gaining insight along the bumpy road to recovery18:55 Wanting to destroy rather than fix20:15 Alcoholic at 16?23:55 Use recovery labels to empower you!26:40 Are you really powerless?28:25 Be careful where you get your advice30:55 Cocaine, alcohol & ADHD35:10 Being a sober mum is better39:40 We love taking hostages41:10 Being triggered by morning drinking43:10 Can I control my drinking now?45:30 Helping those who are depressed50:40 How Leanne got clean and sober53:55 Why recovery is different for everyone57:55 Why helping others helps you59:55 From cocaine to rice cakesFollow Leanne Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberlittlemotherredFollow Oliver https://linktr.ee/olivermasonWATCH on YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/32r6ppecApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery#AlcoholRecovery#RecoveryPodcast
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  Is Gambling Addiction the Same as Alcohol & Drugs? School of Rock Bottom Thought #39: Gab Stone 13.04.2026 15Min.

  Addiction doesn’t care what the substance is. In this next quick thought, I revisit a conversation with Gab Stone, as we strip back the illusion that gambling is somehow different to alcohol or drugs. What you’ll hear might challenge everything you think you know. The same patterns, the same brain chemistry, the same spiral. If you’ve ever told yourself “this isn’t as bad” or “I can control it,” this conversation will hit hard. Because underneath it all, addiction is addiction—and the cost is always the same.We explore the striking parallels between gambling addiction and substance addiction, breaking down the myth that behavioural addictions are somehow less serious. From the early days of harmless fun to the slow creep into obsession, the conversation reveals how quickly things escalate—and how difficult it becomes to step back. The chase to break even, the illusion of control, and the belief that one more hit, one more bet, might fix everything.There’s a raw honesty here about the mental gymnastics addicts perform. The idea that the problem isn’t the behaviour itself, but the losses. The belief that a “miracle” is just one more gamble away. And the terrifying moment when logic disappears, even in the face of clear consequences. Whether it’s sitting in a clinic or hearing a doctor’s warning, the pull to go back remains just as strong.We also touch on the neuroscience—dopamine, anticipation, and why gambling can be even more addictive than substances. The unpredictability, the constant cycle of hope and loss, and how the brain becomes wired to chase both. It’s not just about winning. In many cases, it’s the losing that hooks you deeper.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODEYouTube - https://bit.ly/4fbqqZeSpotify - https://bit.ly/41yG9OJApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAbout 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. For further support Gab recommends the following -National Problem Gambling Clinic -https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/addictions/national-gambling-clinicGamCare -https://www.gamcare.org.ukOliver is an ambassadors for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow Gab Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gabstone9Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#GamblingRecovery #BreakingTheStigma #AddictionAwareness
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  "Drug Addiction Took Over My Life!" School of Rock Bottom 82: Kyle Hall 06.04.2026 47Min.

  What if addiction isn’t really about drugs - but about the feeling that you never truly belonged anywhere? Today, I sit down with Kyle Hall, whose story moves from growing up in an alcoholic home to crystal meth addiction, psychosis, and eight years of relapse before finally finding a way out.Kyle describes being a kid who didn’t fit in anywhere—not with the popular crowd, not even with the “weird kids.” That quiet disconnection, and the inability to express who he really was, became the foundation for everything that followed.What starts as food, pornography, and alcohol slowly escalates into something far darker, as he searches for identity, confidence, and escape in all the wrong places.We break down the progression most people never see. How drinking turns into drugs. How curiosity becomes dependency. And how, step by step, he ends up in a world of chemsex, isolation, and eventually injecting crystal meth—not as one reckless decision, but as a series of small ones that compound over time.From there, things unravel fast. Days without sleep. Paranoia. Hallucinations. A complete break from reality where he believes people are coming to kill him. And even then, the instinct is still the same—to drink, to use, to escape.But even at rock bottom, there are moments that cut through.One of them happens in an Uber, when a driver says something he never forgets: “You never finish alcohol. Alcohol finishes you.”Kyle speaks openly about eight years of trying to get sober and failing, and what finally changed when it stuck. Not a new method. Not a new environment. But a moment of complete surrender—and a decision to actually live the recovery he’d been around for years.We also explore the shift into spirituality. From rejecting faith completely to finding Jesus that gave him forgiveness, direction, and a way to rebuild.By the end, this isn’t a clean redemption story. It’s something more honest. A life rebuilt from chaos—now channelled into The Spiritual Pharmacy & Late Night Sober Cafe, sober community spaces designed to give people what he never had: connection, purpose, and somewhere to belong.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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics -0:00 Trailer & Intro 3:00 A rock bottom moment that lasted months 6:45 A drug induced psychosis 16:45 Using food and cigarettes before drugs 20:20 Porn obsession 22:30 Falling in love with alcohol 24:45 Struggling with sexuality 27:00 From alcohol to injecting crystal meth 32:20 Breaking the relapse cycle 36:45 Doing The 12 Steps 39:15 Finding a spiritual solution?42:15 Kyle's sober events & spaces Follow Kyle Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kylehallartisthttps://www.instagram.com/spiritualpharmaBuy tickets https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theenergyxchangecicFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://youtu.be/3XD8otGW9pMSpotify - https://tinyurl.com/yv6f57w8Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery#RockBottom#SobrietyJourney
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  Will a Drink or Drug Make You Feel Better? School of Rock Bottom Thought #38: Oliver Mason 30.03.2026 4Min.

  Addiction is a liar. It convinces you that a drink or a drug will make you feel better — but that promise is one of the most dangerous lies in recovery.In this week’s quick thought, Oliver Mason explores why “feeling better now” is addiction’s most powerful trick, how relapse works, and why short-term relief always comes at a long-term cost.It’s a bit like a toxic ex who comes back promising things will be different — offering comfort, care, even hope — only for the cycle of harm to return later, often worse than before. Like someone who broke your nose, then has the audacity to say, “I’ll make you feel better.”Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODESpotify - https://bit.ly/3RmMvu8YouTube - https://bit.ly/3NuVwzUApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAbout 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/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth
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  "I Didn't Think I Was An Alcoholic!" Addiction Recovery. School of Rock Bottom 81: Emily Horwood 24.03.2026 56Min.

  The rock bottom myth can be dangerous because it sells the idea that everyone has to to wait for one dramatic, Hollywood moment. But what if it’s actually a slow burn… gradually losing yourself without even realising? Today I sit down with Emily Horwood to look at the reality of alcohol addiction, sobriety, relapse, and recovery. From blackouts as a parent, mixing alcohol and coke, to building a thriving sober community, this is a conversation about what it really takes to change your life. Emily is a former teacher, single mum, and psychology student who is now three years sober and helping others find connection beyond alcohol. Emily opens up about the slow burn of addiction, describing her rock bottom not as one explosive moment but as years spent “crawling along the bottom,” culminating in a terrifying blackout where she couldn’t remember putting her children to bed. It’s a stark reminder that suffering doesn’t always look dramatic from the outside.We explore the dangerous myths around what an “alcoholic” looks like, and why so many people delay getting help because their lives appear functional. Emily shares how societal drinking culture, particularly in her twenties, normalised behaviours that would later become deeply destructive, and how an abusive relationship compounded her loss of identity and self-worth.The conversation moves into recovery, beginning with one message that changed everything. Emily reflects on reaching out for help, attending her first meeting, and why desperation became the turning point. From 12-step programmes to online communities, sober curiosity, and building her own support networks, this episode highlights that there is no single path to recovery, only the one that works for you.They also speak candidly about relapse, the “yet” concept, and how quickly addiction can take hold again. Emily’s description of returning to drinking after 18 months sober is a sobering insight into the reality of addiction, and why ongoing connection and self-awareness are essential.Beyond sobriety, this episode is about growth. Emily shares how recovery has reshaped her identity, challenging long-held beliefs about who she was and uncovering a deeper sense of self. They discuss post-traumatic growth, the power of connection, and why building a meaningful life is about more than just removing alcohol.Emily also talks about creating Sober Walkers, a growing community built on connection and accountability, and her new project, The Connection Couch, which brings people together for real, honest conversations about recovery and growth in an increasingly disconnected world.If you’ve ever thought your drinking “isn’t bad enough,” this episode is a reminder that you don’t need to wait for things to fall apart. Change is possible, and it starts with being curious enough to ask the question.Support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773e https://womensaid.org.ukhttps://refuge.org.ukThank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -www.gavinsisters.co.uk use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Topics -0:00 Trailer & Intro 3:15 A rock bottom moment 5:15 My rock bottom wasn't dramatic 9:20 Drink, coke, fun and chaos 12:20 An abusive relationship drives addiction 15:15 What are the 'YETS' in recovery?19:30 What Emily tried first to get sober 22:20 What lies did addiction tell you?25:45 Only functioning on the outside27:45 How many meetings should you try?30:40 AA IS NOT THE ONLY WAY!35:15 Finding a sponsor and being of service 37:30 I couldn't accept I am alcoholic & relapse41:40 Quick fire questions!49:45 Sober Walkers & The Connection Couch54:30 Is my drinking bad enough yet!?Follow Emily Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stepping_on_the_sober_trainhttps://www.instagram.com/theconnectioncouchFollow Oliver https://linktr.ee/olivermasonWatch or listen here -YouTube - https://youtu.be/QGfL-OZDV5QApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #Sober
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  Is Cocaine Harmless Fun? School of Rock Bottom Thought #37: Martin John 16.03.2026 9Min.

  In this next thought, I revisit a previous conversation with Martin John about cocaine addiction, denial and the reality of where the road can lead. After nearly four decades around cocaine, Martin estimates spending close to £2 million on drugs and the lifestyle that came with it. What follows is a brutally honest reflection on how casual use can quietly escalate, why so many people convince themselves it’s harmless, and the hard truth about what cocaine actually brings into people’s lives.This is not about preaching or judging. It’s about lived experience. What starts as a “cheeky” line on a Friday night can slowly grow into something far bigger, often without the person realising it’s happening. Over time, the occasional gram becomes a weekly habit, the money disappears faster, and the consequences begin to show up in relationships, finances and mental health.The conversation also explores the uncomfortable gap between how people see themselves when they’re using and what is actually happening around them. Many users still believe they are in control, still believe they are successful, still believe nothing has really changed. Yet behind the scenes the reality can look very different: missed payments, strained families, lies, secrecy and a growing dependence that quietly takes hold.One of the most striking parts of this reflection is the blunt question: what does cocaine actually bring to the table? The answer offered here is simple. Nothing. No long-term gain, no real progress, and no success story that ends well for the user. Instead, the pattern often leads to the same place — confusion, loneliness and consequences that many never expected when they first started.The clip also touches on the difficult role of honesty in recovery. When people finally reach out for help, sometimes what they need most is not sympathy but clarity. A direct conversation. A moment where the illusion breaks and the reality of the situation becomes impossible to ignore. For some people, that moment can become the turning point.Recovery is possible. But the real work begins after the decision to stop. Maintaining change, rebuilding a life and staying honest with yourself is where the long-term challenge lies. That’s where support, community and purpose become essential.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODEYouTube - https://bit.ly/3UUTRHLSpotify - https://bit.ly/48Skd2IApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAbout 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/5dt5773ePodcasting 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalFollow Martin John Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/martinjohngetcleanTik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@martinjohngetcleanWebsite -https://www.martinjohngetclean.comBook - https://amzn.to/3OfmcVsFollow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds#AddictionRecovery#CocaineAddiction#SchoolOfRockBottom
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  "I Was Dead Inside From Alcohol at 38!" Recovery & Spirituality. School of Rock Bottom 80: Nigel M 10.03.2026 51Min.

  What role does spirituality play in recovery, and is it possible to stay sober for decades without it? Today, I sit down with Nigel to explore alcoholism, ego, fear, and the deeper search for meaning that often lies beneath addiction.At 38, Nigel had everything most people would call success - a family, a good job, a comfortable life. But inside, he was empty. Alcohol had been part of his life since he was twelve, and by his late thirties, it had taken away everything it once gave him.What followed was a complete shift in how he saw himself, addiction, and the world around him. He came to believe that the voice in his head - his ego - was at the root of his drinking, and that freedom came from learning to live beyond it.Nigel has been sober for over 30 years, but his recovery was never just about stopping drinking. For him, it became a profound shift in how he experiences life, identity, and connection. He describes alcoholism as an extreme form of ego, rooted in separation, self-hatred, and what he calls “suicide by instalments.” Looking back, Nigel recognises that much of his drinking arose from an early sense that life had no intrinsic meaning, a feeling he began noticing even as a child.In this conversation, Nigel takes us beyond conventional recovery talk. He explains how ego and alcoholism are intertwined, why active drinking is a slow form of self-destruction, and how the mind can construct bleak narratives to justify addictive behaviour. He explores the difference between illusion and reality, revealing why joy is always present even beneath fear. Viewing recovery through a spiritual lens, Nigel shows how seeing ourselves as connected to God - or a higher source - can reshape how we live, how we relate to others, and how we understand ourselves. He introduces a non-dual perspective, highlighting our inherent divinity, equality, and connection to all, and he challenges common fears around death, suggesting that embracing the eternal present can bring lasting peace.Whether or not you share his spiritual perspective, this episode offers a profound and thought-provoking look at what it takes to recover, find meaning, and stay sober long-term. It’s an episode that will make you rethink fear, joy, and the true nature of connection.Today you will learn of what happens when you stop chasing happiness out there… and start looking for it within. 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/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics -0:00 Trailer & Intro 2:50 A rock bottom moment 5:10 What was the emptiness inside?6:15 Why did Nigel start drinking at age 12?8:30 Alcoholic at 15?9:30 Using the label as a reason to drink more 10:30 High Functioning alcoholism?14:20 Why did Nigel stop drinking?15:00 Chronic/terminal uniqueness 16:40 How Nigel got sober 21:45 Inverted narcissism?22:30 Is Nigel cured?23:45 Removing EGO and become ONE 30:10 A "God shaped" hole?34:15 Does Nigel need a spiritual solution?37:30 A Course In Miracles 39:00 EGO VS ALCOHOLISM41:00 Why fear isn't real!43:00 Joy is always available 44:45 Why Nigel isn't scared of death47:30 Why Nigel needs God to be sober Follow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Watch or listen here -YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/mrxhpkr3Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/2p8hhtfApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #Sober