Living Free

Al-Anon Family Groups - Janina 02.07.2026

Janina returns to Living Free in this episode to chat about long-term recovery in Al-Anon. Janina grew up in an unpredictable household dominated by her parents' alcoholism, mental illness and trauma. Having experienced several forms of violence she found she had to confront her own trauma and anger in order to live a peaceful, fulfilling life. Practising the 12 Steps and supporting others to do so has been a long term journey of self-understanding, acceptance of the past, and service to others.

Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfuntional Families - Trinity 25.06.2026

Trinity grew up in a family affected by rage, addiction, abuse and mental illness, all untreated. The children carried dysfunctional attitudes and behaviours into their adult lives, with each family member, including Trinity, locked into their own patterns of isolation and individual illness. Trinity married an alcoholic and, a few years ago, at the end of her rope, found Al-Anon. Next she found another fellowship, Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families and finally understood the family system of which she was a part. If you think that Al-Anon could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auHelp 3CR raise the $300,000 it needs to continue broadcasting and support the Living Free show here: https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryIf you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.auFind an Adult Children and dysfunctional Families here:https://adultchildren.org/meeting-search/ The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Radiothon Show 2 Alcoholics Anonymous 18June2026 18.06.2026

Left to fend for himself, Michael sat in the studio all alone (wrapped in the enthusiasm of the 3CR family), spoke much too much, pleaded for donations to the radio station and played clips from Alcoholics Anonymous guests who had come in to the studio over the past 12 months.Thanks to the donations from our loyal listeners & supporters, we are sooooo close to reaching our 2026 Radiothon budget. As at 25th June,2026 we are a couple of hundred dollars short. Please donate and get us over the line.We look forward to bringing you more recovery stories over the next year.

Radiothon Show 11June2026 11.06.2026

It is Radiothon time again.The budget set for the Living Free team has been raised after a better than expected result last year. The team (Ann, Bill, Mitch & Michael) are all in the studio to thank the listeners for their donations, ask for more donations, play clips of their guests and discuss how much 3CR means to them and how important it is to keep the radio station funded. Thanks to our listeners & supporters, we are well on our way to reaching our target.Feel free to donate at any time of the year by calling the station on 9419 8377 and tell them how much you enjoy listening to recovery stories on Living Free.

David - AA, Al-Anon and ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families) 04.06.2026

When David found himelf sick and lying on the floor of his garage, he decided to seek treatment for the drinking that had kept him isolated from his family. During his time in rehab a counsellor asked him three questions that changed his life. He knew then that he was an alcoholic and committed himself to recovery. He has not had a drink since. David has found over his years of recovery that attending Al-Anon and ACA meetings has been an important part of his understand of himself and the nature of trauma and addiction.If you think that Al-Anon could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show and join the celebration of 3CRs's 50th Birthday show by donating to our radiothon here:https://www.givenow.com.au/cr/living-free-2026-radiothon#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryIf you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.au The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Al-Anon Family Groups - Jacquie 28.05.2026

Jacquie married a man whose drinking became problematic, but it was her daughter's abuse of alcohol that led her to seek support in Al-Anon. With her daughter's additional struggle with mental illness Jacquie found the dilemmas about how to best help her daughter difficult to navigate. Al-Anon gives her the support she needs in often distressing situations and has helped her to establish boundaries to look after herself while still giving love and support to her daughter. In this episode we discuss some of the traditions of Al-Anon that Jacquie credits with making Al-Anon groups safe places to share her experience with others who understand.If you think that Al-Anon could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show and join the celebration of 3CRs's 50th Birthday show by donating to our radiothon here:https://www.givenow.com.au/cr/living-free-2026-radiothon #Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryIf you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.au The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Gamblers Anonymous Jason21MAY2026 21.05.2026

Jason joined Michael in the studio to chat about the consequences of his gambling and how life looks after 7 years without gambling and 18 months in Gamblers Anonymous.Taking to gambling in his mid 30's, after his wife's passing, it soon took hold of his life and started a spiralling descent. Spending money he didn't have, leading to shame and guilt around dishonest behaviour and eventually a moment of clarity when deciding whether he wanted to live or die.Jason shares his story of hope and the joy he feels when attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Being able to give back through acts of service at his local meeting and rebuilding the trust of his family.If you would like to contact Gamblers Anonymous please call 03 9696 6108 or go on-line to gaaustralia.org.au

Alcoholics Anonymous ROSE14MAY2026 14.05.2026

Rose joined Michael in the studio to share her story. From a young age, feeling uncomfortable in her own skin and wishing to be different to finding a solution to the internal discomfort with her first glass of red wine, Rose told her story which included battles with mental health issues and time in psychiatric facilities.Missed opportunities, unhealthy relationships and behaving in ways that didn't sit comfortably within her moral code.But ... There is a Solution. Rose spoke of getting to know herself better and finding a solution to the internal problem that she had tried to fix with drugs and alcohol.

A holistic approach to embodied trauma - Chris 07.05.2026

As a young child Chris was in a situation that was traumatic for him. As a musician in his young adulthood he found himself suffering from anxiety and drank alcohol to be able to perform comfortably. Through his work as a guitar teacher he came into contact with someone in whom he confided his anxiety and through this person he was introduced to Jung-informed and trauma-informed therapy. He now practises as a coach helping others to heal their trauma, starting from where it is stored in the body.Chris can be contacted here:https://www.facebook.com/holisticguidanceandsupportThe Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Living Free History – Michael and Bill on 30APR2026 30.04.2026

Bill and Michael sample some old Living Free and Stone Free shows from the 3CR ArchivesIf you would like to find out more about Narcotics Anonymous or need to talk to somebody, then please call 1300 652 820 at any time or go online at www.navic.net.au.If you’re having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.au.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate

Al-Anon Family Groups - Julie 23.04.2026

Julie is a mental health and alcohol and drug therapist trained in dual diagnosis and family therapy. She works primarily with families who are suffering the effects of substance abuse. As a member of Al-Anon, Julie tells her story of being affected by her husband's addiction to alcohol - including her loss of self and having to watch the effect on her children. As a therapist with an interest in the teachings of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, Julie talks about how people are attracted by each other's 'shadow side' and how contact between AA co-founder Bill W and Jung manifested in aspects of the 12 Step approach to recovery. If you think that Al-Anon could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryIf you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.au The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Alcoholics Anonymous Hayley16APRIL2026 16.04.2026

Hayley joined Michael in the studio to chat about her life and her recovery from alcoholism with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous.Hayley speaks about growing up as the youngest of 3 daughters in a household where her father was working away on a regular basis, a 10 year age gap between she and her older sisters and being given everything a child could want when young. Her drinking came with some consequences after the birth of her first child and she "hit a wall" in her late 20's. Introduced to AA in 2011, she managed to stay dry for a period of time but was back in the grips of her alcoholism in her early 30's. Returning to AA in 2020 she has experienced relapse but found hope in the fundimentals of AA. Good sponsorship, the 12 Steps, a homegroup and acts of service for others.

Alcoholics Anonymous DON9APRIL2026 09.04.2026

Don joined Michael in the studio and shared his experience of growing up as a shy, introverted boy and the freedom he experienced when he started drinking. As his drinking started to play a bigger role in his life the consequences became more serious. Health problems presented at a young age but medical advice suggesting he quit was not enough to convince him to stop.Front bar drinking, early openers and fractured relationships became the norm.He then shared how, over the past 17 years, his world has opened up with new opportunities to be useful to family, work and new found friends through the fellowship and program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Al-Anon Family Groups - Brenda Y 02.04.2026

Brenda grew up in the 1950s in Daylesford, the only child of a kind, compassionate mother and a father who drank too much. She married at 19, moved to the city and met with discrimination when she found that, as a married woman, she could not longer be employed by the bank where she worked. She moved to the suburbs to build a typical 1950's family but grew apart from her husband and divorced. Her next husband shared many of Brenda's interests but was somewhat unreliable and a drinker. Nevertheless they are happily married decades later, Brenda in Al-Anon and her husband sober in AA.If you think that Al-Anon could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryIf you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.au The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Al-Anon Family Groups - Sianna 26.03.2026

The daughter of parents in the entertainment industry, Sianna enjoyed a lot of freedom in her childhood and grew up amongst interesting people. There was lots of alcohol around and rules and routines were not important in the family. In her early adulthood, Sianna found that she was having difficulties in intimate relationships; in particular she found herself willing to sacrifice herself in order to meet the needs of her partners. In Al-Anon she learned to live in a more balanced way, keeping a sense of what is her business to manage and to communicate simply and honestly with other people, instead of being focused only on their needs.If you think that Al-Anon could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryIf you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.au The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Narcotics Anonymous Rick19MARCH2026 19.03.2026

Rick joined Michael in the studio to discuss life with addiction, finding a solution in Narcotics & Alcoholics Anonymous and what life looks like now. From a disfunctional family living in a small country town, becoming a father at a young age and then making a decision to provide a better upbringing for his son. Rick describes the lengths he was/is willing to go to to be the best version of himself and how belonging to a 12 Step fellowship has worked for him.

Alcoholics Anonymous Lisa12March2026 12.03.2026

Lisa joined Bill & Michael in the studio to share her experience of life in recovery with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. Lisa describes how a normal childhood where she was good at school, sports and family life descended into a life of drinking, dishonesty and feeling like a burden to those around her. Time in rehab and then finding a purpose in Alcoholics Anonymous. A great chat and a message of hope.

Al-Anon Family Groups - Di 05.03.2026

Di was born the eldest child in a family of girls to a mother who favoured boys. This, and other dysfunctional attitudes and behaviours, affected Di's sense of her self and caused fragmentation amongst her siblings. Di was determined to not repeat the mistakes of her own parents, but found herself married to an alcoholic. Devastated and fearful, she sought the help of Al-Anon where she has gradually developed the skills she did not learn in childhood and built for herself a satisfying life with fulfilling relationships. If you think that Al-Anon could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryIf you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.au The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

AA and Al-Anon - Brian 26.02.2026

Brian grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne at a time when heavy drinking with other men was a rite of passage. His mother and stepfather introduced him to AA when he was only 17 but Brian drank for many years until he himself knew he needed to seek help. He decribes a spiritual experience in his first AA meeting. Brian later joined Al-Anon when he realised that he needed support to deal with other alcoholics in his own life. If you think that Al-Anon could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryIf you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.au The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Alcoholics Anonymous - Connor19FEB2026 19.02.2026

Connor joined Michael in the studio to share his experience of recovery from alcoholism in Alcoholics Anonymous. His drinking was different from a young age and he was taken to his first AA meeting, by his father, as a 16 year old. Connor describes the consequences of his drinking, what early recovery looks like and what difference being sober has made to his life.If you would like more information about Alcoholics Anonymous, they can be contacted on 1300 222 222 or go online at aa.org.au