School of Rock Bottom

In this next quick thought, I revisit a moment with Rupert Hill as we explore one of the most misunderstood drivers of alcohol dependence: the moment your brain learns that “hair of the dog” removes discomfort. It feels harmless, even cultural, but for many it is the point where drinking shifts from enjoyment to compulsion. In this clip, we break down how the cycle begins, why it escalates so quickly, and how a seemingly small decision can shape years of someone’s life. If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, this conversation will give you clarity.We discuss the biology behind withdrawal, the deceptive logic of “just one to take the edge off,” and the moment when drinking stops being about feeling good and becomes about trying to feel normal. We look at how routine behaviour becomes dependence, how high-functioning drinkers hide it in plain sight, and how life slowly reorganises itself around the next drink. This is a candid exploration of compulsion, secrecy and the mental burden of planning a day around alcohol.You will also hear how everyday situations become logistical challenges when you cannot be away from a drink, why mornings become the most dangerous time, and how the brain’s survival instincts can quietly drive destructive habits. It is an honest account of progression, denial and the tipping points people rarely talk about.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODESpotify - https://bit.ly/3zqqR2JYouTube - https://bit.ly/45UHYWvApple - 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. For anyone struggling with these topics Rupert suggests reading Alcohol Explained by William Porter. 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 RupertInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rupertsinclairhillTwitter/X - https://x.com/RupertHill 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#functioningalcoholic #recovery #alcoholaddiction

There are some stories that force you to rethink everything you believe about addiction. This is one of them. Terry Devine was five years old when a teacher humiliated him in front of a class — a single moment that buried him in shame so deep he carried it for decades. That shame became the soil everything else grew from: the drinking, the chaos, the emotional collapse, and eventually heroin. Not because he wanted to get high, but because heroin felt like a parent he never had. Warm. Safe. Comforting. Until it wasn’t.In this conversation, Terry reveals the parts of addiction that almost never make it into public view. The night he pushed a burning poker into his own arm. The moment heroin stopped working and withdrawal hit with a force that made death feel easier. The sickening realisation that he was no longer chasing pleasure — only running from pain. And the brutal truth that there are two kinds of rock bottom: the physical one everyone imagines, and a far more dangerous spiritual one that no one can see coming.Terry talks openly about how undiagnosed ADHD shaped everything: the impulsivity, the emotional intensity, the constant sense of being wrong in his own skin. He explains why he believes ADHD is one of the most overlooked drivers of early substance use, and how it became the invisible gateway that made heroin feel inevitable.What Terry describes here is the real machinery of addiction: the obsession that silences logic, the withdrawals that feel like your insides are being torn out, the distortion of identity, and the terrifying moment when a person realises they’ve crossed a line they can’t uncross. He explains how shame becomes a worldview, how trauma rewrites the brain, and how addiction convinces you that you are beyond saving long before anyone else realises you're in trouble.And then, somehow, he rebuilt a life and you'll find out exactly how he did it. Terry met the love of his life in recovery and learn how they both stayed sober during tragedy, why the 12 steps having only small success rate is false, why and how cross addiction happens, how heroin lead him to alcohol and what it really means to be clean and sober. More on Terry -Today, he’s a lecturer in forensic science at the University of the West of England, a clinical addiction hypnotherapist, a recovery coach, and the founder of Devine Recovery Solutions. He’s dedicated to helping others break free from addiction.Terry is also a committed fundraiser in memory of his son, climbing mountains and volcanoes across the world — from Ecuador to Kilimanjaro. He’s now approaching 13 yrs clean and sober.Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK - support here: https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773eThank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode!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/olivermason1PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro4:40 A rock bottom moment 9:30 Shame, not feeling good enough and heroin14:35 If drugs are the answer what is the question?15:00 ADHD was the gateway drug 18:10 Alcohol to heroin was fast 21:30 Heroin withdrawal 25:15 Heroin addiction leads to stealing 27:00 Addiction Vs dependency 28:40 Cross addiction & relapse 32:20 Do you have to give up all drugs?33:20 How did Terry get clean and sober?37:30 12 Steps has a 5% success rate?41:30 Staying sober during tragedy48:30 Embracing vulnerability & courage 50:20 Sponsor 51:20 Can you have a relationship early in recovery?Follow Terry Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/terry__devineTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@terry_devineFollow Oliverhttps://linktr.ee/olivermasonYouTube - https://tinyurl.com/5amc8jttSpotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery#HeroinSurvivor#MentalHealthAwareness

What happens when love turns into obsession and connection becomes dependency? In this next quick thought, I revisit one of the most revealing moments from the podcast with Livvie May. This is an honest conversation about sex and love addiction, fear of abandonment, obsessive attachment, and the emotional patterns that quietly shape who we choose and why. If you have ever lost yourself in someone else or found yourself repeating the same relationships, this clip will feel uncomfortably familiar and deeply important.We explore how relationships turn into sex and love addiction, how obsession can mask itself as intensity, and why the same relationship pattern can repeat itself for years. The conversation examines the fear of abandonment that drove her choices, the distress of losing her identity within someone else, and the moment she realised she had been shaping relationships around control, shame and fear. It also follows the three-week relationship cycle she found herself trapped in, the grief that reshaped her understanding of connection, and the moment of clarity that arrived when she stepped into sobriety.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODESpotify - https://bit.ly/4euLvi3YouTube - https://bit.ly/3XrV0ZjApple - 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 anyone struggling with these topics Livvie suggests reaching out to: SLAA - https://slaauk.orgOliver 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 LivvieInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/maylivvieFollow 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#loveaddiction #slaa #recovery

Kaitlin never spoke about her addiction because she thought she would lose her kids. So, what happens when alcohol, coke and weed stop being fun and start taking over your life and threaten everything you hold most sacred and precious? What happens when addiction changes from keeping you safe to making you vulnerable to assault? We explore what life and motherhood really looks like in the haze of drink and drugs - not from a place of judgement but from lived experience. This is about the reality of addiction, the behaviour that comes with it, and the long process of learning who you are without the substances you once relied on. It’s not about perfection, but about honesty — the kind that comes after everything has fallen apart.We talk about losing ourselves to drinking and drugs culture, the friendships that faded, and the dangerous moments that pushed things too far. We dig into the shame that keeps people stuck — the stories that feel too humiliating to tell, and how sharing them can become the first act of freedom. This is a conversation about emotional immaturity, about using alcohol and drugs to avoid feeling, and the strange peace that comes when you finally stop running. We break down what a relapse really is the data around around relapse rates and why rehabs don't keep you sober. You’ll hear what it’s like to rebuild from the ground up: getting your weekends back, repairing relationships, rediscovering ambition and joy, and learning to sit with yourself without needing a drink, spliff or a line to take the edge off. It’s also about empathy — how surviving addiction can give you a deeper understanding of human beings, and why the pain you go through can become the very thing that allows you to help others. Kaitlin has been sober over three years and proves that asking for help doesn’t make you a bad parent—it makes you a better one. A mum of three, she speaks honestly about the highs, the lows, and everything in between, living one day at a time with love, humility, and the support of her 12-step program.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.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/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro4:00 Kaitlin's rock bottom moment 5:30 Not safe and feeling shame 7:30 Fear of letting secrets out and losing children 10:30 Anything you put before recovery you will lose?13:30 Are the words disease and addict a help or a problem?20:00 Relapse leads to death? 23:00 What is a 'real' alcoholic?26:00 How drugs and alcohol progressed from teens 30:20 Was your favourite weed, coke, pills or booze? 33:25 Sponsor 34:30 Relapse or blip?36:45 The gift of desperation 38:15 What is the real relapse rate? 42:00 The first 30 days are awful!44:00 Finding balance again45:30 Going sober and losing friends 47:20 Why is The 12 Steps the last thing most people try?50:45 What about tradition 12?53:30 When are you ready to get sober?54:30 Why rehab doesn't keep you sober 55:30 Quitting weed was the hardest for me!Follow KaitlinInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberasamotherfocusedTikTok -https://www.tiktok.com/@kaitlinissoberFollow 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 -Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery#SoberMum#AlcoholFree

When you stop drinking, what do you really gain? In this next quick thought, I revisit my first conversation with Issy Hawkins about what happens when alcohol is no longer in control — and how sobriety isn’t just about quitting, but about finally getting to know yourself. Issy opens up about losing weekends to binge drinking, the shame spiral that followed, and the freedom that came with getting sober at just 21. We talk honestly about identity, self-awareness, and how sobriety gave her a deeper understanding of life, relationships, and purpose. You’ll hear how alcohol can rob you of time, relationships, and ambition — and what’s possible when you get all of that back.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODESpotify - https://bit.ly/3QKAQWgYouTube - https://bit.ly/3R9GHozApple - 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 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 Issy Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@issyhawkins_Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/issyhawkins_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#alcoholic #sobercurious #recovery

For anyone sober curious or identifies more as a binge drinker rather than an alcoholic - this episode is for you! Most people think rock bottom is dramatic — losing everything, waking up in a hospital, or worse. But what if it’s quieter? What if it’s your partner saying, “I can’t do this anymore”? This week, I’m joined by Henry Beercock, who spent 17 years stuck in a cycle of binge drinking, binge eating, smoking, vaping and unhealthy habits before one moment changed everything. In just two years, he’s lost seven stone, gone vegan, and built an inspiring alcohol-free community in Hull called Alco-Hull-Free. He’s now brewing his own alcohol-free beer and proving that life without alcohol isn’t dull — it’s full of purpose, joy and real connection.In this episode, we explore what binge drinking really looks like in the UK, why so many people quietly hit their limit during lockdown, and the truth about sober curiosity. Henry opens up about the moment he nearly lost his marriage, how he rebuilt his health and identity, and why alcohol-free beer became part of his mission.We talk about what kind of people go sober, what Henry might have lost if he didn’t stop, why alcohol-free beer matters — and whether it’s safe for people in recovery from alcohol use disorder. We also discuss how long it really takes to feel better after quitting drinking, whether the UK has a national drinking problem, sober holidays, why binge drinkers quit even without a “classic” rock bottom, and how to start if you’re sober curious!This conversation will change the way you think about drinking, connection, and what it means to really live.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.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/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro4:45 Henry's rock bottom moment 7:10 Lockdown leads to coke use10:15 Lockdown or lock in?!13:00 What actually is binge drinking?14:30 What kind of people go sober?18:00 What could have Henry lossed?20:30 Why Henry loves alcohol free beer22:30 Is alcohol free beer safe for those with alcohol addiction?29:30 How did Henry go sober? 33:00 What is Alco-Hull free? 37:15 How long till you feel better when you stop drinking? 38:25 Does The UK have a drinking problem? 41:00 Sober holidays? 44:20 Sponsor45:20 Why would a binge drinker quit alcohol?47:30 Quit drinking to help food addiction?49:40 The food F IT Button 53:15 First steps if you're sober curiousFollow Henryhttps://www.instagram.com/henrybeercockFollow Alcohull Freehttps://www.instagram.com/alcohullfree_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/3u5mnpdsPlease subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube -https://tinyurl.com/4ntx8hm8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#SobrietyJourney#Sobercurious#AlcoholFreeLife

What if the thing that saves your life is something you’ve always hated?In this next quick thought, I revisit a conversation with Oliver Newton who opens up about years of living with crippling OCD — waking up paralysed by intrusive thoughts, trapped inside his mind, and feeling like life had become impossible. Then one morning, everything changed. A pair of old trainers, a desperate decision to run, and a five-minute moment of silence that saved his life.This conversation isn’t about miracle cures. It’s about finding your version of recovery — whether that’s running, talking, medication or finally allowing someone in. We talk about how intrusive thoughts can destroy relationships, the role of exercise in mental health, and why personal recovery can be just as valid as the clinical route.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODESpotify - https://bit.ly/3RaNm1CYouTube - https://bit.ly/3x4WOg7Apple - 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 anyone struggling, Oly recommends Hub of Hope (alonside your GP) -https://hubofhope.co.ukOliver 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 Oly -Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/run4yourmind/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oly-newton/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#ocd #depression #anxiety

Can you have rock bottom moments when sober and IN recovery? Today, I sit down with actor and content creator Issy Hawkins, who has been sober for a decade, to talk about burnout, identity, and the side of recovery no one likes to admit. We explore what it’s really like being diagnosed as an adult with ADHD in sobriety, the truth behind the “addict voice,” and why even years into recovery, the mind can still turn against you. Issy first joined the podcast in episode 33, sharing her journey through alcoholism, rehab and how she got sober at 21, but this episode goes further into what happens when recovery itself feels overwhelming. In this conversation, we explore into what it means to confront the “addict voice,” how ADHD interacts with addiction, and the ways that burnout and self-judgment can sneak into recovery. Issy shares how she stepped back from everything to reconnect with herself, exploring meditation, self-reflection, and facing long-buried shame. We discuss the complex interplay of identity, impulse control, and emotional regulation, and why sobriety doesn’t automatically solve the deeper challenges of the mind.This episode is for anyone in recovery, whether you’re new or have been sober for years, and for anyone interested in the human experience of coping with trauma, mental health, and the constant negotiation between external achievement and internal wellbeing. It is honest, reflective, and a rare insight into the real work that continues long after alcohol is gone. The twist is that through this new dark period came an unexpected present - a spiritual awakening. More on Issy -Issy Hawkins is an actor and content creator with over 150,000 followers on social media. After graduating drama school into the pandemic in 2020, Issy decided to focus on her advocacy work as a means of encouraging other young people with addiction issues to ask for help, taking to social media to share her experience and she hasn’t looked back since. Issy navigated nearly her entire 20's sober after a stint in rehab at age 21 and is passionate about dismantling the stigma. She is also the child of a recovering alcoholic. Issy is an Ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and most recently won The National Diversity Awards for the category Role Model for Age.Oliver & Issy are ambassadors 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.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/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro5:45 Issy's sober rock bottom moment11:45 Is the "addict voice" you?!14:30 Is severe addiction different?19:30 What is the addict voice?21:30 Is it all about survival and self love?27:45 Recovery tools in tough moments30:45 Replacing alcohol with other unhealthy things33:15 Fear of abandonment?34:45 ADHD39:00 Dropping the ADHD mask39:45 WhatsApp & DM's!42:45 ADHD, dopamine and addiction45:00 Low impulse control and no long term consequences45:45 Emotional dysregulation47:39 Sponsor48:40 ADHD diagnosis52:45 A spiritual awakening during the rock bottom?Follow IssyTik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@issyhawkins_Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/issyhawkins_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/3u5mnpdsPlease subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/bdhbjswzSpotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#RecoveryPodcast #ADHDandAddiction #alcoholrecovery

What if loneliness wasn’t just an emotion — but a symptom of something deeper? In this next quick thought, I revisit a conversation with Darren - a powerful and painfully honest moment about loneliness, love addiction, and why so many of us confuse validation with connection. This clip explores what it really means to feel lonely, even when surrounded by people, and how learning to sit with that feeling — instead of running from it — can become one of the most healing acts of self-awareness.We talk about the HALT method — hungry, angry, lonely, tired — and why recognising these emotional triggers can change the way we respond to pain. Loneliness, as you’ll hear, isn’t just about being alone. It’s about the ache of disconnection, the search for validation, and the quiet pull of old patterns that can keep us trapped. Love addiction often hides in plain sight, disguised as romance, attachment, or the pursuit of affection. But behind it can lie the same cycle of craving and withdrawal that drives any addiction.This episode asks a difficult but essential question — what happens when we stop trying to fill the void and simply face it? Sometimes, being alone is less painful than staying in something that keeps us small. Sometimes, sitting with discomfort is where real recovery begins.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODESpotify - https://bit.ly/3QsOSf5YouTube - https://bit.ly/4a3ajKKApple - 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 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 Darren -Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativedazzlePodcast - https://theatreaudiencepodcast.com/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#loveaddiction #slaa #recovery

What happens when a woman who never touched a drug until the age of 29 ends up addicted to crystal meth, gambling and living in a crack den? This is not the story you expect — but it’s the one you need to hear. Today, I sit down with Charlotte Jackson, a holistic coach and healer who has rebuilt her life after years of chaos, addiction, and near-death moments. Five years clean, she speaks with brutal honesty about loneliness, survival, and finding freedom on her own terms.Charlotte shares how her darkest moments wasn’t just about drugs or homelessness — it was about being trapped in toxic relationships, feeling invisible and using addiction as a way to escape overwhelming loneliness. We talk about how meth takes hold, why community matters in recovery, and how spiritual awakenings, journalling, and connection can light the way out of the madness. And then, just when she thought her story couldn’t turn, Charlotte experienced something she can’t explain: a sightings and messages from a friend who had passed away. That encounter revealed itself as a signpost, guiding her towards sobriety and showing her that recovery was possible. It’s a moment that changed everything — and it might just change the way you see life. 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.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/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro 3:45 Charlotte's rock bottom moment 6:00 Loneliness and constantly moving 8:00 Drugs became my family10:00 From no drugs ever to living in a crack den 16:00 I felt safe in a crack den!18:00 What is crystal meth?22:00 Sleep deprivation 23:30 Stereotypes of drug addiction 24:30 Addiction progression 28:00 What is addiction?29:15 Loneliness leads to gambling and meth 32:30 Sponsor 33:30 Becoming "indifferent" to drugs 36:45 Finding your own recovery path39:15 Journalling 41:15 Charlotte's spiritual awakening 42:45 Drugs are the solution to a problem 45:20 Messages from dead loved ones?!51:00 My friend saved my life 54:15 Is anything possible?58:45 I'm not scared - I'm excited!Follow Charlotte https://www.instagram.com/iamcharlottejacksonFollow 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/ys56s8dvSpotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #SchoolOfRockBottom

How do you stay sober through unimaginable pain? In this next quick thought, I revisit my conversation with actor Tom Clarke-Hill who lived through the devastating loss of his wife after 28 years together — and still didn’t pick up a drink.This powerful clip isn’t just about recovery, it’s about what it really means to live one day at a time, to face pain without numbing it, and to discover strength you never knew you had. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can get through the darkest moments without alcohol or drugs, this episode is for you.We also explore what it means to survive bereavement without alcohol, why sobriety is never “one drink away,” the reality of emotional sobriety, the importance of living fully in the present moment, and how sponsoring others in recovery creates an extra layer of protection.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODEYouTube - https://bit.ly/3w5RtEISpotify - https://bit.ly/3Q4p60nApple - 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 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 Tom -Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tomclarkehillFollow 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#12steps #recovery #sobercurious

Do you really need to hit rock bottom to get clean and sober, or is that just a myth? Today’s guest is living proof that the story isn’t so simple. At 15 years old, Tihani was already using cocaine, experimenting with ADHD meds from the street, blacking out and carving tattoos into her own skin in drug-fuelled hazes. By her twenties she was on benders, remembering the days of the week by counting how many pills she'd taken since the weekend. Yet despite the chaos, she built a successful creative career, performing on global stages and working with brands like Vogue and Red Bull. But behind the glossy exterior was a dangerous secret: addiction was eating her alive.Eight years cocaine free & no hard alcohol or pills and 2 years completely sober, Tihani reveals the truth about addiction most people never hear. We talk about the illusion of control, the rituals of cocaine use, and why “dry sniffing” was just as destructive as the binges mixed with whiskey. She explains what it felt like to shift that obsessive intensity into wellness, how self-help and trauma therapy saved her, and whether addicts are actually the lucky ones for being forced to confront life’s hardest questions around why we are here and if life has any meaning. This conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about recovery. Do you really have to give up everything at once? What about nicotine? What is the actual root cause of addiction? And when the highs fade away, does life without drugs have any real meaning? For anyone who has ever questioned their relationship with substances, this episode is more than a story — it’s a wake-up call and one of my favourite conversations ever. If conversation can be 'art' then this is it. More on Tihane -She a genre-blending artist, creative director, and storyteller who’s spent her life chasing truth across continents and soundscapes. Her debut album The War on Love blends vintage R&B, tribal rhythms, and cinematic textures into healing anthems that hit deep. She’s performed on global stages from TEDx to SXSW, and led creative work for Vogue Italia, RedBull, and NY Fashion Week and beneath the success is an honest story about pain, shame, healing — and learning to create from who you really are. Huge thanks!Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773eTihane recommends this book -https://tinyurl.com/5wn4s8e6Oliver mentions Sober Dave -https://www.soberdave.co.ukThank 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/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro 4:00 A rock bottom moment 7:30 Is a rock bottom required to get into recovery?10:00 Addiction is on a spectrum!12:15 Using coke at 15 16:00 Street ADHD meds 17:35 Dry sniffing?21:10 "Downers weren't for me!"24:15 Shifting intensity into wellness 26:45 Giving up drugs and alcohol one at a time 30:00 Self help and trauma therapy 34:15 Are addicts lucky?36:30 Does life have purpose and meaning? 43:20 Cocaine was the ultimate permission slip 45:15 Does Tihane miss cocaine? 47:30 Do you have to give up EVERYTHING at once? 50:15 Sponsor51:15 What about nicotine?53:00 What is the root cause of addiction?55:45 First steps to recovery Follow Tihane https://www.instagram.com/tihane___?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/3u5mnpdsWatch here -YouTube - TBCSpotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #SchoolOfRockBottom

When someone you love is suicidal, what do you say?In this next quick thought, I revisit a conversation with Jon Salmon exploring the truth of reaching the edge — and the power of direct questions that can save a life. Suicide remains one of the hardest subjects to talk about, but silence can be deadly. Here, we uncover how asking the right question at the right time could change everything, and why conversation, therapy, self-awareness and daily check-ins are vital tools in recovery. This moment is about turning pain into understanding, and showing that hope exists even at our lowest point.The discussion takes us inside the experience of suicidal thoughts, the stigma that still lingers around talking about it, and why it is so important to break that silence. We hear how therapy, CBT and medication supported early recovery, and how small daily routines — from making a cup of tea to going for a run — became lifelines. It’s a reminder that support does not always have to come from family, but can be found in friends, colleagues and unexpected places.This clip also shows how self-awareness becomes a form of protection. By learning to check in with ourselves each day and honouring our limits, we can avoid sliding back into the darkness. Hitting rock bottom changes how we see the world, but it also teaches us boundaries, empathy, and how to better support others when we notice they are struggling.Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODEYouTube - https://bit.ly/3VSr4FdSpotify - https://bit.ly/3ISQlHlApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQFor anyone looking for further support, Jon recommends -Hub of Hope - https://hubofhope.co.ukShout - Text 'SHOUT' to 85258Samaritans - Call 116123 or email jo@samaritans.orgAbout 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 John -Websitewww.jon-salmon.comSocial Media Accountswww.linkedin.com/in/jcsalmonwww.twitter.com/jonsalmonwww.instagram.com/j0nsalmonwww.youtube.com/@JonSalmonwww.twitter.com/speakerscollectwww.linkedin.com/company/speakers-collective-ukwww.instagram.com/speakers.collectivewww.facebook.com/SpeakersCollectivewww.youtube.com/@speakerscollectiveFollow 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#SuicidePrevention#MentalHealthAwareness#SchoolOfRockBottom

My guest today is someone who brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to the conversation around addiction and recovery. Today I sit down with Taner Hassan, an actor, psychotherapist, and addiction specialist who is 18 years sober, to explore the darkest and most transformative moments of his life. Taner opens up about terrifying drug-induced psychosis, drinking and using cocaine and weed, and how substance use started as a teenager and spiralled into chaos. He shares what it was like to lose his mind - the fear and confusion of losing touch with reality, and how he eventually got clean and sober at 25.We also discuss the deeper reasons behind addiction: how Taner used substances to fill a void, the impact of fame, validation, and rejection, and why family interventions can sometimes help—or hinder—the recovery process. Taner offers an honest look at recovery, tackling questions like whether addiction is really a choice, the truth about dry drunks, total abstinence, and the best ways to get sober. This episode is raw, honest, and impossible to ignore, full of lessons for anyone struggling with overthinking, addiction, or feeling stuck in life. He’s someone who doesn’t just talk about change — he helps people live it. More on Taner -Taner was pursuing a career within the entertainment industry as a trained actor, presenter & musician including making it to the finals of the TV show Popstars where addiction took hold. He is 18 years sober, and in that time he’s become one of the most respected voices in the field as a psychotherapist, addiction specialist, and currently Head of Service at Rehubs, a pioneering online treatment provider. He’s also a certified sex and porn addiction therapist & performance coach. Over nearly two decades, he has worked across the full spectrum of addiction and mental health services — from NHS units and prison programmes to private clinics and community outreach. But what makes him stand out isn’t just his qualifications — it’s how he brings trauma-informed, person-centred recovery into everything he does.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.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/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro 4:35 One of Taner's rock bottom moments 6:35 What is a drug induced psychosis?8:20 Coke, weed & booze11:40 Getting clean and sober at 2512:50 Drinking and using as a kid 14:40 Why Taner was filling the void 21:20 Fame, validation, rejection and addiction 33:20 Do family interventions work?36:35 How Taner got recovery 38:05 What's the best way to get sober?44:50 Is the dry drunk real? 49:25 Sponsor 50:25 Total abstineence?52:35 Is addiction a choice? Follow Taner https://www.instagram.com/tanertherapyThe Recovery Cartel https://www.instagram.com/therecoverycartelFollow 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/3whvvb8dSpotify - https://tinyurl.com/3e5hudu8Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SobrietyJourney

What does it really take to walk away from crack cocaine after 15 years? In this next quick thought, I go back to an incredible conversation with Jennifer Joseph - you’ll hear the truth of someone who not only used but was deeply embedded in that world—making it, distributing it, and living in constant danger. And yet, one life-changing choice set them free.WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ON YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/5fnsdr7xSpotify - https://tinyurl.com/mw5btxfcApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQAt 16, actor Jennifer Joseph was coerced into a life of drug dealing. Quickly she rised to the very top and was known as The General, travelling the world as a generator and importer of narcotics - with connections to all the major players including "The Cocaine Godmother" Giselda Blanco. Jen thought she was invincible, whilst also battling a daily crack addiction and, eventually, was caught at Gatwick airport with hundreds of thousands of pounds of marijuana and was sent to prison at aged 39. 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/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 JenInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/gemzgirlFollow Nubian Co-heARTshttps://instagram.com/nubiancoheartsFollow 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#SchoolOfRockBottom#SobrietyJourney

What happens when success comes at the cost of your sanity? At 24, Dorothy Herson had achieved the dream: a training contract at one of London’s most elite law firms. But behind the polished exterior was an insecure overachiever battling bipolar disorder, addicted to validation, fuelled by long hours, and quietly self-medicating with Adderall, Xanax, and alcohol. That path led her to a psychiatric hospital and the question: how do you rebuild when everything you worked for collapses?This conversation is not just about addiction. It’s about the hidden cost of ambition, the culture of workaholism, and the courage it takes to move from shame into recovery. Dorothy and I also explore what it really means to be an insecure overachiever, the reality of addiction for young people in high-pressure careers, and how stereotypes about the 12 steps can hold people back from getting help. We talk about the journey of moving beyond shame, why Gen Z are already redefining the way work and stress are managed, and what true sober inclusivity in the workplace could look like.More on Dorothy - Dorothy Herson is a former lawyer turned journalist, mental health advocate, and editor for a Cambridge University Press journal focused on mood disorders. She is the author of The Rag Doll Contract and is about to begin a PhD in Literature and Medicine, where she will explore the intersection of narrative and mental health. Dorothy has written about addiction amd mental in various newspapers around the world. 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.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/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro 4:15 Dorothy's rock bottom moment 6:00 Addiction to work & validation 8:45 Dealing with having neurological episodes as a child 10:15 Adderall was my gateway drug!12:55 Xanax & wine to come down 15:00 Using drugs and alcohol to function 17:40 Prescription drugs & sleeping tablets20:30 WE ARE NOT DOCTORS & FREE LAPSE! 23:30 Finding recovery & healing 26:00 Addiction doesn't discriminate?28:30 Stereotypes of 12 step fellowship & managing bipolar34:15 What is an insecure overachiever?40:15 Gen Z, work and managing stress 43:45 Addiction and young people47:05 Sponsor48:10 Sober inclusivity in the workplace 52:45 The Rag Doll Contract 54:00 Moving on from shame and guilt Follow Dorothy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dorothy_hersonFollow 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 - Spotify - Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SobrietyJourney

One binge almost cost actor John Pickard everything — his relationship, his child, and his future.WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ON Youtube - https://bit.ly/49LHNNOApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQSpotify - https://bit.ly/42S8puBIn this next quick thought, we explore how a single night of heavy drinking and drug use became the turning point. What started as “just a night out” spiralled into a wake-up call that forced him to confront the dangerous patterns he thought he had left behind. We talk openly about the hidden risks of binge drinking and drugging, the shame and guilt that follow, and how quickly old habits can resurface when you’re pulled back into the wrong environments. This clip is about breaking destructive cycles before they destroy the people and the life you love.It’s also a candid look at the reality of addiction that doesn’t fit the stereotypes — the kind that hides behind months of being “fine” before one night derails everything. We discuss the mental and physical crash that follows a binge, the role of daily routines in recovery, and the challenge of redefining what normal looks like when drinking and drug use have been part of your life since childhood.If you’ve ever convinced yourself “it’s just one night” or seen someone you care about repeat the same cycle, this conversation will make you think twice. 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/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/olivermason1paypalMore on John -John Pickard is an actor, producer and filmmaker with a career spanning 25 years gracing the screens of many UK TV classics including 2 point 4 Children & Hollyoaks. Not content with just being in front of the camera, he seamlessly transitioned into the role of First Assistant Director, lending his expertise to a variety of films, including two feature productions and Channel 4 soaps.In 2016, he embarked on a new adventure by founding WildStreet, an independent production company that became a temporary home for crafting documentaries for Channel 4, short films for diverse artists, and countless 'proof of concepts' for Commissioners.Adding to his multifaceted repertoire, John recently completed a Screenwriting MA at Goldsmiths and now contributes his creative prowess to BearJam, an independent production company based in the vibrant district of Brixton.Beyond the glitz of the entertainment industry, John Pickard is also a passionate footballer, having graced both the iconic Wembley stadiums—Old and New—for charity matches, earning himself a well-deserved Man of the Match cup. Yet, amidst all these achievements, his most cherished title is that of a father to his nearly five-year-old daughter. Follow John Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/johnpickardLinkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pickard-442a8830/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnyinapickleFollow 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#bingedrinking#addiction#breakthecycle

Cat thought she was just about managing. The undiagnosed ADHD, the mental load, the drinking. Cat wasn’t drinking in the mornings, she hadn’t lost her job or her kids, so how could she be an alcoholic? But the truth is, the mental gymnastics of planning every drink, hiding the chaos, and pretending to cope led to complete burnout. In this incredible conversation, Cat Sims sits down with me to share the stark truth behind the mask – the trauma, the shame, the moment everything collapsed, and the surprising reasons why she wouldn’t change any of it. Rock bottom is rarely a a single event. This conversation is a layered, painful, and ultimately powerful journey into honesty, acceptance and recovery.Cat opens up about the mental load of motherhood and how the pressure to be perfect masked years of silent suffering. We talk about postnatal depression, the seductive role alcohol played in survival, and the personal cost of avoiding vulnerability. She shares the story of a blackout that led to assault, how she stayed in active addiction for years after, and why she finally made the choice to stop. We explore sobriety not just as abstinence but as a spiritual and psychological boundary – a way of keeping the doors locked in a world that isn’t always safe. We break down the stigma of the word 'alcoholic', why being powerless gives you power, food and phone addiction and why alcoholism isn't about alcohol. If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, felt trapped by perfectionism, or carried the weight of doing everything for everyone, this conversation will speak directly to you. Cat’s honesty is refreshing, very often funny, and deeply moving. Her new book, The Mental Load Diaries, is out now and comes from a place of lived experience, not theory.Buy her brilliant new book here!https://notsosmugnow.komi.ioMore on Cat - Cat sims is a content creator, podcaster and author who is still trying to figure the whole ‘adulting’ thing out.She’s made a living out of documenting her failures and successes as a 40 year old woman, a mother and a wife across various social media platforms.Her mission in life is to make as many women as possible feel ‘seen’ and to make them realise that they are never, ever, ‘the only one.’ She’s honest, wonderfully self-deprecating and willing to say all the things the rest of us hide away and, in doing so, managed to make us all feel a little bit better about our perfectly messy lives. Cat is author of the new book THE MENTAL LOAD DIARIES and is nearly 4 years sober. Huge thanks Cat! 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.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Support the pod here!https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Topics -0:00 Intro 4:00 Cat's rock bottom7:30 Is rock bottom one singular moment? 9:30 Post-natal depression & burnout 14:00 The fetishization of motherhood & managing relationships 20:00 How alcohol and drugs helped and hurt 'the mental load' 24:00 Pick up 1 drink and then...?25:30 Acceptance of darker sides to yourself 26:40 Let's talk relapse29:00 The effects of undiagnosed ADHD34:15 ADHD and addiction 36:20 Food addiction 38:45 Where are you getting your dopamine?41:00 Sponsor 42:00 Why use the word ALCOHOLIC?44:30 What do you say at the bar? 45:30 What does an alcoholic look like? 47:45 Why I wouldn't "cure" my alcoholism & relapse50:00 Why I'm an alcoholic 51:15 Why powerless means power 52:25 Alcoholism isn't about alcohol 53:30 The phone & social media 55:30 ADHD energy helps me be creative 57:00 Why do people go back out?58:50 What do you want written on your gravestone?Follow CatInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/notsosmugnowWATCH ON YOUTUBE - https://tinyurl.com/3zt4pewwLISTEN ON APPLE - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#SobrietyJourney#MentalLoad#ADHDAndAddiction

Your Thoughts Are Not The Truth – How To Stop Believing Every Intrusive ThoughtWATCH OR LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE - https://tinyurl.com/rudcwcuvSpotify - https://bit.ly/4bxJxMFApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQWhat if the thoughts you fear the most… meant nothing at all? I revisit a conversation with actor Georgina Lock, as we uncover the truth about intrusive thoughts, OCD, and why learning to see your thoughts for what they are could change your life. If you’ve ever felt trapped in your own mind, this short clip will help you understand how to step back, stop over-analysing, and finally breathe again.We talk about why thoughts aren’t facts – and how believing they are keeps us stuck. We explore the “pink elephant” problem and why thought suppression never works. You’ll hear about the power of saying “maybe” when fear takes over and how OCD attacks the things you care about most.This episode also looks at the key shift that helps you become the observer of your thoughts rather than a prisoner of them. If you’ve ever believed your fears defined you, this will be the reminder you need: they don’t.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. About Georgia -Georgia Lock is an actor and OCD advocate living in London, she began her career on CBBC at the age of 13 and went on to work with Disney channel in various shows. Credits include: Sadie J, The Evermoore Chronicals and the voice of Sadie Sparks with new projects being announed this year. An avid poet, Georgia won a competition in 2019 to have a small collection of her poetry published and is now working on her second collection for the publisher. She also writes music which is often inspired by mental health struggles and has run poetry workshops for OCD UK and was a panelist at the OCD action conference. Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!Follow Georgia Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/georgia_nathalieFollow 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#IntrusiveThoughts #OCDRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness

What happens when you hit your lowest point and realise you’re living a life that’s not your own?In this episode, I’m joined by Jack Cotterill — a jazz drummer, creative entrepreneur and performance coach — who once lived the wild rock star life, caught in addiction and self-sabotage, before flipping his story entirely. Jack quit alcohol and cocaine, lost over 10 stone, rebuilt his confidence, and now coaches creatives and entrepreneurs worldwide on how to ditch bad habits, find discipline and turn their creative energy into real success. His journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to change your path and truly be yourself.We dig into why alcohol so often leads to cocaine, the psychology behind the infamous “F IT” button that flips once the first drink goes in, and whether counting sober days is actually helpful. Jack opens up about why drinking and drugging is ultimately selfish and how it impacts everyone around you, as well as why being “in debt to life” — recognising what life has given you — and practising self‑compassion are crucial in recovery.We also talk about why moderation is impossible for many of us, and why taking full responsibility for your addiction is the true path to freedom. Jack’s story takes you from chaotic weekends to clarity, with practical insights on building a life you don’t want to escape from.Jack has built multiple businesses from scratch, including Grow Sober — a coaching programme helping creatives and entrepreneurs take control of their lives. Today, he works with ambitious people all over the world, helping them ditch bad habits, build serious discipline and turn their creative energy into real success.Huge thanks to Jack for sharing so openly — this is one you won’t want to miss!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.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/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Intro 3:45 Jack's rock bottom 9:05 What did this moment teach Jack?11:10 The "F IT" button 12:10 Stopping drinking isn't about stopping drinking!16:10 Should you count sober and clean days? 18:10 Alcohol always leads to cocaine 21:10 Dumping booze to dump cocaine?26:05 Go to the pub in early recovery?29:05 0% beer useful?33:30 Sponsor34:30 Why drinking is selfish!38:35 Compassion for your own recovery?40:25 You need to be 'in debt' to life? 42:55 Are you responsible for your addiction?44:10 MODERATION IS IMPOSSIBLE!50:35 How I lost 10 stone!53:15 What do you want written on your gravestone?Follow JackInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jackcotterillFollow 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/yvhp2bd6Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery #CocaineRecovery #AlcoholRecovery