JOIN THE UNSPOKEN: https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking

What’s the first thing you remember doing wrong to someone? Did it hurt them? And if it did, would you call that person now, 10, 20 or even 30 years later, to apologise?

That’s exactly what Liam has had to do in his recovery.

Liam, an executive chef, always told himself: I’ve got kids. I’ve got a family. I’m an award-winning chef. My career is thriving. I can’t be an addict.
But decades of drug and alcohol abuse proved otherwise.

His final wake up call came when his son found him in a k-hole, bleeding out on a concrete floor.

Now, Liam sits before me, willing to improve for his kids but more importantly for himself. And then comes the one question that stops him in his tracks and leaves him speechless.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses substance abuse, suicide, domestic violence and graphic scenes of an overdose.
Ready to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

⁠⁠⁠https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline⁠⁠⁠

Creator & Host- ⁠⁠⁠Julia Rangiheuea⁠⁠⁠

Image & Logo- ⁠⁠⁠Jasmine Rule⁠⁠⁠

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

For as long as she can remember, Justine Santowiak's OCD was the driving force behind her behaviour. But it wasn’t until she was 45 that she finally got a diagnosis.

One day, scrolling through social media, she came across a clip of someone describing their own OCD and emetophobia, and for the first time in her life, she felt seen. After 45 years, she realised she wasn’t alone.

For decades, alcohol had been her way of coping. At first it felt like self-medicating, but soon it spiralled into something darker. Friends and family lost trust, to the point where they didn’t feel safe leaving her alone with her own children.

At rock bottom, Justine made a promise to God. And through physical exercise and her commitment to sobriety, she has kept that promise. Today, she not only lives in recovery, but helps others find the same strength she once thought was impossible.

FOLLOW JUSTINE ON INSTAGRAM

Trigger warning: This episode discusses substance abuse, OCD and self-harm.

Ready to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

⁠⁠⁠https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline⁠⁠⁠

Creator & Host- ⁠⁠⁠Julia Rangiheuea⁠⁠⁠

Image & Logo- ⁠⁠⁠Jasmine Rule⁠⁠⁠

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

JOIN THE UNSPOKEN: https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking

If you’re drawn to the mystical, curious about manifestation, or just open to the idea of magic, this episode is for you. Sunshine, the pink-haired witch, is a psychic medium, Soul Healer, Reiki Master, and High Priestess. A recovering alcoholic, she guides witches in recovery to reclaim their magic and step fully into their highest purpose.

We explore the spiritual side of addiction, how dark entities are formed, how they attach to us, and what it’s like to live with them. Sunshine shares from experience, and it wasn’t until her partner gave her an ultimatum to attend 90 meetings in 90 days that she hit her own version of rock bottom.

Leave judgment at the door, open your heart and mind, and let a little magic weave its way into your world.
Trigger warnings: Suicide and substance abuse.

Ready to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

⁠⁠⁠https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline⁠⁠⁠

Creator & Host- ⁠⁠⁠Julia Rangiheuea⁠⁠⁠

Image & Logo- ⁠⁠⁠Jasmine Rule⁠⁠⁠

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.