In Part 1 of Cecil's story of addiction recovery and neurodivergence/ADHD, he talks about how childhood trauma, poverty, and emotional suppression lead to his addiction to alcohol. ACEs, or adverse childhood experiences, have been shown to have a dramatic affect on a person's chance of developing addiction. Cecil reflects on his upbringing in a trailer in podunk Arkansas with an abusive father who drank to excess. He quickly learned that showing emotions was unwelcome, and learned how to stuff them down. As a teenager he found that drinking with his cousins led to the human relationships he had longed for as a kid. He signed up for the military at age 17 as a way to escape. Tune in next week for Part Two!

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Logo: Stevie Petet

Theme Music: Logan Bragg

Dry January can be more than a break from alcohol. It can be the beginning of the path to long-term secular addiction recovery, especially when our focus is on healing ourselves with science and community instead of shame and dogma.

In this episode, Early shares their highlight reel of secular addiction recovery books and podcasts for sober curious folks exploring sobriety outside of the traditional 12-step or religious frameworks. These authors and podcasters explore recovery through the lenses of neuroscience, intersectional feminism, indigenous wisdom, and harm reduction. Addiction doesn't exist in a vaccuum; it's shaped by intergenerational trauma, capitalism, colonialism, gender race, and access to care.

Whether you're doing Dry January, are sober curious, practicing harm reduction, or seeking sustainable recovery without religion, we got you! It is time to bathe our brains in a soup of new information.

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Want to be a guest on this podcast? Send us an email! info@recoverydemystified.com

Logo - Stevie Petet

Theme music - Logan Bragg

Connect with us on Instagram and Substack @recoverydemystified

JT returns for a follow-up conversation on ADHD and addiction recovery, exploring how ADHD affects cravings, emotional regulation, school, and daily routines. We discuss building structure, finding purpose in recovery, and navigating grief and emotional overwhelm. This episode also touches on social media's impact on mental health, and some very nosey questions from Early about dating in recovery and the asexual/aromantic spectrum. Tune in if you've been struggling with executive dysfunction with ADHD/neurodivergence, want tools for emotional regulation, or are learning how to manage cravings in recovery.

Want to donate to our nonprofit? Click here!

Sign up for our Patreon and get fun gifts! Click here to join the Patreon!

Connect with us on Substack/Instagram @recoverydemystified

Want to be interviewed on this podcast? Send us an email! info@recoverydemystified.com

Logo: Stevie Petet

Theme music: Logan Bragg