School of Rock Bottom

• "I couldn't get sober for my kids!" Addiction & Motherhood. School of Rock Bottom 72: Kaitlin

  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

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• Why Going Sober Changed Everything! Thought #28: Issy Hawkins

  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

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• "My Binge Drinking Spiralled During Lockdown!" School of Rock Bottom 71: Henry Beercock

  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

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• Will I Recover From OCD? School of Rock Bottom Thought #27: Oliver Newton

  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

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• Can You Have a Rock Bottom in Recovery? Addiction & ADHD. School of Rock Bottom 70: Issy Hawkins

  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

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