School of Rock Bottom

• Thought #11: How I Quit Crystal Meth! School of Rock Bottom: Robert Hands

  In the next "thought", actor Robert Hands shares his journey of quitting crystal meth. There was no sudden epiphany, no grand moment of realisation—just a simple conversation that shifted everything. Through the haze of addiction, he heard someone say, "I'm stopping," and, somehow, that gave them permission to try too. But this wasn’t a story of instant success. The cravings remained, the struggle felt endless, and hope was nowhere to be found.The early days of sobriety were brutal. Sleep was almost impossible, and the urge to use never truly disappeared but one simple strategy that kept him going: just make it to bedtime without using. It wasn’t about long-term recovery or a bigger goal—just surviving the next few hours. Each clean day became a small victory. Fourteen days turned into fifteen, then sixteen. Without even realising it, he had moved beyond his usual relapse point and entered unfamiliar territory.If you are struggling with addiction or feeling completely hopeless, this short clip is for you. My guest has a message for anyone in that place of darkness: just focus on getting through today. Get to bed tonight without using. Hope will come, even if you don’t believe it yet. Recovery isn’t always about feeling strong or inspired—it’s about taking it one day at a time.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. 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://tinyurl.com/bdxje3eeFollow Robert Instagram - https://instagram.com/rob.handsTwitter - https://twitter.com/RobertHands7Follow 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 or listen to the FULL episode here: (School of Rock Bottom Ep 14)YouTube - https://youtu.be/2qlhqijv3hISpotify - https://bit.ly/46Om6flApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney#CrystalMethRecovery

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• "I'm a Gen Z Alcoholic!" School of Rock Bottom 54: Mary-Kate Harrington

  Today, I’m joined by Mary Kate, an acclaimed writer whose brutally honest account of addiction went viral, reaching over 4 million people with the title 'I'm a Gen Z Alcoholic' (link below).She opens up about what it truly takes to break free from alcohol—when you can’t live with it, but you can’t live without it.In this episode, you’ll learn why alcoholism is progressive, why blackouts happen and how to stop them, as well as the moment drinking crosses the invisible line into something far more dangerous. MK explains why 0% booze has no place in her recovery and how she let go of the idea that normal drinkers have something to be jealous of. She also talks about why she proudly calls herself an alcoholic, using the word as a tool for empowerment rather than shame.Getting sober in your twenties comes with its own challenges, from navigating dating to tackling ADHD in recovery, and Mary Kate lays out exactly what that journey looked like for her. She shares what worked, what didn’t, and the solution that finally set her free. If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, this episode will give you clarity, hope, and a roadmap to freedom.Thank 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 Intro4:15 MK's rock bottom 7:30 Can't live with alcohol and can't live without it? 10:25 Alcoholism is progressive? 12:15 Blackouts 14:30 Is the word alcoholic dirty? 26:35 Why 0% booze has no place in MK's recovery 28:45 What is the invisible line?30:30 Hospitalisation from alcohol 32:15 Why there is no need to be jealous of 'normal' drinkers'35:45 Getting sober IN YOUR 20'S!?39:15 Putting in boundaries 41:15 First year sober vibes 45:45 MK's solution to her alcoholism 47:15 What is a pink cloud?50:40 ADHD and addiction Follow MK Instagram - www.instagram.com/marykatejoanharingtonTwitter - Mary-KateMKJHTimes article - https://tinyurl.com/5n98y4f3Follow 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/454m93u3Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/mw5btxfcApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AlcoholRecovery#GenZSobriety#SoberCurious

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• Thought #10: Is Food Addiction Real? School of Rock Bottom: Jenny McDonald

  Is Food Addiction Real? Is food addiction just a lack of willpower, or is it as real as drug and alcohol dependency? Shocking studies reveal that rats overcame cocaine addiction faster than their junk food cravings. In this next quick 'thought', we uncover the science behind ultra-processed foods, how they hijack your brain's dopamine system, and why secret eating and using food to self soothe mirrors substance abuse. If you've ever struggled with emotional eating, binge eating, or feeling out of control around food, this might explain why—and what you can do about it.Today I'm joined by the incredible Jenny McDonald who empowers serial dieters and emotional eaters to break free from the dieting cycle and find peace with food and most importantly with themselves.Jenny is a certified and accredited Health and Life Coach trained in CBT and energy healing modalities, The Helix Method® and Theta Healing®. 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. 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://tinyurl.com/bdxje3eeFollow 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 or listen to the FULL episode here: (School of Rock Bottom Ep 11):YouTube - https://bit.ly/3XhoiI4Spotify - https://bit.ly/3PnuyfEApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#FoodAddiction #EmotionalEating #AddictionRecovery

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• Alcohol & Nicotine Explained: William Porter. School of Rock Bottom 53

  Is alcohol really relaxing you—or trapping you?Today, I sit down with William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained, ex-paratrooper, and solicitor, to uncover the truth about addiction. William has completely redefined how we understand alcohol, smoking, and vaping—stripping away the myths that keep us hooked.In this episode, William shares his rock bottom moment, the shocking science behind alcohol dependency, and why we’ve been misled about booze for years. We break down:The hidden role of stress hormones—and why alcohol creates anxiety, not relieves it.The dangerous cycle of "hair of the dog"—and why "just one more" keeps you trapped. Nicotine and vaping—why quitting is so hard, and how to finally break freeSynthetic alcohol, legalisation, and addiction psychology—are we replacing one problem with another?How to quit smoking if you still drink—and why it’s harder than you think.This isn’t just about stopping drinking or smoking—it’s about reclaiming control over your life. Whether you’re struggling with addiction or just questioning your relationship with alcohol, this episode could change everything.Thank 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 Intro3:40 William's rock bottom 6:10 Binge drinking 7:40 Why hair of the dog is so dangerous 10:55 Alcohol causes stress and tolerance? 12:25 Any positives to alcohol?14:25 1 in 8 Americans addicted to alcohol?16:50 0% booze?!18:40 What about alco-synth & socialising?25:25 Overcoming social anxiety without booze 28:10 CBD drinks?29:30 Therapy for alcohol addiction?34:10 Why nicotine/smoking/vaping is addictive 40:40 Is cigarettes or vaping better for you?45:40 What is the best way to quit smoking 48:10 How do you stop smoking when you like to drink?!53:40 Why every cigarette is a hair of the dog!55:10 The phenomenan of craving 58:10 Should all drugs be legal?Follow William https://www.alcoholexplained.comFollow 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/yxkh2enySpotify - https://tinyurl.com/bdfj6568Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ#AlcoholExplained #QuitSmoking#AddictionRecovery

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• Thought #9: Is There Joy In Addiction? School of Rock Bottom: Basti Wocker

  Is there joy in addiction? In this next quick thought, Sebastian Walker (author of the best selling book The Joy of Addiction) shares how realising he was an addict became the best thing that ever happened to him. He breaks down the difference between being a suffering addict and a recovering one, how surrendering can lead to freedom, and why clarity in sobriety changes everything. If you're struggling or know someone who is, this conversation offers powerful insights into recovery, mindset shifts, and how support networks like 12-step fellowships can make all the difference. 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. 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://tinyurl.com/bdxje3eeBuy 'The Joy Of Addiction'https://amzn.to/3N2fXTYFollow Sebastian Instagram - https://bit.ly/3Pdwl6VTwitter - https://bit.ly/46baXVUFacebook - https://bit.ly/3NoLpgxFollow 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 or listen to the FULL episode here: (School of Rock Bottom Ep10)YouTube - https://bit.ly/43uN4pJSpotify - https://bit.ly/3oGa86AApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery#SoberLife#MentalHealthAwarenes

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