Afleveringen
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Holly was just 26 years old when doctors told her she had six months to live. By then, she was drinking up to three bottles of gin a day after becoming dependent on alcohol at just 22 years old.
In this episode of The Sober Seat, Holly shares her raw and honest story of alcohol addiction, alcoholism, getting sober, and what it really takes to rebuild your life after addiction.
What started as drinking in her early twenties quickly spiralled into 24/7 alcohol dependence, leaving Holly physically addicted to alcohol and fighting to survive daily alcohol withdrawal.
She opens up about the devastating reality of severe alcoholism, being told she had just six months to live, and the long road of overcoming addiction and choosing sobriety.
This episode explores what it means to live a sober lifestyle, the challenges of getting sober, navigating early sobriety, and why recovery is about so much more than simply quitting alcohol. Holly shares the highs, the lows, and what a day in the life of sobriety really looks like after surviving alcohol addiction.
This is a conversation about addiction recovery, sobriety, healing, resilience, and hope. Holly's story proves addiction doesn't always look like we expect it to.
Topics covered: alcohol addiction, alcoholism, alcoholic recovery, how to get sober, getting sober, sober lifestyle, sobriety journey, sobriety day in the life, day in the life sober, overcoming addiction, addiction recovery, alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal, sober curious, mental health, women and alcohol, high-functioning alcoholic, recovery community, sober motivation, alcohol recovery, life after addiction, and healing from alcoholism.
If you've ever searched "how to get sober," wondered what life is like after alcohol addiction, or you're trying to build a healthier relationship with alcohol, this episode is for you.
Whether you're an alcoholic in recovery, sober curious, celebrating your first sober day, or years into your sobriety journey, Holly's story offers honesty, hope, and reassurance that you're not alone.
If you're looking for conversations about sobriety, sober living, sober lifestyle, overcoming addiction, and real recovery stories, you've found your seat.
So, get comfy. Pull up a chair. Come sit with us.
This is The Sober Seat. 🎧✨
New episodes every Wednesday at 8PM.
Make sure you follow The Sober Seat and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.
Find us on socials:
Host: @aish_thesoberseat
Guest: @hol_dysonAlcohol Change UK - End The Delivery Trap : https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/end-the-delivery-trap
Full Telegraph Article - I was ordering Vodka at 7am, Alcohol Delivery Services were Fueling My Alcoholism - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/12/delivery-apps-made-me-alcoholic/
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What started as social drinking gradually became morning drinking, alcohol withdrawal, and a life Amanda no longer recognised. Like so many people, she mistook the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal for anxiety, never realising how deeply addiction had taken hold.
Because addiction doesn't always look like addiction.
It can hide behind successful careers, loving families, busy routines, or be dismissed as stress, anxiety, or "just enjoying a drink."
In this episode of The Sober Seat, Amanda shares what it's really like to live with alcohol addiction. She opens up about how alcoholism cost her everything: her home, her job, her confidence, and ultimately herself. As her world became smaller, instant alcohol delivery services made it easier than ever for addiction to thrive behind closed doors, fuelling the isolation that kept her trapped.
After multiple attempts to stop drinking, Amanda reached a point where she knew she couldn't do it alone. In 2024, Change Grow Live (CGL) offered her a lifeline. Through a medically assisted alcohol detox and ongoing support, Amanda began rebuilding a life she never thought was possible.
Today, Amanda leads SMART Recovery meetings at CGL, helping others take the first steps she once thought she'd never be able to make. Alcohol took everything from her, but sobriety has given her more than she ever imagined.
This is an honest conversation about alcohol addiction, alcohol dependency, withdrawal, mental health, anxiety, recovery, grief, and rebuilding life after addiction. Amanda also shares why she believes urgent action is needed to tackle alcohol harm and the ease of instant alcohol delivery.
Topics covered: alcohol addiction, alcohol dependency, alcohol withdrawal, alcoholism, recovery, sobriety, mental health, grief, addiction awareness, public health, Change Grow Live (CGL), SMART Recovery, alcohol delivery services, campaigning, Alcohol Change UK, End the Delivery Trap, UK alcohol policy, and alcohol harm.
If you've ever wondered why someone can't "just stop drinking", or you've watched someone you love become trapped by alcohol addiction, this episode is for you.
Whether you're sober, sober curious, supporting someone in recovery, or simply want to better understand alcohol dependence, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and proof that recovery is possible.
So get comfy. Pull up a chair.
Come sit with us.
This is The Sober Seat. 🎧✨
Where to find us
TikTok: @aish_thesoberseat
Instagram: @aish_thesoberseatGuest: @beyond__sober
Campaign: End the Delivery Trap (Alcohol Change UK)
https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/end-the-delivery-trapSupport: Change Grow Live (CGL)
https://www.changegrowlive.org/about-us -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this episode of The Sober Seat, Alice returns, to discuss Life After Addiction, Quitting Alcohol and 1 Year on Into Sobriety.
We talk about what really happens after reaching the milestone so many people in recovery work towards.
Because one year sober doesn’t mean life suddenly becomes easy.
Alice opens up about the reality of year two recovery — where the external chaos may have settled, but the internal work around shame, identity, and emotional healing becomes even more present.
We talk about shame in addiction and recovery, including the belief of not being “bad enough” to be an alcoholic, and how that narrative can delay seeking help and deepen isolation.
The conversation also explores sobriety in real life situations, particularly navigating sober weddings, hen dos, summer drinking culture, and the pressure to fit into social environments where alcohol is still central.
We also explore expectations vs resentment in sobriety, and how recovery can sometimes feel very different from what you imagined in early sobriety.
There is an honest and important reflection on shame connected to sexual assault, and how trauma can resurface in sobriety when alcohol is no longer being used to numb emotional pain.
This is a conversation about sobriety, alcohol addiction recovery, emotional healing, trauma, and what it really means to rebuild your life after alcohol.
Topics covered: one year sober, sobriety, alcohol addiction, addiction recovery, sober curious, quitting alcohol, shame in addiction, functional alcoholic, high functioning alcoholism, sober weddings, sober hen do, sober social life, drinking culture, expectations vs reality, resentment in recovery, trauma and sobriety, sexual assault and recovery, mental health, early sobriety, year two sobriety, life after alcohol.
If you’ve ever reached sobriety and realised the work isn’t finished, or struggled with shame, comparison, or emotional overwhelm in recovery, this episode is for you.
Because year one is survival.
But year two is where you start learning how to live.
So, get comfy. Pull up a chair. Come sit with us.
This is The Sober Seat.
New episodes every Wednesday at 8PM.
Make sure you follow The Sober Seat and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.
Find us on socials:
@aish_thesoberseat
@thesoberseatpod@findingwonderland33
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Alex’s sister died after spending around £1,500 a month on alcohol deliveries. Now, she’s campaigning for change.
In this episode of the Sober Seat, Alex shares the heartbreaking story of losing her sister to alcohol addiction and how easy access to home alcohol delivery became part of that devastating reality
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What might sound like an isolated tragedy is anything but. Across the UK, thousands of families are affected by alcohol harm, and the rapid growth of on demand delivery has raised difficult questions about consumer safety and accountability.
Alex also discusses her work with Alcohol Change UK and the organisation’s End the Delivery Trap campaign, which calls for stronger protections to reduce alcohol related harm and encourage more responsible delivery practices.
This is a conversation about addiction, grief, public health, family, recovery, and advocacy, but also about turning personal loss into meaningful action. Alex’s story highlights a wider issue affecting communities across the country and why she believes change is urgently needed.
Topics covered: alcohol addiction, alcohol delivery, alcoholism, grief, family loss, sobriety, recovery, addiction awareness, public health, campaigning, Alcohol Change UK, End the Delivery Trap, UK alcohol policy, and alcohol harm.
If you've ever wondered why some people can't "just stop drinking", or you've watched someone you love become trapped by alcohol addiction, this episode is for you.
Alex's story is heartbreaking, but it isn't rare. It shines a light on a growing issue affecting families across the UK and asks difficult questions about the role of instant alcohol delivery, public health, and the systems surrounding addiction.
Whether you're sober, sober curious, supporting someone in recovery, or simply want to better understand the realities of alcohol harm, this conversation offers compassion, insight, and a powerful call for change.
So, get comfy. Pull up a chair. Come sit with us.
This is The Sober Seat. 🎧✨
New episodes every Wednesday at 8PM.
Make sure you follow The Sober Seat and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.
Find us on socials:
@aish_thesoberseat
@thesoberseatpodEND THE DELIVERY TRAP campaign -
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In Part Two of this episode, Bernadette opens up about the blurred line between fiction and lived experience. What once became material for storytelling was, at one point, the reality she was surviving inside.
Behind the parties, relationships and chaos was something far darker: emotional dependency, addiction, dissociation and a growing loss of self.
What looked exciting from the outside slowly became survival disguised as freedom.
This episode explores:
• Alcohol and drug use as coping mechanisms
• Codependency and toxic relationship dynamics
• Dissociation and emotional numbness
• The psychological link between trauma and addiction
• Losing identity through survival mode
• Rock bottom, treatment and the moment everything stopped feeling sustainable
• Turning lived experience into storytelling, honesty and recoveryBernadette reflects on the environments she normalised, the patterns she mistook for connection, and the difficult process of separating survival from identity.
Because sometimes the hardest part isn’t hitting rock bottom.
It’s realising how long you called it home.
This conversation sheds light on the quieter, often invisible side of addiction, the part that starts long before anyone notices there’s a problem.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, stuck in cycle of Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, Or Toxic Codependent relationships you can’t explain. Like you’ve been surviving more than living, desperate to get Sober. this episode is for you.
So, get comfy. Pull up a chair. Come sit with us.
This is The Sober Seat 🎧✨New episodes every Wednesday at 8PM.
Make sure you follow The Sober Seat and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.
Where to find us on Socials
@aish_thesoberseat
@thesoberseatpod@bernadettefrancis_
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This week on The Sober Seat Pod, in Part One of a Two Part Episode. Bernadette Francis shares the reality behind alcohol, drugs, and toxic relationships, and how years spent in survival mode slowly blurred into addiction, dissociation, and emotional shutdown.
What looked like a fast-paced, party-filled lifestyle on the outside was actually a cycle of coping, numbing, and trying to survive internal chaos.
She opens up about how dissociation became a normal state of being, how substance use fitted into that pattern, and how toxic relationships reinforced it all.
This episode explores how addiction is often not the starting point, but a response to emotional overwhelm, trauma patterns, and survival mechanisms that go unrecognised for years.
We also follow the turning point, the slow awareness that something had to change, and how that same lived experience eventually became the foundation for finding voice, identity, and becoming an author.
In this episode, we cover:
• Dissociation and emotional numbness as survival responses
• Alcohol and drug use as coping mechanisms
• Toxic relationship patterns and emotional dependency
• Living in survival mode and losing sense of identity
• The hidden link between trauma and addiction
• The shift from self-destruction to self-awareness
• How lived experience can be transformed into purpose and storytellingThis conversation sheds light on the quieter, often invisible side of addiction, the part that starts long before anyone notices there’s a problem.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, stuck in cycles you can’t explain, or like you’ve been surviving more than living, this episode is for you.
So, get comfy. Pull up a chair. Come sit with us.
This is The Sober Seat 🎧✨New episodes every Wednesday at 8PM.
Make sure you follow The Sober Seat and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.
Where to find us on Socials
@aish_thesoberseat
@thesoberseatpod@bernadettefrancis_
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This week on The Sober Seat Podcast, Jasmine shares the truth behind her experience with Feel Free Tonic — the viral “wellness” drink containing kratom that she says quickly turned from a sobriety aid into a hidden addiction.
What started as a small blue bottle sold in gas stations and wellness stores became something she relied on every single day. From withdrawals and secrecy to isolation and dependency, Jasmine opens up about how quickly something marketed as “natural” began taking over her life.
In this episode, we unpack the growing controversy surrounding Feel Free, the wider conversations around kratom addiction, and why more people online are speaking out about their experiences.
This conversation explores the reality of addiction that doesn’t always look dangerous from the outside, the stigma surrounding “legal” substances, and how easily wellness culture can blur the lines between healing and dependency.
We talk about:
• Feel Free Tonic and kratom explained
• Hidden addiction and dependency
• Withdrawal, secrecy, and isolation
• Sobriety and substance replacement
• Wellness culture and addiction concerns
• Recovery, honesty, and finding hope againIf you’ve seen the little blue bottles online or in your local convenience store, this is a conversation you need to hear.
So, pull up a chair & come sit with us. 🪑✨
This is The Sober Seat.
New episodes every Wednesday at 7PM 🎙️ -
This week on The Sober Seat Pod, Alice shares the reality behind the party lifestyle, the stripping industry, and the dangerous cycle of cocaine and alcohol addiction that slowly led her into self-destruction.
What looked glamorous from the outside was masking chaos behind closed doors. From normalising heavy partying and substance use within nightlife culture to losing herself completely in addiction, Alice opens up about the emotional toll, the isolation, and the moment she realised something had to change.
This episode is an honest conversation about addiction, survival, shame, recovery, and rebuilding your identity after rock bottom.
In this episode, we cover:
• The reality behind the glamour of the stripping industry
• How partying culture normalised cocaine and alcohol misuse
• Addiction, escapism, and emotional numbness
• The impact addiction had on mental health and self-worth
• Shame, secrecy, and living a double life
• Hitting rock bottom and choosing sobriety
• Healing, recovery, and rebuilding life after addictionThis conversation shines a light on the parts of addiction people rarely talk about openly, especially within industries where substance use becomes part of the culture.
If you’re struggling with cocaine addiction, alcohol dependency, party lifestyle burnout, or navigating your own recovery journey, this episode is for you.
So, get comfy. Pull up a Chair. Come Sit with us.
This is The Sober Seat 🎧✨New episodes every Wednesday at 7PM
Make sure you drop The Sober Seat a follow and turn your notifications on so you never miss an episode.
Where to find us on Socials
⬇️⬇️⬇️
@aish_thesoberseat
@thesoberseatpod
@findingwonderland3
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Abby’s story is raw, honest, and impossible to ignore.
In this episode of The Sober Seat Podcast she opens up about the lasting impact of parental abandonment, how it shaped her relationship with addiction, and the weight of shame and stigma she carried for years.
From navigating motherhood while struggling, to confronting the dark realities of substance dependence, once a drug that provided confidence and "safety"
Abby shares what it really looks like behind closed doors.
This conversation explores the link between trauma and addiction, the toll it takes on mental health and family life, and what it takes to finally break the cycle.
We talk about:
• Childhood trauma and its role in addiction
• Shame, stigma, and silent struggles
• Motherhood and addiction
• The reality of substance dependence
• Mental health and recovery
• Finding hope through sobrietyIf you’ve ever felt stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand… this one will hit home.
There is a way out. And this is what it can look like.
So, pull up a chair & come sit with us.
This is the The Sober Seat
New episodes every Wednesday at 7PM -
This week on The Sober Seat Podcast, Beyond The Bet (Shell) shares the heartbreaking truth about gambling addiction — the silent addiction that took her dad’s life.
Often hidden behind closed doors, problem gambling and compulsive gambling can go unnoticed for years. There are no obvious physical signs, yet the impact on mental health, finances, relationships, and families can be devastating.
Through this deeply personal story, we explore the reality of gambling harm — not just for the individual, but for the affected others left navigating guilt, grief, and loss.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why gambling addiction is known as the silent addiction
• The link between gambling, mental health, and suicide
• The impact of problem gambling on families and loved ones
• Emotional struggles: guilt, shame, isolation
• Grief after addiction-related loss
• Recovery, healing, and finding support
This conversation gives a voice to the affected others — the partners, children, and families living with the consequences of addiction every day.
If you’re struggling with gambling addiction, supporting someone with problem gambling, or navigating grief and recovery, this episode is for you.
So, get comfy. Pull up a Chair. Come Sit with us.
This is The Sober Seat
New episodes every Wednesday at 7PMMake sure you drop The Sober Seat a follow and turn your Notifications on so you never miss an Episode 🌱🎧🩷
Where to find us on Socials
⬇️⬇️⬇️
@aish_thesoberseat
@thesoberseatpod
@beyond_the_bet
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n this episode of The Sober Seat Podcast, Tamsin (The Sober Journo) shares the truth behind high-functioning alcoholism — and what it’s really like living with a hidden alcohol addiction while building a successful career.
On the outside, she was a thriving journalist. Showing up. Delivering. Holding it all together.
But behind closed doors, she was battling alcohol dependence, stuck in the exhausting cycle of functioning alcoholism, denial, and quiet isolation.
This episode explores the blurred lines between “normal drinking” and alcohol abuse — the justifications, the secrecy, and the toll it takes on mental health.
We talk openly about:
• High-functioning alcoholism and hidden addiction
• The cycle of alcohol dependence and denial
• Binge drinking and questioning your relationship with alcohol
• Shame, isolation, and internal struggles
• The pressure to appear “fine” while struggling
• Early sobriety and the reality of stopping drinking
• Taking the first steps toward alcohol recovery
If you’ve ever wondered…
“Can I still have a problem if my life looks fine?”
This conversation will hit home.
This is for anyone navigating alcohol addiction, functioning alcoholism, or starting their sobriety journey — especially if you feel like you don’t fit the stereotype.
So get comfy, pull up a chair and come sit with us
This is the Sober Seat
New episodes every Wednesday at 7PM -
In this episode, we explore Stevie Marie’s story
After a life-saving operation, Stevie Marie was prescribed medication to help manage pain and support her recovery. From an Operation to remove Cervical Cancer, a Diagnosis she'd received 3 times by the time she was 25.
At first, it seemed like the treatment she needed to heal. What was Medically Prescribed to reduce pain and support with recovery. Like for so many others, eventually became an Addiction.
We dive into how prescription medications can sometimes lead to unexpected addiction, why it happens, and how difficult it can be to recognise the problem when the drug comes from a doctor.
Stevie Marie’s experience is a powerful reminder that even medications meant to heal can carry hidden risks—and that recovery is possible, even after losing years to addiction.
Stevie Marie, who is now Sober and in Recovery from Codeine Addiction bravely shares her story over on Social Media to raise awareness and support others. You can follow her Journey - @Stevie_Marie12
If you're sober, sober curious, or in your 30s and wondering why life still feels confusing and messy sometimes, this Episode is for you.
So get Comfy, Pull up a Chair, this is The Sober Seat.🩷💚
New episodes every Wednesday at 7pm.
Drop "The Sober Seat Pod" over on TikTok to keep up to date with the latest Episodes and forward this to a friend who might be struggling.
We Do Recover! A Full List of Free Helpline Support will be posted after each Episode.
@Thesoberseatpod
@kindathrivinaish
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In Part Two of My Story: How I Got Sober
In this episode, I talk about the relapse that finally led me to get sober for good.
After I found myself back in the same cycle — waking up in withdrawal and reaching for vodka at 7am just to feel normal again. What started as a way to cope went straight back to Vodka at 7am, and the reality of addiction was impossible to ignore.
I share honestly about what relapse looked like for me, the fear and exhaustion of living through alcohol withdrawal, and the moment I realised something had to change.
Addiction had taken a serious toll on both my mental and physical health, and I knew I couldn’t keep living that way.
This episode is about the brutal reality of relapse, the shame that often comes with it, and why relapse doesn’t mean recovery is over.
I talk about what finally pushed me to ask for help and commit to sobriety for good.
If you're sober, sober curious, or in your 30s and wondering why life still feels confusing and messy sometimes, this Episode is for you.
So get Comfy, Pull up a Chair, this is The Sober Seat.🩷💚
New episodes every Wednesday at 7pm.
Drop "The Sober Seat Pod" over on TikTok to keep up to date with the latest Episodes and forward this to a friend who might be struggling.
We Do Recover! A Full List of Free Helpline Support will be posted after each Episode.
@Thesoberseatpod
@kindathrivinaish
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I’m sharing the honest story of how drinking to quiet my mind turned into full-blown alcohol addiction by 27 — and the moment I finally asked for help and got sober.
In this episode, I share the honest story of my struggle with alcohol addiction.
What started as a way to quiet my racing thoughts and cope with undiagnosed ADHD slowly turned into something far more serious. By 27, I had become physically dependent on alcohol and was drinking around the clock as my life spiralled out of control.
I talk openly about alcohol-induced psychosis, the guilt and shame that come with addiction, and how easy access to alcohol delivery made it harder to stop. What once felt like comfort and relief quickly began to damage both my mental and physical health.
This episode explores the reality of living with alcoholism, the loneliness and misunderstanding that often come with it, and the moment I finally asked for help and began my journey to sobriety.
If you're sober, sober curious, or in your 30s and wondering why life still feels confusing and messy sometimes, this conversation is for you.
So get Comfy, Pull up a Chair and Come and Sit with Us - This is The Sober Seat:🩷💚🎙️
New episodes every Wednesday at 7pm.
✨ Listen now to hear the reality of addiction and recovery — raw, honest, and unfiltered and Follow The Sober Seat on TikTok for updates
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