Overcoming addiction and breaking free from unhealthy relationships

Andrea B.

When I was in my mid-20s, I found myself in a relationship where my partner hid their marijuana use from me. At first, I didn’t know how to react, but eventually, I was convinced to try it. What started as casual use quickly became an everyday habit before work, during breaks, and after. It was a cycle I didn’t know how to break. I realized how much it was controlling my life, making me feel disconnected and anxious, while keeping me from engaging with my friends and family in a meaningful way. I knew something had to change. So, in 2023, I ended the relationship and decided to stop using marijuana. At first, it was hard, but within a month, I felt a major shift. I became more productive, less anxious, and found myself truly present again. I’ve also had my share of struggles with toxic relationships verbal and physical abuse, unhealthy patterns that broke my self-worth. Therapy helped me regain my confidence, and it was through these painful experiences that I learned the importance of setting boundaries and finding support.

Exploring holistic wellness as a recovery path from the cycle of anxiety and addiction

Angelo F.

For many years, I turned to alcohol and marijuana to cope with my anxiety. At first, they seemed like a quick fix, but over time, I realized they were only masking the issue, not solving it. I reached a point where I knew I had to find a better way to manage my anxiety without relying on substances that only made things worse. My struggles with anxiety and addiction began early. My parents’ divorce when I was 8 left me feeling isolated and insecure. As a teenager, I turned to substances to numb the anxiety that overwhelmed me. By the time I was 21, alcohol became my crutch. I drank to cope with anxiety, but it only made things worse, leading to lost jobs and damaged relationships. Eventually, I realized I couldn’t keep living this way. I began exploring more holistic ways to manage my anxiety, focusing on rebuilding my self-esteem. The tools that helped me most were rooted in self-love, forgiveness, and mindfulness. Practices like therapeutic art, qigong, and nutrition helped me connect with my body and calm my mind. Today, I’ve rebuilt my life with peace, joy, and self-compassion. I’m committed to helping others do the same, knowing firsthand that healing is possible. With the right tools and support, you can break free from old patterns and create a fulfilling, anxiety-free life.

Let's discuss healthy ways of overcoming depression, bipolar 2 disorder, dual diagnoses in sobriety.

Brad F.

I'm Brad F, a peer support advocate with over 38 years of lived experience navigating a dual diagnosis bipolar 2 rapid cycling, depressive disorder. As a kid I didn't realize this but I had always been self medicating the bipolar 2 disorder with whatever I could get my hands on. A new toy, distraction, alcohol, drugs, Sudafed, NyQuil. My objective: stop the emotional pain. Drinking began at age 10 and it worked! I immediately felt better. Two DUIs before age 21, inpatient hospitalizations, the judge sent me to AA. 2 years sitting there, something stuck. I've been sober 35 years to date. 7/7/1990 sober bday. In sobriety I have experienced a tremendous amount of pain. I've found dual diagnosis requires additional tools beyond the AA 12 steps. What I've learned through experience: When pain exceeds one's tools for coping, suicidal ideation may arise. Healing does become possible by reducing pain or building coping resources. If this resonates and you'd like to talk, please reach out.

Bipolar disorder let's talk it through

Brandi S.

You are not alone, and together we can find ways to live a full and meaningful life with bipolar disorder. I understand the highs and lows, the confusion and clarity that come with this journey. I'm here to offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you can share your experiences, ask questions, and look into ways to manage your symptoms. We can talk about what it was like to be diagnosed, how to build a routine that supports your well-being, how important it is to take care of yourself, and how to find hope at every step of your recovery.

Managing a "co-occuring" diagnosis of depression and substance abuse

Brian G.

Life and work stresses pushed my lifelong depression and anxiety deeper. I started to self-medicate with alcohol and cannabis and, without knowing it, became dependent on them to escape the mental health symptoms and other stresses. What started as a weekend recreation slowly became a daily use that started to worsen my mental health. The heavier usage began to impact the relationship with my family as I became disconnected and absent. I started to realize that a problem was developing when I tried the apply the brakes on my usage and found myself powerless to do so. My family was unaware and I felt too ashamed to ask for help. The depression continued to build and it became dangerous. I finally broke and reached out to my wonderful wife for help. Long story short, I was admitted to a psych unit where I was diagnosed with "co-occuring" mental health and addiction issues. I have been clean and sober since 12/25/23 and my depression is managed through medication and therapy.

Leaving an abusive relationship and getting sober

Courtney K.

I’ve been through a lot, and my journey has shaped me into someone who is passionate about helping others. After leaving my first marriage, I found myself battling addiction to opiates. I knew I needed to make a change, so I got sober in 2017, but life wasn’t easy after that. I remarried and ended up in another toxic relationship that was emotionally abusive. I struggled deeply with depression and anxiety, which I only realized through therapy. I decided I couldn’t continue living that way, so I made the hard choice to leave and get sober for good. It wasn’t an easy path, but through the process, I’ve reclaimed my life and learned so much about myself. I now co-run a sober women’s group with over 30,000 members across the world, and I’m here to offer a nonjudgmental, compassionate ear to anyone struggling with similar challenges.

Living alcohol-free with ADHD and Autism

David W.

I discovered alcohol at a young age as a way to cope with what I didn't realize was undiagnosed ADHD and Autism. For years, alcohol masked my overwhelming anxiety and social confusion. I thought I was just broken, unable to understand why I kept returning to alcohol despite my best efforts. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism that everything made sense. Finally, understanding how my neurodivergence was at the root of my struggles brought me peace and self-compassion. I stopped seeing myself as broken. The understanding of my brain and my body was transformative, and it became the foundation of my lasting recovery. Now, I’m not only alcohol-free but I’ve also learned how to manage my symptoms in healthier ways. I want to help others who might be struggling with substance use due to undiagnosed neurodivergence and guide them toward a path of understanding, self-compassion, and lasting recovery

Taking your power back after trauma, addiction, and broken relationships

Diana S.

Everything changed the night a drunk driver hit me. I had already been through so much—domestic violence, a miscarriage, years of numbing pain with alcohol and drugs—but that crash felt like the universe forcing me to stop. I walked away physically, but inside I was wrecked. The fear, the trauma, the realization of how out of control everything had become—it hit me all at once. That crash was my wake-up call. I couldn’t keep going like that. I knew I needed to change, but I also knew I couldn’t do it alone. I started talking to people I trusted. I went to therapy, leaned on apps and online support, and slowly started putting the pieces of myself back together. I let go of toxic relationships. I chose sobriety: first from drugs, then from alcohol. Since then, I’ve had the chance to support others who were stuck in the same cycle I was in. I know what it’s like to feel ashamed, to relapse, to wonder if you’ll ever feel normal again. I’m here to say you can start over, even when it feels impossible. I’ll meet you where you are with honesty, kindness, and no judgment.

Parenting while struggling with addiction and mental health

Julie G.

I became a mom for the first time at 22. I stayed sober during my pregnancy, but after my daughter was born, I went back to using. I thought I had things under control, but deep down I felt isolated and ashamed. When I had my second daughter, I went through postpartum depression that I didn’t fully understand. I believed I was a bad mom and kept those feelings to myself. Over the years, my addiction got worse, and so did my mental health. I hit rock bottom at 40 and ended up in the hospital. That experience was terrifying, but it also opened the door to real help. I was finally connected to a peer who had been through similar struggles, and that made all the difference. Now, with four years of sobriety and a better understanding of my mental health, I want to be that person for someone else. I know what it’s like to parent through pain and to feel like you’re not enough. You’re not alone.

Striving for a healthier life after recovering from drug and alcohol use

Kevin B.

I started drinking when I was 15, and by the time I was 21, my alcoholism had taken full control of my life. I experimented with many other substances, including marijuana, cocaine, and opioids, which seemed to numb my anxiety and depression. I didn’t realize at the time that the substances were just a temporary escape from the pain. By the time I was 24, I had lost everything—my family’s trust, my friends, and any sense of stability. That was when I knew something had to change. Getting clean wasn’t easy, but I did it all at once, eliminating every substance from my life, including the opioids that had such a hold on me. The road to recovery was tough, but with the support of my family, a 12-step program, and a lot of hard work, I found my way. Now, over 15 years later, I’m proud to say that I’m clean and sober. I’m even working on kicking my final addiction—tobacco—and I’m using patches and lozenges to help me through it. Recovery isn’t just about quitting substances; it’s about rebuilding a life. It’s about finding new ways to deal with anxiety, depression, and the challenges that led me to seek relief in the first place. I know it can be done, and I want to be there for anyone who needs support on their journey.

Processing depression through the creative arts

Nancy K.

I've navigated the most difficult experiences of my life by engaging my creativity. The lowest of lows, the most traumatizing or confusing events, and all the times I was left out in the cold proved the richest of fodder for my fiction. My storytelling has enabled me to alchemize pain into something beautiful. It has also restored to me the power that my perpetrators thought they could keep. All art has this capacity: to empower the suffering. I hope that, whether you like to write, draw, paint, play music, sculpt, film, act, you'll think about scheduling a session to learn how to marry your emotional well-being with your creative aptitude.

Staying sober from marijuana while living with chronic pain

Rame I.

I used marijuana almost daily for over a decade, mostly to cope with chronic pain from my disability. It started when I was 20, and for a while, it felt like the only thing that helped me function—but it slowly became something I couldn’t imagine living without. The turning point came when my lungs started bleeding, and I needed surgery to address the source of the pain. That experience forced me to face the bigger picture: the weed wasn’t helping anymore—it was hurting me. Getting sober wasn’t just about quitting; it was about learning how to live without the thing I thought was saving me. The first few months were brutal. My body hurt, my mind was foggy, and emotionally, I was raw. But I leaned on my support system, therapy, and my sheer stubbornness. Now, over a year into sobriety, I’ve learned how to manage pain and emotions without turning to weed. Recovery has helped me reconnect with joy, presence, and self-respect. I know how overwhelming it can feel to even imagine a sober life, especially with physical limitations, but I’ve been there—and I’d love to be here for you as you take your next steps.

Trying to heal while raising humans and holding it all together

Samantha S.

At one point, I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of heartbreak and responsibility. I'd lost loved ones—my brother, my sister, and the father of my son—to addiction. I was raising three kids, balancing work and school, and trying to keep everything together while secretly falling apart. But amidst the chaos, I decided: I wouldn’t let pain define my story. I began healing and opened up. I discovered that vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s how we connect with others. Today, I share my story to help others feel seen, heard, and never alone. I’ve become the person I once needed—a steady light for those navigating their darkness. And I’ve learned that even when life doesn’t give you a happy ending, you can still write a powerful one.

Navigating recovery as a queer BIPOC teen

Skya F.

Growing up as a queer Black girl, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me talking openly about mental health or recovery. From a young age, I struggled with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD—but I kept it all inside. By 15, I turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the pain and isolation I felt, especially around my identity and not feeling truly seen. I spiraled quickly, and for a few years, I lost myself. No one really talked about healing in my community, let alone from a place that honored who I was. But when I was 18, I finally reached out for help. Therapy gave me tools, and recovery gave me a new version of myself. I’ve been sober since 2019. Today, I’m passionate about holding space for other queer and BIPOC folks who are trying to heal in a world that often overlooks us. I want you to know that your story matters—and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Navigating sobriety as a parent, and dealing with loss and work stress

Stephen M.

I was a daily drinker for 18 years and now I have 18 years of continuous sobriety! My journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. I’ve faced addiction, mental health challenges, co-parenting struggles, and the heartbreak of losing loved ones. Through it all, I leaned into therapy and a strong support network to come out stronger. I'm now a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, and helping others find their footing is something I care deeply about. Whether you're navigating sobriety, parenting kids with complex needs, or just trying to keep your head above water, I’m here to listen, relate, and support however I can.

Your depression

Tim L.

I have struggled with depression most of my life. It is often triggered by relational conflict, disappointments, and health challenges. Thankfully, through personal growth and taking the time to talk with someone about those struggles, I have fewer of these episodes. I also have had the opportunity to teach on a counsel those who struggle with depression.