DURING THIS PODCAST TOPICS SUCH AS SUICIDE AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION ARE DISCUSSED. IF THIS IS A TRIGGER OR MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE, LOOK AFTER YOURSELF AND DON’T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO LISTEN. 

DURING THIS PODCAST PERSONAL OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDICATIONS ARE DISCUSSED. THESE ARE OUR PERSONAL OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES ONLY AND YOU SHOULD DISCUSS YOURS WITH YOUR DOCTOR. 

Who is Sarah?

Sarah Cawthorne is a friend and an amazing human. She’s always been open and friendly and there for people who need her. Almost 12 months ago she made an amazingly honest post on Instagram addressing her experience with detrimental alcohol use and her recent decision to “remove alcohol from her life”. I remember talking with Sarah at the time and being in absolute awe of her strength and clarity around the issue. To see someone who was so physically strong (she’s a badass, strong AF, powerlifter), have a hidden weakness for alcohol and to be on the journey to addressing it is so amazing to see. 

View this post on Instagram

91 days ago I made a decision to remove alcohol from my life. Contrary to what I’ve always believed – I’m worth more than that. To me, alcohol was like an abusive relationship. I hid it, I protected it, I couldn’t live without it. But it was making me sick, making me sad, isolating me, forcing me to give up things I loved. It made me give up on myself. I hid it pretty well. People with addiction are very skilled at this. I slipped up once during this time but was back on track the very next day. I’ve never been able to do that my entire adult life. Thank you universe for the handful of beautiful humans in my life who held me accountable and hugged me when the mind fuck was overwhelming. Anyway, here’s me – no lashes, no makeup, no hangover and no regrets. I don’t plan on wasting another second.

A post shared by Sarah Cawthorne (@sarah.cawthorne) on Aug 5, 2018 at 9:00pm PDT

Our chat:

We discussed our mutual experiences working in the mental health field before delving into her personal experiences with alcohol addiction. I know Sarah was super nervous about having this conversation but her brutal self-honesty and vulnerability with myself are so greatly appreciated as it’s given me a much greater appreciation of the lived experience of alcohol addiction and recovery. 

We also discussed mutual experiences with functioning depression and conceptual ideas around mental health treatments.

I can’t thank Sarah enough for opening up, being vulnerable and taking a chance in chatting on the podcast and I truly hope this conversation gives you as many insights into addiction as it did for me. 

Keep occupied

Brock
brock.cook@me.com
@brockcookOT