In this week’s episode I sit down with Toby Lawrence, the CEO of Arrow Health, one of Australia’s leading treatment centres for drug and alcohol addiction.

Toby shares a firsthand account of the damaging impact addiction has, not just on the addicted person, but on the family system as a whole. In this conversation, we discuss how to support a loved one in active addiction, where to go to seek out help and why our mental healthcare system is broken.

Toby talks openly about how his perspective of addiction has drastically changed and why he is now a passionate advocate for removing the stigmatisation surrounding this disease.

For more information on Arrow Health you can visit:

Arrow Health Website

Arrow Health Facebook

You can find Toby on LinkedIn here.

You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss / ashbutterss.com

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Patrick, a 29-year-old recovering alcoholic who began his sobriety journey on the 27thMay, 2021.

Pat shares openly about the moment he was “pushed into a corner with nowhere else to go” and how that moment led him to acknowledge his struggles with alcohol addiction.

Since hitting rock bottom, Pat has realised it’s ok to experience struggle and that there’s no shame in asking for help. Throughout his recovery journey, he has learnt to look for the similarities instead of differences and is now challenging himself to let go of control and stop trying to run the show.

This is his story.

To see Patrick’s Behind The Smile photo head to ashbutterss.com

To follow Patrick and his K9 friends visit: @pks_pack

You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss

This week, I’m sitting down with Psychotherapist and Trauma/Addictions Specialist Diane Young, to discuss the impact of childhood trauma and how this often leads to the development of codependent traits in adulthood.

Codependency is very similar to other process addictions such as gambling or eating disorders, and often develops as a result of experiencing trauma throughout childhood. In this week’s episode, Diane explains the characteristics of a codependent along with outlining Pia Mellody’s Developmental Model of Immaturity, which details the basic needs of a child and what happens when these needs are not met.

To hear more from Diane you can find her here: 

Diane Young Website

Diane's LinkedIn

Diane's Instagram 

For more information about South Pacific Private you can head to the website here.

To follow Ash on IG: @ashbutterss

Read Ash's recent blog on Codependency here.

In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Psychologist and mum of two Chantal, who got sober while living in Dubai back in May 2017. 

Chantal shares how she lived in denial for many years as a high-functioning alcoholic and hid behind her successes as a way of denying she had a problem.

In this conversation we talk about how alcohol is glorified in our society and how binge drinking can still allow you to qualify as an alcoholic.

Chantal now has over 5 years of sobriety and shares with us the tools she implements to maintain her recovery on a daily basis. 

To see Chantal’s Behind The Smile photo head to Ash's website HERE

You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Psychotherapist and Yoga Teacher Zoe Klein to talk about how we can implement simple tools to positively impact our overall wellbeing.

Whether you’re in recovery or not, life can at times be challenging. In this conversation, Zoe shares her key tips that will help to improve your quality of life.

Zoe’s Top Tips include:

You can find Zoe here: @zoekleinyoga or Zoga.com

Find Ash here: @ashbutterss or ashbutterss.com

Additional Notes:

The book Zoe and I spoke about is called Breath by James Nestor. 

In this week’s episode, I’m talking to Gabs, a 39-year-old recovering alcoholic, who started his sobriety journey on the 19th October 2019.

We discuss the dark days that led to Gabs entering recovery and how he believes he was “born an alcoholic.”

Gabs shares what he’s learnt about himself in sobriety and tells us his three non-negotiables for living a life of freedom in recovery.

To see Gabs’ Behind The Smile photo head to: ashbutterss.com

You can also find me here: @ashbutterss

In this week's episode, I'm putting myself in the interview seat and have invited my best friend of 25+ years, Georgia, onto the show to ask the questions.

Georgia lives in Europe and at the time of recording we hadn't seen each other in over two years (thanks to Covid19). The last time we'd been together I was still drinking and my life was a mess. Watching my journey into recovery from afar, Georgia naturally had a lot of questions and we agreed that nothing was off limits in this conversation! 

Georgia and I discuss everything to do with my recovery including: the importance of AA in my life, my relationship with a Higher Power, my deep connection to yoga and my commitment to ongoing therapy. 

You can find me here: @ashbutterss 

Check out the episode show notes at Recovery with Ash Butterss

In this week's episode, I sit down with Monique, a Nurse and mum of four who gave up alcohol on the 28th December, 2019. We discuss Mon’s journey into sobriety and what she’s discovered about herself since choosing to live life sober.

Mon talks openly about the pressure she felt to be “perfect” from a young age and how she used alcohol to self-medicate until she wasn’t able to control it anymore.

Today, Mon is proudly sober and credits giving up alcohol as the reason she's able to show up as a wife and mother in her fullest capacity. Mon shares how she found the strength to quit drinking and the deep sense of presence and connection that she's found in sobriety. 

You can connect with Ash here: @ashbutterss / ashbutterss.com 

In this week’s episode, I talk about the stigma that surrounds the disease of alcoholism and why this is preventing people from reaching out for help.

Before coming into recovery, my perception of an alcoholic was someone living rough, drinking around the clock and consuming spirits out of a brown paper bag. And because I didn’t identify with this stereotype, I didn’t think I qualified as an alcoholic.

In sobriety I’ve learned that addiction does not discriminate. And while the common stereotype can certainly become a reality for alcoholics who continue to drink, for those who seek recovery, it doesn’t have to be.

Alcoholism is a disease that is self-diagnosed. So, to help people identify, I’ve come up with seven signs that might suggest you have a drinking problem. If multiple signs resonate with you, it might be time to take a closer look at your relationship with alcohol.

**This list is suggestive only. Please seek out additional support if you need help.

Additional Resources Below:

Global:

Alcoholics Anonymous 

Addiction Centre

Australia:

LifeLine

South Pacific Private 

Find Ash: @ashbutterss / ashbutterss.com

In this episode, I’ve invited my ex-husband and dear friend Max on to share his story of recovery.

Max talks candidly about his personal struggles with addiction and what it took for him to finally reach out for help. There’s no holding back in this episode as we speak openly about a range of personal topics, including the breakdown of our marriage.

It’s my hope that by drawing back the curtain on this personal conversation, other people who have shared a similar experience might find comfort in knowing they’re not alone.

This episode contains topics that could be triggering. If your mental health is triggered and you are based in Australia, please reach out to a support group such as Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.

For other countries, you can visit CheckPoint for your specific country details. 

Find Ash on Instagram: @ashbutterss or check out her website here!