• Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick discuss the interplay between depression and addiction.
• Depression exacerbates addiction, and untreated depression can lead to relapse.
• Importance of addressing mental health, avoiding substance use for coping, and building support networks.

Today's Guest:

• Marcus Watts, Founder of Alone is a Lie, shares his journey battling depression and alcohol addiction.
• Despite personal losses, Marcus is a beacon of change in his community.
• Marcus emphasizes the significance of a strong recovery program.

Timestamps with Discussions:

13:17 - 13:25 Introduction to Marcus Watts

• Marcus introduces himself and his struggles with depression and alcoholism.

13:36 - 15:39 The Devastation of Losing People Close to Him

• Marcus recounts the profound impact of losing five significant individuals in less than two years.
• Despite having a small circle, the losses were deeply impactful.

15:40 - 16:34 When He Started Drinking

• Marcus shares how his alcohol struggles began during social gatherings and escalated with older peers.

16:54 - 18:24 The Work Never Stops, and Recovery is a Journey

• Even in sobriety, Marcus battles with mental health issues.
• Recognizing the ongoing work required in recovery, Marcus marks September 4, 2017, as his sober date.

18:39 - 19:49 The Turning Point

• Marcus’s turning point came when confronted by the mother of his children about his behavior in bars.
• Determined to change, Marcus embarked on his recovery journey shortly after.

20:15 - 22:14 The Support System is Strong

• Marcus received encouragement from friends and family upon publicly committing to recovery.
• Coach Lloyd and his supportive family played pivotal roles in Marcus's journey.

22:28 - 24:48 The Three Signs Marcus Knew He Was Struggling with Depression

• Marcus identifies key signs of his depression, including reliance on alcohol for coping.

 Resources: 

Marcus Watts can be found on Instagram with the username @alone_isalie.

Matt invites you to follow Social X on Instagram with the handle @sobriety_pod and encourages likes and subscriptions.

Ryan shares resources for meetings at aa.intergroup.org/meetings and virtual-na.org, along with the Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255, available 24/7. Additionally, he suggests visiting Al-Anon.org.

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