In episode 41 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Mike Eaton, who has 17 years sober and opens up about the turning point that changed his life forever. After years of failed attempts to get sober, Mike’s addiction led to a fatal drunk driving accident that took someone’s life, resulting in him getting sober while incarcerated. He shares what it was like to confront the weight of that reality, take accountability, and begin true recovery behind bars. Mike also speaks candidly about being diagnosed with Bipolar 1, how untreated mental health impacted his addiction, and what it’s taken to manage his diagnosis through medication, structure, and sobriety. This conversation explores accountability, mental health, and what long-term recovery really looks like after irreversible loss.

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Chapters |

00:00 Welcome & Introduction

00:29 Early Substance Use & Childhood

01:46 Escalation & Early Consequences

06:00 Major Life Losses & Hitting Rock Bottom

09:20 First Journey to Sobriety

12:00 Underlying Mental Health & Relapse

14:14 Mania, Breakdown, and Recovery Setbacks

17:00 Addiction's Toll: Loss, Depression, and Rock Bottom

20:00 DUI, Fatal Accident & Jail Time

24:00 Prison Experience & Personal Growth

28:00 Release, Recovery, and Starting Over

33:00 Dream Life Program & Life After Prison

36:00 Managing Resentment & Forgiveness

40:00 Living with Bipolar & Balanced Medication

44:00 Breaking Stigma: Addiction & Community

48:00 Understanding Addiction & Disease Concept

52:00 Mental Health, Medication, & Recovery Perspective

56:00 Ongoing Growth & Reflections

58:46 Closing Thoughts & Gratitude

Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree…

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