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We say alcohol is the problem — but for me, alcohol was the solution to something deeper. In this episode, I share my story of living with ADHD and a new diagnosis of Level 1 autism, and how both shaped my drinking and recovery. From masking in social situations to battling boredom, anxiety, and racing thoughts, I talk about why alcohol became my coping tool and what I’ve learned in sobriety about finding healthier solutions.

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Alcohol was just the symptom. Matt and Steve talk about childhood wounds, confidence, and why lasting sobriety can take more than AA. From therapy to medical care, they share the tools that keep them sober—and why it’s okay to build your own recovery path.

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You’re out to celebrate—a birthday dinner at the hibachi grill, maybe a wedding, or just a backyard barbecue. Then it happens. Someone hands you a drink, squirts sake at your face, or serves food soaked in booze… and you didn’t even realize it until it was too late.

In this episode, Matt and Steve share their real-life stories of accidentally consuming alcohol in social situations and how those moments impacted their sobriety. They dive deep into the difference between intent and accident, why having a plan matters, and how to stay on guard when society expects you to drink.

Whether you’re new to recovery or have a few decades under your belt, we’ve all had those unguarded moments. Let’s talk about how to deal with them—without guilt, without shame, and without losing our sobriety.

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Is it really that bad—or are you just starting to wonder? In this episode of the Sober Friends podcast, we talk about that quiet question many of us ask ourselves: “Do I actually have a problem with alcohol?” You don’t need to lose everything to get sober. We explore what a “high bottom” looks like, how addiction can quietly damage your life long before rock bottom hits, and why questioning your drinking might be the biggest red flag of all. Whether you’re 18 or 58, your moment of clarity doesn’t have to come wrapped in disaster. Tune in for honest conversation, personal stories, and a few uncomfortable truths that just might change your life.

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What if the person you love isn’t broken—just buried under addiction?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with addiction counselor and YouTube creator Amber Hollingsworth of Put The Shovel Down to talk about something we don’t hear enough in recovery: how to actually help a loved one struggling with addiction—without enabling or playing the villain.

Amber shares insight from two decades of working with addicts and their families, including:

• Why tough love often backfires
• The dangers of playing the “bad guy” role
• How denial is a defense mechanism, not defiance
• The strategy she teaches to gently nudge someone toward recovery
• What really motivates change—and what pushes people away

Whether you’re sober yourself or trying to help someone who isn’t, this conversation will shift your mindset and give you tools you can use today.

🔗 Check out Amber’s YouTube channel: Put The Shovel Down

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In this episode of The Sober Friends Podcast, Matt and Steve get real about something that challenges many of us in sobriety—asking for help and, even harder, accepting it. Whether it’s a neighbor offering to help with yard work or a sponsor helping you through a relapse, support doesn’t always show up the way we expect. And sometimes pride, fear, or shame can keep us from accepting what we truly need.

From stories of burnout and Cadillac problems to lessons learned through therapy, meetings, and humble pie, this conversation dives into how asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s strength. We also talk about what makes an offer of help actually useful—and why “Let me know if you need anything” usually falls flat.

Whether you’re new to sobriety or have been around for decades, this episode reminds us all: you don’t have to do it alone.

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Getting out of your comfort zone is hard — especially in sobriety. In this episode, Matt and Steve dive into the real-life anxiety of leaving the safe routines of recovery to go on vacation. From travel stress to the fear of asking for help, they unpack how discomfort shows up, how to plan ahead, and why pushing through it can actually strengthen your sobriety. Matt’s heading to Orlando with his family, and spoiler alert: he really doesn’t want to go — but he’s doing it sober.

Whether you’re new to recovery or have a few years under your belt, this one’s for anyone who’s ever said, “I don’t want to do this… but I know I need to.”

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In early sobriety, everything feels possible. You’re sleeping better, your skin looks great, and the world seems full of hope—that’s the “pink cloud.” But what happens when that high starts to fade?

In this episode of the Sober Friends podcast, Matt and Steve dive into the emotional crash that can come after the early euphoria wears off. We talk about why it happens (hello, brain chemistry), how to prepare for it, and what tools you’ll need to stay sober when life gets messy again. From getting a sponsor to finding a community, this conversation is full of real-life experience and practical advice to help you navigate the hard parts—and keep your recovery strong when the cloud lifts.

Whether you’re on the pink cloud or watching it drift away, this episode is for you.

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What happens when the wine stops working—and you’re left alone with yourself? In this raw and powerful episode, Marcy R. shares how her drinking escalated during the isolation of COVID, and how that stillness forced her to confront the truth. From growing up with addiction in the family, navigating single motherhood, living with undiagnosed ADHD, and surviving a toxic relationship—Marcy opens up about the moment it all clicked: “I’m not in the wrong 12-step room. I’m an alcoholic.”

We talk about recovery on Zoom, the courage to get a sponsor, making amends even when everyone else said not to, and what it means to finally feel like yourself—sober. If you’ve ever wondered what recovery looks like when everything else falls away, this conversation will hit home.

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It’s Matt, and I’m flying solo this week with a raw and personal episode about stress, burnout, and trying to hold it all together—without picking up a drink.

From battling insurance over Wegovy, to my daughter’s knee injury, to the financial hit of back-to-back sports trips, everything has been hitting at once. I’m feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and, honestly, kind of crispy around the edges.

But here’s the thing: I’m still sober. And that’s a miracle.

This episode is about how I’m using the tools of recovery to stay grounded—meetings, connection, letting go of control (even when I really don’t want to), and the reminder that I don’t have to walk through any of this alone.

If you’re dealing with stress or burnout, I hope this one reminds you: you’re not alone. There’s a way through this. And you don’t have to drink today.

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📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.