Imagine this: you're 21 years old at kick-ons, surrounded by friends, music, and drinks. You're offered a line of white powder, which you snort, only to accidentally slip into drug-induced psychosis. You hear voices, can't leave your house, can't go to work and are overwhelmed by an unbearable urge to tear your skin off. This was Jade's real-life nightmare. What started as binge drinking and clubbing soon escalated to aggressive behaviour and a night of being so badly injured it was enough to scare her into sobriety.

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Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of substance abuse. Please listen with care and prioritise your well-being. Help is listed below;

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Zeak grew up on a tiny island in the South Pacific Ocean, just off the coast of Australia: Norfolk Island. Life in small, rural communities often has its own unique rhythm, and Zeak's story is no exception. Raised by parents who openly used drugs, he learned early on how to navigate a world that was anything but conventional. Adding to this complexity was the secret he carried, his sexuality.

When Zeak kissed a boy for the first time and experienced the rush of MDMA on the same night, it sparked an unforgettable high. That euphoric moment became the benchmark he chased relentlessly in the years that followed, diving headfirst into the world of drugs and partying.

Follow Zeak on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of substance abuse. Please listen with care and prioritise your well-being. Help is listed below;

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

What if your drug dealer was your doctor? After giving birth to her daughter, Natasha was prescribed Oxy to manage the debilitating symptoms of endometriosis, something that had been dormant her entire life until childbirth. In this episode, Natasha opens up about her struggles; begging her street dealer to stop answering her calls, pleading with doctors to take her seriously and ultimately turning to her family for help to get into detox. That decision saved her life.

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Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of suicide and substance abuse. Please listen with care and prioritise your well-being. Help is listed below;

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

By the age of 10, Nicole was already weighing drugs for bikies at clubhouses. She experienced child abuse from a young age and had no family or friends surrounding her. This led Nicole to put her trust in the wrong hands, becoming the victim of a horrific crime in high school. Years later, she married her ex-husband, entering an abusive relationship so violently destructive that she knew staying would eventually cost her life. Fleeing with nothing but the clothes on her back, Nicole found herself once again immersed in the world of drugs and sex work. It wasn’t until a motel room overdose that everything change...

Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of substance abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and animal abuse. Please listen with care and prioritise your well-being. Help is listed below;

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Call 1800 737 732 for the 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

Individuals can also access local support services and search the internet using Daisy, a free app developed by 1800RESPECT that protects user privacy.

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Sophie was over 3 years sober when she thought she could moderate her drinking. What started as a few drinks spiralled, with her wedding becoming the catalyst for falling back into old habits. Going into this episode, I assumed we’d focus on that turning point, but as I spoke to Sophie, I realised her story ran so much deeper.

An eating disorder that began in her teenage years. Postnatal depression that led to multiple suicide attempts. A lingering sense of shame and resentment towards herself.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses postnatal depression, suicide, eating disorders, and substance abuse.

The book Sophie recommends is 'alcohol explained' by William Porter
For addiction she also recommends 'In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction' by Gabor Maté 

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

To kick off a brand new season I bring boyfriend Beau back on the podcast to talk about how year two of sobriety felt compared to our first year. We’re owning up to our downfalls, navigating intimacy as a sober couple and answering your questions on addiction.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

This is Part 2 and the final chapter of Stony's whirlwind journey—using meth with people in power, battling a relapse that threatened her sobriety, and learning how to heal and forgive after such a tumultuous life.

This is the last episode of Season 1, I’ll be taking a very short break, returning on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025. Please take care of yourselves during this time, the National Drug and Alcohol Hotline is available if you need support.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses themes of trauma, violence and substance abuse. Please listen with care.

Follow Stony on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

It feels like an injustice to Stony's story to try and capture her life in one single interview.  From as early as she can remember, Stony's witnessed and been victim to violence and struggled with the presence of addiction in her family. Today In part 1, Stony talks about being sexually assaulted as a child from someone known to her, running a trap house and selling a commercial supply of drugs. Along the way, she faced domestic violence, an unwanted pregnancy and watched the beheading of someone. 

The common thread that ties all of these horrific events together, is drugs and alcohol.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses themes of trauma, violence, substance abuse, assault and abortion. Please listen with care.

Follow Stony on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

I’ve never heard a new mum be as open and honest as Lizzy is in this episode.

From breastfeeding while drunk and passing out, to grappling with postnatal depression and feeling resentful towards her son in those early days.

Lizzy is now sober after years of struggling with alcohol abuse. Growing up in Perth, her energy feels so familiar to me. I was able to open up about my own experiences, and I’m deeply grateful that Lizzy did the same. 

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sexual assault. Please listen with care.

Follow Lizzy aka. ZeroProofMum on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Mick is a 'classic' Aussie dad with three daughters. He enjoys going to the gym and spending time with his wife, Katie. Mick is also a recovering alcohol and gambling addict.

Mick shares the powerful story of the day he walked out of his family home, his partner calling after him to come back, as he made his way to a wharf with plans to end his own life.

What’s striking about Mick’s journey is that he didn’t experience mental health issues before his addiction. It was the substance abuse that led him down such a dark path.

Ready to share your story? Email [email protected]

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.