Sunnie Ray: sMothered in Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this deeply moving episode of The Hopeaholic Podcast, Sunnie Ray, a dynamic reality TV personality, entrepreneur, author, and passionate advocate for recovery and animal welfare, opens up about her extraordinary journey through addiction, trauma, and triumph. Best known for her heartfelt appearance on TLC’s sMothered, where she highlighted her close relationship with her mother, Eva, Sunnie has built a multifaceted career as a stand-up comedian, radio host, and the host of The Sunnie Ray Show on Amazon, produced by Nerd Thug Radio. Having survived two overdoses before age 21 and battled postpartum depression exacerbated by prescription drugs like Xanax, Sunnie faced multiple relapses before achieving sobriety on Valentine’s Day—a milestone she credits to divine timing. This pivotal moment inspired her to write a book, released on her sobriety anniversary, and to establish Rewind, a nonprofit dedicated to animal welfare. Raised in a household blending three major religions—Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam—Sunnie grappled with a sense of isolation and childhood trauma that shaped her early years, including incidents that left her in fear. Despite enduring profound losses, including the suicide of a friend of 24 years and multiple deaths linked to substance abuse, Sunnie’s resilience shines through as she channels her experiences into advocacy, making recovery relatable and inspiring.

#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover  #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover 

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Timestamps:
00:02:46 - Struggles with Sobriety and Shame
00:04:36 - Podcast’s Role in Recovery
00:05:33 - Cutting Off Toxic Relationships
00:06:33 - Choosing Sobriety on Valentine’s Day
00:08:33 - Impact of Shane’s Message
00:09:17 - Rejection from Other Podcasts
00:16:19 - Childhood Religious Divide
00:17:45 - Childhood Trauma and Fear
00:20:05 - Feeling Like an Outsider
00:20:49 - Surviving Overdoses
00:21:36 - Postpartum and Prescription Drugs
00:28:40 - Judgment of Addicts
00:54:21 - Writing Her Book and Sobriety Milestone