Welcome to ALERT Addiction and mental health awareness. #addictionawareness

HI all, Today Patrick talks through a highlighted version of his journey to addiction, through addiction to recovery. Touching on his emotional fragilities in youth to his struggles with suicide and suicidal ideation. Love or lack of it and all things in between. He talks about some of the different organisations and paths to his recovery.

Please feel free to listen and comment.

#wedorecover #earlyrecovery #mentalhealthawareness #emotionalintelligence.

We will try and let this one speak for itself

Recovery isn’t always a linear journey – and for many, the early stages bring a surge of hope, energy, and optimism often called the "pink fluffy cloud" effect.

In Episode 10 of Alert Podcast, we dive into what this phase looks like, why it happens, and how to prepare for the challenges that can follow when reality settles in.

We discuss our experiences with the pink fluffy cloud – from feeling invincible to learning how to build sustainable coping skills. We also explore how mental health intersects with this stage, and share practical tools to help you stay grounded while holding onto hope.

Whether you’re in recovery yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the process, this episode offers honest insights and compassionate guidance for every step of the path.

If you found this episode helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need to hear this message. Have you experienced the pink fluffy cloud phase in your own journey? Let us know in the comments below.

Dry January is more than a break from alcohol — it’s a chance to check in with your mental health.

In this episode, we talk honestly about Dry January, addiction, and mental health, exploring how alcohol affects anxiety, mood, sleep, and emotional wellbeing. We discuss what comes up when drinking stops, why it can feel difficult, and how awareness can be the first step towards recovery.

Whether you’re sober-curious, in recovery, or questioning your relationship with alcohol, this episode is about reflection, support, and hope.

Recovery is always possible.

Today we discuss envy. As individuals recovered or recovering from substance use disorder(s) do you envy people who can use without causing mayhem. For instance individuals that are big drinkers but do not present as alcoholics and just appear to have a good time when they are drunk and then go back to "normal " everyday life.

HI all,

Today we discuss some of the pressures we can face around this time of year. Family dynamics, spending time with people we may not chose to. Navigating others who will be over indulging, the expectations of a "Great Christmas". We introduce the hula hoop tool which we use all year round but is an excellent tool for this time of the year. Take a step back when it feels like its getting too much and centre yourself inside things that you can control. #substanceusedisorder #addictionawareness #mentalhealthawareness

Were here again and as we say in our addiction recovery "We're here to stay". Today we start the  talk with the subject of reduction and as always drift into our personal stories here and there. 

Reduction has two facets, one is  reducing and staying at a reduced level and the other reducing with a view to gaining complete abstinence.

If you are suffering with addiction and mental health problems then both of these are going to be highly advantageous and a far better alternative to the current state of affairs that is for sure.

Please take a listen and leave your feedback in the comments

Don't forget to like subscribe and share if possible.

We want the conversations out there.

#addictionawareness #youarenotalone #mentalhealthawareness #substanceusedisorder  #wedorecover #recoveryisworthit

Welcome to Episode 4. We all talk from a lived experience viewpoint as that is what and who we are.

What would you class as functioning in addiction? When does this no longer become the case.? Ae we emotionally functioning in addiction?

When it comes to our mental health are we functioning or are we surviving?

We also touch on labelling and vocabulary. Do you consider yourself an addict, an alcoholic, or someone who was addicted?

We hope you enjoy this episode and don't forget to like, subscribe comment and share.

#addictionawareness​ #mentalhealthawareness​ #realtalk​ #MakingRecoveryVisible​ #youarenotalone

Welcome to Episode 3. Here we discuss our past addictions and mental health struggles. What we wish we and others knew about or battles. Our emotions and feelings and those of others around us during our substance use disorder era. 

A little around the language used and stigma around addictions and mental health.

#MakingRecoveryVisible #mentalhealthawareness #addictionawareness #youarenotalone 

Today we ask, was there a turning point? Maybe the addiction and or the toll on your physical, emotional and mental health was just too much to pay. Or maybe it was something else.

Please don't forget to like, subscribe and share. Together we do beat this.

#addictionawareness #mentalhealthawareness #youarenotalone #endthestigma