Sober As A Mother Focused: Sofa Sessions

This week’s episode is a little different! I'm answering YOUR questions. I asked you over on Instagram to send in your questions, and in this episode, I'm sitting down to answer them as openly and honestly as I can.From motherhood and addiction to sobriety, recovery, the messy bits, the hard lessons and everything in between, nothing is off the table.As a mum in recovery, and someone who has been sober for four years, I know how important it is to have honest conversations about addiction and motherhood. Not just the struggles, but the hope, the growth, the reality of rebuilding your life and discovering who you are on the other side of addiction.I share my experiences because I want people to know they're not alone. I want to challenge the stigma, break down the shame and show that addiction doesn't make you a bad person, and being a mum doesn't mean you can't struggle.Whether you're in recovery, questioning your relationship with alcohol or substances, navigating motherhood, supporting someone you love, or simply curious to hear an honest perspective, I hope this episode reminds you that there is always hope.Thank you to everyone who sent in a question and continues to make these conversations possible. Your openness means more than you know.No judgement. No pretending. Just real conversations, lived experience and a reminder that you're never alone.

In this episode of Sober As A Mother Focused; Sofa Sessions, I’m joined by Anne, a mum who is now nine years sober after years of addiction to drugs and alcohol.Anne bravely opens up about what life was really like as a mum in addiction — the choices she made, the impact her addiction had on her children, and the things she wishes she could change.But this isn’t just a story about addiction. It’s a story about recovery, accountability, healing and hope.Anne speaks incredibly honestly about the harm she caused her children while she was drinking and using, without shying away from the difficult parts of her past. She also shares what sobriety has meant for her family and the profounddifference it has made to her relationships with her children.Her story is a reminder that addiction doesn’t have to be the end of the story. That change is possible. That relationships can heal. And that it is never too late to choose a different life.Anne shares her experience in the hope that another mum listening might recognise herself in her story, know that she isn’t alone, and realise that there is a way out.This is an honest, raw and ultimately hopeful conversation about motherhood, addiction, recovery and finding your way back.

This week I’m joined on my sofa by the incredible Charlotte Seaman, whobravely shares her story of addiction, trauma, motherhood and recovery.Charlotte first tried crack cocaine at just 13 years old, and by the age of16, she was pregnant and struggling with a heroin addiction. Despite growing upin a loving family, Charlotte’s life took her down a devastating path involvingsubstance abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and homelessness.Charlotte went on to have three children while in active addiction, all ofwhom were born dependent on heroin. Her story is a heartbreaking reminder ofthe devastating impact addiction can have, but it is also a powerful testamentto the strength of the human spirit and the possibility of change.Now approaching two years clean and sober, Charlotte has transformed herlife. She has openly shared her recovery journey online from the verybeginning, using her experiences to inspire others, raise awareness and showpeople who are still struggling that recovery is possible. Today, she is alsoan ambassador for a rehabilitation centre, helping to bring hope to others whomay be facing similar battles.I’m incredibly proud of the woman Charlotte is today. Her courage, honestyand determination to turn her life around are truly inspiring, and I’m sograteful to call her my friend.This is a story of unimaginable challenges, incredible resilience and thehope that life can be different, no matter how dark things may seem.If you’re a parent struggling withaddiction, or you love someone who is, I hope Charlotte’s story reminds youthat there is always hope, recovery is possible, and your past does not have todefine your future.  

This week on the sofa, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Olivia, founder of Sober Coaster Life.Olivia is four years clean and sober after a long battle with addiction and OCD, and many attempts to find recovery. Her addiction took her to some very dark places, including spending thousands of pounds on crack a night and losing her daughter. But that’s not where her story ends. Today, Olivia is an addiction recovery coach and the mum she was always meant to be — a mum her daughter is proud of. Olivia is genuinely one of the loveliest women I’ve met in the recovery world, and it was a real privilege to have her share her story on my sofa.For the mums still struggling, feeling lost or believing they’ve gone too far, this one is for you. You are not alone, and it’s never too late to find your way back. Tune in to this week’s Sofa Session to hear Olivia’s inspiring story and don't forget to let us know if you enjoy this episode in the comments. 

In this episode of Sober As A Mother Focused: Sofa sessions, I’m joined by Darren — one of my favourite people I’ve met so far on my own journey through recovery.Growing up, Darren found himself on a path that would eventually lead to addiction, criminality and violence. His choices and circumstances ultimately landed him in Belmarsh Prison, facing the possibility of a life sentence— while at the same time, he was missing the birth of his first child.Today, Darren’s life could not look more different.He speaks openly and honestly about his childhood, his experiences with addiction and criminality, the consequences of his actions, and the journey that brought him from where he was to the person he is today.What makes Darren’s story so powerful is what he has chosen to do with his experience.Today, he lives a life of service, dedicating his time to working with young people and trying to make a difference to those who may be heading down the same path he once did. He knows where that road can lead — and he’s using everything he’s learned to help others find a different one.If there’s anyone whose life looks completely different today compared with the life they once lived, it’sDarren. Six years sober. A father. A man of service. And aliving example that a past filled with darkness doesn't have to dictate your future.🎙️ Darren’s story is one you won’twant to miss. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Nadya; an incrediblybrave mum who has lived through something that many people struggle to talk about openly. She shares her journey of battling a crack and heroin addiction, the impact it had on her life and motherhood, and the difficult road she facedin turning her life around.But most importantly, she talks about what recovery hasmeant for her — and her determination to become the best mum she can be.This is a raw and honest conversation about addiction,motherhood, shame, resilience, recovery and finding your way forward when life has taken you to some incredibly dark places.There’s no judgement and no sugar-coating — just anhonest mum sharing her story in the hope that it might help someone else feelless alone.Her past is part of her story, butit doesn’t define the mum she is today. 

Sammy B: Motherhood & AddictionThis week on Sober As A Mother Focused: Sofa Sessions, I’m joined by Sammy B, who openly shares her experience of being a mum in active addiction and how shefound her way into recovery.Like so many other women, Sammy believed that having another baby would be the thing that finally got her sober. She soon realised that wasn’t the answer, knowingher addiction was bad and desperately tried to stop, but finding that she couldn’t.Sammy talks honestly about the reality of motherhood while battling addiction, the guilt and shame she experienced, and the struggle between wanting to change and being unable to do it.Now, three years sober, Sammy shares what recovery looks like for her today and the hope that comes with finding your way out of addiction.A raw, honest and incredibly important conversation about motherhood, addiction, recovery and hope.  

In this episode, I’m joined on the sofa by Dan O’Reilly, aka Dapper Laughs, for an honest conversation about addiction, sobriety and fatherhood.We talk about the kind of dad Dan was during his addiction, how it impacted his personal life, and the difference sobriety has made to him and his family. Plus, the honest challenges Dan faces as a sober Dad.A raw and real conversation about the impact addiction can have — but also the hope, change and healing that recovery can bring.Because asking for help can change everything.