Listen UP By Abbeycare
Every month, we bring you an unfiltered recovery conversation with someone who's either experienced addiction firsthand, or works closely with those in recovery.
No sanitised success stories - just practical insights on what actually works in recovery, that you can apply, in your life too.
Inside each episode, you'll find:
- Direct conversations with guests who understand recovery from personal or professional experience
- Pivotal moments from their journey - their insights, and how you can apply them
- How they navigated each stage along the way (including the failures)
Month by month, we help you unlock the hidden patterns behind successful recovery stories (without the clinical approach).
Listen UP's Presenter Eddie Clarke is Abbeycare's Outreach Manager, and in long term recovery personally.
He's spent over 9 years helping hundreds through their own recovery, and identified the exact patterns that differentiate those who achieve lasting sobriety, from those who struggle.
SHOW LINKS:
- All Listen UP Episodes - https://www.abbeycarefoundation.com/listenup/episodes/
- Listen UP Podcast Homepage - https://www.abbeycarefoundation.com/listenup/
Why Listen UP matters:
- Discover how others found strength when they thought they had none
- Learn personal insights and professional approaches to breaking free from addiction's grip
- Understand the comprehensive support system that makes lasting recovery possible
- Hear from those who've experienced recovery and experts who've helped thousands rebuild their lives after addiction
Abbeycare provides comprehensive 28-day residential rehabilitation programmes at our facilities in Scotland and Gloucester. Our holistic approach combines medically-supervised detoxification, cognitive behavioral therapy, counselling, and aftercare planning to address the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of addiction.
Our programmes are personalised to meet individual needs, with comfortable en-suite accommodation, nutritious meals, and a supportive community environment.
Beyond your stay, our dedicated aftercare team remains connected, ensuring you're supported at every step of your recovery journey.
Whether you're considering taking the first step toward recovery or supporting someone who is, Listen UP provides the insight, inspiration, and information you need to move forward.
Connect with Abbeycare:
Website: https://www.abbeycarefoundation.com/
Phone: 01603 513 091
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbbeycareRehab/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3222194
X: https://twitter.com/Abbeycare
#addiction #recovery #sobriety #rehab #mentalhealth #wellness #podcast #abbeycare
#addictionrecovery #comedylife #sobercommunity #mentalhealthmatters #comedyjourney #findinghumour #soberlifestyle #recoveryjourney #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecoveryjourney #soberliving #comedyandmentalhealth #healingjourney #positivity
DISCLAIMER
All videos are for entertainment purposes only and are not intended to replace professional medical help. If you are struggling with alcohol or substance misuse, please speak to your GP or qualified health professional in the first instance.
Episodes
17 episodes
"It Was Terrifying... And The Best Thing I've Ever Done..." | Listen UP Episode 17 - Allan Houston
In Listen UP Episode 17, senior addiction worker at Glasgow ADRS, and Humanizing Healthcare co-lead, Allan Houston shares his recovery journey and what two decades on the frontline of Scotland's drug crisis actually looks like. All...
Connection, Hope, And A Door That’s Open... | Listen UP Episode 16 - Tracey McFall
In Episode 16, CEO of the Scottish Recovery Consortium and 30-year sector veteran Tracey McFall shares what Scotland's drug and alcohol crisis actually looks like from the inside, highlighting why treatment alone isn't enough to keep people in ...
"We Are Not Defined By Addiction..." | Listen UP Episode 15 - In Cahootz
In Listen UP Episode 15, creative lead Kate Black of In Cahootz and participant Paul Byrne share a clear path from anxiety to action, highlighting simple entry points with no referral, and steady peer support that keeps you showing up:-...
It's About Enabling...Hope | Listen UP Episode 14 - Kirsten Horsburgh
In Listen UP Episode 14, Scottish Drugs Forum CEO Kirsten Horsburgh shares frontline, human-first insights - highlighting how showing people their lives matter can shift everything, and why meeting people without judgement becomes the starting ...
"It's Scary... But It's Doable..." | Listen UP Episode 13 - May Riddell
In Listen UP Episode 13, recovery advocate May Riddell shares a straight‑talk roadmap for early abstinence, highlighting the daily structure that cuts through fear, and honest group work that turns shame into relief:- Phone the helpline...
"I've Never Been So Proud Of You Son" | Listen UP Episode 12 - Eddie Gorman
In Episode 12 of Listen UP, Harbour Service Manager Eddie Gorman reveals how practical strategies on the ground turn addiction recovery into real, measurable change:-The most effective way to tackle cravings when motivation fades-Wh...
"It Was The First Time I'd Been Honest" | Listen UP Episode 11 - Andy McLaren
In Listen UP Episode 11, former professional footballer Andy McLaren shares how a public setback became the turning point, highlighting how to turn shame into momentum, and how to rebuild fast when everyone is watching:- From the pitch ...
"Talk To Somebody... The Right Somebody" | Listen UP Episode 10 - Clarke Carlisle
In Listen UP Ep 10, former professional footballer and ex-PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle shares boundary rules that protect sobriety, highlighting how to stop digital pile‑ons at the door, and how one daily script steadies mood swings:- K...
"Every Time I Hear A Speaker, It Gives Me Hope." | Listen UP Episode 9 - Gayle Brannigan
In Listen UP Episode 9, Gayle Brannigan of The St Mirren Charitable Foundation shares the simple anchors that keep recovery on track, highlighting a morning reset that steadies emotions, and the power of hearing lived experience weekly....
"There Was So Much Good In My Life..." | Listen UP Episode 8 - John Elford
In Listen UP Episode 8, bestselling 12‑step author and Somerton Lodge founder John Elford shares the exact turning points that moved him from homelessness and hospital detoxes to 22 years sober, highlighting the two‑word decision that stopped h...
"Small Changes, Big Impact" | Listen UP Episode 7 - Marc Buchanan
In Listen UP Episode 7, Alcohol Focus Scotland’s Marc Buchanan shares a simple, stackable approach to reducing alcohol harm in Scotland, highlighting how pricing, outlet density, and marketing limits work together, and why personal routines sti...
"People Can And Do Change" | Listen UP Episode 6 - Marie McGuire
In Listen UP Episode 6, Marie McGuire, a seasoned therapist, dives into the universal truths of addiction, highlighting the critical role of trauma-informed therapy and community-based support in recovery, all while sharing a message of hope.<...
"We Don't Need To Struggle Alone" | Listen UP Episode 5 - Iain Lee
In Listen UP Episode 5, discover recovery strategies that saved broadcaster and presenter Iain Lee's life, and how he understood lasting sobriety is possible, even after devastating relapses and career destruction.Iain unveils four cruc...
Start Small, Aim Big — Recovery Is Possible | Listen UP Episode 4 - Paul Donnelly
Start Small, Aim Big — Recovery Is Possible | Listen UP Episode 4 - Paul DonnellyIn Listen UP Episode 4, Paul Donnelly, founder of The Max Kolbe Recovery Movement, shares practical steps to navigate recovery, highlighting the power of s...
"Addiction Thrives In Isolation, Recovery Blooms In Connection" | Listen UP Episode 3 - The Recovery Collective
In Listen UP Episode 3, The Recovery Collective, the minds behind Scotland’s first alcohol-free music festival, dive into how they create safe, stigma-free events, highlighting the role of music in recovery and the value of community support.&n...
"The Thing About Trauma We Don't Talk About..." | Listen UP Episode 2 - Darren McGarvey
In Listen UP Episode 2, Darren McGarvey unpacks how trauma - and overcoming it - influences addiction recovery.Darren opens up:- Recovery isn't a straight line...we need to confront uncomfortable truths- Public sharing of trauma...
"I Think My Love Of Comedy Just Outweighed It So Much." | Listen UP Episode 1 - Darren Connell
Join us for the inspiring inaugural episode of the Listen Up recovery podcast hosted by Eddie Clarke, and featuring our first guest, comedian Darren Connell.In this episode, Darren shares his experiences with addiction, recovery, and co...