From High-Functioning Alcoholism & Anxiety to 12-Step Recovery | An Addiction Recovery Story

In this powerful addiction recovery story, Robert shares how anxiety and hidden alcohol use unraveled his life—even as he held a career and raised a family. From a seizure and hospitalization to transformative treatment at the Mayo Clinic and finding lasting sobriety through AA, his story is one of resilience, relapse, and redemption.

Find alcohol, anxiety, and depression treatment at Recovery.com

Key talking points: 
1. Robert began drinking at 21 to cope with lifelong anxiety.
2. Alcohol quickly became a daily emotional crutch.
3. Despite maintaining a job and family, he drank secretly and heavily.
4. A workplace intervention pushed him to seek help and attend AA.
5. His first treatment at Mayo Clinic began his recovery journey.
6. He relapsed after 12 years sober, leading to a serious health and legal crisis.
7. Robert entered long-term inpatient treatment and recovery housing.
8. Daily AA meetings and group support helped rebuild his life.
9. Therapy and CBT addressed the anxiety that originally fueled his drinking.
10. Robert now lives sober, openly shares his story, and seeks help when needed.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:36 Robert's Early Experiences with Alcohol

02:32 The Turning Point: Realizing the Problem

04:21 Seeking Help and Initial Recovery

06:28 The Role of AA and Family Support

09:04 Relapse and Intensive Treatment

11:46 Life After Recovery: Tools and Therapy

16:03 Advice for Those Struggling and Their Families

20:24 Reflections and Closing Thoughts

#AddictionRecovery #SoberLiving #RecoveryJourney #Alcoholism