Alcoholism, Depression & Divorce to SMART Recovery & Sober Parenting | An Addiction Recovery Story

In this powerful addiction recovery story, Wes shares his battle with severe alcohol use disorder and co-occurring mental health challenges. After years of binge drinking, secretive alcohol use, and devastating consequences—including divorce and a DUI—Wes found sobriety, hope, and a joyful life in recovery.

For more recovery stories, treatment options, and resources, visit: https://recovery.com

Key talking points: 
1. Wes struggled with severe alcohol use disorder for over a decade, often drinking in secret.
2. His addiction escalated after the death of his father and major life stressors like having twins and buying a business.
3 .He hid his drinking from his wife and children, often consuming multiple bottles of wine in his car before coming home.
4. Wes experienced multiple relapses, including a two-year period of white-knuckled sobriety without support.
5. His addiction led to significant personal consequences, including a DUI and the breakdown of his 20-year marriage.
6. A pivotal turning point was the threat of losing custody of his children during a divorce.
7. He agreed to use Soberlink—a facial recognition breathalyzer—to prove his sobriety daily.
8. Wes engaged in multiple recovery paths, including AA, SMART Recovery, and Buddhist-based support groups.
9. Over time, he rebuilt trust with his children and embraced a holistic, joyful life in long-term recovery.
10. Wes now lives a life of accountability, gratitude, and hope—and encourages others to believe that recovery is possible.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:31 Wes' Personal Journey Begins
01:45 The Struggles of Addiction
03:25 Recognizing the Problem
04:37 The Turning Point
07:04 The Path to Recovery
08:11 Maintaining Sobriety
09:56 The Role of Accountability
12:05 Finding Joy in Recovery
14:29 Reflections and Insights
19:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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