Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 letsexamineaddictionhonestly@gmail.com theleahpodcast@gmail.com In this introductory episode of Let’s Examine Addiction Honestly, I share my personal history with addiction and the experiences that shaped who I am today. I talk about growing up in a family with a strong history of alcoholism, my first drink at 17, and how drinking truly took hold when I joined the Army. I explain how I never developed an “off switch” with alcohol — how even early on I drank until I was sick, and how drinking became a major part of military life, from barracks parties to reckless moments during deployments. I also discuss my long struggle with nicotine, smoking from age 18 until recently, cycling through cigarettes, dipping, and vaping before finally quitting for myself and not for others. I share how the environments I worked in, like the military and later the prison system, were deeply tied to stress and alcohol culture, and how those pressures shaped my choices, my habits, and in some cases, my deepest regrets. I also open up about the legal trouble I’ve faced, including a hunting-related alcohol incident in the military and a DUI in 2017 that forced me to confront my drinking more seriously. I talk about the challenges I’ve had seeking help through the VA and mental health facilities, especially when treatment felt like prescriptions rather than real support. While I’m not fully sober today, I explain how far I’ve come, how much my drinking has decreased, and how determined I am not to fall back into old patterns — for my safety, my future, and the people I love. Finally, I invite listeners to join me on this journey, share their stories, and help create a judgment-free community where people at any stage of recovery can feel supported. I remind anyone struggling that setbacks don’t erase progress, change is always possible, and we are never obligated to remain the same person we were five minutes ago. 00:00 — Introduction & Purpose of the Episode Welcoming listeners and explaining that this episode covers your personal history and what future podcasts will explore. 00:25 — Family Background & First Experiences With Alcohol Growing up around alcohol, first drink at 17, and early attitudes toward drinking. 00:43 — Early Drinking Habits & Lack of an “Off Switch” Entering the Army, drinking heavily, and recognizing lifelong issues with binge patterns. 01:55 — Smoking History & Struggles With Nicotine Starting at 18, 16 years of addiction, switching methods, and eventually quitting. 03:05 — Life in the Army & Alcohol Culture Deployments, drinking traditions, barracks culture, irresponsible behavior, and biggest regrets. 05:21 — Post-Military Life & High-Stress Careers Working in corrections, heavy drinking culture, grief, burnout, and losing coworkers. 09:11 — Legal Troubles & Consequences The 2010 hunting incident, 2017 DUI, treatment attempts, and issues with medication-based help. 11:20 — Current State of Sobriety & Ongoing Challenges Reduced drinking, fears of relapse, memory issues, and the difficulty of balancing progress with pressure. 12:32 — Building Community & The Purpose of This Podcast Welcoming listeners at any stage of sobriety, rejecting shame, and inviting shared stories. 13:46 — Final Encouragement & Closing Message Reminding listeners of self-worth, resilience, and the power of small steps; Alan Watts quote.
