Recovery Demystified - Secular Addiction Recovery and Harm Reduction for Queers, Neurodivergent People, and Their Allies

Early Brunner
  • 5.0 (13)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

Recovery Demystified is a secular, queer, and neurodivergent-friendly recovery podcast exploring addiction, sobriety, and harm reduction. We tell unheard stories to upend stigma surrounding recovery, provide practical tools, and tell stories about navigating life in the process of healing from addiction and trauma. We leave shame, dogma, and purity politics at the door. Each episode is created for folks seeking addiction recovery support from a radical lens, whether you're early in sobriety, exploring alternatives to 12-step programs, or looking for harm-reduction strategies that work in your life. We feature inclusive perspectives from queer and neurodivergent communities, tackling topics like relapse prevention, coping with cravings, mental health, trauma, and identity in recovery. You can expect: -Empowerment, encouragement, and a healing environment -Personal recovery stories from queer, ND, and secular voices -Practical harm reduction tools and strategies -Honest discussions about sobriety challenges, relapse, and mental health -Guidance for secular and alternative recovery paths -A punk, stigma-free, and inclusive approach to healing Whether you're looking for a queer recovery podcast, neurodivergent sobriety support, or just want real talk about addiction and harm reduction, Recovery Demystified is here to provide clarity, compassion, and community. If you have ever felt left behind or pushed to the fringes of society, you are in the right place! Recovery for the rest of us! Connect with us: Instagram - @recoverydemystified Substack - @recoverydemystified Email - info@recoverydemystified.com Donate to our cause! Patreon - Link in episode descriptions! Venmo & Paypal - @recoverydemystified https://.recoverydemystified.com/donations/

  1. 6D AGO

    Story #39: Mary - ADHD, Rebellion, and Finding a Home in Secular AA

    Today we hear Mary's addiction recovery story. She grew up with both parents in recovery and doing direct care work for people in crisis with their alcohol addictions. A fierce inner critic ruled the landscape with fear and shame -- something that she found only alcohol could quiet down. Her drinking spun out of control while she worked as a flight attendant, and after a co-worker called her out at a bar, she put down the drink and never looked back. During her three decades of recovery she has learned how to love herself, how to quiet down the inner critic without alcohol, and most importantly she honors her own authenticity by not listening to other people's dogmatic projections. She is passionate about an empowering secular approach to recovery and her wisdom will leave you with a lot to chew on. Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching and book a free 20 minute consultation! Click here to join our Patreon! Click here to donate to our nonprofit! Click here to get some sick merch! Click here to check out our Substack! Click here to follow us on Instagram! Logo - Stevie Petet Theme music - Logan Bragg Mary's Contributions: Send Mary an e-mail - secularaa@gmail.com Website for more information - https://www.aasecular.org Recommended podcasts: Secular AA speakers/panels: https://secularaa.buzzsprout.com/ Rebellion Dogs Radio: https://rebelliondogspublishing.com/rebellious-radio Beyond Belief Sobriety: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondBeliefSobriety Recommended Readings: One Big Tent: AA Grapevine stories from 1964 to 2018 of atheists and agnostics https://www.aagrapevine.org/store/one-big-tent?srsltid=AfmBOopMICJPNr2rQkkGyQHVmMuO0HnDaQ8_FXpltG-0ugBUycBLP4t6 Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life, by Rebellion Dogs Publishing https://www.amazon.com/dp/0988115700?ie=UTF8&sr=8-6&linkCode=sl1&tag=rebeldogspubl-20&linkId=0a5f1ca06a67508187859a0ebe9d5e88&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl Staying Sober Without God: The Practical 12 Steps to Long-Term Recovery from Alcoholism & Addiction, by Jeffery Munn https://www.amazon.com/Staying-Sober-Without-God-Alcoholism/dp/1733588000 We're Not All Egomaniacs: Adopting the 12 Steps for people with low self-esteem, by Beth Aich https://www.amazon.com/Were-Not-All-Egomaniacs-Self-Esteem/dp/1098362624/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WBGRRX3RS9SA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Vp5ZUlR9urY0lYC7VW4IJw.wZE34XSD3nWRavOyaSZp0RgQD5yxB45Nx4-v46Os1Mk&dib_tag=se&keywords=We%27re+not+all+egomaniacs&qid=1776466802&sprefix=we%27re+not+all+egomaniacs%2Caps%2C326&sr=8-1

    1h 25m

  2. APR 14

    RR #30 - Why AA/12 Step Didn't Work for Me as a Queer, Neurodivergent, AFAB Heretic

    In today's episode I talk about being queer, neurodivergent, AFAB, and living with religious trauma while trying to be involved in AA/12 Step programs. I discuss exactly how and why I felt worse after being involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, not better. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) claims that their simple program works for everyone -- provided the person is capable of being completely honest with themselves. When the 12 steps didn't work for me, I was told that "It works if you work it. Keep coming back." The shame I felt about my failure only grew, causing my addiction to feel hopeless. It turns out that the 12 steps were created by and for a very select group of people, and I wasn't one of them. I have never believed in God; I hated the idea of declaring myself powerless; and I simply will not be considering myself to have "character defects." I am so grateful to be at a place in my recovery where I have found answers outside of a one-size-fits-all program, where I have created a life I no longer need to escape from, and where I love myself and feel whole. Readings from books include: Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker and First in the Family by Jessica Hoppe Click here to learn more about my coaching practice and to book a free 20 minute consultation! Click here to sign up for the Patreon! Click here to check out our Instagram! Click here to check out our Substack! Click here to donate to our nonprofit! Click here to buy some truly iconic RD swag! Logo - Stevie Petet Theme Music - Logan Bragg

    44 min

  3. APR 7

    Story #38: Sierra - Adopted and Raised in a Cult, BPD, and Losing a Someone to Addiction

    Today we hear Sierra's story. She talks about growing up with an addicted mother, and then being adopted into a strict religious family. She describes how these polar-opposite childhood traumas created a foundation of trauma and mental instability in her life. Later she gets into a difficult partnership that is characterized by intense substance use. We talk about weed induced panic attacks, using cocaine pretty regularly while getting a degree in addiction studies, working at a homeless shelter, and the tragic loss of her ex-partner. She highlights the importance of harm reduction in her life and shows that we don't need to hit rock bottom to address our use of substances! Check out our merch store! Donate via our website! Deep dive into our Substack! Connect with us on Instagram! Join our Patreon! Logo - Stevie Petet Theme music - Logan Bragg

    1h 5m

  4. MAR 31

    RR #29: The #1 Skill You Need to Be Bulletproof in Recovery - How to Be Comfortable in Any Situation

    Recovery Resources is a series about skills and addiction recovery resources that actually help. Feeling lost? Tried everything? Buckle up, because this episode is going to introduce an idea that will set you free. Today Early talks about their most important resilience-building skill in addiction recovery -- being comfortable with being uncomfortable. Once mastered, this essential skill will make you completely bulletproof in your recovery. Every time we survive being uncomfortable without suppressing our feelings, we grow stronger and stronger, until we are able to feel steady in every situation. Triggers? Cravings? Mere bumps in the road! Early recovery can feel overwhelming, and when we are used to stuffing down every uncomfortable feeling with substances, doing something new can feel nearly impossible. We can build our skills over time by nurturing our basic needs to increase our baseline resilience when we focus on things like sleep, nutrition, and movement. This foundation matters more than you think. The next layer involves learning how to recognize and regulate our emotions. This is a skill that is infinitely beneficial and can be learned by turning the gaze inwards to observe our emotional landscape and sensations in the body. The third layer addresses nervous system overwhelm, and we discuss various tools that we can practice to guide our body out of fight or flight mode. The amazing thing here is that you are in control of so much more than you think. Stress, cravings, and triggers can become small and insignificant in our lives by practicing this method. Being comfortable with being uncomfortable just might be your new superpower! Study showing 75% of people recover from their addictions! Click here to join our Patreon! Click here to donate via our website! Click here to visit our merch store! Click here to check out our Instagram! Click here to visit our Substack! Logo - Stevie Petet Theme Music - Logan Bragg

    30 min

  5. MAR 27

    A Special Message for New Listeners!

    12 Step doesn't work for everyone! Freaks and weirdos are welcomed! In this introduction, Early discusses what you can expect here at the Recovery Demystified Podcast. We tell stories of people who use harm reduction, people who came back from the brink and rebuilt their lives, and people who returned to controlled use. We also talk with people who quit before it got bad. You do not need to hit rock bottom in order to address your use of substances! We also hear stories from queer and neurodivergent people in addiction recovery. Early also puts out solo episodes discussing addiction recovery resources that actually work. Whether you're looking for secular recovery outside of the 12-step model, queer and neurodivergent community, or a place where you are fully accepted as your weird self -- you're in the right place. We advocate for harm reduction, not purity politics. We foster an environment of empowerment, growth, and healing. Do you hate being told what to do? So do we. You're in the right place. Join our Patreon! Donate to our nonprofit via our website! Check out our merch store! Follow us on Instagram! Check out our Substack! Holler at us in the email - info@recoverydemystified.com Logo - Stevie Petet Theme Music - Logan Bragg

    4 min

  6. MAR 24

    Story #37: Jacob - How Anxiety, AuDHD, and Chronic Pain Lead to Addiction, And How Music Brought Him Back

    Jacob's story of addiction and recovery reveals how ancestral trauma, chronic anxiety, autism, ADHD and chronic pain can intersect in ways that push people toward substance use -- and how healing is still possible. In this episode, Jacob shares how opiates initially felt like a miracle solution to all of his problems, temporarily easing a lifetime of overwhelming anxiety and chronic pain. But what began as relief then escalated into dependence, leading him from prescription pills to IV heroin and fentanyl. After developing a life-threatening blood infection that required open heart surgery, Jacob faced a turning point. He eventually stopped using heroin with the help of Suboxone and began rebuilding his life through harm reduction, self-understanding, and playing the drums. Study showing 75% of people recover from their addictions! Want to support this work? Join our Patreon! Want to donate to our nonprofit? Click here to donate! Check out our merch store! Click here for toad shirts! Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/recoverydemystified/ Substack! https://substack.com/@recoverydemystified Holler at us in the email! info@recoverydemystified.com Logo - Stevie Petet Theme Music - Logan Bragg

    1h 18m

  7. MAR 17

    RR#28: Addiction Recovery Resources That Actually Help - Epigenetics & ACEs, Healing Relationships w/ Attachment Theory, Queer and Punk Community

    Recovery resources that actually help, build your own recovery with secret resources you probably never heard of. Addiction recovery community support... incoming!! Looking for addiction recovery support outside traditional programs? In this episode, Early shares recovery resources that will actually help you build a sustainable recovery community and find meaningful addiction recovery support in your everyday life. We explore how science and relationships shape recovery, starting with the impact of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and epigenetics of addiction, trauma, and healing. Understanding how early experiences affect the brain and nervous system can be a powerful step toward compassionate self-understanding and long-term addiction recovery support. We also talk about healing relationships through attachment theory -- how learning about secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment can help people become self-aware and strengthen their relationships in order to build healthy recovery community around them. Healthy relationships are one of the most powerful forms of addiction recovery support. If you're just starting your recovery journey, you might like to try the simple and accessible "un-f*ck" yourself books that introduce personal growth, emotional regulation, and practical tools for building stability. These kinds of beginner resources can provide immediate addiction recovery support while taking off the pressure to read something too over-complicated. Early also recommends several podcasts that offer ongoing addiction recovery support and help listeners feel less alone in the process. Included are a podcast focused on storytelling and neuroscience, a queer harm reduction podcast, and a folk punk recovery community adjacent show. Books: The Deepest Well by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris Attachment Theory by Amire Lavine and Rachel Heller Unf*ck Your Addiction and Unf*ck Your Brain by Dr. Faith G. Harper Podcasts: Queering Up Harm Reduction by Meesh The Addicted Mind by Duane Osterlind Back on the Grind by Pepe Bandit   Help Support This Work! Join our Patreon! Donate to our nonprofit via our website! Check out our merch store!   Contact & Connect with us! Substack! Instagram! Email us! info@recoverydemystified.com   Logo: Stevie Petet Theme Music: Logan Bragg Every fkn thing else: Early Brunner

    26 min

  8. MAR 10

    Story #36: Katy - Growing Up in a Meth House, Becoming Enlightened & Un-Enlightened, and an Easy Way to Quit Nicotine!

    Katy's story is a powerful look at addiction, trauma, and recovery outside the traditional 12-step model. Growing up in a meth house surrounded by hard drugs and instability, she experienced firsthand how addiction can shape a childhood and ripple into adulthood. She shares how those early experiences influenced her relationship with substances, identity, and the search for meaning. After what most people would perceive as a minor mistake, Katy turned fully inwards and experienced a period of enlightenment. It didn't last forever, and unfortunately she lost that sense of clarity and grounding, and at some point beer and cigarettes took its place. Instead of waiting for rock bottom, Katy recognized the patterns forming and chose to quit before things spiraled further. We also explore Katy's brilliant discovery on how to quit smoking cigarettes -- the easy way. If you're interested in non-12-step recovery, harm reduction, trauma-informed healing, or are simply looking for a story that will lend addiction recovery support, this episode is for you. Study showing 75% of people recover from addiction! Donate to our nonprofit! Join our Patreon! Check out our Substack Check us out on Instagram! Check out our online merch store! Want to tell your story on this podcast? Have feedback? Send us an email! info@recoverydemystified.com Logo - Stevie Petet Theme Music -  Logan Bragg

    1h 13m
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Recovery Demystified is a secular, queer, and neurodivergent-friendly recovery podcast exploring addiction, sobriety, and harm reduction. We tell unheard stories to upend stigma surrounding recovery, provide practical tools, and tell stories about navigating life in the process of healing from addiction and trauma. We leave shame, dogma, and purity politics at the door. Each episode is created for folks seeking addiction recovery support from a radical lens, whether you're early in sobriety, exploring alternatives to 12-step programs, or looking for harm-reduction strategies that work in your life. We feature inclusive perspectives from queer and neurodivergent communities, tackling topics like relapse prevention, coping with cravings, mental health, trauma, and identity in recovery. You can expect: -Empowerment, encouragement, and a healing environment -Personal recovery stories from queer, ND, and secular voices -Practical harm reduction tools and strategies -Honest discussions about sobriety challenges, relapse, and mental health -Guidance for secular and alternative recovery paths -A punk, stigma-free, and inclusive approach to healing Whether you're looking for a queer recovery podcast, neurodivergent sobriety support, or just want real talk about addiction and harm reduction, Recovery Demystified is here to provide clarity, compassion, and community. If you have ever felt left behind or pushed to the fringes of society, you are in the right place! Recovery for the rest of us! Connect with us: Instagram - @recoverydemystified Substack - @recoverydemystified Email - info@recoverydemystified.com Donate to our cause! Patreon - Link in episode descriptions! Venmo & Paypal - @recoverydemystified https://.recoverydemystified.com/donations/

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