Accepting You’re an Addict; The Link Between Mental Health and Drug Use with Alex Drummond
Something a little bit different for this episode of the podcast, where Dan interviews Alex Drummond, from his men and their emotions group, to give the perspective of an ‘every day’ guy among the mostly celebs, professionals, specialists and social media influencers he usually speaks to.
They talk about Alex’s experience of addiction and becoming sober and how it has given him the tools to help other people. They also discuss the almost inevitability of drug and alcohol use becoming an addiction and why addiction is so common among men.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Societal expectations can make it more difficult for men to reach out when they need help, from struggling with addiction and mental health to just everyday life difficulties. Accepting you are an addict is the first step needed to look for and acknowledge that you need help. The stigma attached to being an addict and simply the word itself can make this challenging. Alex started using drugs as just a ‘normal guy’. At first, he could manage drug use and his life. But after experiencing loss and other trauma, his drug use escalated and that’s when his problems truly began. From the outside, Alex’s life looked like it was good, his unhappiness and struggles were hidden and he was using drugs to cope with his emotions. After starting to use crack, Alex lost all his businesses, became homeless, and was sectioned under the mental health act. He had hit rock bottom and it took all of this for him to seek the help he needed. Almost all drug use accelerates. Everyone starts with a small amount and being able to cope with using and living an acceptable life, but at some point, it will accelerate. After you become sober you gain a lot of clarity, part of that means accepting how bad your behaviour was when you were an addict and being honest with others and yourself about the hurt and damage you caused. Figuring out the cause of your addiction is key. People use drink and drugs for a reason and until you can solve the cause of that you will struggle to become sober. For Alex, that meant accepting and facing his emotions and trauma.
BEST MOMENTS
“Acknowledging and admitting I’m an addict is it tells me what I now need to do…there’s a power in it”
“I was just a normal bloke who used drugs”
“I bottled up my feelings since I was a 10 year old boy, I learnt how to deal with not feeling emotions, when I got older, drugs used to numb the pain”
“I could not stop taking drugs, how could I be doing good in all areas of my life but this had me defeated?”
“I don’t feel comfortable with this feeling, I’m going to use drugs”
“The problem wasn’t with drink and drugs for me, it was my thinking and then the drugs became the problem”
VALUABLE RESOURCES
CONTACT METHOD
ABOUT THE GUEST
Alex Drummond
“I'm 40 years of age, from Bethnal Green in East London, I'm currently working in technology event sales for a company called Inspired Business media.
I worked abroad for 4 years in Europe then moved to South Wales in 2003. I started running nightclubs and developed a heavy cocaine addiction for the next 15 years. I helped set up 4 businesses, grew them, became very successful, got married, had a baby through IVF after trying for 7 years.
My Mum died in 2013, I hit a brick wall and my using accelerated. Got kicked off as a director of my companies, got sectioned for my mental health, ended up in hospital with Sepsis, nearly died, split from my wife, wasn't allowed to see my daughter and was made homeless.
Ended up in Rehab for nearly 5 months, then came out and relapsed again and ended up street homeless again.
Finally on 1st June 2017 I found recovery nearly 6 years clean and sober. My rock bottom moment was trying to commit suicide again for the 3rd time and being devastated that I was still alive when I came round.
Now I have a beautiful relationship with my daughter, see her 3 days a week, have a beautiful partner, we love together, I have a great job with quality people and I get to help others in my life who are going through the same thing. “
Instagram@Thatsoberman
Facebook: @Thatsoberman
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel O’Reilly
Daniel O’Reilly is one of the UK’s Largest Influencers, a comedian, actor, musician, viral video star and social influencer. With a portfolio of businesses Daniel enjoys a busy lifestyle mixed with business and pleasure. Daniel is a father to two beautiful girls and enjoys spending quality time with them and his wife Shelley. With 2022 being a busy year, Daniel sold out his O2 stand-up show, released his British movie 'The Last Heist' and is currently preparing for the upcoming release of his other film 'Miss The Kiss'. Daniel is a creative through and through, with a passion to strive in everything he does. Daniel is looking forward to the release of his podcast 'Menace 2 Sobriety' in 2023, his long-term position on GB News, Headliners, and the growing slate of films in the works with his production company, HYPRR.
PODCAST DESCRIPTION
Daniel O'Reilly's newest venture sees the creation of his Menace 2 Sobriety podcast, a series of relaxed and open conversations with different guests and varied experiences.
After recently being diagnosed with severe ADHD and beginning his sobriety again, Daniel also set up a page on Facebook and Instagram called 'Men And Their Emotions' (M.A.T.E) an accessible, open and supportive group for MEN to post their feelings, thoughts and current life issues. Upon seeing the responses from men around the world to some of the posts on the group he was blown away and continues to be touched by the kindness and support offered by strangers. This all led to Daniel wanting to start up his own podcast and invite guests to join him in opening up about past experiences and talk about all things mental health, family & sobriety.
The podcast will see Daniel and his interesting guests' sharing their personal stories and learning experiences that they hope will help other people; whether it encourages one person to ask for help, talk to family about their struggles with getting sober/clean, or realise that they aren't alone. The Menace 2 Sobriety podcast has been created by Daniel to help people fight their own gremlins.
