In this episode of Believe in People, Kaitlin Reeve, known online as Sober As A Mother Focused, joins us to discuss motherhood, addiction recovery, trauma, shame, and the unique barriers women face when seeking support.

Kaitlin shares her deeply personal journey from childhood trauma and early substance use to cocaine addiction, cannabis dependency, and ultimately long-term recovery. We explore the fear many mothers experience around disclosing addiction, concerns about social services involvement, the stigma placed on women compared to men, and why so many mums remain trapped in addiction for longer than necessary.

The conversation examines the reality of parenting while in active addiction, the challenge of rebuilding relationships with children, and the emotional work required to repair trust. Kaitlin speaks openly about guilt, shame, self-forgiveness, and how recovery transformed not only her relationship with substances but also her role as a mother.

We also discuss 12-step recovery, the importance of safe spaces where women can be honest without fear of judgement, and the misconceptions surrounding addiction, relapse, cravings, and recovery. Kaitlin offers a powerful perspective on why addiction is often hidden in plain sight and why compassion, understanding, and lived experience must play a greater role in supporting mothers seeking help.

This episode offers practical insight for people in recovery, family members, frontline practitioners, and anyone interested in real stories of change. It is a conversation about stigma, secrecy, resilience, and what it takes to choose recovery when everything feels at risk. 

Topics Covered

•  Motherhood and addiction 
•  Fear of losing children when asking for help 
•  Childhood trauma and adverse experiences 
•  Cocaine addiction recovery 
•  Cannabis dependency 
•  Women and recovery 
•  Parenting in sobriety 
•  Shame, guilt and self-forgiveness 
•  12-step recovery 
•  Stigma and substance misuse 
•  Lived experience and recovery advocacy 

Resources

📱 Instagram: @soberasamotherfocused (https://www.instagram.com/soberasamotherfocused/)

About Kaitlin Reeve

Kaitlin Reeve is the creator of Sober As A Mother Focused, an online platform dedicated to raising awareness around addiction, recovery, motherhood, and mental health. Through honest storytelling and lived experience, she shares the realities of recovery as a parent and advocates for safer, more compassionate support for women affected by substance use.

With more than 17,000 followers online and over three years of continuous sobriety, Kaitlin uses her platform to challenge stigma, offer hope, and encourage honest conversations about addiction and recovery. She is currently training as an addiction therapist and continues to support others through education, advocacy, and lived experience. 

Search Terms

addiction recovery podcast UK, motherhood and addiction, mums in recovery, women and substance misuse, cocaine recovery, cannabis addiction recovery, trauma and recovery, lived experience stories, peer support, Believe in People podcast

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Believe in People is a platform for lived experience, recovery insight and honest conversation. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or working on the frontline, this podcast exists to inform, challenge stigma and inspire change.

If you or someone you know needs support with drugs, alcohol, housing, domestic abuse, or mental and physical wellbeing, free and confidential help is available via Change Grow Live (https://www.changegrowlive.org/) :

📩 Contact: robbie@believeinpeoplepodcast.com
🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” - Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six)

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🎙️ Facilitator: Matthew Butler
🎛️ Producer: Robbie Lawson
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