In this special live edition of Believe in People, we're celebrating a podcast first.
For the very first time, we took the podcast to the stage, recording live in front of more than 500 audience members at the DDN Conference (https://www.drinkanddrugsnews.com/) , one of the UK's largest events dedicated to drugs, alcohol and recovery.
Joining us for her third appearance on Believe in People, Michelle Heaton (https://www.instagram.com/wonderwomanshel) reflects on more than five years of recovery from alcohol and cocaine addiction. She speaks openly about the progression of addiction, the impact of early surgical menopause, motherhood, shame, treatment, fellowship, and rebuilding life in recovery. Michelle also shares the moment that changed everything, how peer support helped save her life, and why recovery is about far more than simply stopping drinking or using drugs.
Following the live interview, we've also included the audience Q&A, where audience members put their own questions to Michelle, leading to honest, emotional and thought-provoking discussions about recovery, stigma, parenting, menopause and hope.
Whether you're in recovery yourself, supporting a loved one, working in health and social care, or simply interested in real stories of change, we hope you enjoy this special live episode.
Topics that Matt and Michelle discuss incldue:
• pop fame versus what addiction looks like in real life
• “food noise”, dieting, stimulants and the long build-up of addictive behaviour
• early surgical menopause, health scares and the slide into alcohol dependence and cocaine addiction
• why hospital stays and getting caught do not stop compulsive use
• punishment, self-hate and feeling at peace with dying
• the moment visible recovery makes help feel possible
• letting go of the fantasy of drinking normally
• recovery friendships, separating your life from your fellowship, learning to say no
• women’s stigma, motherhood shame and fear of losing children
• rehab and detox versus long-term support in AA and CA
• menopause, hormones, HRT access and being misdiagnosed
• triggers and finding joy without substances
Search terms: addiction recovery podcast UK, Michelle Heaton podcast, alcohol addiction recovery, cocaine addiction recovery, women in recovery, lived experience stories, peer support, trauma and recovery, recovery community, substance misuse.
Click here to text our host, Matt, directly! (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949948/fan_mail/new)
🎧 If this episode connected with you, please subscribe and review. It directly helps us reach more people affected by addiction, trauma and stigma.
🔗 Then share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!
Browse the full archive at 👉 www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com (https://www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com/)
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)
Listen & Subscribe:
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4Cr4wzZ6bxku1cRcoYKbGK) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/believe-in-people-addiction-recovery-stigma/id1617239923)
🎙️ Facilitator: Matthew Butler
🎛️ Producer: Robbie Lawson
🏢 Network: ReNew (https://www.changegrowlive.org/renew)
