Addicted to Recovery

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas explore one of the most challenging and universal themes in recovery: self-obsession.Using real-life examples from their own relationships, parenting, road rage, social anxiety, and everyday interactions, Chris and Max unpack how self-obsession quietly drives emotional pain, conflict, and addictive thinking. The conversation is grounded in recovery literature, particularly the concept of The Triangle of Self Obsession—made up of resentment (the past), anger (the present), and fear (the future).The episode highlights how addiction can arrest emotional growth, leaving many addicts stuck in a childlike state where validation, control, and external approval are desperately sought. Chris reads and reflects on recovery literature that explains how most people naturally mature out of this phase, while addicts often medicate discomfort instead—delaying emotional maturity and reinforcing self-centered thinking.Throughout the episode, the hosts show how self-obsession plays out subtly: overthinking text messages, craving approval from strangers, feeling under-appreciated, reacting defensively, or assuming everything is a personal attack. They also emphasize that this isn’t about shame—but awareness, responsibility, and action.Importantly, the episode offers hope and practical solutions. Chris and Max discuss how recovery tools—such as inventory, making amends, reaching out, acceptance, love, faith, and service to others—allow them to step out of the triangle. They stress that progress doesn’t mean perfection, but rather increasing the space between emotional blow-ups and responding more like an adult than a child.The central message is clear and uncompromising: to break free from addiction and emotional suffering, we must break the triangle of self-obsession. We must grow up—or the disease will eventually destroy us.A raw, relatable, and compassionate episode that reminds listeners they are not alone—and that there is a solution.

In this honest, reflective episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down for an unfiltered conversation with no guest, using the space to openly process the emotional impact of the Christmas period in recovery.The episode explores how breaking routine over the holidays can deeply affect addicts in recovery, triggering emotional sensitivity, irritability, overthinking, and a return to old thought patterns such as blame, control, people-pleasing, and self-criticism. Both hosts discuss struggles with family dynamics, overstimulation, and the pressure of multiple personalities coming together during Christmas.They reflect on the importance of structure, routine, and daily recovery practices, highlighting how even a few days disconnected from meetings, sponsors, or recovery messages can leave them feeling unsettled. Themes of self-awareness versus self-obsession run throughout, as the hosts acknowledge that awareness can be both a gift and a curse.Food, body image, and control around diet and exercise are discussed candidly, with both men recognising long-standing struggles with obsession, self-worth, and aligning physical health with mental and spiritual wellbeing. The conversation also touches on injury, fear of failure, and the addictive mindset looking for excuses to step away from discipline.The episode moves into reflections on gratitude, connection, and service, contrasting their family-filled Christmas experiences with those who face loneliness or homelessness during the holidays. They acknowledge the vital role of fellowship, outreach events, and simple acts of connection—such as phone calls, messages, or small moments of kindness—in sustaining recovery.Spirituality features strongly, with discussions around church, prayer, meditation, Step 11, and the need to “fill the spiritual tank,” especially when life becomes busy or emotionally charged. Both hosts identify judgmental thinking as a warning sign that their recovery needs attention.Looking ahead to 2026, Chris and Max talk openly about growth areas: improving balance, deepening spiritual practice, embracing change in work and routine, seeking counselling, meditation, and continuing to give back through sponsorship and the podcast.The episode closes with powerful moments of gratitude, remembrance, and emotional reflection, reinforcing a central message: recovery is a daily practice, connection is essential, and growth comes from getting out of self and staying spiritually grounded.

Episode 100 of Addicted to Recovery is a big one. Christopher White and Max Thomas mark the milestone by sitting down with comedian and podcaster Dapper Laughs for a raw, honest, and at times emotional conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it really takes to turn your life around. Episode 100 - Dapper LaughsDapper Laughs opens up about his early relationship with drink and drugs, growing up around chaos, violence, and addiction, and using humour as a way to cope and fit in. What started as partying and bravado slowly turned into heavy cocaine use, emotional comedowns, and living life in extremes — highs followed by some very dark lows.He talks openly about being cancelled at the height of his career, losing work, public backlash, and how the death of his dad pushed him even further into addiction. Things reached a breaking point when he found himself suicidal and alone, leading to a late-night call to the Samaritans that would become a huge turning point in his life.The episode digs into how addiction doesn’t always look the same for everyone — from binge users to daily users — and how mixing drink and drugs can seriously mess with your head. There’s also a big focus on men’s mental health, loneliness, and why so many men struggle to speak up before things spiral.Recovery hasn’t been perfect or straightforward. Dapper Laughs talks honestly about detox, early sobriety driven by ego, struggling with meetings, and how easy it is to neglect recovery when life gets busy with work, kids, and success. He also shares why he set up the Facebook group Men and Their Emotions, giving lads a safe place to talk openly and support each other.Christopher and Max bring their own lived experience into the conversation, reinforcing powerful recovery truths: connection matters, ego can hold you back, and if you don’t put recovery first, you risk losing everything else anyway.This episode is real, relatable, and full of hope — a reminder that no matter how messy things get, change is possible and you don’t have to do it on your own.

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down with their friend Matt to explore his journey through addiction, loss, and recovery.Matt shares how his struggles began long before substances entered the picture. Growing up feeling unseen, failing the 11+ exam, craving his father’s approval, and later feeling physically and emotionally “behind” his peers all contributed to a deep sense of inadequacy. Football became his first escape, followed by cannabis in his early teens, which quickly developed into a daily habit that numbed his thoughts and emotions.As Matt moved into adulthood, his substance use escalated. Alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis became daily necessities rather than choices. What began as social use turned into years of chaotic, exhausting routines—using before work, drinking to cope, lying to loved ones, and living with constant shame and fear. Despite holding down a job in the building trade and appearing “functional,” Matt describes an inner life marked by isolation, dishonesty, and despair.Attempts to control or moderate his use only deepened the pain. After meeting a partner who challenged him to confront his addiction, Matt managed long periods of abstinence without support—white-knuckling sobriety while remaining mentally obsessed with alcohol. This period culminated in profound emotional turmoil, made even more devastating by the suicide of his brother.A turning point came when Matt was introduced to recovery literature and, soon after, attended his first NA meeting. For the first time, he saw himself clearly as an addict and recognised that “treats” and moderation were simply relapses in disguise. Although early recovery was uncomfortable and fear-filled, Matt stayed, listened, and slowly followed suggestions—getting a sponsor, working the steps, and learning how to be honest.Now approaching three years clean, Matt reflects on the freedom he’s found through recovery: emotional peace, genuine friendships, integrity, and the ability to live life without constant self-medication. He speaks openly about the life-changing impact of Step Four, the importance of honesty, and how recovery has transformed not just his substance use, but his relationships and sense of self.This episode is a raw, relatable reminder that recovery is possible—even after decades of addiction—and that real change often happens slowly, subtly, and through connection with others who understand.

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Addicted to Recovery, Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down with international fashion icon and long-term recovering addict Paul Sculfor. Paul opens up about his extraordinary journey — from the heights of the 1990s global fashion scene, elite parties, and international success, to the depths of addiction, burnout, and emotional collapse. With raw vulnerability, he shares how alcohol, cocaine, and compulsive behaviours slowly took control, despite outward success and discipline in his professional life.Paul reflects on childhood anxiety, fear, and the generational impact of trauma, and how those early experiences shaped his addiction. He takes us inside the moment when life finally became unmanageable — leading him to rehab, surrender, and a life-changing decision to step away from his career to focus solely on recovery. Now over 21 years clean, Paul speaks candidly about the 12-step program, trauma therapy, spiritual awakening, and what it truly means to live at ease with yourself. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in recovery, considering recovery, or seeking hope, honesty, and proof that real transformation is possible.