Episode 33: ADHD, Alcohol Abuse & Spontaneous Sobriety with Siobhan O'Connor

Siobhan O'Connor - @notsosecretlysober was diagnosed with ADHD in May of this year, at 32 in Manchester.  In this inspirational blether, she shares her battles to overcome the ADHD comorbidities of alchohol and drug abuse; and concludes with her top tips for a Sober Christmas! Historically, Siobhan felt pride in being 'the last person standing' at parties.  Though she didn't drink everyday, when she did, her binge drinking was so extreme that she ended up being hospitalised on multiple occasions! Getting blackout drunk exacerbated her ADHD trait of risk taking behaviour. The terrifying situations Siobhan found herself in, in the name of 'fun', were no laughing matter! Prior to four years ago, Siobhan LOVED drinking! It was her whole identity(!) and led her to taking recreational drugs, and in turn into dangerous situations and debt. Reading Russell Brand's Recovery, inspired a year off the sauce... she has never looked back! Siobhan has a BRILLIANTLY names Social Media Management company: @ousaucedmedia - get it! :)   Dawn felt so inspired by Siobhan's story, she has decided this will be her first ever sober Christmas... and who knows what 2023 will bring!  Don't feel pressured to drink alcohol at Christmas! Alcohol can affect ADHD brains differently; as discussed in our previous episode: ADHD Vs Alcohol If you feel you are not in control of drinking or any other recreational behaviours, please reach out, there is help out there! For eg: Drink Aware, Alcohol Change, & Turning Point If you've found this podcast helpful and you are in a position to do so, please help us continue to help others by joining our Community. Packages include: vlogs, blogs, live blethers, body doubling and all the chats! If you would prefer you can leave us a tip.A massive thank you to our Patreon pledgers! With more supoport we will be able to continue producing ADHD As Females.  In particular a massive thank you to our Gold Tier Patrons: Sarah Newell, Ola Czarnecka, Rach, Callan Davy, Rachael Riley, Derec Thompson, Anne Barrow, Leanne Smith, Clare Hale, Amy Gramham, Liesel McDonald, Michelle Corcoran, Dee Naylor, Samantha Knowles-Owen, Kim Pierpoint, Sinéad McDermott, Amy Davies, Cecilia Leslie, Angela Curtis, Kelsey Fehlberg, Kate Wilkinson, Rochelle Fyander, Alana Pinatiello, Eleanor Macpherson, Katharine Kaufman, Lorna Crowe, N. Scott, Suzanne Tanser, Marianne Stevens, Philippa Pickering, Kate Smith, Jenna King, Jacqueline McGeachie, Lynn McKenna, Bee Wood, Jennifer Wilson, Seonaid Macdonald, Manar, Roz King, Helen McCann, Joanne Eccles, Eleanor Campen, Christie Maxted, Ali O'Connor, Rachel Stewart, Meet Lauren Mitchell, Claire Turner, Katie Enstone, Lauren Bullen, Annmarie Kemsley, Cclaire, Amanda Thomson, Lizzee Oliver & Allie Warren, who have helped make this episode happen; raising much needed ADHD awareness and providing validation and information to those who desperately need it. JOIN US!Trigger Warning: contains swearing, mentions of mental health struggles, family bereavement, drugs and alcoholSupport the show