Is Relapse Part of Recovery? School of Rock Bottom Thought #18: Maddie Kitchen

In this deeply personal thought, I revisit my conversation with Filmmaker Maddie Kitchen as we explore the reality of relapse in recovery — not as a failure, but as something many people experience on the path to long-term sobriety. My personal view is that relapse is part of addiction - not recovery, as it nearly killed me on many occasions. Relapse is not without severe risk and many people die so it's far from a recommendation. However, it was a huge part of my journey and this conversation highlights this perfectly. If it doesn't kill you - it can serve as a great teacher and there is no failure if you keep trying until recovery sticks. Our guest shares their powerful story of being sober for 12 years, following two relapses during the early years of recovery. The first came after a bout of clinical depression; the second lasted two weeks. These moments could have derailed everything. Instead, they became turning points. We talk openly about what relapse means, the fear and shame that often surround it and the stigma people face. We also reflect on the extraordinary strength it takes to stay sober through bereavement, illness and loss — including breast cancer, family illness, and grief. This episode is a reminder that life doesn’t stop being difficult once we get sober — but with the right support, therapy, and community, it becomes possible to face even the hardest challenges without returning to old patterns. We also discuss how early childhood trauma and mental health issues can shape addiction, with insights into the impact of postpartum psychosis and disrupted early bonds. This is an honest conversation that strips away myths around alcoholism and shows the human story behind long-term recovery. Whether you’re sober, struggling, or supporting someone who is, this is a must-listen.About the “THOUGHT” series -Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!Follow Maddie & Sobriety Films Instagram - https://instagram.com/sobriety_filmsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/sobriety.films.uk/Twitter/X - https://x.com/UkSobrietyWebsite - http://www.sobrietyfilms.comFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsWatch the FULL episode here Spotify - https://bit.ly/47Wka4wApple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQYouTube - https://tinyurl.com/mw5btxfc#RecoveryStory #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthRecovery