Ozempic, Addiction & the Pain We Don't Talk About – Dave Yates

Comedian Dave Yates joins Forrest to talk alcoholism, addiction, grief, medication, weight-loss shots, sleep, and the moment he realized he was his own problem. They get into using work as a drug, losing his dad, what cold plunges and therapy have done for his brain, and whether things like Ozempic can really help or just become another crutch. It's raw, funny, and packed with real stories about blackout drinking, withdrawal, grief, CPAP machines, gambling urges, and trying to build a life that actually feels manageable. 🎧 If you're wrestling with grief, thinking about quitting a habit, or just stuck in your own head, this episode is painfully honest, surprisingly hopeful, and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 Into 02:01 "I've Got Another Problem": traffic, ego, and being the center of the universe 06:08 Introducing Dave Yates 07:02 The hot sauce hustle: comedy pay, survival, and Carolina Reapers 09:48 "What's your problem?" — Dave explains how he is the problem 13:10 Influencer gamblers & why Forrest would've been a great one 17:03 Ozempic, cravings, dopamine, and the science of addiction 19:56 Why addicts hate medication… until they need medication 23:30 The ego trap: "I can quit whenever I want" and other lies 26:03 Dave on 13 years sober and the reality behind it 31:45 CPAP machines, bad sleep, and finally admitting you need help 38:05 Cold plunges, recovery tools, and learning to treat yourself gently 44:48 Grief, losing a parent, and the part no one prepares you for 52:12 Withdrawal, breakups, and why your brain attacks your body 58:05 Dave's message to anyone struggling right now 59:43 Outro 🎙️ Find Dave Yates: 🔗 Website: https://www.hahahotsauce.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yatescomedy ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@daveyatescomedy