Podathon For Recovery: Evie’s Road to Recovery

In this Podathon For Recovery episode, Evie shares an extraordinary 44-year sobriety story—beginning with childhood trauma in post-war Austria, prescription drug misuse after a 1973 car accident, and the moment a newspaper listing led her to AA and a new life. She later sought help for sex addiction, moved to Los Angeles in 1982 for deeper recovery, and now helps clients as a coach and hypnotherapist. It’s a candid, hopeful conversation about breaking cycles, choosing healing, and why support programs still save lives. Sponsored by Rage Against Addiction Guest Bio:  Evie is a recovery advocate with 44 years of sobriety (since March 31), a former journalist, and a coach/hypnotherapist who started her practice in 2014. After healing from alcohol and prescription drug dependence—and doing deep work in Sex Addicts Anonymous—she specializes in helping clients with sexual dysfunction and weight issues often linked to trauma. Her story spans Vienna to Los Angeles and demonstrates the power of AA, mentorship, and sustained inner work. Main Topics: ·         Podathon for Recovery: 12 Days of Hope benefiting Rage Against Addiction·         Childhood stress and early substance use in Austria; family trauma from the Holocaust era and post-war antisemitism ·         Codependency and marriage to an alcoholic; later escalation with prescriptions after a 1973 car accident and PTSD ·         The turning point: finding AA via a newspaper listing and committing to sobriety; first meetings in Vienna (including men-only and international groups) ·         Moving to Los Angeles in 1982, sober living, women’s and mixed meetings; seeking help in Sex Addicts Anonymous ·         Long-term recovery practices; choosing singleness to avoid unhealthy patterns; sponsoring others and “Eskimo” outreach approach ·         Journalism career and interviews (e.g., Matthew Perry) touching on recovery; later training in spiritual psychology; launching a coaching/hypnotherapy practice in 2014 ·         Smoking/vaping discussion and health concerns; practical advice on timing help when people are ready to quit ·         “If I hadn’t found that meeting: six feet under” — the stakes and hope of sustained recovery  Resources mentioned: ·         Donate to Rage Against Addiction ·         Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in Vienna and Los Angeles; “Big Book” referenced ·         Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) and Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) (she attended SAA; noted SLAA wasn’t a fit for her) ·         University of Santa Monica (spiritual psychology program) — graduation prior to starting her practice in 2014 ·         Austrian Ministry of Education scholarship; study at an institute in Los Angeles (as transcribed) ·         Matthew Perry (discussed sobriety in interviews) ·         New England Journal of Medicine article(s) on vaping harms (mentioned) ·         Evie’s website: https://coacheviesullivan.com/Send us Fan MailCelebrate the Magic of Words in Bel Air, Maryland!https://bookfairatbelair.org/Rage Against AddictionRage Against Addiction is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting addicts and their familiDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showRate & Review on Apple Podcasts Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennettTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTokSponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Hosted on BuzzsproutSquadCastSubscribe by Email