The Recovery Toolkit Podcast: Episode 32 - Poppy's Story: From Chaos to Connection

In this powerful and moving episode, we sit down with Poppy, a woman whose journey through addiction, chaos, and healing offers hope and inspiration, especially for young women. Growing up surrounded by addiction and dysfunction in Middlesbrough, Poppy was drawn to the chaos she knew so well. Abuse and domestic violence became a normal part of her life, and alcohol and drugs were her way to cope. She travelled far and wide trying to escape her pain, only to realise she couldn’t outrun herself. Poppy opens up about how chaos once felt safe, how she built stories to survive, and how hard it is to break old patterns. But she’s committed to growth and continues working on herself every day, especially as she strives to become an emotionally available mum for her daughter. Now living in recovery, Poppy reminds us that it’s not all “pink fluffy clouds.” Life still throws challenges, but today she faces them in a far better place. She’s found safety in connection, healing in community, and joy in the small things - like starting her day at the gym and working in a place where she can be herself. Poppy’s recovery has not only changed her life, but also sparked healing in her family. She’s rebuilding her relationship with her dad, and her brother has entered recovery too. Most powerfully, she’s learning to connect with her daughter in a whole new way. This episode is a testament to the power of recovery, the importance of connection, and the resilience of the human spirit. We offer free support across the UK, meeting people wherever they are in their recovery journey - whether reaching out for the first time or seeking continued support with long-term recovery. Our programmes, which include a range of online support and face-to-face events, are shaped and driven by lived experiences of gambling harm. https://www.epicrestartfoundation.org/pages/our-programmes