Ep 185. She Nearly Lost Her Life: Addiction, Violence and Recovery, with Shannan Walsh

My guest this week, Shannan Walsh, lived in the grip of addiction for 18 years. It took her from alcohol and drugs to crime, prison, homelessness and a relationship that nearly cost her life. Eventually, she reached a point where there was nowhere left to run.

In this raw conversation, Shannan shares what it took to survive, get sober and rebuild her life from the ground up. She speaks about motherhood, violence, shame, spirituality and the slow work of learning to trust herself again.

Shannan’s story is confronting, but it is also a hopeful reminder that recovery is possible.

TW: This episode contains discussion of family violence and suicide.

Episode chapters:

00:00 Introducing Shannan Walsh

03:23 The Photo: Hiding Behind the Smile

04:39 A Life Built Around the Drink

07:06 What Shannon Was Like Before Alcohol

08:05 Early Depression and the Hole in the Soul

09:51 When Drugs Entered the Picture

11:00 Ecstasy, Meth, and the Escalation of Addiction