004: "The Attorney"- Robert V. shares his 20 yr story of addiction, drug abuse and alcoholism until he finds recovery!004: "The Attorney"- Robert V. shares his 20 yr story of addiction, drug abuse and alcoholism until he finds recovery!
The SHAIR Recovery Podcast
Robert V. recounts two decades of alcoholism, drug use, failed relationships and suicidal thoughts, followed by a return to treatment and structured recovery. He talks about ego, meetings, sponsorship and daily actions that support his current sober life.
39:30•10 Mar 2015
From Wolf of Wall Street Chaos to Daily Sobriety: Robert V.’s 20-Year Story
Episode Overview
- Feeling good all the time is not a realistic goal; accepting uncomfortable emotions is part of genuine recovery.
- Treating suggestions from a sponsor and fellowship as clear instructions can support early sobriety when self-will is unreliable.
- Regular meetings and active service help keep ego in check and provide tools to handle life on life’s terms.
- Surrendering to a higher power and to the recovery process can turn desperation into a workable daily programme.
- Living amends and ongoing honesty offer a way to address past harm, even when formal apologies are not fully accepted.
“"With my own will, I had demonstrated that all I could do was destroy my life and destroy the lives of other people."”
How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction? This episode of The SHAIR Recovery Podcast follows Robert V., an attorney and father of three, as he shares a raw 20-year journey through alcoholism, drug abuse, relapse and, eventually, sustained sobriety. Robert talks about taking his first drink at 12 or 13 and feeling like "that feeling of inadequacy, which I had felt my whole life, was gone." From that moment, alcohol became his solution.
He describes high achievement at school, early success in law, marriage and children – all while feeling increasingly hollow and driven by ego. Even during 15 years without drinking, he explains he was "not sober", just white‑knuckling and chasing pleasure through work, affairs and status. The episode takes a darker turn as Robert recounts his return to drinking after convincing himself he was "prepared to drink".
Within four years, his life spiralled into a cocaine‑fuelled blur he compares to The Wolf of Wall Street, ending in divorce, blackouts and carefully planned thoughts of suicide. A simple phone call from his mother and a lift from an old friend led him back into treatment instead of to an empty lot with a gun.
From there, the focus shifts to what early recovery really looked like: daily meetings, quitting smoking on the spot, and treating suggestions as "instructions" because, as he says, "with my own will, I had demonstrated that all I could do was destroy my life." Robert talks about ego, humility, sponsorship, service and the slow rebuild of trust and self‑respect.
Today, he says, "Most of the time, I feel very comfortable in my skin" and values having options and tools rather than being ruled by the next drink. If you’re wondering whether long-term chaos can be turned into a meaningful sober life, this story might be the nudge you need.
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