011: "The Tuesday Crew" - Neha M. shares her 11 yr story of addiction, drug abuse and alcoholism until she finds recovery!011: "The Tuesday Crew" - Neha M. shares her 11 yr story of addiction, drug abuse and alcoholism until she finds recovery!
The SHAIR Recovery Podcast
Neha shares an 11‑year spiral through alcohol, drugs, trauma and arrests, followed by more than five years of recovery grounded in meetings, sponsorship and community. Her story highlights the messy reality of early sobriety, the pull of relapse thinking and the possibility of building a full life beyond addiction.
59:33•28 Apr 2015
From Fake IDs to Five Years Clean: Neha’s Candid Journey with "The Tuesday Crew"
Episode Overview
- Feeling “too young” or not ready is common; Neha first met AA at 15 but only returned when the pain and consequences became unbearable at 25.
- Trauma, shame and isolation fed her drinking, but she learned that talking openly and seeking support was crucial for healing.
- Simple tools like 90 meetings in 90 days, getting a sponsor and joining sober social activities helped her see that life could still be fun without alcohol or drugs.
- Working the steps with different sponsors at different times gave her structure to address resentment, fear and forgiveness, including towards herself.
- Even at five years clean she struggled with complacency and doubt, showing that long-term recovery depends on continuing to use the “toolbox” of meetings, honesty and connection.
“"I thought I was too young, had a lot of partying to do... and then I walked into that meeting, saw those girls laughing, and whatever they had, I wanted."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation on The SHAIR Recovery Podcast follows Neha M., who marks over five years clean while unpacking 11 chaotic years of alcohol and drug use, arrests, trauma and, eventually, recovery. Neha starts with what her life looks like now: four jobs, a master’s in public policy at Rutgers, bird watching, hiking, and a role in Rutgers Recovery House.
Her early use at 14 brought instant “euphoria” and the feeling she could “be whoever I wanted, whenever I wanted.” The episode doesn’t shy away from the darkest parts: multiple sexual assaults, twelve arrests, weekends in jail, and a five‑year period she describes as “a complete blackout.” There’s a shocking bar story where she bites a stranger to get to the front and admits, “There was an invisible line that I crossed… I became this angry, miserable person.” She also shares suicidal planning and the horrifying moment she tried to strangle her sister in a blackout.
It’s a long way from the teenager who sold alcohol and weed to fund her habit and learned to beat probation urine tests with her sister’s pee.
Her turning point comes with that “moment of clarity” and a reluctant walk into an AA meeting, where she’s struck by a group of laughing women: “Whatever they had, I wanted.” From there, she talks honestly about thinking she’d do “90 in 90” and then drink again, smoking weed in early sobriety, learning to have fun sober with theme park passes and movie nights, and working the steps with several sponsors.
Neha’s story also touches on living and sponsoring in Costa Rica, nearly drifting away from meetings at five years sober, and breaking down in a room where people gently remind her, “You were using a tool in your toolbox.” It’s raw, funny in places, and very real—perfect for anyone who thinks they’re too young, too far gone, or just too afraid of change to stop drinking. So, what part of Neha’s journey sounds most like yours?
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