119: Having a Cuppa with Chris Neil

119: Having a Cuppa with Chris Neil

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This chat between host Tamar and entertainer Chris Neal gives a very real glimpse into that process. You’ll hear how Chris jokes that he’s "28 going on 29" but carries the weight of a long history with alcohol and opioids.

Growing up with a "raging alcoholic" and narcissistic father, and a saintly, overburdened mother, he describes using booze and pills as his escape from trauma, loneliness and pressure to be perfect. His first sip at 14 led to years of pub crawling, isolated drinking and chasing euphoria that slowly turned into depression. Things really start to hit home when Chris recounts being diagnosed with drug‑induced bronchial pneumonia and later stage three basal cell sarcosynoma.

The turning point comes in the car, when he breaks down and tells his mum: "I have to come clean with you. I've got an alcohol and drug problem." Her calm, loving response becomes the first big "miracle" in his recovery story. Early sobriety was messy, emotional and full of fear, but Chris talks about finding humour again, connecting with international recovery communities, and embracing meetings and step work after years as a "dry alcoholic".

He and Tamar swap stories about shame, stigma, crying through that first year, and the relief of finally recovering out loud. The episode also digs into Chris’s podcast, Havin a Cuppa, where he blends long-form conversations with carefully chosen music beds to match each guest’s personality and mood. For him, it’s about giving people space to tell their stories honestly, creating with sound, and using his second chance to serve others rather than chase fame or money.

If you’re curious how someone moves from secret self-destruction to sharing recovery on the mic, this heartfelt cuppa with Chris might be just what you need today.