387. The impact of childhood trauma and family dynamics on addiction with Jo Kinna

387. The impact of childhood trauma and family dynamics on addiction with Jo Kinna

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation follows Jo Kinna as she shares a raw, honest account of addiction, childhood trauma and the long road to four and a half years alcohol-free. Jo talks about growing up in a family shattered by her father’s devastating accident, a largely emotionally distant home, and how anxiety and depression were quietly brewing from early on. Without support or space to process any of it, alcohol eventually became the easy escape.

She describes herself as the “party girl” who drank beer-for-beer with the boys, then later an around-the-clock drinker reliant on cask wine just to stop the shakes. Rehab became essential, not optional. Jo openly recalls multiple stays at Malvern Private, a “hate–hate relationship” that turned into gratitude once she understood why the rules were so strict.

On her third stay, a reiki-style session on Mother’s Day became a turning point: “I did not have another urge to pick up alcohol after that.” From there, she committed to long-term rehab and the slow, uncomfortable work of rebuilding trust with her children and herself.

The episode digs into the cycle of shame, self-loathing and relapse, and how facing buried anger towards her parents – and acknowledging those younger “parts” of herself – helped Jo soften into compassion rather than blame. Breathwork, meditation and 12-step support now form the backbone of her recovery and her work with others through her Beyond the Wave practice.

You’ll hear a lot of humour, plenty of swearing, and zero sugar-coating as Jo insists that if a self-described “hopeless alcoholic” like her can get well, “anyone can do it” – as long as they’re willing to take the first step. If you’re stuck in that vicious cycle, what tiny sliver of hope could you grab hold of today?