Tom Conrad: Addiction Recovery Podcaster
Tom Conrad: Addiction Recovery Podcaster
583: What Families Get Wrong About Addiction (It's Not Willpower)
583: What Families Get Wrong About Addiction (It's Not Willpower)
583: What Families Get Wrong About Addiction (It's Not Willpower)
Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Explore addiction's roots with Hilary's powerful story. It's not about willpower—it's about healing and understanding trauma.
82 minutes
Inspiring
Honest
Healing
Informative
Raw
About this podcast
Author:
Tom Conrad: Addiction Recovery Podcaster
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery Reimagined
Creative Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Family Recovery from Addiction
Recovery from Trauma
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
498 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Breaking Myths: Addiction Isn't About Willpower
Episode Overview
- Addiction is often rooted in trauma, not just willpower.
- Community support plays a crucial role in recovery.
- Understanding personal history is key to healing.
- Humour can be a powerful tool in coping with past trauma.
- Recovery involves embracing one's past experiences.
"I drank to not be Hillary because there's so much shame and guilt and pain attached to being alive."
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this compelling episode of Real Recovery Talk, host Tom Conrad sits down with Hilary, who shares a gripping tale of trauma and addiction. From the chaos of her childhood, being thrust into acting at just five years old, to living in fear and survival mode, Hilary's story highlights the deep-seated issues that often accompany addiction.
As a former child star, she candidly discusses the pressures of fame and the emotional scars left by her mother's narcissism and untreated mental health issues. Hilary's narrative is both heart-wrenching and inspiring as she reveals how she found solace in alcohol to escape her pain. Yet, it's not all doom and gloom; there's a silver lining. Through recovery, she has learned to embrace her past and use it as a tool for growth.
The conversation takes a humorous turn as Hilary recounts her experience as the voice of Sally in Charlie Brown cartoons and her adventures in stand-up comedy. Tom and Hilary delve into the importance of understanding the root causes of addiction, emphasising that it's not simply a matter of willpower. They explore how trauma can shape one's life and the critical role of community and support in healing.
This episode is a raw, honest look at the journey from addiction to recovery, sprinkled with laughter and moments of profound realisation. Are you ready to confront the myths about addiction and understand its complexities? This episode might just change your perspective.