EPISODE 090426EPISODE 090426
Clean and Sober Radio
Host Gary Hendler and cohost Mark Sigmund chat with counsellor Max Ariel, who shares his long-term recovery story and his move from Philadelphia to Puerto Rico. The conversation touches on cultural differences in attitudes to alcohol, access to treatment, and ways to support both faith-based and non-faith-based paths to sobriety.
55:24•5 Sept 2026
Sobriety Across Cultures: Max Ariel on Recovery in Puerto Rico and Philly
Episode Overview
- Heavy drinking in Puerto Rican family settings may be treated as normal rather than recognised as alcoholism.
- Rehabs and formal treatment exist in Puerto Rico, but many locals are unsure how to find or use them.
- Bilingual counsellors can bridge gaps for Spanish-speaking clients who are often underrepresented in treatment.
- AA and 12-step ideas grew from white American culture and may feel less embedded in other communities.
- People who don’t believe in God benefit from recovery approaches that focus on evidence and inclusive support.
“We have a history and a tradition of helping the little guy… we're supposed to be helping everybody.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This instalment of Clean and Sober Radio brings a thoughtful chat with Philadelphia native and long‑time recovery advocate, Max Ariel, calling in from his new home in Puerto Rico. The show, hosted by Gary Hendler with cohost Mark Sigmund, keeps its familiar mix of serious recovery talk and easy banter.
After some news about the impacts of drink‑driving and widespread cannabis use, the focus shifts to Max, who has been clean and sober since 2001 and now works as a substance abuse counsellor. He talks frankly about getting into drugs very young in South Philly, being arrested, and then finding his way into recovery. Max stresses he doesn’t see his story as unique, which in itself may reassure anyone who feels their own situation is “too typical” to matter.
What really stands out is the cultural comparison. Max explains why he moved to Puerto Rico, how speaking Spanish opened doors with under‑served clients, and how attitudes to alcohol there feel very different to what he saw in Philadelphia. He notes that heavy drinking at family events is more likely to be brushed off, saying that calling someone an alcoholic at a party might be seen as “dramatic” rather than a serious warning.
He adds that while rehabs and AA exist on the island, many people don’t quite know where they are or how to access them. Max also shares his science‑leaning approach to recovery, especially for people who don’t connect with faith‑based language. He talks about wanting evidence, odds, and options for the “20 percent” who don’t believe in God, and uses a powerful analogy about ramps and braille to argue that support systems should exist for everyone, not just the majority.
If you’ve ever wondered how culture, language, and belief shape our paths out of addiction, this conversation might get you thinking about what kind of support truly fits you.
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