I Spent My Sober Anniversary Avoiding a Video of Perez Hilton | Carey O’DonnellI Spent My Sober Anniversary Avoiding a Video of Perez Hilton | Carey O’Donnell
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A.J. Daulerio and Carey O’Donnell share darkly funny, graphic memories of addiction, shame and New York chaos while reflecting on ten years of sobriety. Their chat moves between public scandals, spiritual lows and recommitting to recovery with a mix of candour and grim humour.
49:49•9 Sept 2026
Pig Life, Public Meltdowns and Ten Years Sober with Carey O’Donnell
Episode Overview
- Long-term sobriety can still include spiritual rock bottoms, panic and the need to fully recommit to a recovery programme.
- Active addiction often brings extreme, shame-filled behaviours around sleep, hygiene, sex and basic self-care that people work hard to hide.
- Public meltdowns like Perez Hilton’s raise complicated feelings of judgement, empathy and self-recognition for those who consumed similar content in the past.
- Ego and saviour complexes can resurface in sobriety, especially around people in public disgrace, and need ongoing self-examination.
- Talking honestly and with humour about the “pig life” days can reduce shame and help others feel less alone in their own worst moments.
“When I got sober 10 years ago and hobbled into a 12‑step meeting with a broken nose, two black eyes and enough martyrdom to power a dam, I had no idea that in a decade I’d be spending that anniversary avoiding a video of Perez Hilton stabbing himself on TikTok Live.”
What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? This conversation between host A.J. Daulerio and writer/podcaster Carey O’Donnell is messy, funny, and uncomfortably honest in all the ways people in addiction and recovery will recognise. Carey has just marked ten years of continuous sobriety, the same day Perez Hilton reportedly injured himself on TikTok Live.
That strange collision of milestones sets the tone for a chat about public shame, internet culture and why it’s so hard to look away from a “car crash” online.
As Carey puts it in his own writing, “when I got sober 10 years ago… I had no idea that in a decade I’d be spending that anniversary avoiding a video of Perez Hilton stabbing himself on TikTok Live.” You’ll hear them swap war stories from New York and LA: meth-fuelled all‑nighters, bedwetting, peeing in lifts, abandoned laundry bags, and those horrifying walks home as the birds start chirping.
Both describe that “pig life” period with disturbing detail and sharp humour, while also talking about the shame that lingers long after the hangovers stop. The episode also digs into what ten years sober actually feels like. A.J. talks about seeing which character defects have stuck around; Carey describes a “spiritual rock bottom” in long‑term sobriety, panic on Halloween, and how going back to meetings three or four times a week changed everything.
There’s reflection on ego, saviour complexes, and the uneasy line between mocking and caring about very public meltdowns. If you’ve ever wondered whether your chaotic habits were “bad enough”, or you’re years sober and quietly falling apart, this raw, darkly funny chat might feel uncomfortably close to home. It’s honest, gross, strangely comforting and asks a quiet question underneath all the jokes: what are you still carrying from your old life that you’re ready to put down?
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