Materialism is part of my -isms

Materialism is part of my -isms

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? On LOL Sober, Nelson H. tackles that question with a mix of humour, honesty, and a surprising focus on money.

Speaking under a pen name as a self-described "alcoholic addict," Nelson riffs on a long-running survey of 12th graders who were asked if it's important to have "lots of money." He walks through how boys and girls have increasingly answered yes over the past 50 years, then pauses to ask whether the data shows real change or just shifting comfort levels in admitting what people really want. From there, the conversation turns to addiction and materialism.

Nelson describes his alcoholism as "a disease of more" – more alcohol, more food, more popularity, more Amazon purchases, more everything. He jokes that if five doughnuts are good, ten must be great, and points out how that same mindset easily latches onto money and possessions. He also highlights how survey answers on mental health and addiction might be affected by stigma.

Comparing decades, he wonders whether more people today admit to depression and substance problems simply because "people feel more – I think they're able to sort of say, like, yeah, I'm dealing with this." It's a thoughtful look at how culture shapes what people are ready to say out loud.

The episode gets personal when Nelson talks about his shaky financial habits and late-night worries about bills and his kids' futures, balanced with the fantasy that "if I was rich, I could do a lot of good." He widens materialism beyond flashy cars and mansions to include how deeply we cling to our stuff, sharing the story of his "priceless, worthless baseball cards" ruined in a flood.

You’ll come away thinking about your own relationship with money, possessions, and that persistent itch for "more". Where does healthy desire end and addiction begin?