Neta M. Age 26 Sober since: 5/1/21

Neta M. Age 26 Sober since: 5/1/21

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This conversation between Netta M and host Mike S gives a raw, close-up look at early recovery, complete with detours, denial, and a hard-earned sense of commitment. Netta, 26 and sober since 1 May 2021, talks openly about years of drinking "all day" and using whatever drugs she could get her hands on, while trying to maintain the image of a functioning adult with a job, marriage, and nice flat.

She describes herself as a loner hiding behind a confident, social "actress" version of herself, admitting, "I hated myself when I wasn't high or drunk. And even when I was high and drunk, I didn't like myself." You’ll hear how therapy, antidepressants, and a blunt diagnosis of alcoholism were first rejected, then slowly absorbed.

Netta shares the story of her first AA meeting, turning up still high, lying about her sober days to feel part of the group, and repeatedly going "in and out" of sobriety with stretches of a few days, twelve days, and more before picking up again. A major turning point comes with her four-month relapse: a lonely, angry walk, unanswered phone calls, and a favourite liquor store right in front of her.

She buys four mini bottles of tequila and downs them on the spot, realising instantly what she’s done. From there, she explains how getting a sponsor, actually doing the steps, and stopping the stories she told herself shifted everything. This time, she focused on living "one day at a time" instead of obsessively counting days.

Netta talks about friendships in recovery, messy romance in the rooms, and why she now sees her relapse as an essential part of her journey, saying the programme is a "life changer" she can’t imagine living without. If you’ve struggled to string even a few sober days together, could Netta’s second try at 90 days be the nudge you’ve been waiting for?