The Doctor Who Beat Addiction — Without A 12-Step ProgramThe Doctor Who Beat Addiction — Without A 12-Step Program
I Love Being Sober
Dr Sharon Stills shares how she stopped drugs and alcohol at twenty without 12‑step support and later became a naturopathic doctor. She explains addiction as a stressed nervous system, highlighting the roles of nutrition, hormones, mindfulness and honest self-reflection in building lasting sobriety.
1:16:33•8 Sept 2026
The Doctor Who Went From Teen Addict to Naturopath Without 12 Steps
Episode Overview
- Addiction is framed as a nervous system attempting to regulate itself, rather than a moral failing or just a brain issue.
- Dr Stills became sober without AA or rehab, instead reshaping her life through holistic medicine, study and new environments.
- Newly sober people are often low in key nutrients, minerals, hydration and hormone balance, which can intensify cravings and mood swings.
- Mindfulness practices, breathing exercises and simple habits like legs-up-the-wall and mindful eating help bring the body back into balance.
- Even ‘healthy’ pursuits such as clean eating, exercise or meetings can take on an addictive edge, so honest self-inquiry is essential.
“I don't know that I'll ever not have an addictive personality. But I've made peace with that.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol when the odds and environment are stacked against them? This conversation follows Dr Sharon Stills, who started drinking and using drugs at twelve, quit at twenty without rehab or a 12‑step programme, and went on to become a naturopathic medical doctor.
She talks frankly about growing up in a chaotic home, hiding rum in her bedroom closet, and getting so coked out on New Year’s Eve that she never made it into the Hamptons party. That night, plus an unexpected pregnancy, became her turning point: “I just kind of stepped into a new life.” Rather than framing addiction as a moral failing or purely a brain disorder, Dr Stills sees it as a nervous system trying desperately to regulate itself.
Whether it’s alcohol, cocaine, coffee, phones, work, or even hot yoga, she points out that it’s “the same behaviour, different costume.” She admits she still has an addictive personality — coffee was her latest battle — but now focuses on asking whether a habit supports her health or quietly takes over.
For people in early sobriety, she explains why you can feel like you’re “crawling out of your skin” and how basics like minerals, hydration, sleep, and gut health often sit at the root of cravings and mood swings. She breaks down common deficiencies in newly sober people, the impact of toxins and hormones (especially in perimenopausal women), and why she usually starts with physical stabilisation before deeper trauma work.
You’ll also hear practical tools: mindful breathing, legs-up-the-wall, magnesium and electrolytes, mindful eating, and questioning whether you’re genuinely enjoying something or just numbing out. This one’s especially useful if 12‑step approaches haven’t felt like your path, or you suspect your “healthy habits” might be wearing an addictive costume. Where might your own nervous system be crying out for genuine calm instead of another fix?
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