There Are Many Different Forms of Treatment, But What Works? - Michael WalshThere Are Many Different Forms of Treatment, But What Works? - Michael Walsh
I Love Being Sober
Tim Westbrook talks with addiction professional Michael Walsh about the many paths to recovery, from treatment and sober living to 12-step work and therapy. The conversation shares practical ways people and families can decide what might work best for long-term sobriety.
1:09:40•22 Jun 2020
What Really Works in Addiction Treatment? Michael Walsh on Finding the Right Path
Episode Overview
- There are many valid treatment options, but the key is finding what fits the individual and sticking with it over time.
- Being willing to be uncomfortable is crucial in early recovery, especially when old coping habits are removed.
- Long-term structures such as monitoring and extended support dramatically improve abstinence rates, as seen with physicians in recovery programmes.
- Sober living offers a safer space to rebuild daily habits, practice life skills, and learn to enjoy life without substances.
- Families and individuals should carefully vet professionals and programmes, seeking experienced, reputable help rather than relying on quick online searches.
“I'm finally the man my dog always thought I was.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this conversation from *I Love Being Sober*, Michael Walsh sits down with host Tim Westbrook to talk frankly about what actually works in addiction treatment and long-term recovery. You'll hear Michael trace his path from "professional drinker" working for a major beer company to a master's level addiction professional and interventionist.
His turning point came after an arrest and a blunt challenge from his sister: was he really willing to do anything, including treatment and AA, or just whatever kept him comfortable? That question shapes much of the chat. The two unpack the crowded treatment landscape: detox, residential care, sober living, 12-step fellowships, SMART and Refuge Recovery, medication-assisted treatment, therapy models like CBT, DBT and EMDR.
Michael keeps bringing it back to fit and persistence — there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but whatever path you choose needs time and consistent effort rather than a "New Year’s resolution" burst. He shares striking data about physicians in monitored programmes, where long-term abstinence rates soar over 80% after several years, underlining how powerful structure, accountability and ongoing support can be.
Sober living gets special attention as a practical bridge between the treatment bubble and real life, giving people space to rebuild habits, learn to handle stress sober, and even re-learn how to have fun. Throughout, Michael’s humour and honesty stand out, especially when he says, "I'm finally the man my dog always thought I was," capturing the quiet self-respect so many people in recovery are chasing.
If you or someone you care about is trying to make sense of all the options and figure out "what works", this conversation offers grounded experience, practical questions to ask, and a reminder that being willing to be uncomfortable might be the start of everything — are you ready to give yourself the best shot at staying sober?
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