vol 308. Perception is not Truth with Sherri W.vol 308. Perception is not Truth with Sherri W.
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Sherri W. shares her journey from childhood faith and trauma through chaotic relationships into long-term sobriety in AA and Al-Anon, reflecting on perception, surrender and service. She also speaks candidly about her son Noah’s addiction and death, and how faith and being present shape her ongoing recovery.
1:08:56•3 Sept 2026
Perception, Faith and Loss: Sherri W. on Nearly 40 Years Sober
Episode Overview
- Perception is not objective truth; it’s how a person interprets and internalises events, and recovery involves questioning that perception.
- Treating all mind-altering substances as the same problem helped Sherri accept that "a drug is a drug" and that alcohol is "king of all drugs".
- Deep surrender to a higher power and asking for human help were pivotal in lifting her obsession and craving to drink and use.
- Sherri’s experience with her son’s addiction and death led her to focus on helping others and to place spiritual growth ahead of mental and physical comfort.
- Living, rather than just "working", the Twelve Steps and shifting focus from self to service are presented as crucial for long-term sobriety and staying in AA.
“Perception is not truth. It’s my perception, my interpretation, how I internalise these events.”
Experience the emotional and inspiring tales of recovery as Sherri W. shares nearly four decades of sobriety, faith, and loss in a way that feels remarkably human and down-to-earth. This episode centres on her core idea that "perception is not truth" – that what you think happened is often just how you interpreted it at the time.
You'll hear Sherri talk about growing up in a family soaked in alcohol, the moment childhood safety shattered through abuse, and how she switched to self-reliance and stopped praying. She traces a chaotic path of marriages, dramatic relationships, and working as a correctional officer who "ran off with the inmate", all while her drinking and drug use escalated in the background.
Her turning point comes with a simple TV advert – "this is your brain on drugs" – and a phone call that leads her into treatment and then Alcoholics Anonymous. There she hears the line that changes everything: "A drug is a drug is a drug, and alcohol is king of all drugs". From that day, her obsession and craving lift, and she throws herself into meetings, sponsorship, and eventually both AA and Al-Anon.
The episode becomes deeply raw as Sherri describes her son Noah’s progression into addiction, her attempts to save him, and the painful spiritual surrender when she accepts she’s powerless over his disease. She explains seeing alcoholism as a "demon from hell trying to separate and kill you with a lie" and talks about staying present through Noah’s overdose, time in ICU, and eventual death, while still holding to a loving, non-sentimental faith in God.
Despite the heartbreak, Sherri’s story is full of humour, warmth, and practical guidance. Her message for anyone suffering is simple and urgent: "Run. Run. Don’t walk. Run" to an AA meeting and stay there. If you’re wondering whether there’s hope on the other side of powerlessness, this conversation might be the nudge you need.
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