In episode 37 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Chris Yarnell, In this episode, Laisha sits down with a guest who opens up about a lifetime of stigma, trauma, and addiction. He talks about growing up in a household shaped by alcohol and drugs and how fractured family dynamics fueled his early substance use. He shares how his drinking escalated through adolescence, how a chemical imbalance influenced his drug choices, and what ultimately pushed him to join the Marines. He dives into the reality of serving while struggling mentally, the injuries and losses that followed, and the survivor’s guilt that nearly destroyed him. As addiction progressed, sobriety became a cycle of chaos, relapse, and consequence that eventually led to jail time, psychosis, and a rock-bottom moment that forced him to confront the truth. Now in recovery, he reflects on rebuilding purpose, the importance of service, and why healing means more than just staying sober. This conversation sheds light on the stigma around mental health, the impact of unspoken trauma, and the power of asking for help.

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Chapters |

00:00 Welcome and Podcast Intro

01:29 Breaking Stigma Around Mental Health & Addiction

02:58 Growing Up: Family, Community and Early Exposure

05:47 Alcohol and Drugs in the Home

10:13 First Experiences With Drinking and Family Dynamics

15:41 Teens, Substance Use, and Parental Relationships

20:48 Adolescence & The Progression of Alcohol Use

27:01 Chemical Imbalance and Drug Choice Discussion

33:14 Joining the Marines: Motivation & Pre-Military Life

38:33 Struggles in the Military, Family, and Trauma

46:11 Injury, Discharge, and Caregiving at Home

50:40 Loss, Survivor’s Guilt & Mental Health Impact

57:12 Addiction Progression & Cycles of Sobriety

01:01:33 Complacency, Chaos, and Staying Sober

01:09:34 Relapses, Triggers, and Uphill Recovery

01:17:42 Consequences: Jail and the Wrong Path

01:27:06 Bad Criminal Luck: Court, Mistakes, and Stigma

01:36:00 The Breaking Point: Psychosis & Ultimate Rock Bottom

01:44:11 Recovery Work, Service, and What It Means

01:53:19 Defining Addiction & Hope for Recovery

02:01:01 Purpose, Wellness, and Community Healing

02:04:02 Why Recovery Means More Than Sobriety

02:09:07 Trauma, Comparison, and The Value of Asking For Help

02:15:05 Final Thoughts: Breaking Down Stigma and Moving Forward

Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health.

Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree…

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