Zach was an anxious kid and grew up in a big rough family where expressing feelings was not encouraged by his parents. He had an alcoholic grandfather, but no one close had any isms.His gambling started innocuously with sweeps on the Melbourne Cup, and this developed into a gambling habit while in secondary school. Initially it was using another kid’s online betting account and this led into a gambling addiction where he needed to raid his bank account and sell personal items to cover his betting losses. All his friends gambled but Zach was worse. His school results dropped and his parents were concerned about his behaviour.Starting work provided the cash to fund his gambling but that wasn’t enough. Zach resorted to borrowing money but couldn’t repay it, leading to him being unable to sleep or concentrate at work.  He didn’t see his gambling as an addiction, but his parents intervened when he was about 20 and required him to go to Gamblers Anonymous. Zach was uneasy in GA as most of the things the GA members talked about, he hadn’t done – yet. He spent 3 months without betting but with his first bet came the inevitable craving and full-blown addiction returned. Zach lost a large sum of money before he hit rock bottom. Again, his parents intervened and he went to rehab for 30 days. Here Zach met other guys who were addicted to alcohol and drugs and were on the road to recovery. In rehab he was reintroduced to GA meetings and now has been clean for over 4 months. He is rebuilding his life and his close relationships.If you’re having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateAustralian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) musicians featured this week:Amelia Rey - https://amrap.org.au/artist/amelia-rey-1Alice Isabella - https://amrap.org.au/artist/alice-isabella-1Lana Karlay - https://amrap.org.au/artist/lana-karlay-1

Andy grew up in a village in the north of England in a family affected by alcoholism. Although his home life was relatively peaceful, his father was unpredictable. Andy also experienced the trauma of being sent to boarding school at a young age. An immediate result of this was Andy and his siblings becoming disconnected from the other children in the village. Later it led to emotional shut-down, a breakdown and depression. Andy joined Al-Anon and also started a 12-Step support group for survivers of boarding school in England. He discusses, in this episode of Living Free, the applicability of the 12 Steps to problems other than addiction. If you think that Al-Anon  could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening. 

This conversation was originally aired on 2 September 2021Victor grew up in a family where alcohol was abused. His father was frequently violent, and to survive, Victor became hyper-vigilant and sensitive to the moods of his parents. As a child, Victor found refuge outside of the family, playing with friends in the wild areas near his home. As he grew, he recognised in himself an impulse to heal his family through humour and by trying to form relationships with his siblings. Eventually he found that he was unable to bring about the healing he desired.On a holiday in Indonesia as an adult, Victor experienced both despair (in a bar) and elation (at a volcano). Soon after, he decided to seek help from 12 Step groups, first Adult Children of Alcoholics and then Al-Anon Family Groups. Here he found the support he needed alongside other people who understood his grief and frustration.In Al-Anon, Victor gradually gained the confidence to share his story and began to understand that his feelings of fear and hopelessness were common to many people whose lives had been affected by someone else’s drinking. He now gives thanks for nature and has much gratitude in his life.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.Show your support by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery

Chris joined Michael in the 3CR studios to share his experience of what life was like when he started drinking in his early teens, to how it progressed and took over his life in his 20's and what life looks like now as he comes up to 35 years in recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Sue grew up in an unhappy, dysfunctional home and didn’t have many close friends. She left school early, in Year 9 and went to work.  Her career led to shift work, which meant that she had more money and worked odd hours. Sue would often drop into a Poker Machine venue on the way home, to unwind. These sessions became progressively longer and eventually involved greater losses, meaning that sometimes she didn’t have a cab fare home and had to walk. However, Sue didn’t think that she had a gambling problem.Sue developed a codependent relationship and her gambling increased to the extent of stealing money and food from work, having multiple credit cards, a bank loan and payday loans. This also brought her into conflict with her friend, who recommended Gamblers Anonymous. Initially uneasy in GA, Sue eventually admitted that her gambling was unmanageable and started practicing the 12 steps.  She is now debt free, has a car, much better health, is learning the African drums and is now able to donate her time to worthwhile causes.If you’re having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateAustralian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) musicians featured this week:Adam Noviello - https://amrap.org.au/artist/adam-novielloKat Greta - https://amrap.org.au/artist/kat-greta-1Jen Lush - https://amrap.org.au/artist/jen-lush-2 

Brenda entered her marriage in the early 1970's with her mother's advice to 'never argue with a drunk'. After several years of trying to keep the peace in her marriage, Brenda took her young children and left in desperation. Even without Al-Anon, she acted in faith, knowing that she did not have the answers about how she would manage on her own. It was fifteen years later that she found Al-Anon when, in relation to one of her children, she realised that she needed help to cope in another situation she could not manage.In this episode, Brenda describes the freedom she has experienced in Al-Anon, having learned to make choices in her own best interests and allow others to do the same.If you think that Al-Anon  could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Poppy was born into a family struggling to cope with the trauma of migration from Greece to Australia. Her father drank to ease his sorrow and her mother had to cope with a growing number of small children, working, along with her husband, to provide for them all. Poppy has happy memories of celebrations with friends and family where there was plenty of drinking, but also carried a burden of shame about her father's behaviour when he drank. She fell in love with and married a man who also has a problem with alcohol and has now sought help in Al-Anon.If you think that Al-Anon  could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auShow your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

John joined Michael in the studio to chat about his life. Starting in the South East suburbs of Melbourne in a family he described as a "battleground", John's life which included, scouts, cricket, a part-time job pumping petrol and a girlfriend changed dramatically around the age of 16 as his number one priority became drinking and chasing the effect it created for him. Left with very few choices at the age of 22, John was offered Larundel or Alcoholics Anonymous after another "bad decision". Nearly 40 years down the track, John shares his experience of getting and staying sober. 

Dan was on the show back in March 2024 and came in at short notice to help us out with a live interview. Dan’s earlier interview is available on https://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode/alcoholics-anonymous-dan-21mar2024.Today we are talking about how recovery works and what it is like after stopping drinking and participating in a fellowship of equals in Alcoholics Anonymous.It was great to chat with Dan again and after the show I received a message from a long-time listener saying how much he enjoyed the show and listening to Dan talking on recovery.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.au.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.You can show your support to the Living Free show and keep us on air by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand/or donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate  

This is a repeat of an interview that aired in December 2022.Carmen grew up in Germany in a family where there was alcohol abuse and violence. In her adult life, she developed a compulsion to control her eating and fell into a pattern of food restriction followed by bingeing. Carmen found herself preoccupied with food and when she realised it had become a problem began to look for help. A therapist's advice to eat in moderation did not work for her but through the support of Overeaters Anonymous and an understanding of the addictive nature of her relationship with food, Carmen found freedom from her compulsion.If you are having difficulty with compulsive overeating you might like to contact Overeaters Anonymous. You can find them at oa.org.au. All meetings welcome newcomers and the only requirement for OA membership is the desire to stop eating compulsively.There are meetings listed on the website at oa.org.au/meetings The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.Show your support to the Living Free show bysubscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand/or donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate

Glenda grew up in a stable family but prolonged periods of hospitalisation in childhood along with a shy disposition led to low self-esteem. Glenda used alcohol, cannabis and other drugs to fit in socially and eventually sought treatment at the age of 27 for the difficulties this caused, including cannabis-induced psychosis. For more than 40 years Glenda has been a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and she is also a member of Al-Anon. In both fellowships she shares her experience, strength and hope with others as they face their common difficulties. If you think that Al-Anon  could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.auYou can contact AA on 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.au.Show your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Lin joined Michael in the studio and shared her story. From life as part of a large family in country Victoria, starting to drink as a 13 year old and leaving school young, Lin describes how alcohol became her solution to life until it stopped working. She also describes a 3 year period of abstinence followed by a lapse which brought her to her knees and then a moment of clarity. She then describes what 15 years of recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous looks like now.

Jonathan is in his mid-50’s and has been in Gamblers Anonymous for over nine years now. His dad was a gambler and drug addict, and he was brought up by his single mother who worked multiple jobs. Jonathan started gambling in college then started working in finance and ended up in the entertainment industry.  He focussed on sports gambling and regularly used recreational drugs.  Johnathan started gambling with client’s money, continued trying to recover his losses and ended up in prison for 6 years for embezzlement.Johnathan was briefly in Gamblers Anonymous before prison but found that it really helped when he left prison as it was a lot more difficult to find a job then. GA members were non-judgemental, and enabled him to feel accepted and worthwhile. In GA, Jonathan learnt about the importance of trust, honesty and respect in dealing with others. He also found great benefit in helping others to navigate their recovery from compulsive gambling. He feels a strong bond with GA and the other members and to keeping the meetings open for those seeking help with their gambling addiction.If you’re having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateUnfortunately, we are unable to include the music we played in our Podcast, due to Copyright issues, but we are happy to support Australian music via the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) https://amrap.org.au/ Here are the links to the artists and song played on today’s show:Nasman Donovan - Louvre: https://amrap.org.au/track/nasman-donovan-louvre-louvreLisa Crouch - I Love You More: https://amrap.org.au/track/lisa-crouch-i-love-you-more-i-love-you-moreNo PROMISES - Those Boots:https://amrap.org.au/track/no-promises-those-boots

This episode is a repeat. It was originally aired on 7 December 2023.Dan, a member of Al-Anon, grew up in a household in which another person's drinking was out of control. One of his parents was safe and nurturing during the day but in the evenings became a more dangerous presence. This inconsistency resulted in Dan feeling confused about how to trust people and eventually angry and distant from his parents. At 15 he went to Alateen where he found it healing to be in the company of other teenagers who understood his situation, did not judge and spoke authetically about their own experiences. If you think that Al-Anon or Alateen could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.au Show your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening. 

Feebee-Lou grew up in Sydney. In her childhood, her father had a serious accident that left him wheel-chair bound and this had an effect on the dynamics of the family. Feebee-Lou took care of him. Although he did not identify as an alcoholic, alcohol was a factor in the family situation. After a close relationship with a sober alcoholic Feebee-Lou found her way to Al-Anon and has since embraced the 12 Steps as a guide for living which she has found transformative, healing and fulfilling.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.au.Show your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Lisa joined Michael & Bill in the studio to describe her journey to recovery from alcoholism. Introduced to the 12 Step Fellowship of Alateen when young due to alcoholism in her family, she decribes the decline in her life as the unmanageability took hold. The progressive nature of the illness had her in its grip until she landed in rehab and was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Noah is in his early 20’s and has been in Gamblers Anonymous for just over a year. Noah was brought up by his grandmother and he rebelled in his mid-teens and left home and eventually left school early. He discusses how his gambling progressed from playing Poker with friends in high school, to becoming a serious gambler after visiting a casino when he turned 18.He found that gambling offered him an escape from reality – the family, personal issues and his mum’s drug addiction.  The turning point was when he noticed the impact of his gambling on his family and considered suicide as a way out of his gambling problems. He contacted Gambler’s Help but found more support in Gamblers Anonymous - where he identified with the stories of other gamblers and their non-judgemental approach.Initially Noah spent 3 months in GA, before gambling again for a few months, and has now been in GA for over 14 months without gambling.  He feels a strong bond with GA and the other members and to keeping the meetings open for those seeking help with their gambling addiction.If you’re having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateUnfortunately, we are unable to include the music we played in our Podcast, due to Copyright issues, but we are happy to support Australian music via the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) https://amrap.org.au/ Here are the links to the artists and song played on today’s show:Emily Jane Pritchard - Never Ending Holiday: https://amrap.org.au/track/emily-jane-pritchard-never-ending-holidayKim O'Leary - Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground: https://amrap.org.au/track/kim-oleary-your-feet-dont-touch-the-ground-your-feet-dont-touch-the-groundThe Redeemed - The Ride and Summer Surprise: https://amrap.org.au/track/the-redeemed-the-ride-the-ridehttps://amrap.org.au/track/the-redeemed-summer-surprise-summer-surprise

Tamara's German grandmother was an alcoholic whose children, including Tamara's mother, were affected by the difficulties that this caused. Tamara found herself in conflict with her mother in her adolescent years. When through a relationship with a recovering alcoholic who recognised the dysfunction in Tamara's family, Tamara found herself in Al-Anon, she identified with the stories she heard there. After an initial outpouring of grief, she began to work the 12 Steps of recovery. Now her relationship with her mother is much more loving because of improved boundaries, better communication and less enmeshment.Tamara has not had a flareup of her Chronic Fatigue symptoms since joining Al-Anon.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.au.Show your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Alcohol brought Keely out of her shell and into functioning alcoholism for years. After finding AA and a higher power of her own understanding, things began to change.  Link to Keely's meeting and other AA meetings in Australia - https://meetings.aa.org.au/meetings/eastern-twilight-wantirna-south-friday/

Samantha grew up in a family where alcoholism is an intergenerational illness, affecting her grandmother, mother, cousins, and now her child. The direct effect on Samantha was that she developed ways of being in the world that helped her survive in environments she couldn't trust, becoming isolated and inflexible in her thinking. This took an emotional toll. When a co-worker, a recovering alcoholic, shared his experience of recovery, Samantha sought help in Al-Anon. Here she learned to open up emotionally in a safe environment, to love her child whether they are drinking or not and to take care of her self.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.au.Show your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.