I Thought My Dad Dying Made Me an Addict, I Was Wrong

In episode 32 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Tim Fritz to share his powerful story of battling active alcoholism and addiction. Tim opens up about how the loss of his father deeply impacted his life and became a driving force behind his substance use. Together, Laisha and Tim break down the thought processes that come with being in active addiction—the denial, the shame, and the endless cycle of chasing escape. Through raw honesty and reflection, Tim shares what it truly took to find his way out and begin the journey toward healing and self-awareness. This conversation sheds light on the emotional roots of addiction and serves as a reminder that recovery is possible, no matter how lost you may feel.

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Chapters |
00:00 Intro & Growing Up in Baltimore
01:30 Early Childhood and Family Dynamics
03:30 Losing a Parent and Turning to Substances
06:30 Is Addiction Nature or Nurture?
08:00 Personal DUI Experiences & Defining Addiction
11:00 Identifying as an Addict—Comparison and Craving
15:00 The Spiritual, Mental, and Physical Nature of Addiction
18:30 Impact of External Consequences and Unmanageability
21:30 Adolescence into College—Escalating Drinking
24:30 College Years and the Struggle to Control Drinking
28:00 The Obsession with Control & Attempts to Moderate
32:00 Substances Beyond Alcohol and Cross-Addiction
36:00 Why Alcohol Feels Different Than Other Drugs
39:00 Misconceptions: Is it Just Willpower?
43:00 Material Success vs. Internal Fulfillment
47:00 Reaching Bottom: The Path to Treatment
51:00 Medical Marijuana, Relapse, and True Recovery
55:00 Spiritual Experience & Life with a Higher Power
01:00:00 Advice for Those Struggling & Breaking Stigma
01:01:30 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

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Pod links |
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Apple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...

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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