Sobriety Journey with Monica Andrade

“I just started to hear this voice in my head that was like, ‘You can do this. You are capable.’ It was the first time that I can remember hearing a voice like that in my head.”

This week I’m joined by comedian and filmmaker Monica Andrade (@vape__sommelier) to discuss their journey to sobriety. Oftentimes the decision to get sober is where the discussion ends, but as Monica tells us, it’s the start of a new story, and it’s a difficult path.

At the time of this conversation, Monica is less than a month sober – this is raw and immediate and Monica’s strength imbues every word they speak. Monica relates their trial and error experiences with getting clean and what they’ve learned about themselves along the way.

We talk about powerlessness and the overwhelm. We talk about how substances were a way to control emotions and feelings and the need to be present, to find joy in the boring, small moments home alone.

We discuss decision fatigue and how the decision to be sober isn’t just one decision, but an infinite number, and how long it takes for the urges to lessen. We end on the story of a fateful whitewater rafting trip that awakened a powerful voice within them.

Please rate, subscribe and tell your friends. Listen to Monica’s Mixtape!

If you’re out there, scared and struggling with your sobriety, please know you’re not alone and you matter. Call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.