Episode Fifty: The difference between getting sober and living a full life in recovery, with Benn Veenker

Ep 50. The difference between getting sober and living a full life in recovery, with Benn Veenker

In this week’s episode I sat down with drug and alcohol counsellor Benn Veenker. Benn made the decision to get clean and sober on the 31st of August 2012 and has made it his life’s work to help other people rehabilitate from addiction.

Benn shares openly about his journey to rehab and the steps he took to turn his life around. His story is a heart-warming testimony of the healing that can occur when you choose to show up every single day in your recovery. How even loved ones lost can re-emerge and how life can blossom beyond your wildest dreams.

Some of the topics we discussed include:

  • Having no off switch – 7:00

  • Connecting to true purpose – 16:40

  • Choas and consequences – 21:30

  • Addiction and mental health darkness – 25:40

  • Working your recovery – 36:15

  • Abstinence and harm reduction – 44:25

  • Healing “lost” relationships – 47:35

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: ⁠@ashbutterss

You can find out more about First Steps using the links below:

WEBSITE: www.firststep.org.au

Instagram: @firststepstkilda

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

LISTEN TO THE BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST HERE

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If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the show you can buy me a coffee:

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Episode Fifty-One: Breaking the generational cycle and becoming a sassy sober Mum, with Teri MacGilbert

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Episode Forty-Nine: Bonus Episode - Unpacking Secular AA with Robert P