Mel Barrett: Alcohol Misuse, Cocaine, Identity, Boxing and Building a Recovery Toolbox

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Mel shares a powerful and deeply honest account of her journey through alcohol misuse, escalating substance use, mental health struggles, and the non-linear path toward recovery.Growing up as a triplet in a family where drinking was normalised, Mel describes early identity struggles, belonging within pub culture, and how her use escalated in Brighton – from drinking to dangerous encounters with dealers and a chaotic lifestyle that felt increasingly out of control. A moment of clarity in Spain shifted everything.Mel reflects on the complexities of giving up alcohol while continuing to use cannabis, the emotional roots behind her coping behaviours, and how recovery eventually took shape through boxing, community, medication, 12-step fellowships, and building a personal sobriety toolbox that actually works.This is a grounded, practical, and compassionate story about rebuilding identity, finding strength in healthy routines, and learning what recovery really looks like beyond abstinence or expectation.In this episode:Growing up as a triplet and early identity conflictPub culture, belonging, and escalating use in BrightonDrinking, cannabis, dealers, and unsafe situationsThe moment of clarity in Spain that shifted everythingBoxing as a recovery tool and protective factorCommunity, fellowship, medication, and building a sobriety toolboxThe reality of non-linear recovery and self-compassionSearch terms: alcohol recovery podcast UK, lived experience stories, substance misuse, boxing and mental health, trauma and recovery, addiction recovery.Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to leave a review — it helps others find us. 🔗 Then share this episode with someone you know who could benefit from it. Browse the full archive at 👉 www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com This podcast is a toolkit for recovery & resilience. Whether you’re in recovery or seeking to understand addiction, there’s something here for everyone. If you want to change your direction, grow as a person, and live life to its full potential, Change Grow Live is here to help you. We’re here for you if you need help with challenges including drugs or alcohol, trouble with housing, domestic abuse, or your mental and physical wellbeing. Change Grow Live services are free and confidential. Click the link below to refer yourself to your local service. https://www.changegrowlive.org/local-support/find-a-service 📩 Podcast Contact: [email protected]🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” by Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six) 🔗 Listen & Subscribe Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4Cr4wzZ6bxku1cRcoYKbGK Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/believe-in-people/id1617239923 ...

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