The Comeback with Humphrey O' Driscoll
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This week on the podcast, I sit down with Humphrey O'Driscoll. Growing up in Cargilline, Humphrey knew he was gay. But in a small town, that came at a price. He speaks openly about the relentless bullying he experienced and the derogatory F-word that still haunts him to this day.
What challenges did Humphrey face growing up gay in a small town?
Trying to escape the shame and pain, alcohol became his coping mechanism before cocaine completely took over his life. Humphrey shares the heartbreaking moment he believes addiction robbed him of the love of his life, spending Christmas Day alone taking drugs and reaching the point where he genuinely believed it was either going to change him or kill him. He also opens up about losing his mum, the closure of his hair salon and how everything around him seemed to be falling apart. But this episode is also about hope. It's about finding the courage to ask for help, learning to accept yourself and finally being able to say, I can finally be home free without a drink or a drug. This is an incredibly powerful conversation about identity, addiction, recovery, and why everyone deserves a chance to simply be themselves.
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How did bullying impact Humphrey's mental health and identity?
It really helps us continue sharing stories that matter. And as always, this episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit ADHDnow.com today. This is The Comeback with Humphrey O'Driscoll. Humphrey, how are you?
I'm good. How are you?
Delighted to see you.
Thanks for having me.
What role did addiction play in Humphrey's life?
We know each other of old.
We do.
Well over a decade now I'd say. You used to be, well I used to go to you for my hair. Yeah, up in the north side. Up in the north side and what a laugh we'd have.
I know.
What a happy-go-lucky lad. And the crack we'd have up in that salon. What was the name of that salon again?
What was the turning point for Humphrey in choosing recovery?
Peaches. Peaches. Oh, the crack inside that salon. And I was up and down going out every Saturday night getting the hair done.
And the tan.
The tan. And then how many fucking hair extensions on the head. Oh God. There was like a nest.
In the back of. Yeah.
What a laugh. Now, I hadn't seen you in years.
How did losing loved ones affect Humphrey's journey?
Obviously, I'd seen you online and on social media. And then you reached out to me a couple of weeks ago and you had told me where you'd been. Yeah. We actually were in the same place in rehab, which we'll discuss. We'll share stories because we haven't shared much about it. Usually I have big long chats with someone before they come on the podcast, but we're going to do this afresh and we'll share those stories. But you went through a very, very hard time of it and you were going through a very hard time of it for a couple of years. Yeah.
What steps did Humphrey take to find hope and healing?
How long would you say?
I'd say, well, like it really got bad like in the last 10 years, but the last five years was horrific. Absolutely horrific.
Awful. And we'll get into that. But you're here now and you're over 90 days sober.
105. 105? Yeah.
105. Amazing, Humphrey. Like I'm one day at a time. And even I would say, and you notice yourself, even getting one, staying one hour sober before was a struggle.
100%, yeah.
I look at you now, 105 days, and would it be safe to say you're now living a life beyond your wildest dreams?
And like I used to hear people saying that and be like, well, down with it. Now I totally get it. But the big thing, Brenda, you want, you need to want it. There's no point doing it for your sister, brother, mother, father. If you're not ready, forget about it. But I was ready this year. You were ready. Last year they tried to get me in and I was like, no way. I knew I wasn't ready, but now I was.
You have to be ready and you have to want it. Well, before we get into all of that, Humphrey, for people who may not know you, can you tell me where you grew up and what it was like?
I grew up in Cargilline in County Cork. I've lived there all my life. Growing up down there, it was like a very small town. Back in the day, people would be like, oh, they're the farmers down that way. But it was very like a small town, whatever.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:20
2
What challenges did Humphrey face growing up gay in a small town?
0:20–1:16
3
How did bullying impact Humphrey's mental health and identity?
1:16–1:41
4
What role did addiction play in Humphrey's life?
1:41–1:57
5
What was the turning point for Humphrey in choosing recovery?
1:57–2:19
6
How did losing loved ones affect Humphrey's journey?
2:19–2:45
7
What steps did Humphrey take to find hope and healing?
2:45–8:04
8
How did treatment change Humphrey's perspective on life?
8:04–47:52