Breaking the Stigma: Laura Cathcart Robbins' Journey to Sobriety

Have you ever felt like you were living a double life, hiding your struggles from the outside world? Today, Laura Cathcart Robbins shares her story of addiction and recovery. She explains how she managed to hide her addiction and continue with her performative life and how the departure from her authentic self led to building scaffolding for her addiction. Despite initially viewing treatment as a performative act, she slowly began to appreciate herself and reclaim the confidence she had lost. Laura touches on how therapy was integral to navigating through addiction and re-framing perspectives on life. Join us as we explore the inspiring journeys of those who have overcome addiction and found their path to a fulfilling life of sobriety!

Laura Cathcart Robbins is the best-selling author of the Atria/Simon & Schuster memoir Stash, My Life In Hiding, and host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room. She has been active as a speaker and school trustee for many years and is credited for creating The Buckley School’s nationally recognized committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.

[00:01 - 08:04] Opening Segment

• Laura shares her addiction and recovery journey

• The author of "Stash My Life in Hiding."

• Laura managed addiction well on the outside but was isolated and performing

• How departure from authentic self-led to building scaffolding for addiction

[08:05 - 16:11] The Role of Postpartum Anxiety

• Laura shares her struggles with addiction and postpartum anxiety

• Growing up as a black person in predominantly white spaces

• Feeling pressure to represent her entire race

• How Laura has now embraced self-love and acceptance

[16:12 - 23:43] Navigating Recovery as the Only Black Person in the Room

• Being the only black person in the facility in the treatment

• Laura's divorce attorney gave her a list of things to do for their case

• Attending meetings and therapy, which she resented but did anyway

• One-on-one support to others on the alcohol-free journey

[23:44 - 30:58] Former Addict Credits Therapy for Life-Changing Transformation

• How therapy was helpful for her and the therapist was gentle and compassionate

• Focus on the things that need attention and take the focus off unnecessary things

• Coaching can offer simple solutions instead of making things hard on oneself

• Laura had never let anyone in on what was going on behind the scenes before therapy

[30:59 - 38:42] Laura's Message Resonates with Women of Color

• Why Laura felt isolated as the only Black person in AA meetings

• The importance of being open-minded and not closing oneself off to those who are different

• The mental gymnastics Laura had to do to find what works for her in recovery

• Why being a black female mother is triple exhausting

[38:43 - 44:56] Closing Segment

• The communities and programs that offer alternatives to traditional recovery methods

• As long as someone's message speaks to even just one person, that's all that matters

• The book has received positive responses from people of color, especially women

Want to connect with Laura? Follow her on Instagram and TikTok. Head to The Only One Pod, a change of perspective in how we all see and hear each other’s stories!

Key Quotes:

"I have this ferocious love for my children and this desire to be in their lives. But I've also developed this ferocious love for Ambien and alcohol." - Laura Cathcart Robbins

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