Addiction Took My Son | Vanessa

Menace to Sobriety

Daniel O'Reilly

Improv, Business, Non-profit, Mental Health, Education, Comedy Interviews, Comedy, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 828 Ratings

🗓️ 6 March 2026

⏱️ 103 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this deeply emotional episode, Vanessa bravely shares the heartbreaking story of her son Luke a kind, funny, and charismatic young man whose life was tragically lost after struggling with a**iction. Luke was the type of person who lit up every room he walked into. Friends loved him, family adored him, and he had a bright future ahead of him. But what began with nights out and experimenting with substances slowly spiralled into a battle with a**iction that changed everything. This episode is difficult, but it’s an important one. If sharing Luke’s story helps even one person seek help or recognise the signs sooner, then his legacy will continue to make a difference. ⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses a**iction, mental health struggles, and s*cide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. Swindon Celebrity Charity football match tickets https://www.skiddle.com/e/41997339 Buy your tour tickets: https://www.seedanlive.com/shows Instagram: https://instagram.com/menacetosobrietyuk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@menace_ll_sobriety #mentalhealth #motivation #sobersuccesspodcast #mentalhealthawareness #sobersuccess #christmas #festive #soberlife

Transcript

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0:00.0	His best friends watched him destroying himself.
0:02.0	He took money off people that he never paid back.
0:05.0	You know, he took and took from people.
0:07.0	He took advantage of people's kindness.
0:09.0	But that wasn't him. That was the addict.
0:12.0	He met lads, like, from Scotland all over.
0:16.0	But again, there was still that denial in him.
0:19.0	When I did get to sleep to know.
0:21.6	Well, it's right, a lot of people are in here for heroin.
0:24.6	I'm not that bad.
0:25.6	And it's still that addict brain.
0:28.6	Well, actually, Luke, you are.
0:30.6	It doesn't matter that you're not doing that drug.
0:33.6	You're still addicted to three different things.
0:36.6	And it's still taken over your life.
0:38.3	I watched my boy lose his sparkle in his eye.
0:45.4	Hello, everyone, and welcome to a very special episode of Menace to sobriety.
0:53.3	Now, before we begin this one, I am going to pre-warn you.
0:56.6	This is going to be a heartfelt, tough listen.
1:00.8	This is a really, this is a really tricky subject that we're going to tackle today with our guest,
1:08.1	but so important.
1:09.6	And she's really, really brave to come on so soon.
	...

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