Join Kirk and Dan as they talk about the connection between mental health and addiction, the role dopamine plays in how your brain reacts to drink and drugs as well as the stigma many individuals have to face when they have struggles with their mental health, addiction or even with diagnoses such as ADHD and ASD. Dan and Kirk also talk about the shame and mourning they feel for the loss of life to addiction and share many tips and ideas on how to recognise when you have an addiction problem and to start your sober journey. In the second half of the episode, Dan and Kirk tackle questions from the menace to sobriety community including what to replace the sesh with, the role of intimacy in addiction and tips on supporting a friend or family member with addiction too. KEY TAKEAWAYS Those with ADHD are in a dopamine deficit which can predispose them to addiction issues Your dopamine receptors can be altered by addiction, your base line even when not actively drinking or taking drugs is often lower than it should be which can cause anxiety and depression Nerves and excitement aren't the same as anxiety Alcohol is a depressant and has a numbing effect which can be appealing to anyone with neurodiversity or mental health problems Dan doesn’t miss taking cocaine but he does sometimes miss a lot of the effects of alcohol Drinking is a viscous cycle, you are always trying to make yourself feel better when all drinking does is inevitably make you feel worse as it's a depressant  Think about how others close to you see you, this will make you realise what you are doing wrong and can often be the first step to recognising you have an addiction problem Going sober can be frightening, in part because you don’t know what a sober life looks life but don’t be scared of reinventing yourself, embrace it Many people relate to Kirk because of what he has overcome in his life, his mental health struggles and his addiction issues. He is upfront and honest about what he has been through and is an example of what can be achieved Managing your thoughts is an incredibly effective way to manage anxiety and depression but most people aren’t given this information or guided on how they can utilise it You are not your thoughts, you are separate to that. When you can’t separate yourself from your thoughts this is when depression, anxiety and other difficulties can arise There are things you can easily replace drinking and drug taking with including exercise but one of the things you can do most to help you in your sober journey is to learn to combat your intrusive thoughts. Remind yourself what you want from life and why you went sober. The positive feedback and stories Kirk and Dan receive from the community prove that what they are doing is worthwhile, other people can be helped and learn from their difficulties Kirk and Dan will continue to advocate for mens mental health, despite some of the negativity they receive. Men are not weak for having emotions or struggling with their mental health BEST MOMENTS  "I’m definitely addicted to costa coffee” “Drinking alcohol 100% causes mental health problems” “Drink and drugs can form a feeling of bad mental health” “The stuff I miss from drinking is the stuff that damages you” “People who don’t have a problem with drink and drugs don’t wonder if they have a problem” “You do have the ability to not react to what your mind’s telling you” “If I can make one person smile a day and one person not kill themselves a day, that’s it” VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.cocaineanonymous.org.uk CONTACT METHOD Instagram Facebook Twitter   ABOUT THE HOSTS Daniel O’Reilly Daniel O’Reilly is one of the UK’s Largest Influencers, a comedian, actor, musician, viral video star and social influencer. With a portfolio of businesses Daniel enjoys a busy lifestyle mixed with business and pleasure. Daniel is a father to two beautiful girls and enjoys spending qua