I Thought My Dad Dying Made Me an Addict, I Was Wrong

In episode 32 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Tim Fritz to share his powerful story of battling active alcoholism and addiction. Tim opens up about how the loss of his father deeply impacted his life and became a driving force behind his substance use. Together, Laisha and Tim break down the thought processes that come with being in active addiction—the denial, the shame, and the endless cycle of chasing escape. Through raw honesty and reflection, Tim shares what it truly took to find his way out and begin the journey toward healing and self-awareness. This conversation sheds light on the emotional roots of addiction and serves as a reminder that recovery is possible, no matter how lost you may feel.

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Chapters |

00:00 Intro & Growing Up in Baltimore

01:30 Early Childhood and Family Dynamics

03:30 Losing a Parent and Turning to Substances

06:30 Is Addiction Nature or Nurture?

08:00 Personal DUI Experiences & Defining Addiction

11:00 Identifying as an Addict—Comparison and Craving

15:00 The Spiritual, Mental, and Physical Nature of Addiction

18:30 Impact of External Consequences and Unmanageability

21:30 Adolescence into College—Escalating Drinking

24:30 College Years and the Struggle to Control Drinking

28:00 The Obsession with Control & Attempts to Moderate

32:00 Substances Beyond Alcohol and Cross-Addiction

36:00 Why Alcohol Feels Different Than Other Drugs

39:00 Misconceptions: Is it Just Willpower?

43:00 Material Success vs. Internal Fulfillment

47:00 Reaching Bottom: The Path to Treatment

51:00 Medical Marijuana, Relapse, and True Recovery

55:00 Spiritual Experience & Life with a Higher Power

01:00:00 Advice for Those Struggling & Breaking Stigma

01:01:30 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

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Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health.

Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree…

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