Class A People31 Mars 2025

Addiction, Identity & Healing

In this episode, James Talbot opens up about the parts of his story that were hidden behind the party persona. From being bullied at school and masking with bravado, to chasing success, status and stimulation at all costs—this is a raw, reflective conversation about addiction, identity, and healing.

James shares how trauma, ADHD, and the constant need to prove himself led to years of alcohol and drug use, extreme behaviour, and emotional chaos. We talk about the dangers of high-functioning addiction, the impact of private school culture, and what happens when the external world sees confidence, but the internal world is falling apart.

This isn’t just about drugs and alcohol. It’s about the masks we wear, the stories we tell ourselves, and the uncomfortable truth that sometimes it all has to fall apart before we can figure out who we actually are.

Topics Covered:

• How bullying and abandonment shaped his early identity

• The private school culture of status, shame and silence

• Alcohol, drugs and the drive to be “the most fun”

• Why ADHD and addiction so often go hand-in-hand

• The danger of seeking validation through chaos

• Social media, self-worth, and masking pain with performance

• Finding recovery, routine, and a new way of living

• Learning to be okay without being the centre of attention

This conversation digs into the complexity of addiction, trauma, neurodivergence and recovery—offering hope for anyone who feels like they’re always performing but never truly present.

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