Jackie O was deep into a years-long addiction to pills and alcohol until one phone call changed her life.

There’s a reason Jackie O kept her addiction to pain medication and alcohol a secret for so long: shame. But now, she wants to share her story of recovery and healing with the world and to help other people get the help they need - and so she’s sharing the hard truths of the years she spent struggling.

Jackie and her best friend Gemma sit down for a searingly honest conversation with Mia Freedman about how Jackie found herself at her low point and finally had to admit her addiction to Gemma - and how Gemma got Jackie to rehab without the press finding out.

This is a story about addiction and recovery, but it’s also a story of the life-saving quality of friendship.

You can hear part two of Mia's conversation here. 

Jackie is donating the proceeds from the sale of her memoir to Odyssey House - you can learn more about them here.

You can find Jackie O’s memoir, The Whole Truth, here.

You can learn more about Besties - Jackie & Gemma’s project - here.

And if this episode triggered anything for you and you need someone to talk to, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

THE END BITS:

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CREDITS:

Host: Mia Freedman

You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Audio Producer: Thom Lion 

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