Sober Awkward Bryony Gordon: From Mad Girl to Sober Royalty
Jul 6, 2025
Bryony Gordon, a Sunday Times bestselling author and mental health advocate, shares her harrowing yet inspiring journey through addiction and sobriety. With a career built on vulnerability, she discusses the intersection of OCD and alcohol as a social crutch. Bryony reflects on pivotal moments towards sobriety, emphasizing community support and the role of running in her recovery. The conversation also brings a lighthearted touch as they share humorous anecdotes about personal mishaps, showcasing how laughter can coexist with serious topics like mental health.
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Childhood OCD and Feeling Different
- Bryony Gordon suffered severe OCD from age 12, with terrifying intrusive thoughts making her feel like a freak.
- Despite a normal middle-class upbringing, her brain's constant awful messages shaped her childhood dread.
Alcohol Masks Childhood Loneliness
- Feeling "other" or "different" as a child often underlies addiction.
- Alcohol can temporarily make people feel like they fit in, offsetting deep loneliness and difference.
Alcohol Conceals Underlying Pain
- Alcohol often is the solution to a person's internal pain, not the problem itself.
- Stopping drinking exposes the preexisting mental noise, which can feel worse at first.
