#addictionawareness #addictionrecovery #soberlife

In this deeply moving episode of The Sober Fix Podcast, we sit down with Jason Mayo — author of In Case of Emergency, Break Childhood: A Gen Xer’s Survival Guide to Anxiety, Addiction and Accidental Enlightenment and founder of Sober Not Subtle, a storytelling and advocacy platform dedicated to breaking the stigma around addiction, recovery, and mental health.

Jason opens up about how childhood trauma shaped his mental health, his struggle with substance use, and the profound transformation he experienced through recovery. He shares how the fentanyl crisis influenced his work, why Narcan training is essential, and how helping others has become part of his healing.

As a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), Jason serves as a community outreach coordinator at a Long Island recovery center—facilitating a dads’ group, running programs in the county jail, educating students, training people in Narcan use, and supporting multiple community prevention coalitions. His story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible and that sharing our experiences can save lives.

Whether you’re in recovery, curious about sobriety, or supporting a loved one, this episode is overflowing with insight, honesty, and real hope.

🎙 Episode Highlights

The impact of childhood trauma on addiction and mental health

The subjective nature of trauma and why perception matters

Navigating substance use in the era of fentanyl

Community, storytelling, and advocacy as pathways to healing

Narcan training and real-world harm reduction

Writing a memoir as a therapeutic process

The birth and mission of Sober Not Subtle

Self-care, vulnerability, and asking for help

Why every recovery journey looks different

How Jason supports his community as a CRPA

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Recovery and Inspiration

01:54 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact

05:46 Perception of Divorce and Its Effects

09:23 Mental Health and Addiction

11:35 The Journey into Substance Use

16:45 The Role of Fentanyl in Addiction

18:44 Narcan Training and Community Awareness

25:08 Finding Sobriety and Personal Transformation

26:28 Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health

32:41 The Birth of Sober Not Subtle

36:53 Creating a Community for Recovery

41:37 The Journey of Writing a Memoir

53:08 Advice for Those Struggling with Addiction

💬 Key Takeaways

Trauma is personal — it’s about perception, not comparison.

Addiction and mental health are deeply connected.

Community and connection are crucial for long-term recovery.

Sobriety doesn’t require hitting rock bottom.

Writing and storytelling can be powerful forms of healing.

Narcan saves lives; training matters now more than ever.

It’s okay to ask for help — vulnerability is strength.

Recovery is not one-size-fits-all; find your path.

Self-care is essential for mental health and sobriety.

Sharing your story can help others feel less alone.

👤 Guest: Jason Mayo — Author, Advocate & Founder of Sober Not Subtle

🌐 Website: https://www.sobernotsubtle.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

📘 Author of IIn Case of Emergency, Break Childhood: A Gen Xer’s Survival Guide to Anxiety, Addiction and Accidental Enlightenment

🔗 Contributor to The Sober Curator

🎗 Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)

📣 Community educator, Narcan trainer, and coalition leader

🎧 Connect With The Sober Fix Podcast

🌐 Website: https://www.thesoberfixpodcast.com

📧 Email: [email protected] — Email me if you’d like to share your story or come on the show!

📱 TikTok: @thesoberfix

📸 Instagram: @thesoberfixpodcast

I’m always looking for people willing to share their journey with addiction, sobriety, trauma, or recovery. Reach out anytime to be a guest on the podcast.🤙