Understanding Addiction With Sober Powered Podcast Host, Gill Tietz

Drinking is not only accepted in society but often encouraged, even expected at most social gatherings. It is no surprise that alcohol is one of the most widely used intoxicating substances. Unfortunately, more than 14 million adults each year meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder and many others abuse alcohol in harmful ways.

Biochemist and Sober Powered Podcast host, Gill Tietz, joined American Addiction Centers “Addiction Talk” host Joy Sutton to talk about the science of addiction and how understanding the disease helps her maintain sobriety.

“I would see people leave half-empty drinks or bottles at bars and I couldn’t understand how they could do it,” said Tietz. “Once I started drinking, I couldn’t stop.”

Tietz says her alcohol consumption became a daily (and nightly) habit to cope with everyday stress. Eventually, her mental health began to suffer, and drinking increased her depression and she even began waking up in the middle of the night from extreme anxiety.

She admits coming up with excuses. “I would convince myself it’s just the type of alcohol, like tequila, that affects me weirdly, so I would stop drinking margaritas.”

But when suicidal thoughts started happening after nights of heavy drinking, she knew it was time to stop lying to herself. “Enough was enough, something had to change.”

As a scientist, she did what came naturally to her. “I began to research addiction. I wanted to know, why me?”

“The more I educated myself, I realized I’m not to blame, it is a disease and alcohol affects my brain chemistry.”

At first, Gill quit for 90 days and wanted to see if she could drink in moderation. “That was a bad idea,” she said. “It was like: “Welcome back, misery!” So, she decided it was best to quit for good.

On her podcast, “Sober Powered,” Gill is all about using science, psychology, and compassion to help others understand addiction.

Some final thoughts from Gill Tietz for navigating sobriety: “You must find what works for you.”

“When I’m craving a drink, I remember how it may feel good in the short term, but I’m focusing on what is helpful and healthy for the long-term.”

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