From Breaking News to Breaking Free: Beth McDonough’s Recovery Journey from Alcohol

Veteran crime reporter Beth McDonough built a career on relentless pursuit—until life hit hard. After her mother’s sudden passing, a breakup, and her father’s emergency heart surgery, alcohol became her coping mechanism. Two DUIs and a lost dream job later, Beth faced a choice: go home or go to treatment. She chose recovery. Now 16 years sober and the author of Standby, Beth shares a raw, unflinching conversation about losing everything—and rebuilding with honesty, humility, and hope. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol, this story offers practical insight and proof that long-term recovery is possible. In this interview, Beth discusses: How high-achiever “grit” can hide a growing alcohol problem The breaking point that led her to treatment Early sobriety: shame, repair, and rebuilding trust Tools that sustain long-term recovery (community, routine, service) Writing Standby and turning pain into purpose About Beth: Beth McDonough is a former crime reporter and the author of Standby, a memoir about addiction, loss, and the everyday work of recovery. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content?

You can listen to From Breaking News to Breaking Free: Beth McDonough’s Recovery Journey from Alcohol online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

From Breaking News to Breaking Free: Beth McDonough’s Recovery Journey from Alcohol is an episode from Addiction Talk by American Addiction Centers .

This episode is 70:44 long.

This episode was published on Sep 18, 2025.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Addiction Talk when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.