Drunk, Selling Drugs & Becoming My Father’s Son | Josh Connolly

About this episode

Josh Connolly shares his journey through childhood trauma and addiction, discussing the impact of his father's alcoholism and his path to recovery.

One of the UK's leading mental health advocates, Josh Connolly, joins us for a deeply honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, and what it really takes to break generational cycles. Josh reflects on growing up with a father battling severe alcoholism, witnessing his death at just nine years old, and the lasting impact those experiences had on his own life. He shares how he found himself repeating the same patterns, the turning point that led him to choose recovery, and the work that has helped him heal over the past 14 years. Together, we explore fatherhood, emotional regulation, and why learning to feel, not just survive, has transformed the way Josh lives, loves, and parents today. This episode covers the following themes: Childhood Trauma, Active Addiction, Suicidal Ideation, Somatic Healing & Breathwork, and Breaking Generational Cycles. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉Head to…

People in this episode

Guest: Josh Connolly

Topics covered

• Childhood Trauma
• Addiction
• Generational Cycles
• Emotional Regulation
• Recovery
• Fatherhood

Keywords

• mental health
• addiction
• childhood trauma
• recovery
• generational cycles
• fatherhood
• emotional regulation

Sponsors

AG1, Randox Health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Samaritans, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Mental Health Mates, Shout, IAPT

Products: AG1, Randox Health

More episodes of On The Mend

• "I Hated Myself for What I'd Done" | Ben West, on Losing His Brother · September 7, 2026 · 1h 1m
• The Race Across The World That Helped Alfie Watts Process His Grief · August 31, 2026 · 52 min
• The Constant Chaos That Made Me Keep Drinking: Preston from Ordinary Boys · August 24, 2026 · 52 min
• How James Haskell Survived Injury, Divorce and Grief & Came Out Stronger · August 17, 2026 · 1h 17m
• The Moment Michelle Heaton Became Dependent On Alcohol · August 10, 2026 · 56 min
• 15 Questions About Addiction I’m Finally Answering | Matt Willis · August 3, 2026 · 27 min