The Secret Inside the Family: Understanding Tanisha’s Substance Use
From Soberly Speaking by Julia Rangiheuea
April 12, 2026 · 40 min · Season 4 · Episode 17
About this episode
Tanisha shares her journey of substance use stemming from childhood trauma and her path toward sobriety through therapy.
Trigger warning: This episode discusses child SA within a family, domestic violence and su*cide. Listener discretion is advised. Support resources are listed below. As a teenager, when Tanisha tried to speak her truth, she was not believed by those closest to her. That silence left her carrying a deep emotional weight alone. Over time, she entered a difficult and unsafe relationship, and in that period she began using cash advances to obtain substances, believing she would not have a long future. When the money ran out, she turned to alcohol, believing it was a more socially accepted way to cope. What started as occasional drinking gradually became more frequent. It wasn’t until she began therapy that she was able to reframe her past, reflect on her experiences, and slowly move toward sobriety. Follow Tanisha on Instagram: @t_soberclub Creator & Host: Julia Rangiheuea Ready to share your story? hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we aim to present these narratives accurately, the views expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified…
People in this episode
Host: Julia Rangiheuea
Guest: Tanisha
Topics covered
- substance use
- mental health
- domestic violence
- child abuse
- sobriety
- therapy
Keywords
- substance use
- mental health
- domestic violence
- child abuse
- sobriety
- therapy
- alcohol
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Soberly Speaking, 1800RESPECT, Lifeline, Bravehearts
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