On this week’s Sober Life Rocks Podcast, we sat down with Beth McDonough—a veteran news broadcaster, survivor of multiple rock bottoms, and author of the upcoming addiction recovery memoir Standby. Her journey from public downfall to personal reinvention is a powerful testament to what’s possible after addiction.

A Family History of Addiction

Beth’s story began in a home where her mother and stepfather abstained from alcohol but where her biological father, sister, and grandparents all battled alcoholism—tragically losing their lives to it. Those losses left her both cautious and fearful, but college life and career pressures eventually chipped away at that caution.

Life in the Newsroom and Bar Culture

As a news broadcaster, Beth covered tragedies and disasters daily. After work, the bar became the place to decompress. The drinking escalated, leading to her first DUI. She vowed it wouldn’t happen again—but a second DUI changed everything, ending her broadcasting career and triggering a rapid fall that cost her her home and car.

Finding Recovery and a New Path

Entering a sober living program, Beth embraced recovery through AA, aftercare, and building new habits. She turned her love for dogs into a business, eventually opening a doggy daycare. This became a stepping stone toward rebuilding her identity and independence.

Return to Broadcasting—With New Perspective

Years later, a newsroom offered her another chance. This time, her reporting was infused with deeper empathy and understanding. She covered major national stories, including the George Floyd tragedy, but the job’s intensity—and personal danger—took a toll.

Choosing Health and Writing Her Memoir

After surviving violent threats during protests and battling Lyme disease, Beth left the newsroom. She relocated to Utah to heal and finally completed her memoir, Standby—a raw, redemptive account of her journey through addiction, loss, and recovery.

A Message for Those in the Storm

Beth’s advice to those who feel hopeless: “If you find community, people who understand you, and share your truth—you’ll not only rebuild, you’ll create a life you never imagined.”

Final Thoughts

Beth McDonough’s addiction recovery memoir is proof that redemption is real. Her story shows that even after public downfalls and personal devastation, it’s possible to rise stronger than before.

Stay Connected:

• Website: bethmcdmedia.com

The post Episode 63: Addiction Recovery Memoir: Beth McDonough’s Story of Resilience and Redemption first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.