Addiction can take you down one of two roads. For former teacher Daniel Patterson, he was one of the lucky ones to find the road to recovery. After taking his last drink on January 1, 2015 he made a promise to be better, for himself and others. Now over eight years sober, Daniel is on a mission to create a SoberTunity, an empowering community to connect, create and curate a life beyond booze. But still leave room to have uncomfortable conversations and "land the plane". During the conversation: Daniel opens up about his own recovery journey and how he faced a lot of resistance until he got the right support. He talks about the importance of having humor in the healing…the "traumady" that's necessary to connect. Daniel also gets real about his own suicide attempt and what it means to him to finally share his story. Plus, the importance of normalizing mental health in an effort to empower the next generation. If you or someone you know needs help or is in crisis, call/text 988 or chat by visiting 988lifeline.org. You can also find more resources that offer guidance and support at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/in-crisis To connect with Daniel and find out more about his SoberTunity Think Tank, visit https://www.sobertunity.com/ You can also connect with Daniel via social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattersonperspective/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pattersonperspective Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pattersonperspectiveinc If you need further support in the trauma informed space to change your thoughts, moods, behaviors and habits, Hilary invites you to try a complimentary Havening session with me her to HUG it Out for good. You can set up a session by visiting the following link: https://hilaryrusso.as.me/hugitout Interested in sharing your story of sobriety or road to recovery on HIListically Speaking? Just visit speakpipe.com/hilisticallyspeaking and press record. Your story could be someone else's survival guide. Share today. If this episode touched, moved and inspired you in anyway, consider paying if forward and sharing it with someone who could find value in what we shared. Get social and connect with Hilary: Website: https://www.hilaryrusso.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilaryrusso Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilisticallyspeaking TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hilisticallyspeaking Twitter: https://twitter.com/HilaryRusso HIListically Speaking with Hilary Russo Created/Hosted by Hilary Russo Music by Lipbone Redding https://lipbone.com/ Edited by 2MM