212: Finding Freedom After Addiction — The Inspiring Journey of Mary Beth O’Connor

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Mary Beth O’Connor for a candid, eye-opening conversation about survival, healing, and long-term recovery. After surviving a childhood marked by emotional neglect and severe abuse, Mary Beth fell into addiction at just twelve years old — eventually becoming a daily meth user by her teens. But her story didn’t end there.

Through determination, trauma therapy, and a recovery path she crafted for herself, Mary Beth rose from years of substance use disorder to graduating from Berkeley Law and ultimately serving as a federal administrative law judge. Her transformation is breathtaking, inspiring, and proof that healing is not only possible, but life-changing.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re too far gone to rebuild your life, this episode is the reminder that it is never too late.

Guest Bio

Mary Beth O’Connor is the author of From Junkie to Judge and a nationally recognized advocate for trauma-informed, individualized addiction recovery. After surviving years of abuse and developing a meth addiction in her teens, Mary Beth rebuilt her life through therapy, alternative recovery programs, and perseverance. She went on to graduate from Berkeley Law, build a successful legal career, and ultimately serve as a federal administrative law judge. Today she writes, speaks, and mentors others seeking hope and personalized recovery paths.

 

You’ll hear About

• The childhood trauma and instability that planted the seeds for addiction

• How early drug use escalated into a decade-long meth dependency

• Why personalized recovery — not one-size-fits-all — saved her life

• The slow, steady climb from rock bottom to law school and beyond

• How Mary Beth became a federal judge and an advocate for trauma-informed recovery

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:27 Mary Beth’s Early Life and Emotional Neglect

03:29 Caring for Her Sister and Growing Up Too Soon

05:01 Early Signs of Anxiety and Emotional Distress

06:15 Moving in with Her Stepfather and Escalating Abuse

07:55 Violence, Chaos, and the Impact of Trauma

09:54 Learning to Survive an Unpredictable Environment

11:01 First Exposure to Alcohol at Age Twelve

12:43 Progression to Weed, Pills, Acid, and Meth

14:30 Trauma, Mental Health, and the Root Causes of Addiction

16:26 Why Meth Became Her Drug of Choice

17:44 Addiction Through College and Early Adulthood

19:33 The Slow, Cumulative Bottom That Forced Her to Seek Help

21:15 Rehab, Ambivalence, and Why 12-Step Didn’t Fit

23:17 Discovering Alternatives and Building Her Own Recovery Plan

25:23 Treating Trauma and Co-Occurring PTSD

27:26 How Treatment Systems Fail Without Individualized Care

29:30 Asking the Right Question: “Why Am I Using?”

31:37 Mindful Drinking, Harm Reduction, and Dry January

33:47 Rebuilding Her Life From the Ground Up

35:44 Graduating From Berkeley Law and Becoming a Judge

37:09 Life Today: Writing, Speaking, and Advocacy

38:53 About Her Memoir From Junkie to Judge

40:51 Her Message to Anyone Who Believes Recovery Isn’t Possible

43:03 Chuck’s Closing Reflections

Chuck’s Challenge

This week, look beneath the surface. Choose one area of your life where you’ve been reacting instead of understanding the root cause. Slow down, get curious, and take one small step to address what’s really going on — not just the symptom.

 

Connect with Mary Beth O’Connor

Website: http://junkietojudge.com/

X: https://x.com/MaryBethO_/with_replies

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-o-connor-8aaa4b121/

Bluesky: https://blueskydirectory.com/profiles/marybethoconnor.bsky.social

 

Connect with Chuck
Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/

Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked

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