When it comes to addiction, sometimes it can be very difficult to even notice you have a problem.

My guest today struggled to come to that very realization before finally becoming sober one year and three months ago.

AJ Mayer is a 25 year old carpenter and a fellow Hunterdon County native. Growing up in a drinking household, AJ was first introduced to alcohol at a very young age. Following his parents divorce, AJ began down a self-destructive path and hit rock bottom when he was hospitalized over a year ago.

We talk about the time he spent working for a liquor store, how his addiction grew, how it affected his life and where it took him. Stay tuned for part 2 where we take a deeper dive into AJ’s story!

Episode Highlights:

(0:00) - Introduction

(0:48) - Start of the episode, how AJ started drinking

(3:08) - When AJ’s parents got separated

(6:15) - Working at Bourbon Street Liquors

(12:40) - “I always thought that I could quit”

(13:37) - When AJ started going down a dark path

(19:35) - Before the pandemic, the “Union mentality”

(24:30) - The pandemic’s effect on drinking

(28:10) - Different types of alcoholism

(31:10) - AJ’s DUI, drinking and driving

(40:14) - How long AJ has been sober for

About Joshua and Monique Robinson:

Joshua is a recovering alcoholic turned life coach and psychologist.

Co-host of Alternatives to AA is his wife, Monique Robinson.

Josh Robinson is a bodybuilder, athlete, and life coach currently pursuing a degree in psychology. Through hard work, relationship building, and developing their own ways of coping, Josh and Monique are now packaging their recovery in the form of a podcast. He and his wife battled and overcame alcoholism without AA, and their mission is to help others do the same.

Connect with Joshua and Monique Robinson!

Josh’s Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/joshua.robinson.395 

Moniques Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/mo.cool.56