40 Years Sober: Tim Lineaweaver on Recovery, Trauma & Truth
05/21/25 • 46 min
This week on Sober Banter, we’re joined by Tim Lineaweaver—a therapist, dad, and four decades sober.
Tim takes us back to 1984, when he first got sober, and walks us through how recovery has evolved (and what’s stayed the same) over the past 40 years. From navigating trauma in sobriety to talking with your kids about alcoholism, this conversation is full of real-life wisdom, humor, and heart.
We dive into early cravings, drinking dreams, and what it means to help others while still protecting your own peace. Whether you’re newly sober or years into the journey, Tim’s perspective will leave you feeling seen and supported.
Want more from Tim?Follow his writing: wreckagetorecovery.substack.com
Reach out directly: [email protected]
Episode Highlights:
2:36 – Back to 1984: Getting sober
5:13 – Sobriety in the 80s & How Tim got sober
8:43 – Growing up in an alcoholic home
14:31 – Trauma and addiction
19:39 – Upcoming memoir & Earning a degree in sobriety
23:33 – What people misunderstand about trauma
26:09 – Never met someone who regretted getting sober
27:43 – What’s changed in recovery since the 80s
33:09 – The core message Tim wants people to hear
36:49 – Talking to kids about addiction
41:05 – Drinking dreams
43:53 – Tim’s call to sober publishers
P.S. Thanks for supporting independent recovery shows like ours. We’re a small but mighty team (okay, it’s mostly just me editing at midnight), and we’re so glad you’re here.
Enjoyed this episode? Let’s stay connected!
💌 Subscribe to Sober Banter so you never miss an episode.
💬 Leave a review or a comment—your thoughts mean the world and help others find us.
🔄 Share this episode with someone who might need it.
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @soberbanterpodcast
☕️ Support the show:
Buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/soberbanter
Donate at https://www.venmo.com/u/Soberbanter
Do you have questions or feedback or want to be a guest? Go to soberbanter.com/guests or email [email protected]
- (02:36) - – Back to 1984: Getting sober
- (05:13) - – Sobriety in the 80s & How Tim got sober
- (08:43) - – Growing up in an alcoholic home
- (14:31) - – Trauma and addiction
- (19:39) - – Upcoming memoir & Earning a degree in sobriety
- (23:33) - – What people misunderstand about trauma
- (26:09) - – Never met someone who regretted getting sober
- (27:43) - – What’s changed in recovery since the 80s
- (33:09) - – The core message Tim wants people to hear
- (36:49) - – Talking to kids about addiction
- (41:05) - – Drinking dreams
- (43:53) - – Tim’s call to sober publishers
This week on Sober Banter, we’re joined by Tim Lineaweaver—a therapist, dad, and four decades sober.
Tim takes us back to 1984, when he first got sober, and walks us through how recovery has evolved (and what’s stayed the same) over the past 40 years. From navigating trauma in sobriety to talking with your kids about alcoholism, this conversation is full of real-life wisdom, humor, and heart.
We dive into early cravings, drinking dreams, and what it means to help others while still protecting your own peace. Whether you’re newly sober or years into the journey, Tim’s perspective will leave you feeling seen and supported.
Want more from Tim?Follow his writing: wreckagetorecovery.substack.com
Reach out directly: [email protected]
Episode Highlights:
2:36 – Back to 1984: Getting sober
5:13 – Sobriety in the 80s & How Tim got sober
8:43 – Growing up in an alcoholic home
14:31 – Trauma and addiction
19:39 – Upcoming memoir & Earning a degree in sobriety
23:33 – What people misunderstand about trauma
26:09 – Never met someone who regretted getting sober
27:43 – What’s changed in recovery since the 80s
33:09 – The core message Tim wants people to hear
36:49 – Talking to kids about addiction
41:05 – Drinking dreams
43:53 – Tim’s call to sober publishers
P.S. Thanks for supporting independent recovery shows like ours. We’re a small but mighty team (okay, it’s mostly just me editing at midnight), and we’re so glad you’re here.
Enjoyed this episode? Let’s stay connected!
💌 Subscribe to Sober Banter so you never miss an episode.
💬 Leave a review or a comment—your thoughts mean the world and help others find us.
🔄 Share this episode with someone who might need it.
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @soberbanterpodcast
☕️ Support the show:
Buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/soberbanter
Donate at https://www.venmo.com/u/Soberbanter
Do you have questions or feedback or want to be a guest? Go to soberbanter.com/guests or email [email protected]
- (02:36) - – Back to 1984: Getting sober
- (05:13) - – Sobriety in the 80s & How Tim got sober
- (08:43) - – Growing up in an alcoholic home
- (14:31) - – Trauma and addiction
- (19:39) - – Upcoming memoir & Earning a degree in sobriety
- (23:33) - – What people misunderstand about trauma
- (26:09) - – Never met someone who regretted getting sober
- (27:43) - – What’s changed in recovery since the 80s
- (33:09) - – The core message Tim wants people to hear
- (36:49) - – Talking to kids about addiction
- (41:05) - – Drinking dreams
- (43:53) - – Tim’s call to sober publishers
Previous Episode
From Addiction to Advocacy: Sam Thomas on Living Sober and Recovery
In this episode, Sam Thomas, a writer and campaigner from Brighton, UK, shares his journey of sobriety since November 2019. He discusses overcoming alcohol dependence, including withdrawal and hallucinations. Sam also talks about his unique therapy with exotic pets, which helped him rationalize his fears. He reflects on founding a charity for men with eating disorders and personal sacrifices. Sam candidly discusses the ongoing nature of recovery, self-reflection, and his aspirations for a memoir. This episode explores addiction, mental health, and recovery.
Connect with Sam Thomas!
https://www.instagram.com/samthomas8186/
https://linktr.ee/samthomas8186
Enjoyed this episode? Let’s stay connected!
💌 Subscribe to Sober Banter so you never miss an episode.
💬 Leave a review or a comment—your thoughts mean the world and help others find us.
🔄 Share this episode with someone who might need it.
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @soberbanterpodcast
Reply on Bluesky
☕️ Support the show:
Buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/soberbanter
Donate at https://www.venmo.com/u/Soberbanter
A few extra announcements....
🎤 We’re inviting new guests!
If you’ve got a story to share—or know someone who does—hit comment, reply, or email [email protected]. We’re looking for people who’ve lived it, felt it, and want to talk about it in a way that’s real, relatable, and maybe even a little funny.
📣 You can now leave us a voice message!
Got a question? A rant? A memory? Drop us a note on SpeakPipe.
We might even include your voice in a future episode.
✍️ Prefer to stay anonymous?
You can submit a question or topic right here—no names, no pressure, just real questions.
- (00:00) - Welcome Sam Thomas
- (01:11) - Spiders & Alcohol Withdrawal
- (05:17) - Early Drinking Experiences
- (11:21) - Bulimia and Charity Work
- (13:41) - Complex PTSD and Addiction
- (19:03) - Getting Sober Before the Pandemic
- (22:14) - Navigating Sobriety During COVID-19
- (25:12) - Dangers of Abruptly Stopping Alcohol
- (29:26) - Alcohol Withdrawal
- (36:11) - Life After Charity Work & Living Sober
- (45:30) - Understanding Addiction and Homelessness
- (48:24) - Connecting with the Recovery Community
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