"I'm a Gen Z Alcoholic!" School of Rock Bottom 54: Mary-Kate Harrington

Today, I’m joined by Mary Kate, an acclaimed writer whose brutally honest account of addiction went viral, reaching over 4 million people with the title 'I'm a Gen Z Alcoholic' (link below). She opens up about what it truly takes to break free from alcohol—when you can’t live with it, but you can’t live without it. In this episode, you’ll learn why alcoholism is progressive, why blackouts happen and how to stop them, as well as the moment drinking crosses the invisible line into something far more dangerous. MK explains why 0% booze has no place in her recovery and how she let go of the idea that normal drinkers have something to be jealous of. She also talks about why she proudly calls herself an alcoholic, using the word as a tool for empowerment rather than shame. Getting sober in your twenties comes with its own challenges, from navigating dating to tackling ADHD in recovery, and Mary Kate lays out exactly what that journey looked like for her. She shares what worked, what didn’t, and the solution that finally set her free. If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, this episode will give you clarity, hope, and a roadmap to freedom. Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit - www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off! Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal Topics - 0:00 Intro 4:15 MK's rock bottom 7:30 Can't live with alcohol and can't live without it? 10:25 Alcoholism is progressive? 12:15 Blackouts 14:30 Is the word alcoholic dirty? 26:35 Why 0% booze has no place in MK's recovery 28:45 What is the invisible line? 30:30 Hospitalisation from alcohol 32:15 Why there is no need to be jealous of 'normal' drinkers' 35:45 Getting sober IN YOUR 20'S!? 39:15 Putting in boundaries 41:15 First year sober vibes 45:45 MK's solution to her alcoholism 47:15 What is a pink cloud? 50:40 ADHD and addiction Follow MK Instagram - www.instagram.com/marykatejoanharington Twitter - Mary-KateMKJH Times article - https://tinyurl.com/5n98y4f3 Follow Oliver Instagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjv Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59r TikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9 LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7 Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeah X - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpds Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/454m93u3 Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/mw5btxfc Apple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3 #AlcoholRecovery #GenZSobriety #SoberCurious