Recover Loudly: Serena Palmer on ADHD, Addiction, and Sobriety
On Sobriety Now What? I had the privilege of speaking with writer, speaker, and advocate Serena Palmer in a powerful two-part series that dives deep into the realities of ADHD, addiction, shame, and recovery.
Serena is the author of the memoir My Two Brains and Me, where she shares her raw and personal journey through addiction and sobriety. Her mantra, “recover loudly so others don’t die quietly,” is more than a phrase—it’s a call to courage and honesty that has inspired countless people in recovery.
Check out the podcast with her interview now at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390237/episodes/17757949
Part One: Living With Two Brains
In the first episode, Serena introduces the idea of having “two brains”:
- The rational brain that loves, works, creates, and connects.
- The addict brain that manipulates, lies, and convinces us to make destructive choices.
She describes how ADHD shaped her early life, often being labeled as “Serena the Dreamer.” What others saw as distraction or laziness was actually her ADHD brain—filled with imagination, curiosity, and endless questions. Unfortunately, this was misinterpreted, leading to years of shame and self-criticism.
That shame fueled her drinking. Addiction became a way to silence the inner critic, but over time, the addict brain took control. Serena shared the painful truth of living with this duality—looking “normal” on the outside while her life was falling apart inside.
Part Two: The Turning Point in Recovery
The second episode continues with Serena’s time in rehab, where she faced a life-changing moment of truth. She describes the agony of finally seeing the harm her drinking caused, especially to her daughter: “The most painful part of my addiction wasn’t what I did to myself—it was what my daughter had to live through.”
For two days she sat in grief, unable to eat or sleep, but this pain became the doorway to transformation. From there, she embraced honesty as the foundation of recovery.
In part two, Serena shares the practices that keep her grounded:
- Gratitude journaling — “Gratitude became the cornerstone of my recovery—it bookends my day.”
- Living in truth — choosing honesty over hiding or manipulating.
- Spirituality — surrendering to a higher power and trusting that “the universe has a plan for me.”
- Community — showing up for others in recovery and letting them show up for her.
She also talks about how her “why” for sobriety has shifted over time—from survival, to family, to living fully in each chapter of life. Today, she no longer races to be “fixed.” Instead, she embraces recovery as a lifelong journey: “Recovery isn’t a race. It comes in chapters—and each chapter reveals something new.”
Why Serena’s Story Matters
Serena’s story shines a light on the intersection of ADHD, shame, and addiction—an area that is often misunderstood. She reminds us that:
- Addiction is not about weakness, but about brain chemistry and pain.
- Children with ADHD are often mislabeled, leading to lifelong struggles with self-worth.
- Facing the truth—no matter how painful—is the first step toward healing.
- Sobriety doesn’t take life away. As Serena says, “I’ve lost nothing from being sober and gained everything.”
Listen to the Full Conversation
🎧 You can listen to this two-part series of Sobriety Now What? wherever you get your podcasts:
Serena’s courage to “recover loudly” is an invitation to all of us to live more honestly, compassionately, and openly. Whether you’re in recovery yourself, supporting someone you love, or simply looking for inspiration, her story will leave you with hope.
