Sean Daniels: Using humor on stage to combat addiction

1 big thing

Axios

News

4 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 1 February 2024

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This marks the end of so-called "Dry January," a phenomenon that's been growing in popularity. But for many, alcohol is still a daily struggle; it's the most common substance abuse addiction in the United States, affecting at least 1 out of every 10 people. Sean Daniels is a playwright and recovering addict whose critically-acclaimed autobiographical play "The White Chip" returns Off-Broadway today. Niala talks to Sean about using humor on stage to save lives. Plus, listeners tell us what Dry January meant for their lives this year. Guests: Sean Daniels, playwright of "The White Chip" and director of The Recovery Project at Florida Studio Theatre. Credits: 1 big thing is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, and Jay Cowit. Music is composed by Alex Sugiura. You can reach us at [email protected]. You can send questions, comments and story ideas as a text or voice memo to Niala at 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Excessive alcohol use kills more than 140,000 people a year in the US.
0:07.0	One playwright in recovering addict says we can lower that number, with art and comedy.
0:13.0	When it comes to addiction, there are really joyful people telling amazing stories,
0:19.0	great sense of humors, and none of that is portrayed in pop culture today.
0:25.0	Using humor on stage to combat addiction.
0:28.0	I'm Nailaboodoo from Axios.
0:30.0	This is one big thing. It's February 1st, which means that for some of you, this marks the end of so-called dry January. That phenomenon, choosing not to
0:46.4	drink alcohol for the first month of the new year, has been growing in popularity.
0:51.2	In 2024, a survey from Civic Science showed 27% of U.S. respondents over 21 were very likely to abstain this January.
1:00.0	That's up from 24% last year.
1:03.0	We asked you why you took it on and what you found in the process.
1:07.0	I've done it for a couple years now,
1:10.0	and every time I find an improvement in my immunity for January I find that my
1:16.3	skin gets better and I just feel more energized as a person. I really hated how I
1:21.3	felt after I drank.
1:23.0	Not getting any quality sleep, feeling nauseous the next day,
1:26.5	having my depression get worse and my anxiety spike.
1:29.5	I just wanted to take back control over something
1:32.1	that I could control.
1:33.6	Definitely feeling more well rested and clear-headed
1:37.8	and a little less financially stressed.
1:40.2	I've been really excited to see non-alcoholic beers that see good made available because it
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in -376 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Axios, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Axios and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.