{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Gabe Pietrafesa | Alcoholism, Cocaine Recovery, & Choosing the Band Over the Bottle","description":"Can you still be funny\u2014or even be yourself\u2014without the substance? Gabe Pietrafesa, longtime guitarist for Young Culture and host of the Trapped on the Internet podcast, joins Recoverycast to share his vulnerable journey through the high-pressure world of the music industry and the internal battle for self-worth.. Gabe opens up about growing up as a "chameleon" and a people-pleaser, navigating a childhood shaped by divorce and a complicated relationship with his father's drinking.. What started as a way to "hack the system" through good behavior eventually spiraled into a decade-long cycle of heavy drinking and cocaine use while touring the world.. From performing for eight people in Indianapolis while high to the physical altercation at an Airbnb that served as his ultimate wake-up call, Gabe details the moment he realized he had to save the band he helped build.. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https:\/\/recovery.com\/ Now a full-time content creator, Gabe discusses the transition from seeking dopamine in a bottle to seeking it through social media validation, and the hard work of addressing "dry drunk" tendencies through therapy and AA.. This episode is a powerful look at how to rediscover your personality, manage sensitivity as an empath, and find a home within yourself when the party finally stops.. Subscribe for more stories of hope and healing. If this story resonated with you, please leave a comment and share it with someone who needs to hear it. \u23f1\ufe0f Chapters: 00:00 \u2013 Introduction & The Gilmore Girls Obsession 02:18 \u2013 Growing Up as a "Chameleon" and People Pleaser 06:40 \u2013 Navigating Childhood Divorce and Family Instability 12:21 \u2013 First Experiences: From Skateboarding to Music Camp 19:21 \u2013 Touring Life: The "Work Hard, Play Hard" Trap 23:51 \u2013 The Breaking Point: A Physical Fight in the Rain 30:52 \u2013 Navigating Early Sobriety While Working at a Bar 37:03 \u2013 Content Creation, Validation, and New Addictions 46:38 \u2013 Writing "Broken Paper Plane": An Open Letter Apology 50:40 \u2013 Advice for the Sober Curious: "Try it Sober" \u2753 Questions the Video Answers: How does childhood trauma influence people-pleasing behaviors? Can you maintain sobriety while touring in the music industry? What are the signs of a "dry drunk" in recovery? How do you navigate early recovery while working as a bartender? What is the relationship between cocaine use and alcohol in the music scene? How can bandmates support each other through addiction recovery? How does an "empath" personality type manage overwhelming emotions without substances? What are the challenges of switching from substance addiction to social media validation? Is it possible to find your "funny" again after getting sober? How do you handle a "rock bottom" moment with your best friends? What advice is there for musicians who feel they need substances to perform? How does therapy help unlock the "why" behind addictive behaviors? #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #YoungCulture ","author_name":"Recoverycast: Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Stories","author_url":"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2465151","html":"