A Fight for Sobriety and Motherhood with Sonya Johnson

Sh*ts F*cked

This week on Shts Fcked, Paris sits down with Sonya Johnson, a fierce advocate, inspiring mum, and all-around powerhouse from the USA. Sonya’s story is one of hope, but it also takes a raw and unfiltered look at the harsh realities of addiction and the systems designed to “help” families in crisis.Sonya shares the heartbreaking experience of losing custody of her children while battling addiction, a pain that words can barely capture. In the US, the system often removes children from parents struggling with addiction, placing them in foster care. This adds layers of trauma for families already at their lowest. Australia takes a different approach, focusing on keeping children with their parents as long as basic needs are met. Sonya’s journey reveals just how gruelling the fight for reunification can be in America.The conversation explores the emotional and logistical challenges she faced to regain custody of her children. Navigating a cold and complex system, finding the strength to show up for court dates, and rebuilding her life to prove she was worthy of her kids. Sonya speaks openly about the heartbreak of the process and the pure joy of finally being reunited with her family.The episode also highlights Sonya’s incredible work with NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, her recognition as Child Welfare Professional of the Year, and her mission to support other parents fighting to reunite with their children.This conversation is an emotional deep dive into the heartbreak, hope, and healing that comes with addiction and family. It is essential listening for anyone who knows the pain of losing loved ones to addiction or wants to understand the resilience it takes to heal and rebuild.You can find Sonya here:https://www.facebook.com/proudbeautifulmom/https://www.instagram.com/Sonyajohnson0719https://www.tiktok.com/@Sonyandstevenhttps://www.youtube.com/@sonyajohnson0719

Thank You to Our Production Team:

Editing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Steve Dearden⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Miller⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Australia Wide Directory of Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.myservices.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Western Australian AOD Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wanada.org.au/greenbook/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Aus AOD Phone Line:

National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: [phone]

Aus Phone Lines for Anxiety, Depression, Suicide Ideation:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Services: 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Mind Spot: 1800 61 44 34

Head to Health: 1800 595 212

Mens Line: 1300 78 99 78

Aus Phone Lines for First Nations:

13YARN: 13 92 76

Thirrili: 1800 805 801

Aus Phone Lines for LGBTQIA+ Community:

QLife: 1800 184 527

Aus Phone Lines for Children/Youth:

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Headspace: 180