
Dogs, Drama and Doing the Work: Ride - Or Die Trying with Paul Drayton
About this episode
In this episode Paul Drayton joins Emma to tell a brutally honest, often funny story about growing up gay in Sunderland, chasing acting in London, and the years of alcoholism that followed. Paul reveals his late ADHD diagnosis at 50 and how understanding neurodivergence reframed decades of choices, relationships and coping strategies. He discusses the pressures of public life, a high-profile marriage, brushes with the law, and the long journey through treatment, relapse and recovery. The conversation weaves practical insights about ADHD and addiction with personal accountability, compassion, and how community and curiosity helped him rebuild a life focused on sobriety and purpose.
Get your copy of Ride or Die Trying. Proceeds support dog charities: 🐾 www.pauldrayton.co.uk
The conversation continues... ✨ @pauldrayton1
Continue Your Journey
Thank you so much for listening to The Healing Odyssey.If this episode has helped you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.
FREE RESOURCE: MY COMFORT KIT
Create your own collection of comfort, connection and hope with this free interactive wellbeing guide, including your own personal Back-to-Me Box.
Download My Comfort Kit free here:
evolve-recovery-comfort-kit.subscribepage.io
Join Dopamine Without Danger
A calm, private community for recovery, ADHD, burnout and emotional wellbeing.
First month just £3 with code ONEMONTH3
https://dopamine-without-danger.mn.co/landing/
Read AA Is Not the Only Way
Real stories of recovery, ADHD, trauma and finding your own way forward.
Support the Podcast
If you'd like to help keep these conversations free:
https://buymeacoffee.com/emmagardnerwrites
Be a Guest
Therapist, coach, researcher, author or someone with lived experience?I'd love to hear from you.
Until next time... be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and keep finding your own way forward
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Healing Odyssey; Finding your own way forward publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Healing Odyssey; Finding your own way forward

*Bonus Episode* From Survival to Rock-and-Roll History: Once a King, Now a Princ...
The Healing Odyssey; Finding your own way forward

Mindful Meals and Calm Minds: Eat, Breathe, Digest with Jill Nussinow
The Healing Odyssey; Finding your own way forward

100 Episodes Later: Stories, Gratitude and the Next Chapter
The Healing Odyssey; Finding your own way forward

The Joy Revolution: Music, Movement and Meaning with Jennifer Rook
The Healing Odyssey; Finding your own way forward