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Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

Ep 25. One man's relentless pursuit of recovery with Carlo La Marchesina

Carlo La Marchesina is lucky to be alive. During his 18 years of heavy drinking and IV drug use, Carlo made over 40 attempts to get clean. Today, he is closing in on 15 years of continuous sobriety.

In this conversation, Carlo talks about the resilience required to never give up on his recovery and the many lessons he’s learned along the way.

Now working as a clinician dedicated to helping other addicts get clean and sober, Carlo shares his insights into why some people make it in recovery and why sadly, others don’t.

We also discuss the complex topic of mental health crossed with addiction and the difficulty these people have seeking treatment. It is widely known that people who experience depression and anxiety have a high chance of becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs as they seek to self-medicate, while in turn, substance abuse can lead to mental illness.

Carlo shares openly and honestly with the aim that other people can find hope in identification. This is his story.


Carlo is the Clinical Director and General Manager at Harmony House Health, Wellness and Recovery Centre.

If you would like to contact Carlo directly you can do so on +61 415 203 645

To see Carlo’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss


If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

  • A healthcare professional
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
  • CheckPoint (global)
Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss
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