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May 23, 2025 45 mins

Alcohol addiction nearly took everything from Mario—including his life. At 24, he hit rock bottom. This is how early sobriety saved him.

🍻 In this raw episode of The Willpower Podcast, Will Gordon sits down with Mario Bencivenga, a Long Island native who opens up about his path from blackout drinking and college binges to authentic sobriety and emotional healing.

🧠 Diagnosed with ADHD and battling anxiety, Mario used alcohol as a coping mechanism. The social pressure of drinking culture and a breakup spiraled into self-destruction—culminating in dangerous behavior, lost identity, and suicidal thoughts.

⚡ But everything changed when he said the words: “Just don’t drink today.”

Today, Mario is sober, self-aware, and using his story to inspire young adults in addiction recovery. He’s writing a book and pursuing a career in mental health counseling to help others rediscover joy and self-acceptance.

🌱 Early sobriety is hard. But life on the other side? Worth it.

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