
Prison, Addiction, Bipolar, and Four Loko with Author Brandon Stickney
About this episode
Brandon Stickney remembers booze being everywhere growing up in Lockport, New York and he definitely remembers getting a taste for it growing up. Over time, he developed bipolar disorder and his substance use disorder added cocaine and opioids as favorite drugs. Brandon’s love of getting high would cost him his marriage, his successful career as a journalist and author, and his freedom, after getting busted selling drugs and being sentenced to two years in prison. He tells us about what it’s like to live with mental health issues behind bars, how both prescription drugs and illicit narcotics work there, and he tells the stories of people who helped him get through. Brandon’s memoir of the experience is The Five People You Meet In Prison. Brandon lives in Florida now with his father and is working hard on his sobriety.
Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.
Check out our I’m Glad You’re Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!
Hey, remember, you’re part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at [email protected].
Depresh Mode is on BlueSky, Instagram, Substack, and you can join our Preshies Facebook group.
Help is available right away.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALK
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.
International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joindepresh
Get every episode summarized
Each time Depresh Mode with John Moe 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 Depresh Mode with John Moe

Best of Depresh Mode: Cameron Esposito on Comedy, Rehab, and Bipolar Disorder
Depresh Mode with John Moe

Cat Grief is Real. So is Human Grief. We’re Underestimating and Misunderstanding...
Depresh Mode with John Moe

Oh, It’s Autism, Mary H.K. Choi Learned at 43. Okay, She Thought, That Explains...
Depresh Mode with John Moe

Margaret Glaspy Ends Her Instagram Addiction and Sings From Her Original Thought
Depresh Mode with John Moe