Benton McClintock built an online following by being loud, outrageous, funny – and often completely fucked up. Behind the characters and viral videos, though, his relationship with drugs and alcohol was getting harder to control.
In his early 20s, Benton was waiting tables in New York City while trying to build a career online. Drinking became part of the job, drugs were readily available, and eventually he says he couldn't go to work without drinking. At the same time, the wild persona he created while using was beginning to attract an audience.
Then, at 27, Benton met the man who would eventually become his husband. When he learned that he was sober, something clicked. Benton decided he wasn't going to drink anymore – and he hasn't since.
Benton joins Zac to talk about growing up with depression and a chaotic family life, using alcohol and drugs to quiet his mind, getting sober without a traditional rock-bottom moment, and the fear that sobriety would make him less funny and creative. He also opens up about finding his own path in recovery, his complicated relationship with AA, marriage, acting, social media, and realizing that getting sober doesn't necessarily mean you're finished confronting addictive behavior.
Two years into sobriety, Benton says plainly that his life today wouldn't exist without it.
Connect with Benton
https://www.instagram.com/bentonmcclintock/
https://www.tiktok.com/@bentonmcclintock
Connect with Zac
https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/
https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclark
https://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553
https://twitter.com/zacwclark
If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery:
(914) 588-6564
releaserecovery.com
@releaserecovery
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