Getting Spiritual in Sobriety with Seth Perry, The Vegan Pastor
Seth Perry started using drugs and alcohol as a teenager to feel acceptance, and later to manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder, but after his addiction spiralled into drug psychosis and damaged his relationships with friends and family, he got clean. Then, a chance meeting put him on the path to becoming a pastor, and now he helps recovering addicts developing their own spiritual practice.
Seth Perry started using drugs and alcohol as a teenager to feel acceptance, and later to manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder, but after his addiction spiralled into drug psychosis and damaged his relationships with friends and family, he got clean. Then, a chance meeting put him on the path to becoming a pastor, and now he helps recovering addicts developing their own spiritual practice. In this incredible discussion, Seth shares:
- How a lack of openness around emotions impacted his beliefs around masculinity
- How bipolar disorder contributed to his substance abuse, and how attempts to manage it developed into full-blown addiction
- His journey to sobriety and spirituality
- How sober living helped him stay sober
- How people in recovery can exercise their spiritual muscle
Seth Perry is a recovering addict, pastor and video creator living in Kingston Ontario, Canada. He has a Masters Degree in Theology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production. Seth got clean in April of 2010 and he has worked as a chaplain in a treatment centre, an addictions counsellor, a support worker and he has also managed a sober living house. In his final 6 years of active addiction he was a stand-up comedian. He left life on the stage behind when he got clean.
Seth’s greatest strength is talking about spirituality and recovery in an inclusive way. When he works with his fellow addicts he takes a broad approach to spirituality. Seth recognizes we live in a diverse world and spiritual caregivers must adapt to each individual's unique context. This broad spiritual approach to recovery is expressed in his video content that he produces on his new YouTube channel titled simply: “Seth Perry”.