Hannah Sward's Journey: From Call Girl to Sober Writer
That desperation and that loneliness and that panic and that constant terror that I felt in my whole being ever since I was a little girl.
Imagine growing up in a commune with a poet father, only to find yourself later working as a call girl to fund your acting dreams. That's the reality Hannah Sward faced. In this episode of 'The Drunkalogues', Nick Morton sits down with Hannah to explore her tumultuous journey through addiction, prostitution, and ultimately, recovery. Hannah's early life was shaped by her parents' split and a quest to reunite with her younger sister in Los Angeles.
This quest led her first to Chicago, where she became a call girl to afford acting school tuition. Reunited with her sister in LA, they worked together as dancers in strip clubs. The pressure to maintain her appearance drove Hannah to use speed, which took a toll on her both physically and emotionally. She eventually turned to alcohol and entered the world of sugar daddies.
A turning point came when a significant maternal figure helped her get sober, allowing Hannah to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. Her candid conversation with Nick is raw and direct, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities of addiction without a trace of self-pity. Now an author with a new book titled 'STRIP', Hannah's story is one of resilience and transformation.
It's a powerful reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there's always a way out. Her journey emphasizes the importance of honesty and therapy in recovery, providing hope for anyone struggling with similar issues.