This workshop starts with a discussion on the importance of stories as the way we make sense of things that happen in our lives. We then explore our own and others’ stories of distress or addiction and recovery and look at a fictional person’s story of distress and recovery through five lenses – the doctor’s notes, Andrea’s best friend, Andrea on a good day, Andrea on a bad day, and Andrea 10 years later. This shows that there are many stories about the same person which change over time. The activity moves us into a discussion of the hero’s journey as a template for understanding our stories of distress and recovery. Participants are invited to think about their own story as a hero’s journey.