From Junkie to Judge: Mary Beth O’Connor’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction

Mary Beth O’Connor’s story begins in the shadow of trauma. As a child, she endured abuse and instability that left deep emotional scars. Depression and anxiety followed her into adolescence, and by sixteen, she turned to methamphetamine as a way to numb the pain. What began as a coping mechanism quickly spiraled into dependence, and by her early thirties, addiction had consumed nearly every part of her life.

Hitting Rock Bottom

By the time she was 32, Mary Beth’s life was unraveling. Her mental and physical health were in decline, her relationships were strained, and she could no longer hold down a job. “Like many, I turned to substances to ease my pain and reduce my mental health symptoms,” she says. “It worked in the short run, then became a major problem that had destroyed my life.”

At her lowest point, she knew something had to change, that the life she was living could not be the one she stayed in.

Reclaiming Control

Mary Beth entered a long-term residential rehab program, where she began the hard work of rebuilding from the ground up. But even there, she faced another obstacle; she was told the only way to recover was through the 12-step model. While she respected its impact on others, she knew it wasn’t the right fit for her.

“I decided I was the decision maker responsible for building a recovery plan that would work for me,” she recalls. With an open mind and fierce determination, she began to piece together her own version of healing, one rooted in personal responsibility, flexibility, and self-discovery.

The Long Road of Healing

When she returned home, Mary Beth found a trauma-informed therapist and began years of deep, consistent work: three years of individual therapy, three years on anti-anxiety medication, and six years in group therapy with women who shared similar histories.

Her journey wasn’t quick or linear. Progress came in small, steady steps, a lesson that required patience and persistence. “I had to start from where I was,” she says. “I wanted to leap ahead, to make up for lost time. But recovery doesn’t work that way.”

Slowly, she rebuilt her professional life, starting with part-time work before earning her law degree at Berkeley. Twenty years after getting sober, she reached a milestone few could have imagined: she was appointed a federal judge.

Learning to See Success

Even as she thrived professionally, anxiety and perfectionism remained powerful forces in her life. Her trauma history left her constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, afraid that a small mistake could undo everything she’d worked for. Over time, she learned to notice her incremental improvements and to build a healthier balance between drive and self-compassion.

Healing the Whole Self

Through her journey, Mary Beth became a powerful advocate for treating both substance use and mental health conditions together. “Everyone seeking treatment for addiction should be evaluated for other mental health conditions,” she emphasizes. “Co-occurring disorders are very common. To live a happy, productive life, all of it needs to be addressed.”

Owning Her Story and Helping Others

Today, Mary Beth uses her experience to empower others through her memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, and through her ongoing advocacy work. Her message is one of self-empowerment and hope that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage and ownership.

Her social media presence is an extension of her mission. She focuses exclusively on substance use, trauma, mental health, and recovery, offering education, encouragement, and real conversations for those navigating their own healing.

You can connect with her on X (@MaryBethO_) and Bluesky (marybethoconnor), or explore her writings, talks, and resources at junkietojudge.com.