From Darkness to Light: Miska Murtola‘s Journey Through Addiction and Recovery
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A new documentary series, Ten Hours in Tampere Night, chronicles Miska Murtola’s courageous battle with alcoholism and his path to a brighter future.
Miska Murtola, 34, shares a raw and deeply personal account of his decades-long struggle with alcohol, beginning in childhood and escalating into a life-threatening addiction. His story, featured in the upcoming Yle Areena documentary series Ten Hours in Tampere night, is a testament to the power of resilience and the possibility of finding light even in the darkest of times.
A Childhood Introduction to Alcohol
Murtola’s relationship with alcohol began at the remarkably young age of 10. “My parents weren’t home, and there was cider in the fridge, so I drank it,” he recalls. This initial foray into drinking quickly spiraled out of control. By age 13, Murtola found himself hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning, a harrowing experience that foreshadowed the challenges to come.
The root of his early struggles, he explains, stemmed from a confluence of difficult circumstances.His mother’s cancer diagnosis at age seven, coupled with subsequent bullying at school, created a profound sense of anxiety and isolation. “I’ve always been misunderstood in the school system,” Murtola states. “I was just told how hopeless a case I was, and it was never figured out where this [inappropriate behavior] stemmed from.” He also suspects that undiagnosed ADHD, later confirmed at age 32, played a meaningful role in his vulnerability to addiction.
Descent into Dependency
Despite his mother’s tireless efforts to provide support – including access to counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists – Murtola continued down a destructive path.As he entered his teenage years, his drinking
finds that the fear of losing control is now far more frightening than the allure of intoxication. he also dedicates his time to leading a peer support group, offering guidance and encouragement to others struggling with addiction. “It’s fruitful, and I get a lot out of it myself.I’m actually just like everyone else there.”
He describes the support group as a community, eagerly anticipating each weekly meeting and checking in on members who may be absent. murtola even contemplates a future career in youth work, offering a message to his 13-year-old self: “Try to do something for yourself so that you actually live to be 34 years old.”
Finding Freedom in connection
Murtola’s journey isn’t just about abstaining from alcohol; it’s about reclaiming his life and finding healthy ways to cope with his emotions. He finds solace in karaoke, describing it as a liberating experience. “You live in the moment when you sing that song, you don’t think about the next day’s shopping list, you get to live that second.” He particularly hopes to hear Bess’s song “Valoo” on karaoke lists, as it holds special importance for him.
He notes that experiencing concerts and nightlife sober is profoundly different – more vibrant and authentic. “When I go to gigs, it’s nice to really feel the bass thumping, raw and genuine. It’s incredible; you have to experience it yourself.” He also appreciates the freedom to leave when he’s ready, without the compulsion to continue drinking.
Murtola emphasizes that witnessing the destructive effects of alcohol on others now deters him from even being tempted.
ten Hours in Tampere Night will be available on Yle Areena starting October 20th, and will also air on TV2 on October 25th and November 1st at 10 PM.
Watch a clip from Ten Hours in Tampere Night (Placeholder URL)
