The Humanity of Addiction

Yves Mathieu East is a true "influencer." Going by the Instagram handle @the_yvesdropper, the model and musician has worked with brands from Kenneth Cole to US Vogue, and uses his personal platform primarily to advocate for racial and LGBTQ+ rights. He is also a proud foster pop to pit bulls coming out of shelters and being rehabilitated into society—and spends each and every Monday playing Bingo with seniors in NYC!

As an openly sober person, Yves is also a champion for sober-positivity, and in this super-raw conversation he shares the details of his journey with substances—as well as how his subsequent sobriety has been integral to his passion for giving a voice to those whose stories so often gone unseen, particularly trans women of color.

In this episode, Ruby and Yves also discuss:

-How addictions are often rooted in a lack of self-worth

-The formative experiences that shape our behavior as young adults

-How addicts are often dehumanized in the eyes of society

-How our most difficult experiences can help us to help others

-The role of self-love in living a sober life

-Being a sober person in the fashion + music industries

Follow Yves on Instagram @the_yvesdropper and check out his current collaboration with Kidd Bell—of which 10% of proceeds go to Hair On Purpose, an organization that works to empower back girls and foster self-love through hair, beauty, and health education.