Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, gender discrimination, sexual violence, rape, mental illness, child abuse, child sexual abuse, substance use, addiction, graphic violence, death, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.

One of the central focuses of Redeeming 6 is Joey’s journey of addiction, sobriety, and final commitment to his recovery. Through his character arc, Walsh offers a nuanced portrait of recovery, highlighting the importance of self-esteem, the support of others, and commitment to the process.

Joey’s addiction affects his self-esteem and perception of himself. He breaks up with Aoife because he believes he is not a good person, seeing himself only in terms of his addiction. Even after they get back together, this thought plagues Joey, who continually looks for reasons for Aoife to leave him. However, Joey views his recovery in a much more binary way than Aoife does, which causes tension in their relationship. Joey continually tells Aoife not to be proud of him “[b]ecause [he’s] not better. [he’s] not cured” (186), while Aoife insists that the most important part of his recovery is the fact that he is trying to get better. By trying alone, Joey shows a strength of character that he doesn’t believe he has until Aoife points it out. Over the course of the novel, his perspective on himself shifts, and he begins to see himself as someone worth the effort of getting better. As his self-esteem begins to rise, Joey finds himself increasingly committed to his recovery.

Joey’s recovery journey is complicated by the relationships in his life, particularly with Aoife. Early in the novel, he pushes her away, but he learns that rather than distancing himself, he can accept her love and support. Joey has to learn to accept Aoife’s support, especially when he is not well enough to make decisions on his own. While attempting to stay sober, Joey faces many obstacles that cause him to start using drugs again, showing how his progress is not always linear. While he doubts himself after he relapses, however, the constant support of Aoife and friends like Podge helps him to recommit to his recovery.

Discovering that he will soon have a child and wants to build a family with Aoife is the final contributor to Joey’s commitment to his recovery. Only after Joey realizes how much Aoife and their child will need him does he understand how important his recovery is, not just for him but also for those he loves. Even at rehab, Joey is first convinced he only needs to get sober, and he will be okay to move forward with his life, but the medical professionals know he needs much more. Through therapy, Dr. B helps him to understand his traumas and shows how they impact his life. Joey learns how to better control his impulses, which is especially clear when he meets with Darren again and avoids a violent confrontation. Dr. B is especially impressed with this, telling Joey, “You were thrust into confrontation with a person who triggers you like few can, and your immediate urge wasn’t to use” (730). Because of his full commitment to his recovery, Joey tries new approaches and even confronts his painful past. By the end of the novel, Joey has replaced his instinct to turn to drugs in times of anguish with thoughts of his new family, showing how recovery, though nuanced and painful, is possible.