Recovery Matters! Podcast: Recent Episodes
Don Smith, Phillip Valentine, Sandy Valentine, Kevin Carmignani
A podcast from one of the nation's original Recovery Community Organizations - CCAR. CCAR envisions a world where the power, hope, and healing of Recovery from addiction is thoroughly understood and embraced. We invite guests from all areas of the Recovery Movement to explore the concept of recovery with us, share their stories, and have real discussions that move us toward that world which we envision.
1 Amazon Bestselling Author and advocate Paige Dearth joins CCAR Executive Director Stacy Charpentier for a powerful conversation about trauma, addiction, family, recovery, and the experiences that have shaped her writing. Paige shares how surviving childhood trauma eventually led her to find her voice and begin writing stories centered on people who are often judged, misunderstood, or overlooked. She also opens up about living alongside a loved one struggling with meth and heroin addiction, including five years, 13 rehab stays, the financial and emotional toll on the family, and her eventual realization that supporting someone and enabling them are not the same thing. Together, Paige and Stacy discuss why addiction affects entire families, the importance of seeing people as more than the labels placed on them, how small acts of kindness can change someone's life, and why healing and recovery are rarely linear. Paige also shares an exclusive first look at her upcoming book and the real-life experiences that inspired its story. This episode includes discussions of childhood sexual abuse, addiction, trauma, human trafficking, and family experiences surrounding substance use. Recovery Matters Podcast is brought to you by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR).
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
In this episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, Stacy speaks with Stephanie Hazard, recovery coach, author, and person in long-term recovery, about her upcoming book Making Sobriety Stick.
Stephanie shares how recovery coaching became a powerful part of her own journey, why this non-clinical support role can be a missing piece for so many people, and how recovery support can help individuals and families navigate life beyond treatment.
The conversation also explores sober curiosity, eating disorder recovery, recovery capital, family support, and why asking for help can sometimes begin with something as simple as opening a book.
Stephanie’s book, Making Sobriety Stick, is available for pre-order now, and part of the proceeds from pre-orders will support CCAR’s recovery support services.
Pre-order the book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/making-sobriety-stick-stephanie-hazard/1150265768?ean=9798895151006
00:00 Introduction to Stephanie Hazard
00:18 Stephanie’s Recovery and Coaching Background
02:33 What Making Sobriety Stick Is About
05:39 Why a Book Can Be a Gentle Way to Ask for Help
07:24 What Led Stephanie to Recovery Coaching
08:58 Recovery Coaching as the Missing Piece
11:56 Substance Use Recovery vs. Eating Disorder Recovery
21:00 Process Addictions and Recovery Capital
25:04 Pre-Orders, Proceeds, and Supporting CCAR
27:31 Why Recovery Coaching Helps Families Too
29:51 Recovery Begins After Discharge
32:39 Advice for People Who Are Sober Curious
35:19 How CCAR Provides Free Recovery Support
36:14 CCAR’s Local and Global Impact
37:26 Closing Thoughts
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
In Part II of this conversation, Phil Valentine reflects on what recovery looks like after retirement, after leadership, and after life changes the rhythm you once knew.
After decades in recovery and years of leading CCAR, Phil shares how returning to meetings helped him reconnect with something deeply familiar: community. He talks about finding his people again, the difference between solitude and isolation, and why face-to-face connection still matters in a world full of screens, Zoom meetings, and technology.
This episode is a reminder that recovery doesn’t stop growing just because you have time behind you. Sometimes, the next chapter brings you back to the simple things: showing up, being known, encouraging someone, and remembering that the best is still yet to come.
00:00 Returning to Meetings
01:00 Finding Community Again
02:00 What Real Community Looks Like
04:00 Being Celebrated in Recovery
05:00 Rekindling Connection
06:00 Carrying the Message
07:00 Loving Recovery Again
09:00 Recovery Community Centers
11:00 Multiple Pathways of Recovery
12:00 Finding Your People
13:30 Solitude vs. Isolation
16:00 Why Community Matters
18:00 In-Person Connection vs. Technology
22:00 The Power of Vulnerability
24:00 Simple Words That Can Change a Life
25:00 Phil’s Legacy
26:00 Advice for Early Recovery
27:00 The Best Is Yet to Come
28:00 Closing Reflections
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
After 25 years leading one of the most impactful recovery organizations, Phil Valentine made the decision to step away… but what came next wasn’t clarity, it was uncertainty.
In Part One of this conversation, Phil opens up about what it really feels like to lose a role that defined your entire life. From battling cancer and burnout to rediscovering purpose, he shares the quiet, honest moments that don’t often get talked about.
This isn’t just about leadership, it’s about identity, ego, recovery, and learning how to let go of something you love without losing yourself in the process.
If you’ve ever wondered who you are outside of what you do… this conversation will hit.
00:00 Intro
01:00 Life After Leaving CCAR
02:15 Burnout, Cancer, and Recovery
04:00 Losing Purpose After Leadership
06:00 “The Sleeping Tiger” – Addiction Mindset
08:00 Recovery First vs Ego
10:00 Leadership, Letting Go, and Trust
12:30 Authenticity in Recovery
15:30 Emotional Intelligence & Leadership
17:00 The Weight of Words
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
She thought she was going on a date.
Instead, he took her to her first NA meeting—and that moment changed everything.
After years of heavy drinking, drug use, and a near-fatal overdose, Katerina knew she needed to stop… but had no idea how. What started as confusion and frustration inside that meeting quickly turned into something unexpected: connection, honesty, and the realization that she wasn’t alone.
In this episode, she shares the moment that shifted her path, how addiction took over her life, and what finally helped her begin the journey to recovery.
Sometimes the thing you need most shows up when you least expect it.
00:00 Introduction
00:19 Childhood & Early Exposure to Alcohol
01:00 Drinking Becomes a Daily Habit
02:00 Life in Colombia & Escalating Drug Use
04:00 Daily Drug Cycle & Loss of Control
05:00 Overdose & Waking Up in the Hospital
06:20 Trying to Stop But Can’t
09:50 First NA Meeting Experience
11:30 Asking for Help & Going to Rehab
13:00 Early Recovery Struggles
15:00 Returning Home & Rebuilding Life
16:30 Recovery Routine & Personal Growth
17:30 Moving to the U.S. & New Opportunities
19:10 Relapse After Success
20:30 Loss, Grief & Finding Recovery Again
21:50 Discovering Multiple Pathways to Recovery
23:20 Advice for Someone New in Recovery
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Margaret Lloyd Seger shares her recovery story—getting sober at just 25 years old and transforming her life into one of purpose, research, and impact.
From early struggles with alcohol and Adderall to becoming a PhD researcher studying addiction and pregnancy, her journey highlights the reality of addiction, the difficulty of early recovery, and the hope that keeps people going.
This conversation dives into:
- What early addiction really looks like
- The hardest parts of early recovery
- How recovery can rebuild a life
- The truth about substance use during pregnancy
- Why people deserve recovery—no matter what
Recovery is possible. And it starts one day at a time.
0:00 – Margaret introduces herself (15 years in recovery)
1:05 – “I had a great childhood… still became an alcoholic”
1:40 – First exposure to drinking & drugs
2:27 – Early red flags: “I only wanted to drink to get drunk”
3:00 – Why addiction is hard to see when you’re in it
4:00 – Loss + addiction getting worse
5:00 – The moment it finally clicked
5:25 – First recovery meeting at 25
6:10 – “Drugs and alcohol stopped working”
7:30 – Early recovery was the hardest thing she’s ever done
8:00 – 10 days sober… nervous system completely shot
9:15 – Surviving early recovery (meetings + “hope shots”)
10:45 – Rebuilding life in recovery
13:30 – Working with kids affected by addiction
16:50 – Her focus now: pregnancy & addiction
20:40 – Research + TikTok education
22:10 – Cannabis use during pregnancy
24:45 – The risks most people don’t realize
28:50 – Advice for someone in their first 24 hours
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Christina didn’t just watch addiction from the outside—she lived it as a sister, trying to make sense of behaviors that didn’t add up, while the rest of her family struggled to even acknowledge what was happening.
In this episode, she shares the quiet warning signs she first noticed, the isolation of carrying that awareness alone, and the emotional rollercoaster of loving someone through years of opioid addiction, relapse, and loss.
But this isn’t just a story about grief—it’s about what came after. After losing her brother, Christina turned pain into purpose, building a new model inside schools that focuses on connection over punishment—giving students support instead of isolation.
This conversation is for anyone who has loved someone through addiction… and wondered what more could have been done.
00:00 – Intro & Christina’s story
01:00 – Early signs of addiction
03:30 – Denial, isolation, and confusion
07:30 – From pills to heroin
10:00 – Rehab, relapse, and reality
13:00 – Loving someone through addiction
16:45 – Loss and grief
17:30 – Turning pain into purpose
19:00 – Changing how schools handle addiction
23:00 – Supporting teens before it’s too late
27:00 – Why every school needs this model
30:00 – Advice for early recovery
31:30 – Closing thoughts
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Gio doesn’t sugarcoat it.
“I honestly hate it.”
In this raw and honest conversation, Gio opens up about what it’s really like being a young person in early recovery — watching friends party in their late twenties while choosing to stay sober. From COVID day drinking to waking up shaking at 7am… from checking into detox alone to walking back into recovery after a relapse… this episode captures the uncomfortable, necessary truth about getting sober young.
Gio talks about:
Growing up with two alcoholic parents
Realizing AA wasn’t the right pathway — and feeling shame about it
The relapse that brought them back
Why connection at a Recovery Community Center became their “saving grace”
And how hope now looks like helping others
This is an honest look at early recovery — not polished, not perfect — just real.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to choose sobriety when everyone else is “having fun,” this episode is for you.
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
She got sober at 18 years old after a suicide attempt — convinced she had “lost her zest for life.”
What followed wasn’t just long-term recovery… it was growing up in it.
In this powerful episode of Recovery Matters Podcast, Wendy shares what it was like to build a life from nothing — 90 meetings in 90 days, cleaning houses, becoming a stockbroker, raising three children, losing everything financially, and refusing to pick up a drink through it all.
But the real test came years later — when her own son became trapped in addiction.
How do you stay grateful for your recovery when the same disease is killing your child?
How do you set boundaries when every instinct says “save him”?
And what does it look like to let go… without giving up?
This is a story about resilience, tough love, motherhood, and the kind of faith that only comes from surviving the unthinkable.
If you’ve ever wondered whether recovery can survive divorce, financial collapse, shame, or watching your child struggle — this episode is proof that it can.
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
What starts as a simple cup of coffee turns into a life-saving turning point. In this episode of the Recovery Patterns Podcast, Kris Robles shares how getting sober at just 18 years old set him on a path filled with relapse, honesty, homelessness, healing, and ultimately long-term recovery. Kris opens up about using substances to feel connected, surviving a suicide attempt, learning how to live without secrets, and discovering that recovery is bigger than meetings—it’s about relationships, balance, and staying honest with yourself. This is a raw conversation about growing up in recovery, redefining success, and learning how to live a full life without drugs or alcohol.
00:00 – Introduction & Recovery Dates
01:00 – The Mirror Moment That Sparked Change
02:30 – “Just Coffee” and the First Meeting
04:00 – Getting Sober at a Young Age
05:00 – Using Substances to Feel Connected
06:00 – Relapsing in Secret While Going to Meetings
08:45 – Suicide Attempt & Hospitalization
10:45 – Choosing Honesty in Recovery
11:45 – Homelessness & Starting Over at 21
13:45 – Finishing School & Building Stability
15:00 – Codependency & Unhealthy Relationships
17:30 – Learning What Healthy Relationships Look Like
20:30 – Recovery, Family, and Parenting
23:30 – Letting Go of Guilt Around Meetings
26:00 – Finding Community in a New Place
28:00 – Becoming a Social Worker
30:30 – Working in Behavioral Health & Substance Use
31:45 – Losing a Friend to Overdose
32:45 – Speaking Openly About Recovery
33:20 – Advice for Someone in Their First 24 Hours
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Michaela shares her powerful recovery journey shaped by trauma, homelessness, substance use, and mental health struggles. After surviving a suicide attempt that became her turning point, she found healing through peer support, holistic practices, and breathwork. Now the Executive Director of Advocacy Unlimited, Michaela reflects on long-term recovery, embodied healing, and helping others reconnect with themselves beyond their circumstances.
00:00 Intro & long-term recovery
01:00 What Advocacy Unlimited does
02:00 Childhood trauma and early substance use
03:00 Pregnancy, getting sober, and pushing everything down
04:45 Relapse, suicide attempt, and rock bottom
05:30 Choosing to live and beginning recovery
06:45 Early recovery and learning adulthood
08:30 Education, identity, and rebuilding life
10:30 Finding purpose through advocacy work
12:00 Discovering holistic and mind-body healing
14:30 Recovery beyond sobriety
16:00 Breathwork and nervous system regulation
19:00 Guided breathwork practice
24:00 How breathwork changed relationships and work
25:00 Advocacy Unlimited programs & resources
28:00 How to get involved / closing
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Andrew Grazen shares his journey from a seemingly normal childhood into years of addiction, incarceration, and near-death experiences, and how recovery, community, and writing ultimately saved his life. From discovering substances at a young age to overdosing in his car and writing a memoir while incarcerated, Andrew reflects on loss, resilience, and why staying connected—and holding onto hope—can change everything.
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Raised around biker culture, gangs, and addiction, Dave began using drugs and alcohol at a young age, experienced multiple overdoses, and lived a life surrounded by violence, crime, and loss. After losing both parents, surviving near-death experiences, and reaching a breaking point, Dave made a life-changing decision to seek recovery.
In this episode, Dave talks about trauma, addiction, spirituality, accountability, and what it truly means to rewrite your story. Today, he is a tattoo shop owner, mentor, and someone deeply committed to service, recovery, and personal growth.
This is a raw, honest conversation about addiction, recovery, faith, and transformation.
00:00 Introduction & Dave’s recovery time
01:00 Growing up around biker culture and gangs
03:00 Early trauma, loss, and first substance use
06:00 First overdose and rehab at 14
09:00 Exposure to heroin and escalation
12:00 Gangs, weapons charges, and self-destruction
15:00 Spiritual breaking point and near-death experience
18:00 Entering treatment with willingness
21:00 Emotional breakthrough in rehab
24:00 Early recovery and rebuilding trust
27:00 Tattooing, service work, and purpose
30:00 Life today in recovery
33:00 Giving back and redefining success
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
The holidays can be one of the hardest times to stay sober — especially in early recovery or when you’re sober curious. In this conversation, Derek Benson shares why he created the Sober Holiday Hotline, a peer-to-peer support line for anyone struggling to get through holiday gatherings, family pressure, or moments of temptation. This hotline isn’t affiliated with rehabs, government agencies, or 12-step programs. Instead, it offers anonymous, lived-experience support from people in recovery who understand what those moments feel like. From practical tips to simple human connection, the goal is to help someone get through the night sober — and remind them they’re not alone. If staying sober during the holidays feels overwhelming, this conversation explains why connection matters and how support can make all the difference.
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Carrie and Michelle talk openly about how addiction, trauma, and unhealthy relationships often go hand in hand. They share lived experiences with abusive relationships, codependency, and emotional manipulation — and how recovery became the foundation for learning self-love, boundaries, and healthy connections. From leaving toxic partners to rebuilding trust in themselves, this episode explores what healing relationships actually look like in sobriety, why community matters, and how spaces like The Phoenix helped them rediscover who they are beyond addiction.
00:00 – Introductions & Recovery Backgrounds
01:00 – Why Unhealthy Relationships Are Common in Addiction
02:00 – Addiction, Insecurity, and Chasing Validation
03:15 – Substances Amplifying Relationship Chaos
04:16 – Knowing a Relationship Is Unhealthy but Staying
05:24 – Trauma Bonds and Why It’s Hard to Leave
06:20 – Self-Love, Boundaries, and Codependency
08:09 – Escalation, Gaslighting, and Emotional Abuse
08:40 – How Each Person Finally Got Out
10:19 – What Self-Love Looks Like in Recovery
11:43 – Healthy Friendships vs. Old “Using” Relationships
13:47 – Finding Support and Community in Recovery
15:00 – Hitting Bottom and Choosing Something Different
16:08 – Therapy, Boundaries, and Learning Red Flags
18:25 – Seeing People for Their Actions, Not Words
20:41 – Choosing Peace and the Cost of Chronic Stress
22:04 – Building Healthy Relationships in Recovery
23:25 – Confidence, Community, and Personal Growth
26:16 – Healing, Self-Respect, and Facing the Past
29:22 – What The Phoenix Is and Why It Matters
31:18 – Recovery Events, Connection, and Belonging
36:16 – Recovery Is About Discovering Who You Are
39:38 – Advice for Someone in Their First 24 Hours
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Tony’s story is a whirlwind of loss, chaos, identity struggles, and years spent chasing anything that would make him feel whole. Growing up without a father, he searched for belonging everywhere except within himself. That search eventually pulled him into a fast-moving lifestyle that brought consequences, arrests, and years of feeling stuck in a cycle he couldn’t escape.
Everything changed when a moment in detox — triggered by a story on TV — cracked him open and forced him to confront the life he’d built. That spark became surrender, and surrender became a complete transformation. Tony rebuilt his life from the ground up: he found purpose, lost over 100 pounds, restored his driver’s license after 15 years, and today he works at the CCAR New Haven Recovery Community Center, helping others find the hope he once needed.
His story is proof that discipline, purpose, and community can pull anyone out of the darkest places — and into a life they never believed they deserved.
0:00 — Introductions
0:24 — Growing Up Without a Father
1:02 — Early Behaviors & Searching for Belonging
2:20 — First Experiences With Substances
3:10 — Feeling “Not Enough” as a Kid
4:12 — Losing Control in Young Adulthood
5:07 — Slipping Into a Dangerous Lifestyle
6:05 — Trouble, Consequences & Prison Time
7:20 — The Cycle of Relapse
8:32 — The Breaking Point
9:43 — Spiritual Awakening in Detox
10:58 — Starting Over at Davenport House
12:18 — Beginning His Fitness Journey
13:12 — Losing 100 Pounds
14:10 — Food, Obsession & Filling the Void
15:22 — Finding Purpose at CCAR
16:30 — Coaching Others in Recovery
17:50 — Living With Hope & Discipline
18:45 — Gratitude, Growth & Becoming a Better Man
20:00 — Rebuilding His Life Step by Step
22:00 — Getting His License Back After 15 Years
23:40 — Working, Volunteering & Relearning Life
25:00 — Big Wins & Small Steps Forward
26:40 — Advice for Someone in Their First 24 Hours
----Across the Web----
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Mark Mongiardo shares the shocking truth behind years of being misunderstood, judged, and even criminally charged — all caused by a rare condition called Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS). Without drinking a drop of alcohol, his body would suddenly produce dangerously high blood-alcohol levels, leaving him intoxicated, confused, and fighting for his freedom and reputation.
Mark opens up about losing his teaching career, facing felony prison time, and being labeled an alcoholic by coworkers and even family — all while knowing deep down that something wasn’t right. His emotional diagnosis came only after two DWIs, a glucose challenge test, and relentless research by his mother and aunt. Once he finally had the truth, he began the long, painful journey of rebuilding his life from scratch.
Through strict diet changes, nonstop monitoring, and unbelievable family support, Mark has become a voice for others silently suffering from ABS. His vulnerability, advocacy, and message of E + R = O — Event + Response = Outcomemake this episode one of the most gripping stories we've ever shared.
00:00 – What Is Auto Brewery Syndrome?
00:36 – Mark’s Symptoms and Early Confusion
02:00 – Blood Alcohol Spikes Without Drinking
03:20 – Two DWIs While Sober
05:50 – The Turning Point: Something Was Wrong
07:25 – Arrested Sober… Again
09:00 – Living With Constant Accusations
10:15 – The Search for Answers Begins
12:00 – The Glucose Challenge Test
13:35 – The Emotional Diagnosis
15:10 – Family Misunderstandings and Strain
17:00 – Years of Being Labeled an Alcoholic
19:00 – Learning to Manage Daily Flares
21:00 – Fears About His Children and Genetics
24:00 – Rebuilding His Life From Nothing
27:00 – Losing His Career and Home
29:00 – Starting Over With E+R=O
30:20 – The Strict Zero-Carb, Zero-Sugar Lifestyle
32:00 – Support Groups and Advocacy Work
34:00 – Finding Community and Spreading Awareness
----Across the Web----
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Ryan’s story is a powerful journey through early substance use, deep loss, incarceration, and ultimately finding real recovery. From growing up seeking acceptance, to losing his closest friend at 16, to years of cycling between numbness and despair, Ryan opens up about the turning points that shifted his life. He reflects on the moment he almost gave up, how connection inside prison planted the first seeds of recovery, and how service, honesty, and community helped him rebuild his life. Today, with six months in recovery, a thriving small business, and strong family relationships, Ryan talks about healing, purpose, and the simple daily actions that keep him grounded. His message to anyone struggling: you’re not alone, and recovery is absolutely possible.
00:00 – Intro & Recovery Dates
00:52 – How They First Met
01:19 – Reuniting Inside AA Meetings
02:07 – Ryan’s Childhood
03:26 – Meeting the Friend Who Shaped Everything
04:00 – First Time Trying to “Feel Something”
05:00 – Becoming the “Go-To” Guy
05:36 – The Night Everything Changed
07:27 – Grief He Never Faced
08:30 – Homeless at 18
09:30 – Crossing Lines & Getting Arrested
10:19 – “Recovery Curious”
12:43 – Hearing the 15-Year Offer
14:17 – The Serenity Prayer Moment
16:05 – Tier 4 Program & Real Change
17:15 – Coming Home With Purpose
18:44 – Finding Community Again
19:58 – Being Around Recovery vs. In Recovery
21:42 – Substitution & Spiraling
22:28 – Losing Himself Again
23:08 – New Year’s at His Friend’s Grave
24:21 – Choosing Recovery For Real
25:00 – Returning to CCAR
25:46 – Life in Recovery Today
26:43 – Rebuilding Family Bonds
27:27 – Growing His Landscaping Business
28:20 – Daily Program & Service
28:59 – “If I Can Do It, Anyone Can”
29:25 – Advice for the First 24 Hours
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Tyler shares his raw and emotional journey, detailing a chaotic childhood where addiction was the family norm. He recounts the shocking progression of his own drug use, the moment his mother introduced him to heroin, and how his father was the first person to put a needle in his arm. After years of the "jail, rehab, rehab, jail" cycle, hear how the loss of his 'perfect' life and a moment of desperation led him to a permanent path of recovery. Now sober and working at the very treatment center that saved him, Tyler discusses finding his identity, the power of fellowship, and how he navigated the grief of losing both parents while staying clean.
[00:00] Podcast Introduction and Tyler's Clean Date (October 1st, 2023)
[00:00:45] The Host's Initial Doubt: "He's not gonna make it"
[00:02:29] Finding God and a "Physically New Person"
[00:03:30] Growing Up in a Vicious Cycle of Family Addiction My Mother Gave Me My First Perk; Sniffing Heroin Together
[00:07:28] "My Father Was the First Person to Put a Needle in My Arm"
[00:07:47] Playing the Shitty Cards: Winning with the Disease of Addiction
[00:09:26] The 10-Year Cycle: Jail, Rehab, Rehab, Jail
[00:11:37] The Gift of Desperation: Leaving the "White Picket Fence"
[00:14:13] The Genetic Factor of Opiate Addiction
[00:15:55] Identity Crisis: Who Am I Without Drugs?
[00:17:59] Life in Recovery & The Power of Fellowship (NA/AA)
[00:20:18] Faking the Funk: Why Half-Stepping the Work Fails
[00:30:52] Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes
[00:31:35] Grieving in Sobriety: Losing Both Parents
[00:34:33] Final Thought: It's Easier to Keep Your Seat Than to Get It Back
[00:36:06] Conclusion and Gratitude
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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From shining shoes at the Connecticut State Capitol to surviving gang violence, addiction, and multiple prison sentences—Luis Flores has lived through it all. In this gripping episode of Recovery Matters, Luis opens up about his descent into Hartford’s drug trade, the pain of losing friends, and the night five guns were pointed at him—and didn’t go off. But his story doesn’t end in tragedy. After years trapped in addiction and incarceration, Luis found faith, redemption, and purpose through writing. Today, he’s the author of Don’t Judge Me, a raw memoir soon to be adapted into a movie. His transformation is proof that no matter how far you’ve fallen, recovery—and even greatness—is still possible.
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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At 21 years old, Lucas has never had a legal drink—yet he’s already survived alcohol addiction, Kratom dependence, and the brutal withdrawals that followed. His story begins in a chaotic household where nightly drinking and fighting were the norm. By 19, Lucas was mixing alcohol with pills, throwing up blood, and blacking out behind the wheel. That night at home became his rock bottom—and the start of change.
But when he stopped drinking, Kratom slid in to fill the void. Sold right next to the energy drinks at gas stations, it seemed harmless—“all natural.” In reality, it’s a partial opioid agonist that hooks into the brain’s mu receptors. Lucas thought it was helping him stay functional—until he couldn’t go a day without it.
Lucas shares what recovery looks like when you do it on your own, the painful truth about “functional” addiction, and how community ultimately helped him heal. If you or someone you love is experimenting with Kratom, this episode is a wake-up call.
00:00–Meet Lucas (21 )& early sobriety dates
00:00:53–Rock-bottom night at mom’s house
00:02:40–Vomiting blood, drunk driving, half-handle a day
00:04:06–From quitting alcohol to “dabbling” in kratom
00:05:00–What kratom is; 7-OH & partial opioid agonist
00:08:20–Gas-station access, concentrates, no ID check
00:11:16–The “functional” phase (school/work on kratom)
00:12:44–Extracts arms race:“Feel Free,” kava mix, escalation
00:16:03–Physical dependence & morning withdrawals
00:21:13–Choosing to quit & what helped (and what didn’t)
00:24:58–Early-recovery anxiety & doing it alone vs.support
00:29:15–Finding community (AA/RCO) as a young person
00:31:42–Day-one advice:“It gets better one day at a time”
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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For years, musician Matthew Check drank to hide pain, pressure, and perfectionism—until one brutal morning on an old wooden floor made him face the truth. In this Recovery Matters episode, Matthew opens up about the spiral of blackout drinking, the shame that followed, and the quiet relief of his first AA meeting. He shares how he rebuilt his life through connection, spirituality, and creative expression—and why August 14, 2014 marks the day he truly began living in recovery. His story proves that recovery isn’t the end of fun—it’s the start of freedom.
Purchase Matthew's new book here: https://a.co/d/ePFvVgD
00:00 Intro – Matthew Check’s Early Years
02:15 College Drinking & Blackouts
05:40 The Morning That Changed Everything
08:10 Finding Sobriety on August 14, 2014
11:05 Early AA Meetings & Emotional Healing
15:20 Music, Spirituality & Recovery
19:45 Final Reflections & Hope for Others
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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TJ sits down with Meghan Blanchette, a woman whose journey through addiction, relapse, and self-discovery offers a powerful look at what long-term recovery truly means.
Meghan shares how her first sobriety date in 2015 marked the beginning of a new chapter—but a prescribed medication after surgery tested her honesty and recovery principles. She chose to reset her sobriety date, a humbling act that redefined her integrity and commitment to healing. Her story opens an important conversation about prescribed medication, relapse, and the moral choices that often accompany recovery.
Growing up as an only child who moved frequently, Meghan reflects on how instability and self-blame laid early groundwork for addiction. Introduced to alcohol in middle school and later to opiates through a prescription, her dependency quickly escalated. By her twenties, Meghan was battling homelessness, withdrawal, and despair—until a moment of clarity walking along a busy road pushed her to seek help.
Calling her mother and entering detox through Connecticut’s 2-1-1 system became the turning point. Meghan went from living in a tent to completing multiple recovery programs—detox, 90-day treatment, halfway housing, and eventually independent living—each step teaching her life skills, self-respect, and community connection.
Today, Meghan thrives as a speaker, coach, and the chairwoman of the board at InterCommunity, the very organization that once helped her rebuild her life. Through her platform FiercelyMeghan.com, she empowers others with lessons in emotional intelligence, self-worth, and recovery principles that apply far beyond addiction.
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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Host TJ sits down with author Ian Fee, who shares his raw and unfiltered journey through addiction, family struggles, and the path to lasting recovery. From taking his first sip of alcohol at just one year old, to believing booze was his “superpower,” Ian’s story is filled with both chaos and redemption.
He opens up about how alcohol shaped his childhood, his career, and his relationships—including two failed marriages and painful letters from his children describing life with a “party dad.” Ian also recounts his turning point in rehab, where he realized that true change had to start with himself.
Now eight years sober, Ian talks about rebuilding his life through gratitude, community, and daily habits. He shares practical advice for those in early recovery, the importance of your “circle,” and how he transformed his pain into purpose by writing his book Wild Ride to Sobriety. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking hope, resilience, and proof that it’s never too late to change.
Ian's book Wild Ride To Sobriety: A Transformation from Drunken Oblivion to Profound Clarity can be purchased on Amazon: https://a.co/d/due58IO
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
00:34 – Growing up in an alcohol-centered home
02:00 – Childhood party life & first jobs serving drinks
03:40 – College years: booze as a “superpower”
05:00 – Alcohol and career success in the hotel industry
05:43 – Marriage, kids, and the cost of addiction
07:14 – Stacking “rock bottoms” and going to rehab
08:30 – Turning point: realizing change starts with self
09:19 – Emotional impact: letters from his children
11:06 – Life after rehab & the power of community
13:39 – Learning to feel emotions & forgive himself
15:29 – Writing Wild Ride to Sobriety
17:11 – Building transformation through daily habits
18:26 – The practice of gratitude
19:16 – Advice for the first 24 hours of recovery
20:44 – The importance of your circle & relationships
21:09 – Book launch & where to find it
22:26 – Setting small, achievable goals in recovery
23:18 – Closing thoughts & inspiration
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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In this episode of Recovery Matters, TJ sits down with Matt, a young person in recovery who now works as a Young People and Family Services Coordinator with CCAR. Matt opens up about his journey, beginning with his first treatment at just 13 years old. Despite having parents in recovery, he struggled deeply with drugs, arrests, and time in the juvenile justice system.
He shares the progression of his addiction—weed and pills leading to heroin, crack, and near-fatal lows including homelessness, suicidal thoughts, and severe health complications. A turning point came when he entered detox and long-term treatment programs, where structure and community support helped him rebuild his life.
Matt also talks about relapse, rebuilding quickly, and how building a strong network of sober friends became crucial to his recovery. His story highlights both the tragedy of losing friends to overdose and the joy of discovering a fulfilling sober life—travel, motorcycles, relationships, and most importantly, fatherhood. Becoming a dad gave Matt a new sense of purpose, grounding his recovery in love and responsibility.
00:00 – Introductions
00:36 – First Treatment at 13
05:00 – Escalating Addiction
07:00 – First Arrests & Juvenile Justice
08:00 – Hitting Rock Bottom at 18
10:00 – Sober House & Overdose Scare
13:00 – Relapse After Heartbreak
15:00 – Waterbury & Heavy Addiction
17:30 – Final Turning Point
19:00 – Structured Recovery & Torrington Move
22:00 – Slip & Quick Return to Recovery
23:00 – Building a New Life
25:00 – Meeting His Fiancée & Becoming a Father
29:00 – Parenthood in Recovery
34:00 – Advice for Newcomers
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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Victor Reynolds shares his powerful recovery journey on the Recovery Matters Podcast. Raised in an environment of violence and addiction, he was taught to be heartless from a young age. By nine, he was on the streets, caught up in crime, substances, and chaos. Years of dust, drinking, robberies, and prison time left him broken, but also searching for meaning.
His turning point came when he faced federal charges and later battled congestive heart failure while incarcerated. After multiple near-death experiences and what he describes as a divine encounter with an “angel,” Victor embraced faith and recovery. Today, he lives with humility, gratitude, and a mission to help others who are still struggling. His story is one of transformation, hope, and the belief in second chances.
00:00 – Introduction: TJ & Victor
00:21 – Growing up without emotions
00:44 – Father’s influence & gangster lifestyle
01:18 – Early street life & family struggles
02:17 – First substances: dust & drinking
02:43 – Crime, stickups, and first arrest
03:30 – Denial of addiction problems
04:00 – Prison life & getting high inside
05:00 – Feeling invincible on substances
06:05 – Father’s Day with his sons – breaking moment
07:21 – Facing federal charges & prison time
08:10 – Congestive heart failure diagnosis
09:49 – Near-death experiences & survival
13:11 – Belief in God’s protection & a new heart
15:02 – The mysterious Dr. Kennedy encounter
18:25 – Faith, recovery, and humility
19:00 – Advice for people in their first 24 hours of recovery
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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In this episode of Recovery Matters, Brian shares his powerful journey from sports and college life to struggling with alcohol, cocaine, and compulsive gambling. He opens up about the chaos of addiction, the turning points that led him into treatment, and how community and recovery gave him a new life. Today, Brian works to support others in recovery, offering hope and connection for anyone struggling with addiction or gambling.
00:00 – Introductions & basketball as an outlet
01:22 – Childhood, family, and sports identity
02:52 – First drink at 14 and finding belonging
05:40 – College years, gambling, and substance use
09:57 – “Getting away with it” and white privilege
11:00 – Gambling wins, cocaine habit, and detox
15:00 – Early treatment attempts and relapse
18:26 – Darkest days in Brooklyn
19:57 – Last bet and last drink
22:45 – Surrender and finding real recovery
25:20 – Building community through sober housing
30:58 – Moving to Connecticut and collegiate recovery work
33:44 – Life in recovery today
35:02 – Advice for someone in their first 24 hours
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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Dr. Chad McDonald is the Chief Medical Officer at InterCommunity (a not-for-profit, addiction and behavioral health leaning FQHC-LA in the Greater Hartford, CT area), where he has the privilege of helping people find hope and healing through recovery. Initially a family physician by training, Dr. McDonald became board-certified in Addiction Medicine after witnessing the impact of substance use disorders on people close to him. Today, he works alongside a dedicated team providing compassionate, whole-person care for individuals and families across Greater Hartford.
In addition to his clinical and leadership work, Dr. McDonald serves as Connecticut’s Physician Addiction State Champion with the Opioid Response Network and is an appointed member of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC), where he advocates for using health IT to reduce barriers to care and strengthen recovery supports.
Dr. McDonald believes that recovery is possible for everyone and that access to care should never be out of reach. For anyone ready to begin their recovery journey—or for loved ones seeking help—InterCommunity offers medical detox, residential rehab, and outpatient programs. Learn more at https://www.intercommunityct.org/
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
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TJ sits down with Elizabeth, a former Golden Gloves boxing champion, to talk about her journey through gambling addiction and long-term recovery. Elizabeth shares how her upbringing, athletic drive, and devastating losses fueled her compulsive gambling, and how she eventually found hope, healing, and connection through recovery.
From the thrill of Las Vegas to the crushing impact of debt and shame, Elizabeth’s story shines a light on the risks athletes face, the hidden dangers of gambling, and the importance of connection in recovery.
- Overseeing Gambling Prevention, Intervention and Treatment at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services: https://nicasa.org/program/adult-gambling-treatment/
- Educating collegiate athletes about gambling harm at EPIC Global Solutions: https://www.epicglobalsolutions.com/about-us/
- 💜 September is National Recovery Month—and this year, we’re making sure recovery from gambling disorder is part of the conversation. Share a few words about what recovery means to you, and your message could inspire someone who feels alone. https://forms.gle/NxngSPjZRrL9TtUa9
00:00 Introduction and Host's Recovery Journey
00:15 Guest's Background and Early Gambling Experiences
00:32 Family Influence and Gambling Culture
02:06 Athlete Mentality and Gambling Addiction
05:53 Boxing Career and Injury
07:57 Loss and Escalation of Gambling
09:17 Realization and Attempt to Control Gambling
14:42 Quitting Gambling and Early Non-Recovery
15:48 Facing the Past: Compartmentalization and Shame
16:15 Specializing in Gambling Disorder Counseling
17:12 The Turning Point: Seeking Recovery
17:37 First Steps in Recovery: Meetings and Support
20:07 Understanding and Forgiving Yourself
21:03 The Importance of Connection in Recovery
23:26 Financial Consequences and Genuine Accountability
25:18 Recognizing Lingering Risk Behaviors
28:43 Gambling Education and Risk Factors
33:43 Advice for Early Recovery
----Across the Web----
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Sean Hemeon shares his powerful journey from a chaotic childhood in a strict Mormon household, through struggles with identity, addiction, and dangerous high-stakes drug dealing, to long-term recovery and reconciliation with his family. He opens up about feeling “not enough” from an early age, the role alcohol and drugs played in numbing that pain, and how his life spiraled into violence, federal charges, and life-threatening situations. After narrowly escaping prison, Sean entered recovery in 2004 and has since built a life grounded in service, creativity, and healing. He reflects on the emotional turning points that shaped his sobriety, including confronting deep wounds with his mother, finding community in recovery, and pursuing his passion for acting and art. Today, he uses his story, and soon to be released as a memoir, as a testament to the transformative power of connection, forgiveness, and purpose.
More on Sean Hemeon: https://www.seanhemeon.com
00:00 – Introductions & sobriety dates
00:35 – Childhood in a Mormon household, family chaos, and parental conflict
02:11 – Early emotional neglect and feelings of not being enough
03:42 – Teenage identity crisis and discovering same-sex attraction
04:58 – First experiences with alcohol and instant connection to its effects
07:31 – High school years: masking identity, increasing substance use, hidden relationship
10:13 – Violence and abandonment; deepening shame and isolation
11:26 – Core belief of “I’m not enough” and the cycle of addiction
13:05 – College years, heartbreak, suicide attempt, and coming out to his mother
15:00 – Immersion in DC’s gay club scene and early drug experiences
16:18 – Meeting a meth dealer boyfriend; thrill of underground life
18:57 – Becoming a dealer, escalating risks, and major consequences
20:56 – Federal arrest, decision not to inform, and mysterious case dismissal
22:34 – Six more weeks using before calling parents for help
23:20 – Entering treatment, relapse on inhalants, and final decision to get sober
25:00 – Extent of substance use before recovery
26:28 – Biggest regret: a friend’s overdose and missed chance to help
27:00 – Recovery process: embracing 12-step programs and community
29:28 – Moving to LA, finding strong recovery support, and focusing on rebuilding
30:55 – Powerful meeting story about service and greater purpose in recovery
31:43 – Evolving beyond 12-step rigidity and exploring spirituality
32:43 – Breaking ties with his mother to protect his recovery
34:35 – Slow reconnection and pivotal forgiveness moment during the pandemic
36:24 – Emotional apology from his mother and her walking him down the aisle
38:52 – Reflection on miracles, higher purpose, and the role of addiction in finding connection
39:01 – The memoir The Good Little Drug Lord—origin, writing process, and future release
41:53 – Staying connected via Instagram and newsletter
42:05 – Advice for someone in their first 24 hours of recovery
42:50 – Closing thanks and CCAR’s Telephone Recovery Support information
----Across the Web----
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At just 22 years old and five months into recovery, Thomas opens up about his long road through addiction, street life, and nearly 25 treatment centers. From dark moments in New Haven to dancing sober at his god-sister’s wedding, Thomas shares how he finally found peace, purpose, and a way to live.
----Across the Web----
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Derek Benson of Investing in Sobriety shares his journey from a highly structured childhood and elite athletics through pills, escalating addiction, crime, prison, and finally a sustainable recovery built on a mental-physical-spiritual blueprint and strong community.
Highlights:
-
Early structure: military/boarding school; learned independence and discipline.
-
First intoxication and growing access in high school; transfers to Avon Old Farms and The Hun School.
-
Purdue years: injuries, pills in the locker room, and the slide from use → misuse → addiction.
-
“Blind alley” spiral: funding use, losing work and relationships.
-
Turning point: 12/12/2014—turned himself in; first exposure to AA in jail; later transferred to McDougall-Walker (high bond, no outside meetings).
-
Letter that changed things: a family friend visits, connects him to 12-step support.
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Court offered Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) 42-day treatment; he took it, then faced a judge’s 10-year cap warning—fueling commitment to change.
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Recovery today: daily mental-physical-spiritual balance and a healthy circle of influence.
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Practical advice for the first 24 hours: reach out for help and stay open-minded.
-
Derek’s project: Investing in Sobriety—conversations on personalized recovery blueprints.
More on Investing In Sobriety here: https://www.investinginsobriety.com/
Chapters
00:00 – Intro, gratitude for recovery community; Derek at ~10 years sober.
03:20 – Childhood & military/boarding school; structure and early independence.
06:25 – First drunk; access increases; transfer to Avon Old Farms.
08:00 – Senior year path to The Hun School; athletic exposure.
10:32 – Purdue: pills after injuries; shift toward addiction.
12:53 – Use vs. misuse vs. addiction; trouble at college party.
28:21 – “Blind alley” metaphor; life narrows around using.
30:06 – Losing work, unhealthy circles, doing anything for money.
31:41 – Criminal activity escalates; path to prison.
33:38 – 12/12/2014: turns himself in (beginning of recovery).
41:04 – First AA in Hartford Correctional.
42:17 – Transfer to McDougall-Walker; no outside meetings; pivotal letter to family friend.
45:47 – 65 pending charges; attorney lays out CVH option.
47:01 – CVH 42-day program; willingness and early momentum.
49:27 – Judge’s 10-year cap warning; why he doubled down on change.
52:48 – Derek’s recovery blueprint (mental-physical-spiritual).
55:55 – Building a healthy circle of influence. 57:37 – Advice for day one: reach out & be open-minded.
58:39 – Derek’s podcast: Investing in Sobriety.
----Across the Web----
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Stephen Matos, a person in long-term recovery, joins TJ on the Recovery Matters podcast to share his incredible journey since his last use of drugs and alcohol in 1986 and his last gambling experience in 1987. Stephen opens up about his upbringing in Hartford, Connecticut, where his father was deeply entrenched in gambling activities. He recounts how his own descent into alcohol, drugs, and gambling almost destroyed his life, leading to broken relationships and financial ruin. However, recovery came through Gamblers Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and intensive outpatient programs. Stephen highlights his role as a peer counselor in Connecticut's exemplary problem gambling treatment programs, underscoring the importance of lived experience in offering hope and support to others. His narrative also sheds light on the stigma surrounding gambling addiction and the critical need for comprehensive treatment and recovery resources.
00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds
00:36 Growing Up with a Gambling Father
04:51 Early Exposure to Alcohol and Drugs
06:59 The Impact of Gambling on Relationships
09:58 Descent into Addiction
16:15 Turning Point and Seeking Help
18:30 Recovery Journey and Support Systems
21:51 The Journey of Recovery
21:58 Managing Money and Responsibilities
22:24 The Role of AA and GA in Recovery
22:48 Strained Relationship with Father
23:24 Making Amends and Financial Accountability
23:52 Mending the Relationship with Father
24:27 A New Chapter: Becoming a Peer Counselor
25:06 Training and Embracing Multiple Pathways of Recovery
25:58 Working with Problem Gamblers and Their Families
27:58 Connecticut's Leading Gambling Treatment Programs
29:37 The Importance of Lived Experience in Recovery
33:03 Helpline and Support Resources
35:20 Advice for Newcomers in Recovery
36:48 Addressing Stigma and Shame in Gambling Addiction
41:05 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude
----Across the Web----
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✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Gabe shares his story of growing up in a middle-class suburb in Long Island, struggling with drug and alcohol addiction from a young age, and the ensuing legal issues and incarcerations. He discusses his turning point in 2018 after a serious overdose and his subsequent commitment to recovery, community service, and faith. Gabe talks about his work as a volunteer, recovery coach, and founder of a nonprofit recovery community organization. He highlights his efforts in helping others through various programs, including sober living homes, recovery coaching training in prisons, and his newly published book on leveraging lived experience for community service. Gabe emphasizes the importance of self-worth, support, and finding one's own path in recovery.
00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
00:25 Early Life and Introduction to Substance Use
01:18 Struggles with Addiction and First Rehab Experience
04:43 Turning Point and Commitment to Recovery
07:48 Building a Life of Service and Recovery
11:57 Challenges and Successes in Establishing Recovery Community
21:21 Expanding Recovery Efforts and Final Thoughts
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Angel, who is celebrating six months of sobriety from Fentanyl, opens up about his path to recovery, the struggles he faced, and the life-changing moments that led him to sobriety. He shares insights into the challenges of overcoming addiction, the pivotal moments that influenced his decision to seek help, and the transformation his life has undergone since becoming sober. The conversation highlights the importance of support systems, the various pathways to recovery, and the fulfillment that comes from being present and active in one's own life.
00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds
00:27 Angel's Early Recovery Journey
00:48 Exploring the Sober Community
02:15 Life in Recovery
05:18 Angel's Addiction History
07:24 Struggles with Fentanyl
11:28 Attempts to Get Clean
12:24 Manipulating the System
14:02 Probation and Deception
15:45 Hitting Rock Bottom
18:01 The Turning Point
19:58 Entering Detox
22:22 Path to Recovery
24:20 Life After Addiction
26:18 Advice for Newcomers
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Serena Saunders, founder of Pawsitive Recovery, shares her heartfelt journey from a challenging childhood marked by her mother's schizophrenia and substance use, leading to her own struggles with drugs and alcohol starting at age 12. After years of ups and downs, Serena found recovery four years ago and turned her life around by creating Pawsitive Recovery. This unique program helps people in addiction and mental health treatment by providing foster care for their pets. Serena also talks about the importance of animal companionship in recovery and the services Pawsitive Recovery offers, including workshops and partnerships with local shelters. Learn how her dog Oscar inspired this life-saving initiative.
00:00 Introduction to Serena Saunders and Pawsitive Recovery
00:16 Serena's Childhood and Family Struggles
04:33 Early Substance Use and Teenage Years
05:58 Realizing the Need for Help
07:01 Journey to Sobriety and Recovery
11:22 Founding Pawsitive Recovery
14:25 Expanding Positive Recovery Nationwide
15:23 The Impact of Animals in Recovery
21:48 How to Get Involved and Final Thoughts
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Ben Kaye shares his powerful story of recovery after years caught in the world of chemsex—a term used to describe using drugs like crystal meth, GBL, and mephedrone to enhance sex, lower inhibitions, and feel more connected during sexual encounters, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. What started as weekend partying turned into daily drug use and emotional isolation. Ben opens up about how trauma, loneliness, and the search for love led him to addiction, including injecting meth to feel a sense of control and connection. In this honest and eye-opening conversation, Ben explains how chemsex became his way of coping, and how treatment, community, and time helped him rebuild his life. Now a therapist, he helps others find healing too.
00:00 – Intro: Meet Ben Kaye
01:05 – An idyllic childhood shattered at 15
02:21 – First experiences with substances
04:00 – Moving to London, coming out, and the party scene
05:30 – Why the party lifestyle became so appealing
07:00 – Functioning addict or barely functioning?
08:22 – When weekend use turned into daily meth use
09:27 – Injecting crystal meth: how it started
10:45 – What is Chemsex? Breaking it down
12:00 – The rise of Chemsex culture and hookup apps
13:10 – Why young people are at risk
14:24 – Looking for love, not just drugs
15:30 – What intimacy looks like without drugs
16:50 – How Ben got help and started recovery
18:28 – The mental health impact of heavy drug use
20:00 – Starting over through treatment and support
21:50 – Learning to enjoy life sober
23:00 – Becoming a therapist and helping others
25:00 – Advice for anyone starting recovery
🔔 Subscribe for more real stories of healing and hope.
📲 Connect with Ben: https://benkayetherapy.com | @justbenkaye
🎙️ Ben’s Podcast: Really Queer on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
----Across the Web----
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✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, Michelle Ketchum celebrates her first year of sobriety. Michelle discusses her journey from a toxic relationship and substance use to finding the strength to seek help and enter rehab. She shares her experiences of personal growth, the importance of community, and her involvement in sober living and activities through organizations like The Phoenix and Smart Recovery. Michelle also talks about fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Her story is an inspiring example of overcoming adversity and finding hope and support in recovery.
00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
00:38 Early Life and Family Support
01:30 High School and First Encounters with Drugs
06:28 College Life and Denial of Addiction
13:54 Toxic Relationships and Hitting Rock Bottom
22:28 Facing Rehab Fears
22:57 The Rehab Experience
24:18 Building New Friendships
27:31 Life After Rehab
28:31 Managing a Sober House
30:13 Discovering New Passions
38:05 Becoming an Author
43:36 The Phoenix and Smart Recovery
46:24 Advice for Newcomers
----Across the Web----
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✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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In this candid episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, we sit down with Carter Graves, founder of KMFK Safety Services and Executive Director of Grassroots Harm Reduction. Carter shares their journey of growing up in a household shaped by meth use, navigating personal trauma, and redefining recovery through harm reduction and managed methamphetamine use. With courage, humor, and radical transparency, Carter challenges traditional recovery narratives and offers powerful insights into drug policy, peer-led safety, and what it truly means to heal.
Whether you're in recovery, support harm reduction, or are curious about alternatives to abstinence-based models—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.
00:00 - Carter introduces themselves and their definition of recovery
00:27 - Growing up with a single mother and generational meth use
01:48 - The trauma, poverty, and strength of Carter's family story
03:00 - Early substance use: Adderall, ecstasy, and meth
04:30 - Mother’s death and escalation of use
05:56 - The 2020 uprisings and how a street medic changed everything
06:58 - Quitting meth for three years and entering abstinence-based recovery
08:59 - The physical and emotional toll of abstinence
10:00 - Long COVID and reevaluating recovery
11:00 - Creative life, relapse language, and return to use
12:00 - What is reagent drug checking?
13:20 - Origin story: DanceSafe, MDMA testing, and community care
15:09 - Honoring people where they are on the spectrum of use
17:28 - “Brave space” over “safe space”
18:41 - TJ shares faith-based perspective on harm reduction
20:00 - The roots of KMFK and “Candy F***ing Carter”
21:45 - Expanding into condoms, Plan B, and other peer services
23:11 - From underground raves to national recognition
24:56 - Carter’s current roles at PA Groundhogs and more
25:10 - Learning harm reduction tools for meth use
26:50 - Proper dosing, sleep, and hydration strategies
28:20 - Setting personal boundaries and red flags
30:08 - Support system and what keeps Carter grounded
31:30 - Where to find Carter and KMFK online
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
- https://grassrootsharmreduction.org
- https://pagroundhogs.org
- https://linktr.ee/kmfksafetyservices
- KMFK Safety Services on Instagram & Facebook
- 📧 Contact Carter: contactcartergraves@gmail.com
📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share this episode to support honest conversations around addiction recovery, substance use, and harm reduction.
----Across the Web----
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✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 181 | TJ and Mickey delve into Mickey's personal journey of long-term recovery. Mickey shares her raw and inspiring story, starting from her early exposure to alcohol and drugs, leading up to a DUI that became the turning point in her life. She speaks candidly about her struggles with addiction to various substances, including alcohol, cannabis, and prescription medications. Mickey also discusses her traumatic childhood experiences, which included abuse and neglect, and how these influenced her path toward addiction. Through sheer determination and multiple therapeutic approaches, including AA, holistic practices, and therapy, Mickey has transformed her life. She reflects on the spiritual experiences that reconnected her with a higher power and the importance of community support in her recovery journey. Mickey's story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of seeking help and building a new life, free from substances.
00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds
00:22 Mickey's Early Exposure to Substances
01:05 High School and Early Drug Use
02:57 Struggles with Addiction and Employment
06:16 Family and Childhood Trauma
09:46 Return to Connecticut and Continued Addiction
13:46 The Turning Point: DUI and Therapy
16:30 Journey to Sobriety and AA Meetings
19:52 Exploring Alternative Recovery Paths
21:17 Spiritual Awakening and Nature's Influence
23:24 Ongoing Recovery and Therapy
25:36 Final Thoughts and Advice for Newcomers
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Host TJ takes listeners live to the State Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut for Recovery Day. The event features an array of voices, including State Representative Robin Comey, Senator Saud Anwar, and Representatives Patrick Biggins and Devin Kearney, among others, who share their personal stories and legislative efforts to support individuals in recovery. Key discussions include the importance of removing the stigma associated with addiction, the potential benefits of Overdose Prevention Centers, and the need for robust community support and resources. The episode highlights the interconnected nature of recovery, community well-being, and legislative advocacy, emphasizing that recovery is a journey that involves everyone. Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 180
00:00 Introduction to Recovery Matters Podcast
00:26 State Representative Robin Comey's Personal Recovery Journey
02:54 Senator Saud Anwar on Overdose Prevention
07:18 Patrick Biggins on Youth and Recovery
08:43 Students for Recovery: Advocacy and Support
11:29 Taylor Aitken on Legislative Support for Recovery
13:47 Mike Pohl on Community Recovery Efforts
17:42 State Representative Devin Kearney on the Importance of Recovery
18:39 State Representative Toni Walker on Embracing Recovery
21:46 Stacy Sharpentier on Funding and Recovery Support
23:56 Conclusion and Resources for Recovery
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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From a childhood marked by trauma and instability to multiple incarcerations, heroin addiction, and even surviving a gunshot to the head—Rick opens up about the chaos that defined his past and the redemption he’s found in recovery.
Rick reflects on the moment he finally surrendered on February 5, 2008, and how that surrender sparked a transformation that's helped him become a community leader, father, and advocate. He shares how meaningful work—including launching Redemption House and running recovery housing for over a decade—continues to give his life purpose.
🔥 Key Topics Covered:
- Rick’s early life and introduction to drugs at age 13
- Escaping a wilderness program and his first encounters with the justice system
- Surviving a near-fatal shooting during a robbery gone wrong
- Going to prison—and later choosing recovery while incarcerated
- Getting clean in 2008 and rebuilding his life
- The power of service, connection, and purpose in recovery
- The creation and impact of Redemption House, a safe bridge for those who relapse
- How one redemption bed can save the state $141,000/year
- Inspiring success stories of people who found hope through recovery housing
- The role of CCAR and recovery coaching in sustained wellness
00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds
00:32 Rick's Early Life and Family Struggles
01:25 Teenage Years and First Encounters with Drugs
02:19 Legal Troubles and Juvenile Detention
02:57 Escaping and Continued Struggles
03:57 First Prison Sentence and Continued Drug Use
06:23 Near-Death Experience and Hospitalization
09:33 Recovery Journey and Sober Living
11:05 Life in Recovery and Helping Others
12:29 The Redemption House Initiative
13:47 Building Community Relationships
14:15 The Role of Redemption House
14:46 Support Services at Redemption House
15:12 Success Stories and Future Plans
16:01 The Importance of Recovery Community
16:16 Personal Recovery Journeys
18:07 The Financial Impact of Redemption House
19:00 The Need for Long-Term Recovery Support
20:53 Self-Love and Purpose in Recovery
22:09 Inspiring Personal Stories
24:27 Exciting Future Projects
24:50 Concluding Thoughts on Recovery
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
- 🎧 Risen From the Ashes: The Redemption Podcast (Rick’s other podcast) – Available on Spotify
- 🏠 Redemption House – A nonprofit recovery bridge for individuals who relapse
- 🤝 CCAR – Get connected with a Recovery Coach: https://ccar.us
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, host TJ takes listeners to the CCAR New London Recovery Community Center in Connecticut. The center, along with two others in the state, is at risk of losing funding. TJ interviews various individuals, including John, the impromptu center manager, and volunteers like Andrew and Ernest, all of whom share their personal recovery stories and the significant role CCAR and the Recovery Community Center have played in their lives. They discuss the variety of support services offered, the importance of community, and the challenges they've faced and overcome. Abby, from the Young People and Family Services Program, also shares her journey and the impactful work she does with young people and families struggling with addiction. The episode highlights the transformative power of community support in recovery and underscores the critical need to sustain funding for these vital services.
00:00 Introduction and Host's Background
00:15 Save Our Center: CCAR New London Recovery Community Center
00:43 Interview with John: Recovery Journey and CCAR's Impact
03:49 John's Personal Recovery Story
06:56 Interview with Andrew: Overcoming Relapse
15:13 Interview with Ernest: Volunteering and Recovery
20:05 Interview with Victor: Community Impact
22:33 Interview with Daniel: Telephone Recovery Services
26:56 Interview with Abby: Young People and Family Services
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 177 | Eric shares his incredible transformation—from growing up surrounded by chaos, falling into addiction, and navigating incarceration, to building a life centered on recovery, family, and purpose. With brutal honesty and heartfelt insight, Eric reflects on the trauma he carried, the choices he made to survive, and the life-changing moment he finally surrendered.
Through his journey, Eric found not only freedom from substances but also the strength to heal, reconnect with his children, and become a guiding light for others walking the recovery path. If you've ever doubted whether change is possible, Eric’s story will remind you that redemption is always within reach.
💬 Topics covered:
00:00 – Introduction
01:15 – Growing up in chaos and early trauma
06:30 – Life in the streets and surviving addiction
13:50 – What it took to finally surrender
19:20 – The turning point: jail and a higher calling
26:10 – Recovery, family, and becoming a father
33:00 – Giving back and finding purpose through service
38:45 – Final reflections and message to those still struggling
🔥 Key takeaway: “I didn’t think there was a way out—but recovery showed me there was.”
🎧 Like what you hear? Subscribe for more real recovery stories that inspire hope and healing.
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Alexis Nicole overcame addiction and transformed her life. Alexis discusses her early struggles growing up in a middle-class family, experiencing bullying, early exposure to drugs and alcohol, and the subsequent spiral into deeper substance use. She delves into significant turning points, including encounters with domestic violence, substance use, and homelessness. Through the support of a rehab program and her newfound spirituality, Alexis found strength in recovery. She talks about her path to becoming a recovery coach and her commitment to helping others in the Hartford community. Alexis' story is one of resilience, faith, and the importance of taking life one day at a time. She emphasizes the necessity of therapy, community support, and a passion for helping others on their recovery journey.
00:00 Introduction and Host Background
00:29 Guest's Early Life and Family
01:43 First Encounters with Substances
03:13 Escalation and Teenage Years
04:36 High School and Relationship Troubles
05:55 Diving Deeper into Drug Use
07:15 The PCP Era
08:58 Realizing the Problem
14:02 Hitting Rock Bottom
15:48 Entering Rehab: The First Steps
16:09 Realizing the Problem
16:35 Finding Motivation and Support
17:06 A New Relationship and Pregnancy
18:13 Completing the Program and Moving Forward
19:03 Building a New Life
20:38 Starting a Career in Recovery
21:32 Balancing Work and Personal Life
23:19 The Importance of Persistence
25:54 Living a Fulfilling Life
29:20 Advice for Those Struggling
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 175 | TJ talks with Dave Ogden, a counselor from Groton and Grasso Tech, about his incredible journey of overcoming substance use and personal loss. Dave shares poignant memories from his troubled childhood, his encounters with drugs in school, and the life-changing impact of meeting his wife. He candidly recounts the traumatic experience of his son's death and the subsequent struggle with Xanax addiction and withdrawal. Through perseverance, therapy, and the support of his community, Dave emerges as a strong advocate for recovery and support in schools, highlighting the inception and goals of the Students for Recovery initiative.
00:00 Introduction and Personal Background
00:39 Early Life and First Encounters with Drugs
01:10 High School and Escalation of Drug Use
02:18 Turning Points and Family Influence
03:04 Tragic Loss and Struggles with Xanax
05:17 Withdrawal and Hospitalization
11:52 Recovery Journey and EMDR Therapy
12:43 Students for Recovery Initiative
18:03 Supporting Recovery in Schools
18:22 Creating a Recovery-Friendly Environment
18:51 Student Involvement in Recovery Initiatives
19:28 Recovery Fest: A Community Effort
21:17 Challenges and Reflections on Recovery
26:47 Advice for Those New to Recovery
29:10 Personal Experiences with Addiction
30:54 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 174 | Leeroy opens up about his tumultuous childhood, growing up in a dysfunctional household where drugs were prevalent. He describes his early encounters with alcohol and marijuana, which eventually led to addiction. Leeroy speaks candidly about the impact of his lifestyle on opportunities and relationships, and the pivotal moments that drove him to seek sobriety. Now working as an intervention specialist, Leeroy utilizes his past experiences to support others in similar situations.
00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds
01:04 Growing Up in a Dysfunctional Household
02:42 First Encounters with Drugs and Alcohol
05:26 The Impact of Marijuana Addiction
06:45 Turning Points and Realizations
09:15 Struggles with Alcohol and Family Reflections
13:57 Challenges in Early Sobriety
15:57 Overcoming Triggers and Long-Term Recovery
17:03 High School Weed Addiction
17:24 The Dangers of High Potency THC
17:38 Marijuana Withdrawal and Health Issues
18:08 Changing Weed Culture and Legalization
18:29 Personal Journey of Quitting Weed
21:25 Challenges of Nicotine Addiction
26:37 Parenting and Addiction Awareness
30:06 Using Past Experiences to Help Others
32:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, TJ, interviews Luke, who has been clean since October 2022. They discuss Luke's early life, his descent into addiction, the impact of his mother's diagnosis, and his numerous overdoses and stints in jail. Luke shares his turning point towards recovery, involving treatment, sponsorship, and service work. He emphasizes the importance of humility, service, and dedication in recovery. Luke also talks about his passion for music and sports and the joy and responsibility of being a father.
00:00 Introduction and Recovery Background
00:37 Early Life and Ego
01:39 Descent into Addiction
02:30 High School and Family Tragedy
04:13 Homelessness and Overdoses
07:14 Turning Point and Recovery Journey
09:32 Building a New Life
11:03 Lessons Learned and Giving Back
14:29 Nostalgic Memories of Playing Ball
14:51 Discovering Music During Recovery
15:10 The Creative Mind in Recovery
16:08 The Joys and Challenges of Fatherhood
18:21 Advice for Those New to Recovery
19:55 The Catalyst for Change
22:16 Gratitude and Higher Power
24:36 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 172 | In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, Mark, sober since 1992, reflects on his youth in Connecticut, the hardships faced due to substance use, and his eventual path to recovery. Mark details the turning point that led him to seek help, his prison experience, the critical role of community and step meetings, and the strategies he employs to maintain sobriety.
00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds
00:42 Early Life and High School Challenges
01:32 Introduction to Substance Use
04:18 Struggles with Addiction
07:40 Turning Point and Recovery Journey
10:13 Life in Recovery and Reflections
19:16 Maintaining Sobriety and Current Life
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 171 | Taylor opens up about growing up in a home surrounded by substance use, the struggles of feeling unworthy, and the choices that led him deeper into addiction. He shares the harsh realities of hitting rock bottom, losing his father, and the moments that finally pushed him to embrace recovery. From living in a crack house to opening a sober home, Taylor’s transformation is nothing short of inspiring. His raw honesty and powerful insights offer hope to anyone struggling with addiction.
00:00 – Introduction and host introductions
00:27 – Taylor’s childhood: Growing up in a chaotic, addiction-filled home
01:56 – Experimenting with drugs and alcohol at a young age
03:13 – Homelessness, survival, and falling deeper into addiction
04:48 – The devastating loss of his father and the impact on his substance use
06:51 – Repeated arrests, consequences, and the inability to see the problem
08:35 – Realizing he wasn’t fooling anyone—his wake-up moment
10:17 – Early recovery attempts: Trying to control his use and failing
12:36 – The shift in mindset that finally led to real change
13:09 – Entering a sober house and learning what true recovery looks like
13:39 – A heartbreaking overdose that became a turning point
14:45 – The role of meetings, sponsorship, and building a strong network
17:02 – Opening a sober house and helping others find recovery
20:51 – Relapse, near death, and the lesson that changed everything
23:35 – Letting go of ego, chasing true fulfillment, and embracing a new way of life
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 170 | From growing up amidst addiction in Connecticut to battling his own substance use, Vinny Imperati aka Skinny Vinny opens up about his father's tragic overdose, his time spent homeless in a porta-potty, and his near-death experiences. But the story takes a turn when Vinny finds a new purpose in film and entertainment, leading him to work with his idols from Jackass, including Steve-O. Today, Vinny co-hosts the Wild Ride Podcast with Steve-O and co-stars in 'Your Pranks, Our Show' with Zach "Zackass" Holmes. Tune in to hear how Vinny not only turned his life around but also found a new mission in helping others achieve sobriety.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:48 Vinny's Early Life and Family Struggles
03:25 Teenage Years and Early Addiction
06:33 Descent into Addiction and Homelessness
11:06 Turning Point and Path to Recovery
14:27 Building a New Life and Career
20:15 Reflections on Sobriety and Giving Back
26:57 Call to Action: Support Recovery Centers
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 169 | Danny, who recently celebrated four years of sobriety, discusses his early experiences with drugs and alcohol, the impact of his mother's death on his substance use, and his subsequent journey through addiction, legal troubles, and incarceration. Both hosts reflect on the challenges they faced, the turning points in their lives, and the importance of support systems. They offer insights and advice for those in early recovery and emphasize the transformative power of perseverance and self-awareness.
00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
00:38 Early Life and First Encounters with Substances
01:10 Teenage Years and Substance Abuse
04:32 Escalation and Coping with Loss
05:28 Struggles with Prescription Drugs
14:41 Incarceration and Turning Point
20:59 Life After Recovery
22:30 Advice for Those in Recovery
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 168 | TJ sits down with Matt, a young person in long-term recovery, to discuss his journey from childhood to sobriety. Matt shares his experiences growing up, the impact of early trauma, and how he initially turned to alcohol for escape. He recounts his struggles with addiction, multiple DUIs, and his path to seeking help, including his time in treatment at the Life Center in Hartford. Now six months sober, Matt reflects on the support systems that have helped him, his volunteer work at CCAR, and his aspirations to become a recovery coach. With humor, honesty, and deep insight, Matt offers encouragement to those new to recovery, emphasizing that setbacks don’t mean failure—they’re just part of the journey.
[00:00:00]–Introduction: TJ welcomes guest Matt
[00:01:00]–Matt’s childhood and family background
[00:02:00]–Early trauma and how it resurfaced
[00:03:00]–First experiences with alcohol and drinking to escape
[00:04:00]–College drinking and early warning signs
[00:06:00]–Moving to California and deepening struggles
[00:07:00]–DUIs and first attempt at treatment
[00:08:00]–Entering the Life Center and finding spirituality
00:10:00]–Admitting alcoholism and seeing signs everywhere
[00:12:00]–Hitting six months of sobriety
[00:13:00]–Volunteering at CCAR and telephone recovery support
[00:14:00]–Life in recovery: music, friendships, and faith
[00:16:00]–Training to become a recovery coach
[00:18:00]–Overcoming the idea of "drinking normally" again
[00:19:00]–The importance of staying connected and using a support system
[00:22:00]–Final message: “Stumbling doesn’t mean failure—keep trying”
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 167 | Tajay's story begins with a life-changing arrest, leading him to outpatient treatment and, ultimately, to CCAR. He didn’t initially seek recovery—it found him. While in IOP, he struggled with staying sober, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism. However, deep down, he knew he wanted more for himself. His commitment to trying something differentled him to school, where a conversation about psychology unexpectedly introduced him to the idea of becoming a recovery coach. This opened the door to a new world, and through CCAR, Tajay found the support, structure, and inspiration to rebuild his life.
One of the most significant changes in his recovery journey was reevaluating friendships and relationships. He realized that many of his past connections were built around substance use, and changing his circle was necessary. He now values friendships based on mutual respect and personal growth rather than peer pressure or partying. Relationships, particularly romantic ones, remain tricky, especially when dating someone who isn’t in recovery. However, he emphasizes the importance of healthy communication and setting boundaries.
Education played a crucial role in his transformation. What started as a simple way to stay busy turned into a passion. Tajay became deeply involved on campus, founding the Legacy Club to help students network, connect, and take their careers seriously from day one. His belief that “it’s not just what you know, but who you know” helped him secure opportunities, despite not yet having a degree. He encourages students to build relationships, take advantage of resources, and stay open to new possibilities.
Beyond education, Tajay found purpose in entrepreneurship and music. His first venture, a clothing brand focused on positive affirmations, gave him his first taste of running a business. While it was a learning experience, it laid the foundation for his current passion—creating and promoting music. Initially hesitant, he pushed past self-doubt and began sharing his music on social media, even shooting a music video for one of his songs, Love Life. His new goal is to combine music, merch, and motivation, using his platform to inspire others.
Throughout the conversation, Tajay emphasizes that recovery is not easy, but it’s worth it. He describes recovery as "armor"—something that protects him from life’s hardships. He acknowledges that early recovery is overwhelming, especially when emotions come rushing back after years of numbing pain with substances. However, he encourages anyone on the fence about recovery to stick with it. His biggest message? "Don’t quit before the miracle happens."Tajay’s life is proof that even when things seem impossible, recovery can open doors you never imagined.
Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & Tajay’s background
02:00 – Getting arrested & his first steps into recovery
06:00 – How addiction shaped his friendships & how he had to change his circle
10:00 – Finding education as a new path & becoming a leader on campus
14:00 – The "Get Out of Here" mindset vs. realizing it’s about changing yourself
18:00 – Entrepreneurship, music, and using creativity in recovery
23:00 – The moment he knew he had to go all in on sobriety
28:00 – What he’d say to someone struggling: “Don’t quit before the miracle happens.”
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
This episode vividly portrays Cass' journey from the depths of addiction to the vibrant glow of recovery. Explore how her shift in mindset revolutionized her mornings, relationships, and daily life. Cass opens up about the transformative power of therapy, creative outlets, and meditation in her recovery. With raw honesty, she discusses rebuilding bonds with her family amidst personal turmoil and the profound impact of a supportive community. This gripping account highlights the intricate balance between powerlessness and empowerment, providing a rich tapestry of insights for anyone seeking inspiration on the path to recovery.
00:00 The Recovery Glow
00:27 Morning Mindset Shift
02:46 Focusing on the Present
04:36 Prioritizing Recovery
07:47 Multiple Pathways to Recovery
08:23 Therapy and Personal Growth
09:28 Creative Outlets and Meditation
14:52 The Power of Music
25:34 Two Years Clean: A Reflection
36:45 Relationships in Recovery
37:24 Family Dynamics and Divorce
38:21 Rebuilding Bonds with Parents
45:32 Accountability and Personal Growth
48:31 Inspiration for Those Seeking Recovery
52:30 The Power of Community Support
01:04:11 Perspective and Daily Challenges
01:04:57 Living a Life of Principles
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?
🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/
🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery
📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery
🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 165 | Gordon Lyde shares his profound journey of overcoming addiction and trauma. Growing up in New Haven and moving through the DCYS system, Gordon faced numerous challenges, including being separated from his siblings and feeling unloved due to his biracial background. His struggles intensified during his teenage years in group homes, leading to heavy substance use. Despite multiple setbacks, including skepticism about recovery and years in prison, Gordon ultimately found sobriety and a purpose in helping others. Now a substance use counselor and executive director of Men of Evolution, Gordon's story is one of resilience, transformation, and service to the community.
00:00 Introduction and Early Life
00:14 Foster Care and Family Dynamics
01:24 Struggles with Identity and Acceptance
02:55 Sibling Relationships and Family Separation
06:44 First Encounters with Addiction
07:21 Life in a Group Home
11:01 Attempts at Recovery and Relapse
17:43 Journey to True Recovery
20:26 Struggling with Toxic Relationships
21:08 Seeking Help and Finding Sobriety
21:55 Humbling Experiences in Recovery
23:06 The Power of Self-Work
24:15 Building a New Life
26:36 Family and Personal Growth
32:59 Guiding the Next Generation
37:28 Giving Back to the Community
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
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Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 164 | TJ, Dani, and Jamie share their powerful stories of overcoming addiction and achieving long-term recovery. Each discusses their personal journey, detailing the moments that led them to seek help and the pivotal role their support networks played. They touch on the challenges and growth experienced in recovery, the importance of asking for help, and how being candid and setting boundaries has transformed their lives. The episode highlights the significance of connection, self-forgiveness, and being present, particularly as parents. They offer words of hope and practical advice for those currently struggling with addiction, emphasizing that recovery is possible and varied in its pathways.
00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
00:44 Personal Recovery Stories
03:07 Life After Rehab
04:04 Support Systems and Community
08:00 Challenges and Growth in Recovery
15:56 Parenting and Breaking Cycles
20:29 Connecting Over Hip Hop
20:45 Forming Lasting Friendships
22:38 Parenting and Recovery
22:59 Learning New Words
23:28 The Gift of Discernment
24:07 Trust and Boundaries
24:57 Handling Emotions in Recovery
28:14 Speaking Up and Setting Boundaries
34:33 Parenting Reflections
38:21 Words of Encouragement
40:03 Conclusion and Gratitude
----Across the Web----
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Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 163 | Amilya, who experienced a tumultuous early life with familial addiction, turned to substances following a traumatic event in college. She describes her struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which led her to self-medicate with marijuana and alcohol. However, seeking a healthier path, she discovered the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) and embraced their resources. With the support of her mother, fiancé, and a solid recovery community, Amilya found balance and purpose. Now, she is thriving academically, interning, and deeply involved in helping others on their recovery journeys. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of recovery and community support.
00:00 Introduction and Host's Background
00:18 Guest Introduction and Early Life
00:57 Struggles with Addiction and Trauma
04:47 Path to Recovery and CCAR Involvement
06:40 Experiences in Recovery and Relationships
22:21 Future Aspirations and Current Recovery Practices
----Across the Web----
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Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 162 | Host TJ sits down with Michael Brunk, a passionate recovery ally. Michael delves deep into his family's experience with addiction, highlighting the significant impact on the family unit and the essential support needed for those in recovery. He reflects on his brother's active struggle with substance use and the pivotal moments that led Michael to make personal changes. Through his career in wellness, Michael shifted his focus from self-indulgence to helping others, bringing a unique perspective from the family's side of addiction. Together, TJ and Michael explore themes of family, self-love, personal growth, and the importance of a supportive community in the recovery journey.
00:00 Introduction to the Recovery Matters Podcast
00:23 Michael Brunk's Family and Addiction
01:09 Personal Struggles and Turning Points
01:58 The Impact of Addiction on Family
02:46 Recognizing and Addressing Addiction
04:27 The Role of Wellness in Recovery
12:29 Supporting Families in Crisis
21:00 Navigating Recovery Challenges
21:30 The Role of Family and Support Systems
22:22 Statistics and Realities of Treatment
24:48 Personal Stories and Experiences
29:46 The Importance of Self-Love in Recovery
34:12 Spirituality and Recovery
39:12 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude
----Across the Web----
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Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 161 | Rich St. Pierre recounts his challenging upbringing, the impact of family dynamics, and his turbulent years of substance use. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to recovery, including his experiences with various treatment programs and his ultimate decision to turn his life around. Rich highlights the importance of having a support system, finding new identities and passions, and maintaining accountability in recovery. He also delves into how martial arts and fitness played crucial roles in his sobriety and how he integrates these into his current life. Through his candid narration, Rich's story offers inspiration and valuable insights for anyone seeking or maintaining recovery.
00:00 Introduction and Host Background
00:29 Early Life and Family Struggles
03:20 High School and Descent into Addiction
06:09 Attempts at Recovery and Setbacks
08:36 Turning Point and Path to Recovery
18:16 Rebuilding Life and Finding Purpose
22:33 Coping with Loss in Recovery
23:27 The Importance of Therapy
24:58 Finding New Passions
26:42 Identity Beyond Addiction
29:42 The Role of Support Systems
32:37 The Power of Practice
39:03 Commitment to 12-Step Recovery
41:11 Incorporating Recovery into Daily Life
42:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
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Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 160 | John shares his personal story of growing up in an upper-middle-class family with a high-functioning alcoholic father. Despite a good upbringing, John's young adulthood spiraled into addiction, particularly with alcohol and later cocaine. He recounts his first experiences with these substances and the pivotal moments that led to his criminal activities. John was eventually sentenced to 12 years in prison, an event that he views as life-saving. During his incarceration, John experienced a spiritual awakening and committed to changing his life. He became heavily involved in addiction services and recovery programming. Upon his release, he found support at CCAR, where he now gives back as a recovery coach and volunteer. John emphasizes the importance of suggestions over advice and advocates for multiple pathways to recovery.
00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds
00:35 Early Life and Family Dynamics
03:04 First Encounters with Substance Use
04:37 Descent into Addiction
07:00 Criminal Activities and Consequences
07:36 Turning Point and Recovery Journey
11:36 Life After Recovery
19:46 Advice and Reflections
----Across the Web----
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In this bonus episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, we get to know Stacy Charpentier, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). Stacy shares her personal background, from her childhood in New Britain to her career journey that led her to CCAR. She discusses her family's struggle with addiction and recovery, highlighting the impact of her father's experience. Stacy outlines her previous roles at CCAR, including her work as the Director of Training, and emphasizes the importance of connection, communication, and compassion in recovery coaching. Stacy offers insights into the organizational culture at CCAR and shares candid advice on being genuine and the value of self-care within the community.
00:00 Introduction to the New Executive Director
00:29 Getting to Know Stacy Charpentier
01:09 Stacy's Journey to CCAR
04:01 Stacy's Personal Connection to Recovery
05:39 Family and Personal Life
09:18 Professional Growth and Achievements
13:20 The Impact of Recovery Coaching
16:52 Global Reach and Philosophy of CCAR
18:49 Sharing the Message of Recovery
19:59 The Magic of CCAR Community Centers
22:09 Supporting Each Other in Recovery
25:27 Accessing Recovery Resources
27:44 Advocacy and Awareness
28:42 Personal Reflections on Recovery
33:28 Rapid Fire Questions
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Antonio shares his story of growing up in challenging conditions in Puerto Rico, dealing with family addiction, and facing abuse and bullying. His life spiraled into substance use, gang involvement, and repeated incarcerations. Despite experiencing severe lows, including near-death experiences and encounters with meth addiction, Antonio finds hope through his wife’s support and a recovery community. With a determination to change, he transforms his life, dedicating himself to recovery and helping others in similar situations. His journey exemplifies resilience and the possibility of redemption.
00:00 Introduction and Host's Background
00:31 Antonio’s Early Life and Challenges
02:14 Struggles with Addiction and Crime
09:38 Turning Point and Recovery Journey
12:17 Finding Peace and Giving Back
20:47 Discovering the Truth About My Past
21:16 Overcoming Emotional Challenges
22:06 Finding Motivation and Building Relationships
23:16 Navigating Recovery Pathways
24:50 The Dangers of Relapse
26:26 The Impact of Fentanyl
28:14 The Importance of Positive Influences
35:16 Reflecting on True Friendship
36:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
----Across the Web----
🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us
✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/
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Lamont is a recovery coach who overcame a decades-long battle with substance use. He shares his experiences growing up in the Bronx, his introduction to marijuana in college, and his subsequent descent into crack cocaine addiction. He also recounts his struggles, including losing jobs, family turmoil, and multiple stints in rehab. Eventually, incarceration and support from CCAR helped him find his path to recovery. Lamont now dedicates his life to helping others in their recovery journeys and emphasizes the importance of support, community, and honesty. 00:00 Introduction and Background00:33 Early Life and College Years01:15 The Start of Drug Use02:38 Life in Addiction10:34 Turning Point and Recovery Journey18:58 Life After Recovery24:04 Final Thoughts and Reflections----Across the Web----🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🎙RecoveryMatters Podcast (Spotify):https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...🗣Recovery Matters TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?🗣Recovery Matters Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Jovan reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic provided unexpected opportunities for virtual support and fellowship through Zoom meetings and recovery houses. Now five years sober, Jovan discusses the serenity found in peaceful environments, the importance of making amends with loved ones, and the emotional complexities of rebuilding family relationships. His story underscores the resilience needed to maintain sobriety, the support of the recovery community, and the profound impact of open-mindedness and genuine connections. Jovan's testimony highlights his dedication to recovery, his gratitude for second chances, and his journey towards becoming a more engaged father and son.00:00 Introduction and Personal Recovery Journey00:24 Impact of COVID-19 on Recovery01:23 Building Fellowship During Isolation02:48 Challenges and Gratitude in Recovery05:13 Reflections on Addiction and Recovery08:24 Family and Personal Growth10:56 The Importance of Open-Mindedness in Recovery13:56 Generational Impact of Addiction23:27 Family Tragedies and Addiction23:43 A Father's Struggles and Support24:09 The Power of Recovery25:04 Rebuilding Relationships25:51 The Gift of Sobriety31:34 Acts of Kindness in Recovery36:11 Health Challenges and Resilience42:51 Reflections and Gratitude----Across the Web----🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🎙RecoveryMatters Podcast (Spotify):https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...🗣Recovery Matters TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?🗣Recovery Matters Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Connell shares his transformative journey on the Recovery Matters podcast, revealing how he overcame alcoholism that disrupted his marriage and career. Raised in Connecticut by a resilient single mom, he found initial recovery through a Florida rehab but faced relapses before fully committing to the process. With the support of AA and the recovery community, Connell embraced a life of integrity and self-care, ultimately becoming a dedicated father, uncle, and recovery coach. He discusses the importance of patience, meeting people where they are, and maintaining honesty. Connell highlights his personal growth, his commitment to helping others, and the fulfilling life he leads today thanks to his unwavering dedication to sobriety.00:00 Introduction and Host Background00:22 Early Life and Family Struggles01:07 Descent into Addiction02:41 Seeking Help and First Rehab Experience04:10 Challenges in Recovery05:44 Relapse and Realization06:26 Returning to Recovery07:01 Living with Integrity08:42 Building Positive Relationships09:25 Helping Others in Recovery10:41 Consistency and Availability11:40 Financial Responsibility and Gratitude12:31 Concluding Thoughts on Recovery----Across the Web----🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🎙RecoveryMatters Podcast (Spotify):https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...🗣Recovery Matters TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?🗣Recovery Matters Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Jillian, a recovery coach at CCAR, shares her inspiring journey to long-term sobriety. With a clean day since February 23rd, 2021, she describes her path from battling addiction, experiencing homelessness, and losing custody of her children to embracing recovery and finding purpose as a coach. She highlights the importance of treatment, healing past traumas, and the pivotal moment she decided to change her life. Working first at Planet Fitness and then at a private treatment center, she found her calling in helping others, particularly those in situations similar to hers. Jillian emphasizes the need for support resources, particularly for mothers, and encourages those struggling to seek help before it's too late. 00:00 Introduction and Host Background00:15 Guest Introduction and Recovery Journey00:29 Becoming a Recovery Coach00:52 Early Recovery Challenges04:09 Treatment and Sober Living06:25 Struggles and Turning Points12:07 Rebuilding Life and Relationships26:56 Current Life and Reflections29:58 Advice for Those Struggling----Across the Web----🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🎙RecoveryMatters Podcast (Spotify):https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...🗣Recovery Matters TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?🗣Recovery Matters Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Julio discusses the challenges he faced, including a relapse after a previous seven-year sobriety streak. He candidly talks about staying away from triggering environments, the impact of his addiction on family relationships, and his transformative experiences in rehabilitation. Julio sheds light on the emotional toll of addiction, including losing loved ones and dealing with a violent upbringing. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories00:32 Overcoming Relapse and Strategies for Staying Clean01:10 Challenges and Support Systems in Recovery02:00 Family Dynamics and Personal Struggles02:34 Homelessness and the Path to Detox03:55 Rehabilitation and Self-Reflection05:25 Building Relationships and Trust in Recovery11:06 Faith and Spiritual Growth12:20 Early Life and Introduction to Substance Use16:25 Realizing the Depth of Addiction19:03 A Dangerous Encounter20:47 Joining the Gang22:31 First Steps to Recovery23:56 A Life-Changing Event24:24 Struggles with Addiction25:50 Embracing Recovery28:45 The Importance of Support35:54 Words of Wisdom
Brian, a person in long-term recovery, shares struggles with substance use that began in his teenage years, his journey through various treatments, and the pivotal moments that led him to seek a different path. Brian discusses his experiences with methadone and Suboxone, his involvement with the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), and how he now gives back as a volunteer manager supporting others in their recovery journeys. His story is one of resilience, transformation, and the importance of community and hope in recovery.00:00 Introduction and Personal Recovery Stories02:34 Early Life and Struggles04:29 Descent into Addiction06:26 Realization and Attempts at Recovery13:37 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Recovery17:29 Life in Recovery and Giving Back29:58 Advice for Those Struggling
Betsy describes her journey from a turbulent childhood and early exposure to substance use to finding strength and purpose through faith and community support. Throughout her story, she details her personal struggles, the turning points that led her towards sobriety, and her work at the Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery, an organization that played a key role in her recovery. By reflecting on her past and embracing her faith, Betsy illustrates how transformative recovery can be, especially when one discovers one’s true purpose and builds a supportive network. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome00:38 Betsy's Recovery Journey Begins01:52 Faith and Family in Recovery02:42 Challenges of Young Parenthood04:39 Generational Struggles and Personal Growth06:26 Early Exposure to Alcohol and Toxic Relationships15:09 College Struggles and Finding CCAR16:24 Realizations and Changes at CCAR20:08 Parenting and Recovery26:43 Working with the Reentry Community32:36 Final Reflections and Message to Young Women
Sam shares her inspiring journey of long-term recovery, having been clean since August 11, 2020. Sam recounts her early life in Connecticut, her struggles with addiction, and the turning point that led her to seek help during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses her path through detox, rehab, and her commitment to the 12 Steps program. Sam also talks about rediscovering her passion for music, the importance of staying engaged in fun, sober activities, and her various roles in the recovery community, including her work as a peer support specialist and her creative outlets. Her story highlights the transformative power of recovery, community support, and personal growth.00:00 Introduction and Recovery Milestones01:32 Early Life and Struggles with Addiction07:28 The Turning Point: Seeking Recovery12:24 Entering Treatment and Early Sobriety13:45 Life in a Sober House15:32 Volunteer of the Year Award15:44 First Job in Recovery16:38 Music and Recovery25:32 Fun Activities in Recovery31:45 Identity and Recovery35:58 Concluding Thoughts
Bestselling author and national recovery advocate William Cope Moyers shares his journey of recovery, which began in 1989, and his unexpected encounter with prescribed pain medication in 2012. Despite having decades of sobriety and a wealth of recovery capital, Moyers struggled for a few years with addiction to painkillers following significant dental surgery. He highlights the complexities of addiction, the importance of anti-craving medications like Suboxone, and the stigma surrounding them. This episode explores Moyers' path to finding stability again and underscores the message that recovery is not a linear journey. His new book, “Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery” is out now!00:00 Introduction and Shared Experiences00:21 The Journey to Recovery01:22 Defining Recovery and Sobriety02:24 The Power of Belief and Hope05:34 Founding of CCAR and Advocacy09:35 Challenges and Misconceptions in Recovery13:27 Struggles with Pain Medication22:24 Recovery Capital and Its Importance31:13 Hitting Rock Bottom Sober31:44 Joining Al-Anon and Learning to Let Go32:18 Struggling with Pain Meds and Redefining Sobriety33:15 The God Box and Medallions34:22 Consecutive vs. Cumulative Sobriety38:07 Stigma Around Anti-Craving Medications42:03 Multiple Pathways to Recovery50:23 Personal Reflections on Life and Recovery01:01:32 Overview of the New Book
Shane shares his story of starting to drink at a young age, his college partying days, and the moment of clarity that led him to seek help. Despite numerous challenges, Shane's determination to overcome his addiction is evident. He discusses the importance of finding a personalized path to recovery and the role of sports and community outreach in his life post-recovery. The conversation highlights the power of the mind, the value of self-directed recovery, and the impact of helping others on one's own recovery journey.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:42 Shane's Early Drinking Days02:17 College and Escalation03:32 Turning Point and Seeking Help05:51 Entering Rehab and Detox07:21 Rehab Experiences and Realizations09:20 Transition to Outpatient Program11:21 Helping Others and Personal Growth14:26 Navigating Sobriety in Daily Life16:28 The Relentless Pursuit of Success16:58 Transforming Relationships and Social Circles17:30 Navigating Social Situations Sober18:26 The Power of Mindset in Overcoming Addiction19:05 Personal Stories of Rehab and Recovery22:44 Replacing Bad Habits with Good Ones27:49 Commitment and Discipline in Recovery31:22 Final Thoughts and Future Goals
Joe, who has been sober since November 11th, 2021, shares his story of battling addiction, the impact of early life experiences, and the moment of surrender that led him to recovery. Highlights include Joe's experience growing up in a family of drinkers, the trauma of losing his father, his transformative prison experiences, and how he has turned his recovery into a platform for giving back and inspiring others.00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds00:53 Joe's Journey into Recovery Coaching03:37 Early Life and Family Struggles06:48 The Impact of Loss and Addiction15:08 The Turning Point: Surrender and Rebirth17:39 The Turning Point: Making a Decision in Jail18:42 Finding Faith and Surrendering to a Higher Power20:01 Discovering AA and the 12 Steps20:24 The Power of Gratitude and Journaling21:40 Rebuilding Life After Prison23:37 Engaging with CCAR and Recovery Coaching27:23 Launching Big Joe Recovery30:59 Living a Life of Integrity and Wellness32:53 Final Reflections and Words of Wisdom
In this episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, host Phil welcomes Ahmed Abdel Aziz from Indivior, a global pharmaceutical company focused on addiction medicine. Ahmed introduces himself and discusses his passion for public health and addiction treatment. He highlights Indivior's commitment to transforming lives affected by substance use disorders, emphasizing the need to treat addiction as a disease, not a moral failing. Ahmed shares insights into common misconceptions about medication-assisted recovery and explains the importance of patient-centric and culturally competent care. They explore the evolving landscape of addiction recovery, including the potential of psychedelics and the principles of harm reduction. Ahmed also reflects on his personal journey and motivations for working in this field, rooted in early exposure to the pharmaceutical industry and personal experiences with friends affected by addiction. The conversation delves into broader societal perspectives on healthcare and the evolving role of big pharma in addressing public health challenges.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:19 Ahmed Abdel Aziz's Background and Indivior's Mission01:33 Common Medications and Misconceptions03:51 Ahmed's Personal Journey into Addiction Medicine06:46 Family and Future Generations08:46 Shifts in Addiction and Recovery Perspectives12:37 Multiple Pathways to Recovery22:10 Hot Topics: Psychedelics and Harm Reduction29:27 Big Pharma and Population Health36:41 Spirituality and Recovery Coaching43:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
On this week's Recovery Matters Podcast, Phil and Tommy Rosen discuss the current state of addiction treatment, with a focus on the over-reliance on medication. They reflect on their personal recovery journeys, highlighting the importance of 12-step programs, yoga, and other non-pharmacological methods to achieve lasting sobriety. Rosen shares his transformation through yoga and meditation, manifesting a broader vision of recovery beyond traditional methods. The conversation delves into the significance of offering multiple pathways to recovery, the impact of the addictive past, and the essential spiritual pursuit of purpose in life.00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:52 Concerns About Medication in Addiction Treatment02:21 Historical Perspective on Addiction Treatment03:36 The Rise of Medication-Assisted Treatment05:44 Personal Recovery Stories and Philosophies14:48 The Role of Yoga in Recovery22:21 Childhood Reflections and Hyperactivity24:44 Reflecting on Childhood and Early Challenges25:54 Struggles with Addiction and Substance Use30:51 The Turning Point: Embracing Recovery31:26 The Power of the 12 Steps34:13 Relapse and Redemption39:26 Exploring New Paths to Recovery49:24 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life53:47 Conclusion and Future Plans
Cameron, a Harm Reduction Coordinator, delves into the complexity of human behavior, societal structures, and the importance of humane treatment for individuals still using substances. They discuss philosophical and practical aspects of harm reduction, including the distribution of clean syringes and Narcan, drug checking, and the necessity of treating those with substance use disorders with dignity and respect. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the different paths to recovery and the vital role harm reduction plays in keeping communities safe.00:00 Introduction and Personal Recovery Stories00:47 Challenges and Turning Points in Recovery05:04 Understanding Harm Reduction08:59 Harm Reduction in Practice12:40 The Importance of Compassion and Dignity14:18 The Role of Harm Reduction in Public Health25:16 Personal Reflections and Future Goals39:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Michael celebrated one year of sobriety on June 24th, 2024. He delves into his deep-rooted battle with addiction. Michael details his life as an everyday meth user, starting at the age of 21, despite coming from a family with a history of substance use. He recounts his initial meth experience at an after-hours party in Fort Lauderdale and how he got entangled in a drug-fueled lifestyle that included sex clubs and parties. Michael shares his struggles with heroin and his transition into IV drug use, his relationships, and the domestic violence he endured, which led to contracting HIV. He speaks candidly about his eventually turning to escorting as a means of survival and how the COVID-19 lockdowns brought him back to the East Coast. The pivotal moment for Michael came when he received a federal target letter, prompting him to seek recovery. He discusses his path to sobriety, including attending meetings at CCAR, taking care of his aunt, and engaging in therapy. Michael's story is a testament to the resilience required to overcome addiction and the transformative power of recovery.00:00 Introduction to TJ and Michael00:08 Michael's Journey into Addiction02:50 The Party Lifestyle and Meth03:52 Experiences with Different Drugs05:15 Struggles and Turning Points14:25 Life in the Gay Community25:05 Relationships and Domestic Violence32:38 Path to Recovery36:05 Finding New Pathways39:12 Conclusion and Reflections
James, an author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach, shares his tumultuous journey dealing with substance use, injuries, and life's setbacks. He details how his fiancée and a spiritual awakening led him to sobriety, eventually becoming a motivational writer and recovery coach. With an emphasis on the importance of a supportive community, therapy, and spirituality, James highlights the transformative power of recovery and the impact of addressing both physical and emotional pain.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:43 James' Journey to Recovery03:13 Overcoming Physical and Emotional Pain05:19 Writing and Promoting Books09:53 Spiritual Awakening and Recovery15:03 Challenges and Lessons from the Streets22:22 Turning Point and New Beginnings23:01 Shared Experiences and Reflections23:19 Challenges of Jail Life24:14 Path to Recovery24:37 Holistic Approach to Well-being25:51 Importance of Community Support26:29 Role of Recovery Coaching27:24 Finding Purpose in Recovery30:39 Consistency and New Habits35:35 Volunteering and Community Engagement37:05 Final Thoughts and Connection
Jose shares his compelling journey from a troubled childhood in Puerto Rico and chaotic life in Bridgeport, CT, to a life led by addiction, criminal activity, and multiple incarcerations. He candidly discusses the trials of his youth, becoming a drug dealer, battling with heroin and crack addiction, and the impact it had on his family and personal life. The turning point came when he encountered recovery coaches from CCAR. With their support, Jose transformed his life, found purpose, reconnected with his family, and now dedicates himself to helping others in similar situations, illustrating the power and possibility of recovery.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:40 Jose's Early Life in Puerto Rico00:54 Transition to the United States01:22 First Encounters with Drugs02:29 Descent into Addiction02:50 Life on the Streets08:20 First Incarceration and Aftermath12:50 Struggles with Recovery18:32 A Turning Point21:41 Facing the Judge: A Heartfelt Plea23:31 A Turning Point: The Power of Recovery Coaching24:37 A New Beginning: Becoming a Volunteer26:06 Learning and Growing: Embracing Recovery33:59 Reconnecting with Family: Actions Speak Louder37:56 The Power of Community: Finding Purpose41:47 A New Addiction: Living and Loving Life42:14 Final Thoughts: The Journey of Recovery
Jake shares his initial struggles with addiction, multiple attempts at recovery, and the significant turning points that led him to a sustainable, fulfilling life in sobriety. They discuss the challenges of early recovery, the importance of honesty and authentic support, and how Jake eventually found contentment and purpose, including his work in the recovery space and achieving personal milestones like marriage. 00:00 Introduction and Host's Recovery Journey00:19 Guest Jake's Recovery Story Begins01:20 The Turning Point: Seeking Help03:40 Challenges in Detox12:36 Life in Residential Program14:56 Conflict and Resolution19:58 Relapse and Continued Struggles21:09 Starting the Recovery Journey22:11 Struggles and Realizations23:42 Finding a New Path27:51 Embracing Honesty29:29 Building a New Life35:10 Life Today and Reflections
In this compelling episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, host TJ engages in an inspiring conversation with Craig M., a long-term addict who has been clean since April 19th, 2018. Craig shares raw and heartfelt details about his tumultuous past, including his discovery of being adopted, struggles with addiction, and multiple incarcerations. This story highlights the transformative power of recovery, the importance of building a supportive network, and the profound realizations that led Craig to embrace a new life. His journey from darkness to redemption is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the impact of a strong recovery community.00:00 Introduction to TJ and Craig's Recovery Journey01:08 Craig's Early Life and Adoption Revelation03:57 Descent into Addiction and Legal Troubles05:57 Struggles with Recovery and Relapse09:59 Turning Point in Prison19:05 Life in Prison and Recovery Program24:51 Struggling with Addiction in Prison25:44 A Turning Point: April 19th, 201827:04 Rejoining the Recovery Program28:07 Fighting for Health and Recovery28:58 Discovering CCAR and Peer Mentorship30:29 Creating a New Life Plan35:00 Overcoming Temptations and Staying Clean43:22 The Importance of a Strong Network44:38 Conclusion and Reflections
In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, Celine recounts her struggles and ultimate surrender to addiction, a process that began with a tumultuous life marked by desperation and withdrawal symptoms. Her compelling story highlights the physical and mental challenges of finding a detox facility and the pivotal moment of divine intervention that led her to recovery. Celine also discusses her upbringing in a household affected by substance misuse, the emotional toll it took on her, and how she overcame familial and personal battles. The episode concludes with Celine reflecting on her meaningful recovery process, her ongoing relationship with her higher power, and her dedication to helping others as a recovery coach.00:00 Introduction and Host's Background00:19 Guest's Early Recovery Journey01:26 Struggles and Turning Points04:15 Desperation and Seeking Help06:51 Finding Hope and Support11:07 Temptation and Support in Recovery14:01 Host's Temptation Story15:06 Changes in Recovery Over Time15:21 Guest's Childhood and Upbringing15:28 Growing Up in West Hartford16:02 Life with a Tricarious Mother16:58 Childhood Trauma and Drug Exposure20:05 Struggles with Alcohol22:38 The Turning Point26:44 Rebuilding and Recovery32:53 Words of Encouragement
In this emotional episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, host TJ chats with Jason, who shares the intense and harrowing story of his struggles with addiction and his path to recovery. Jason reveals his early start with substance use at the age of 12, driven by an abusive household, and his subsequent descent into the world of drugs and criminal activity. The narrative covers his multiple incarcerations, the lows of his addiction, moments of introspection, and pivotal turning points. Jason also talks about how he found a support system through Narcotics Anonymous, rediscovered his self-worth, and eventually turned his life around. This episode serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of recovery.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:30 Jason's Early Drug Use and Family Struggles02:41 Life on the Streets and First Encounter with Cocaine07:21 Living with a New Family and Deeper Involvement in Drugs10:50 First Trouble with the Law and Juvenile Detention14:16 Life in Juvenile Detention and Reinforced Addiction17:52 The Halfway House Experience18:19 A Counselor's Eye-Opening Advice20:01 Struggles with Relapse21:54 A Humbling Experience23:33 A Turning Point26:02 Starting Over32:28 Recovery and Rediscovery
In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, host TJ, a young person in long-term recovery, converses with Mike, who has been in recovery since March 5, 1984. Mike shares his journey, beginning with his struggles with alcohol from the age of 12, escalating during his time in the Air Force, and eventually leading to his turning point at 21. They discuss the role of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the importance of connection in recovery, and the concept of living one day at a time. Mike also opens up about his experience of coming to terms with his sexuality and the eventual acceptance from his family. Both TJ and Mike emphasize the significance of honesty, dealing with fear, and the support from peers in their recovery journeys. Mike reflects on the realization that most fears are unfounded and talks about the evolution of his personal identity while in recovery.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:31 Mike's Early Struggles with Alcohol02:18 The Turning Point: Entering Recovery05:12 The Importance of Connection in Recovery05:29 TJ's Recovery Journey07:46 Identity and Recovery10:27 Living Authentically in Recovery15:40 Overcoming Fear and Shame18:34 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Phil discusses his diagnosis of diffuse aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and his reflections on dealing with cancer for the second time, emphasizing his attempts to put affairs in order and contemplate the significance of life and the possibility of an afterlife. Jackie shares her story of being diagnosed with leukemia at 17, undergoing a bone marrow transplant, and facing various long-term side effects and subsequent cancer diagnoses. The conversation also explores their attitudes towards treatment decisions, the importance of self-care, and the support they've received from their community. Throughout, both exhibit a strong sense of resilience, focusing on living in the present, the therapeutic value of creating art, and the idea of legacy and impact on others.00:00 A Heartfelt Conversation on Cancer and Resilience02:32 The Second Battle: Doubts and Reflections13:35 Navigating Treatment Choices and Embracing Uncertainty18:52 Exploring Faith and Spirituality Through Cancer Recovery22:06 Reflecting on Life's Challenges and the Journey of Recovery22:19 Embracing Retirement and Passing the Torch23:33 The Essence of Recovery and Self-Care27:22 Personal Growth and Future Aspirations34:41 The Healing Power of Community Support and Spirituality38:37 Navigating the Side Effects of Treatment and Embracing Change
In this raw and deeply personal conversation, previously recorded on 2/6/24, Sandy and Phil Valentine openly discuss Phil's cancer diagnosis and the impact it is having on their lives. As Phil is preparing to start chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin's B Cell Lymphoma, they reflect on their experiences of Phil's previous bout with cancer in 2010. Sandy expresses her struggle with seeing her partner in pain again while Phil shares his contemplation on death, revealing spiritual questions and emotional fears. The couple discusses the importance of kindness, community and maintaining a strong support system. Through it all, they highlight the importance of recovery and their faith, reiterating their determination to stay resilient against cancer.00:00 Introduction and Catching Up00:06 Reflecting on Past Experiences with Cancer01:35 Dealing with Emotions and Anger02:27 Facing a New Diagnosis: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma05:07 Understanding the Medical Process and Delays05:44 Navigating the Healthcare System07:54 Contemplating Mortality and the Afterlife08:44 Facing the Possibility of Death14:31 Dealing with Anger and Emotional Changes18:18 Understanding the Treatment Regimen18:46 The Four Quadrants of Health21:16 The Role of Art in Coping24:20 Facing Chemotherapy30:34 The Impact on Family33:00 The Power of Kindness34:55 Coming to Terms with the Unknown
Journey through Recovery: A Conversation with Dr. Rick DavilaIn this podcast episode, Dr. Rick Davila shares his personal journey with recovery from alcohol addiction which started in October 1966, when he was only seven years old. He shares about his transformative years, the importance of 12-step recovery programs and his strong emphasis on AA meetings for his recovery. Davila explains his experience of transitioning from a troubled adolescent, a military stint and his struggle with heavy alcoholism to becoming a recovery coach. Despite his struggles, he emphasizes his commitment to helping others battling with addiction. He reflects upon the evolution of alcohol and drug rehabilitation treatment, and the emergence of multiple pathways to recovery beyond the traditional 12 step programs. Finally, he expresses his view on maintaining daily recovery wellness and his continued commitment to assisting others on their path to recovery.00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation00:05 Dr. Rick Davila's Early Life and Recovery Journey01:13 Military Service and Struggles with Alcohol02:33 Discovering Alcoholics Anonymous and Recovery Culture04:04 The Struggles and Challenges of Early Recovery07:27 Transition into the Field of Helping Others08:14 The Impact of Ego and Power in Recovery10:36 Returning to the Field and Overcoming Challenges16:19 Maintaining Recovery and Giving Back to the Community16:51 Reflections on Multiple Pathways to Recovery20:17 Closing Remarks and Reflections
Connolly shares his personal experiences with drug and alcohol addiction, the impact it had on his relationships and the constant cycle of recovery and relapse. He discusses his experiences with treatment centers and the struggle of finding inner peace. Despite battling his addiction, Connelli also opens up about his desire to help others, hinting at potentially becoming a recovery coach himself. The candid dialogue offers a deep and genuine insight into the struggles, fears, and hopes surrounding the road to recovery.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:31 Understanding Recovery and Its Impact
01:16 Childhood and Early Life Experiences
02:43 Passions and Interests Growing Up
04:56 Transition into Teenage Years and Early Signs of Addiction
08:20 Struggles with Addiction and Consequences
11:57 Attempts at Recovery and Relapses
11:59 Impact of Addiction on Personal Relationships
17:29 Current State of Recovery and Future Aspirations
27:34 The Importance of Helping Others in Recovery
28:09 Understanding Impulsivity in Addiction
30:12 The Struggle of Relapse
32:09 The Role of Faith in Recovery
35:44 The Consequences of Relapse
36:45 The Power of Choice in Recovery
45:12 The Fear of Relapse
49:11 The Value of Continuous Recovery
52:35 The Role of Helping Others in Personal Recovery
A conversation with Nico Morales about his journey through addiction, recovery, and personal development.
00:00 Starting the Recovery Journey
01:18 Embracing Recovery
02:50 Overcoming Addiction
05:05 A Typical Day in Addiction
02:46 Finding Purpose in Recovery
41:22 Recovering from Collapse Hips
45:18 Conclusion
In this riveting episode, Jesse shares his tumultuous journey from incarceration to recovery. With multiple stints in prison and unsuccessful treatments, he found himself at the crossroads of life when his brother faced a life-threatening accident. Forced to confront the reality of his choices, Jesse took the difficult path towards self-improvement, personal growth, and healing. Now a recovery coach at Teen Challenge, he offers an unflinching look at the struggles and triumphs of fighting addiction. This episode delves into the power of community, the significance of accountability, and the profound impact of genuine transformation.
In this episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, host Phil interviews Randy Anderson, a person living in long-term recovery since January 9, 2005. Randy is also a recovery coach and the founder of Bold North Recovery. The episode delves into Randy's journey from addiction to recovery, highlighting the significant role that law enforcement intervention played in his life. Randy shares a pivotal moment in his treatment when a counselor's challenging words ignited his determination to recover.
Randy also discusses his advocacy work, particularly in the realm of drug sentencing reform. He emphasizes the racial disparities in the criminal justice system and calls for more people in recovery to get politically involved. Randy believes that the only way to bring about meaningful change is for people in recovery to have a seat at every table, or better yet, to build their own table for others to join.
The episode serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of recovery and the importance of advocacy in effecting systemic change.
Nicole, a dedicated recovery coach, and advocate, shares her transformative journey through addiction, recovery, and becoming a guiding force in the lives of others. Nicole's story begins with her struggles with substance use, which led to an eventual realization of her need for change. With determination and support, she embarked on a path of recovery, facing challenges and rebuilding trust with her children along the way.
Nicole's dedication to mental health and the holistic aspects of recovery is evident throughout her narrative. She emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health simultaneously with substance use treatment, sharing how she integrated coping skills and structure into her parenting style. Her commitment to her own recovery and helping others eventually led her to become a recovery coach, a role she wholeheartedly embraced.
Through her coaching work, Nicole witnessed the power of mentorship and building a support system in the recovery process. She highlights the transformative impact of coaching, describing the satisfaction of seeing individuals experience relief from the grip of addiction. Nicole also discusses the significance of finding a spiritual path that resonates personally, as well as the integration of holistic modalities like reiki, meditation, and essential oils to support well-being in recovery.
Nicole's story underscores the importance of perseverance, community, and embracing one's passions in the recovery journey. From battling addiction to becoming a recovery coach, she exemplifies the potential for personal growth and positive change when one commits to a life of sobriety and helping others.
In this podcast episode, Sandy and Phil interview Kathie, who shares her journey of recovery and how she helps others on their recovery paths. Kathy's story is a unique blend of personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Kathie's life took a significant turn when she became involved with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 2010, which she credits with saving her life and changing her lifestyle. She emphasizes the transformative impact of AA's 12-step program on her life. However, Kathie also introduces her approach as a "Renegade AA person," recognizing that people in recovery need more than just the traditional 12-step approach.
Kathie's work extends beyond AA meetings. She discusses her involvement with an IOP (Intensive Outpatient) treatment program at a hospital, where she provides support to individuals dealing with a variety of challenges, including alcohol and drug issues, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Kathie adapts the 12-step approach to cater to these diverse needs, integrating additional elements like yoga, meditation, and nature excursions into her methods.
Kathie's past is marked by personal struggles, including dealing with her parents' divorce at a young age, which significantly impacted her sense of self and desire to please others. She describes her journey through marriages, losses, and various coping mechanisms, including alcohol and drug use.
Through her own experiences, Kathie offers wisdom and advice to those seeking recovery. She encourages individuals to reach out for help before they succumb to desperate situations, emphasizing the importance of seeking support and finding healthy outlets. Kathie's dedication to helping others find their unique paths to recovery and well-being is evident in her commitment to hosting meetings, offering guidance, and fostering a sense of community.
Overall, Kathie's story is one of resilience, growth, and compassion. Her approach to recovery serves as a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and individuals should explore different pathways to find what works best for them.
Corri, a harm reduction advocate, shares her journey of personal recovery from substance use and self-destructive behaviors. She discusses her role as the manager of drug user health at Nasdat, a nonprofit organization focusing on harm reduction. Corri explains that Nasdat operates a Technical Assistance Center for Harm Reduction, providing resources and training to support harm reduction practices for various organizations and individuals.
She introduces harm reduction strategies like syringe exchange programs and safe consumption sites. Syringe exchange programs allow individuals to safely dispose of used syringes and obtain sterile ones, reducing the spread of infectious diseases and encouraging treatment. Safe consumption sites provide supervised spaces for substance use, with medical professionals present to prevent overdoses and offer resources.
Phil inquires about the arguments against safe consumption sites, to which Corri emphasizes the importance of compassion and support over shame and stigma. She believes that meeting individuals where they are and providing a nonjudgmental environment can make a significant positive impact.
Corri opens up about her personal recovery journey, her struggles with opioid use, and other self-destructive behaviors. She found recovery through therapy, community support, and engaging in creative activities such as yoga, aerial arts, and art journaling. Corri is open about occasional recreational substance use like marijuana and wine, which she views within a harm reduction context.
She discusses her upcoming presentation at the Multiple Pathways to Recovery conference in August, where she plans to delve into harm reduction principles and how they can be incorporated into different practices.
Throughout the conversation, Corri emphasizes the importance of harm reduction as a way to provide support, compassion, and resources to individuals struggling with substance use and promote their overall well-being.
Ted Perkins is a former Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Studio executive, university lecturer, public speaker, Hollywood producer, virtual reality entrepreneur, and successful working film and TV series screenwriter. He volunteers his time as an addiction and recovery YouTube personality, sobriety mentor, and has helped thousands of people on their recovery journey through his essays, videos and weekly SMART Recovery meetings. He is the author of ADDICTED in FILM: Movies We Love About the Habits We Hate and Founder/CEO of the new mutual support meeting format Recovery Movie Meet-Ups. Perkins has lived and worked in over 50 countries, and now resides in Los Angeles.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Cassandra Dorius and hosts Phil & Sandy discuss the importance of community and evidence-based practices in recovery from addiction. Dr. Dorius, who lost her brother to alcoholism, shares her personal experiences with addiction and recovery, and her work in establishing Recovery Community Centers (RCCs) in Iowa. She emphasizes the importance of creating welcoming spaces for people in recovery, and the need for flexibility and adaptability in providing support.
They also discuss the impact of substance use disorders and recovery on individuals, families, and communities. They talk about the importance of considering the entire community around a person with a substance use disorder, and the ripple effects it can have on others. They also touch on the idea of recovery being contagious and how it strengthens communities.
The conversation then moves on to the topic of evidence-based practices. Dr. Dorius raises the question of whether the term "evidence-based practice" has become somewhat of a throwaway phrase, and people use it without fully understanding or having actual evidence to back it up. She emphasizes the importance of being skeptical and critical of research and data, while also acknowledging the need for good governance and making decisions based on both data and common sense.
Finally, the speakers touch on the impact of technology and the pandemic on young people and their need for self-medicating at younger ages. They emphasize the need to adapt interventions and practices to suit the current generation's unique challenges.
This podcast episode provides a valuable overview of the complex and multifaceted nature of recovery work. It highlights the importance of community, evidence-based practices, and being mindful and adaptable in helping individuals on their recovery journey.
For everything Recovery Matters Podcast, visit https://linktr.ee/recoverymatters
Taylor's story begins with her early exposure to alcohol and its social allure, leading her into a tumultuous world of partying and experimentation with drugs. As she delves into her twenties, she finds herself spiraling into codependent and abusive relationships. Despite attempts to pursue education, her life seems fragmented and lacking stability.
However, amidst the chaos, Taylor's determination shines through as she takes the brave step of seeking therapy. Her therapist becomes a guiding light, helping her to unravel the complexities of her past and navigate her emotions. Taylor's journey into self-awareness and healing unfolds, setting the foundation for her recovery path.
Taylor's path to recovery takes her through AA meetings and intensive outpatient programs. She shares her experiences of leveling up her drinking habits, experimenting with substances, and finally acknowledging her powerlessness over alcohol. Her dedication to therapy and AA meetings empowers her to confront her past, heal from traumas, and find a renewed sense of self-worth.
As her life takes a positive turn, Taylor realizes the importance of staying connected to people in recovery, her sponsor, and supportive friends. Her spiritual condition evolves, finding solace in prayers and embracing a unique and personal relationship with a higher power. Taylor's recovery journey is further enriched by her newfound role as a mother, where she discovers the significance of faith and letting go of fears.
As a recovery coach with over six years of sobriety, Sonia Kahlon shares her personal struggles with addiction and how she found her path to healing. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Sonia has been living in the States for 25 years. She reflects on her early experiences attending non-12-step meetings, where she initially felt disconnected from the recovery community. Growing up as the only Indian kid in a predominantly white school, Sonia always felt like she didn't fit in, a common experience for many individuals who turn to addiction. Alcohol was introduced to her at a young age, and she vividly recalls the void it filled in her life, temporarily alleviating anxiety and discomfort. Over time, alcohol became both a social lubricant and a coping mechanism, leading to a decade-long battle with binge drinking. Sonia's drinking escalated when she started a business after college, using alcohol to escape the pressures of work. This took a toll on her mental and physical well-being, resulting in sleepless nights and constant hangovers. Although she acknowledged the problem a few years before quitting, Sonia struggled to imagine a life without alcohol and feared missing out on experiences. However, Sonia's perspective began to shift when she explored new interests and hobbies that she had neglected during her drinking years. By selling her business and working with incarcerated individuals and victims of sex trafficking, she discovered fulfillment in serving others. Embracing her curiosity, she reignited her passion for art and writing, using these creative outlets to express her journey of sobriety. Despite her ex-husband's lack of support, Sonia found strength and the encouragement to seek recovery on her own. Throughout the episode, Sonia addresses the challenges she faced when her ex-husband questioned her sobriety and blamed it for their relationship issues. She recognized that his criticisms stemmed from his discomfort with her new identity as a sober person. Despite the pain caused by their breakup, Sonia firmly believes that her recovery and sobriety were not the problem. She acknowledges the transformative power of recovery in her personal growth and finding her true purpose—helping other high-functioning addicts who may struggle to identify with traditional notions of addiction.
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In this episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, our guest Katrina opens up about her journey, starting from a young age. Growing up in a chaotic and dysfunctional household, Katrina felt invisible, yearning to be seen and heard. She found solace in substances, which initially numbed her inner demons and provided a sense of belonging. As she delves into her story, Katrina reflects on her early experiences with alcohol at the age of 11, a pivotal moment that awakened something within her. Seeking comfort and an escape from her pain, she turned to alcohol, weed, pills, and eventually more potent substances.
Katrina's childhood was marked by the absence of parental guidance, as her parents divorced when she was in the third grade. Her mother struggled with alcohol addiction, while her father drank heavily. With little supervision, Katrina and her siblings navigated their upbringing independently, forming a tight-knit bond amidst the challenges they faced. Financial struggles were a constant, and the lack of parental presence left Katrina feeling unprotected and yearning for stability.
Our hosts, Sandy and Phil, draw parallels from their own experiences, relating to how substances became their armor against social anxiety and allowed them to navigate the world. Despite their different backgrounds, they share the common thread of seeking solace through substance use. Sandy and Phil explore Katrina's feelings of invisibility and her ability to live in the shadows, unraveling her need for recognition and acceptance.
Katrina's anger in middle school was an expression of her pent-up emotions, a manifestation of her feeling invisible and unheard. She adopted a tough persona, pushing people away and embracing a "don't care" attitude. This led to confrontations and bouts of bullying, although Katrina herself admits that she was not a skilled fighter.
As the conversation progresses, Katrina's vulnerability shines through, and she reflects on her past with a mix of remorse and understanding. Through sharing her story, she aims to shed light on the complexities of addiction and the underlying pain that often drives it.
Join us for this heartfelt conversation as Katrina courageously shares her journey, highlighting the power of resilience and the hope of recovery.
In this gripping podcast episode, we meet Tiffany, a 33-year-old hospital patient with a harrowing journey of addiction and resilience. Tiffany shares her story, beginning with her troubled childhood, marked by strict parenting and sexual abuse. Seeking solace outside her home, she turned to drugs and joined a gang at the age of 16.As Tiffany's drug use escalated, she experimented with various substances, including cocaine and opioids. Unaware of the risks and dangers, she became dependent on prescription medication, leading her down a destructive path. Eventually, she turned to heroin, engaging in prostitution and engaging in risky behaviors to sustain her addiction.Tiffany's life took a tragic turn when she witnessed her friend being murdered while trying to protect her. Despite this traumatic event, Tiffany couldn't break free from her addiction. Her desperation led her into a dangerous encounter where she narrowly escaped being killed herself.After countless encounters with law enforcement, hospital visits, and failed attempts at getting clean, Tiffany finally reached a turning point. On June 12th, 2022, she found herself in the hospital with a heart infection caused by drug use. This incident, coupled with her immense suffering, motivated her to seek a way out.Although Tiffany's journey is filled with darkness and despair, her story ultimately carries a message of hope and transformation. Join us as we explore Tiffany's path to recovery, her battles with mental health issues, and her quest for redemption amidst the grips of addiction.Through her raw and honest account, Tiffany sheds light on the complex nature of addiction, the depths of despair it can lead to, and the resilience and strength required to reclaim one's life. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion, understanding, and support in helping individuals break free from the cycle of addiction.
Prepare to be inspired as Shaun Weiss, renowned for his role as Greg Goldberg in The Mighty Ducks, joins Phil and Sandy on an episode of the captivating Recovery Matters podcast. Shaun's story is one of resilience, as he not only triumphed over addiction but also overcame homelessness and the challenges of life on the streets. Throughout this engaging conversation, he shares his path to recovery and how he continues to nurture his well-being today.Initially perplexed by the inspiration others drew from his story, he persevered in sharing it, only truly understanding its significance after encountering Matthew Perry's transformative narrative. Fueled by this newfound understanding, Shaun aspires to be the beacon of hope that Perry was to him, guiding others toward recovery.Shaun's story is one of triumph over adversity. Today, he cherishes his recovery and diligently cares for it. Prepare to be moved by Shaun's captivating tale of redemption and resilience. Join the Recovery Matters podcast to witness firsthand the indomitable spirit of someone who has reclaimed their life.
Chelsea grew up in a religious part of the South United States. After graduating from high school, she moved out of her parents' house and began partying, smoking weed and eventually trying drugs like ecstasy and crystal meth. She thought she was just having a good time with everyone else, but quickly realized that her substance use had become an addiction.Chelsea began to experience sleep deprivation as a result of her drug use. She would stay up for days at a time, and when she finally did sleep, she would only get a few hours. This sleep deprivation had a profound impact on her mental health. She began to experience delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. She also became increasingly irritable and aggressive.Chelsea's family eventually intervened and took her to treatment. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and addiction, and she began a long and difficult journey to recovery. She has been sober for over 10 years, and she is now a vocal advocate for mental health awareness.
Ryan Sims, a Department of Corrections Recovery Coach, discusses his difficult childhood experience, including his mother's drug addiction and molestation, and his early experiences with drinking and smoking, which eventually led to his first time in prison. He also reflects on finding acceptance and identity while incarcerated, his journey of recovery and self-acceptance, and how his life changed after finding recovery through a recovery coach. As a former member of a well known biker gang, he reflects on his violent past experiences and how he found redemption through recovery.
"Visions" is a moving play that tackles substance use and recovery through depicting the journey of addiction and the awakening of individuals to their problem, leading them to seek help and join Twelve Step programs. The play has reached tens of thousands of people, with the troupe performing in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, shelters, youth houses, and correction centers, where they use the powerful medium of theater to educate about addiction and show that recovery is possible. The play has also been presented to churches, schools, and communities, usually with no fee, except for raising money for charitable organizations. The cast and crew have formed a not-for-profit organization, Visions Recovery Inc, dedicated to substance use prevention and recovery education. Bob L., the author, producer/director, initially penned the images in his head during breaks on his job in an automotive plant, and after facing initial rejection from community theaters, he sought help from friends and acquaintances to form a cast. The play has won several awards for community service and volunteerism, including the State of New Jersey Governor's Volunteer Award in the Arts and Humanities and the Presidential Points of Light Award.
Rex ShadesEagle returns to our podcast, discussing the unexpected success of his TikTok video which gained 3.6 million views. Despite the popularity, Rex opens up about the online hate he received, challenging his statements about staying awake for 31 days. He also talks to us about his upcoming Ride 4 Life USA bike tour for suicide prevention.
In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, Rob Decker of Rise as Lions shares his personal experience with trauma and addiction, emphasizing the importance of bringing traumas to light without judgment or shame. He recalls his own journey of recovery and the moment of clarity that led him to turn his life around. Rob discusses the reality of sobriety and how it involves ongoing work and mindfulness. He explains that his own childhood experiences of rejection, neglect, isolation, and abandonment had hindered his emotional development and led to his self-medication with drugs and alcohol. The speaker also shares the traumatic events from his childhood, including being told his father wasn't his real dad and being molested at a young age. Despite these challenges, the speaker is committed to helping others navigate their own traumas and learn to love themselves instead of turning to self-medication. This honest and candid conversation highlights the importance of ongoing healing and growth in the recovery journey.
Recovery Matters Podcast host Phil Valentine is interviewed as shares his personal experiences with addiction and recovery. From growing up in Manchester, Connecticut to the impact of alcohol and drug use on academic performance, he discusses the challenges and regrets of struggling with addiction in college. He also delves into cocaine addiction and recovery, including the impact on relationships and health. Faith's role in recovery is explored, as well as the importance of building a recovery community and its impact on family life.
TJ, a recovery advocate and Young People And Family Services program manager at CCAR, shares his journey of overcoming addiction and finding a new career path. Topics discussed include growing up in a divorced household, experiencing drugs and alcohol for the first time, early adoption of opiates, medication-assisted treatment, Narcan accessibility, creating a supportive space for parents in recovery, and more.
Jack reflects on his experience with alcohol addiction, beginning with a seemingly innocent encounter with alcohol at a party with friends during high school. He recalls getting caught drinking for the first time by his parents, and then using alcohol to cope with the pandemic-induced lack of social connection and activities. As Jack’s addiction progressed, he began to drink heavily and got into encounters with the police. Jack’s parents (interviewed in last week’s Recovery Matters Podcast) were by his side, offering support and help, which played a vital role in his recovery.
This conversation centers around the challenges Tom, his wife Sheila, and their family faced in trying to help their son, Jack, recover from addiction. They talk about how they tried various unsuccessful methods to get him to stop, and the challenges of looking for a college that could provide a supportive recovery environment . Eventually, they were lucky enough to find one with a collegiate recovery program, the University of Connecticut aka UConn.
Nanette Ginse, a licensed massage therapist and board-certified reflexologist, has a passion for teaching and bodywork. She has traveled to China to experience Chinese medicine and worked as an instructor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and Acupressure for 18 years. Nanette's interest in helping others led her to found a non-profit organization, Self Care For Recovery, in February 2022. Her mission is to provide free therapeutic bodywork to women in early sobriety who cannot afford complementary/alternative healthcare. Her goal is to help these women reach their self-care goals and experience healing through her skillful touch.
Calliese Conner shares her journey to becoming a recovery coach and building a recovery community in the UK. She reflects on her experience with the Recovery Coach Academy and her passion for bringing more recovery resources to her community. Also discussed is the importance of treating people as resources and the impact of language and relationships in the recovery process.
In this podcast, guest Mukta shares her personal journey of discovering the therapeutic benefits of yoga and how it has transformed her life. She emphasizes the importance of practicing what you preach and living the lifestyle you share with others. Mukta discusses the concept of the embroidery of hours, a peaceful time of the day that begins two and a half hours before sunrise, where many spiritual people perform morning prayers and connect their body, mind, and spirit. She also talks about the importance of having a centered mind and shares her own practice of rising two and a half hours before sunrise. As a vegetarian, she recommends a diet rich in whole fruits, grains, vegetables, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and cheeses and does not drink alcohol. Mukta is associated with a nonprofit organization called Super Health, promoting healthy living, and encourages more people to be aware of their work.
Kate Duffy is an Interventionist and Family Addiction Expert. She is a catalyst for change who has been inspiring recovery and healing since she got sober herself in 2013.After facing and overcoming her own battle with substance abuse, Kate saw and felt the missing pieces at the recovery initiative Tipping Point™. She has since made it her life’s mission to bring families into the recovery conversation™. Through hundreds of interventions, Kate has created a proven family recovery model where families are empowered to rise above the frequency of addiction. When families heal, their loved ones can too.Kate founded Tipping Point™ Recovery, Inc. and created Recovery Conversations™, a breakthrough program that takes a holistic view of the individual within the family system. She is now sharing her program nationally so she can help more individuals and their families to recover and heal.Kate knows that successful, long-lasting recovery must bring together the individual, the family, and the treatment facility.Healing can begin at home.
Tyrone, a longtime volunteer for the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), joins us on this week’s Recovery Matters Podcast.
Connie Pacheco, born in Puerto Rico and migrated to New York City at the age of five, reflects on her experience growing up in the South Bronx and being adopted as a young child. She remembers being scared of the unfamiliar living conditions, feeling disconnected from her biological family, addiction, and almost losing her life being in the center of a dangerous altercation between rival drug dealers. However, her biological mother saved her not only by dragging her out of that dangerous situation, but also by getting her into a recovery program. She reflects on how this traumatic event changed her life and she is grateful for the second chance given to her. Connie is a Certified and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) in the State of New York and is a recognized Internationally as a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor. She launched Recoveries R US, LLC in 2013 as a means to provide services to individuals pursuing a career in counseling for Substance Use Disorders.
With wit and unabashed honesty, Mary Beth O’Connor shares her remarkable three-phase journey: the abuse and trauma that drove her to teenage drug use, the chaos that ensued from her addiction; and how she developed a personalized secular recovery plan that led to twenty-nine years of sobriety. Her story proves any addict can recover and anyone can build a productive and happy life, no matter how low the bottom or how deep the pain. Within a week of being born, O’Connor was dropped off at a convent. When she was brought into her home, her mother focused on her own needs and desires, ignoring her young child. When she was nine, her stepfather kicked her in the stomach for spilling milk, beat her when she didn’t clean a plate to his satisfaction, and molested her when she was twelve. A few months later, with her first sip of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill wine, her life changed. She felt euphoric and relaxed. So she got drunk as often as possible, adding pot, then pills, then acid. At sixteen, she found her drug of choice--methamphetamine. With her first snort, she experienced true joy for the first time. When this high was no longer sufficient, she turned to the needle and shot up.During the next sixteen years, she descended into a severe meth addiction, working her way down the corporate ladder, destroying relationships, and shattering her physical and emotional well-being. At thirty-two, she entered rehab, where she was ordered to submit to the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. As an atheist, turning her will and her life over to a higher power was not an option, and she refused to agree she was powerless. Told to comply or fail, she bravely created a new path that combined ideas from multiple programs and even incorporated some AA concepts.Clean and sober now for more nearly three decades, she is proof that anyone can find their sober self, their best self, no matter how far they have fallen.
In this conversation, Juan shares his journey of overcoming addiction and maintaining sobriety. He discusses the challenges he faced growing up in Hartford, CT, and how the environment around him led him down a path of crime.
Tina is the founder and Lead Certified Peer Support Specialist at Just Listen, a nonprofit organization that helps people in long-term recovery. She has been in recovery for over 30 years and has a background in healthcare, business, and volunteering. Tina serves on several recovery advocacy councils and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family in her free time. Just Listen was founded in 2011 and became a 501(c)(3) organization in 2015. Tina also operates an apparel company called Tina's Tees. In 2021, Tina lost her daughter Angelina to addiction-related complications and now continues her work at Just Listen in honor of her.
Tara Moreno-Wallen is a woman in long-term recovery who has worked with people struggling with addiction, codependency, and trauma. She is the founding director of Serenity House Communities and co-owner of Green Tara Holistics. Moreno-Wallen has also trained over 100 people in Usui Reiki and developed a whole-person approach to healing called Recovery Reiki, which includes energy medicine, inner child healing, meditation, gut health, and crystal healing. Moreno-Wallen is an author and has recently published a manual on Recovery Reiki.
Kelvin Young is a certified sound healer, recovery support specialist and owner of Kelvin Young, LLC. He is also a person in sustained recovery which means he hasn't used alcohol or any other drug to cope with his mental and emotional distress since March 6th, 2009. Kelvin received his recovery coaching training at CT Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) and his Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) certification at Recovery University. (Advocacy Unlimited) He is also trained in Intentional Peer Support (IPS) and Emotional CPR. (eCPR) Kelvin has presented around the country at yoga studios, retreat centers, conferences, high schools, colleges, prisons, addiction treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals and mental health agencies. Kelvin was also featured in a powerful documentary on trauma, addiction and recovery called "Uprooting Addiction" and is the co- author of "Find Your Voice, Save Your Life 4: Transcendent Men, Real Stories." Kelvin sustains his recovery by eating a vegetarian/plant-based diet, practicing sound healing, breathwork, listening to uplifting and relaxing music, body movement, being in nature, reading, massages, resting and connecting with family and friends. He is passionate about holding space for people to heal and is known for his warm, loving and down-to-earth way of connecting with people.
Mark Guckel, RCPF, is a recovery coach, paralegal, and educator with lived experience overcoming the root causes of his treatment-resistant addiction to harmful substances with the help of psychedelic medicines. He has several years of professional experience providing peer support services, helping people find meaning out of their psychedelic experiences, and consulting with entheogenic churches in the United States.As a recoveree, Mark found a sense of stigma associated with psychedelic medicines in the recovery community and committed to bridging the gap of understanding by founding EntheoRecovery Solutions with the intent of educating treatment support professionals and advocating for people that would benefit from the healing that they provide.
Welcoming all of our new TikTok listeners!
For a long time Liz lost her smile due to her substance use...
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Her father put her up for adoption
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She endured a lot of abuse
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At 17 she connected with a 40 year old drug supplier who introduced her to cocaine, and gave her access to endless amounts of it
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Her cocaine use got so bad that her eyes, nose and ears doctor had to intervene with emergency surgery…she continued using after that
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Kept up a job and was well liked there until people started suspecting drug use….she was fired after a mandatory drug test came back positive
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Her supplier of endless cocaine cut her off after he noticed how consumed into it she was
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There came a time where she was choosing to buy drugs over buying food for her kids
Liz is now a CCAR Volunteer Manager and is a person in recovery. Hear her story as only she can tell it!
A BIG welcome to all of our new listeners from TikTok! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We hope you enjoy one of our past episodes that you might have missed...
ICYMI (Re-post from May 2022) Brooklyn native Mike Fiore has been a person in recovery from addiction, coming up on a year now. While in treatment, and living in a treatment facility, he started a non-profit organization ‘Inspire 2 Inspire’ to inspire people to help others, and inspire those people to pay it forward.
A QUICK WARNING: This episode contains raw depictions of traumatic events, which include sexual abuse/violence towards minors and mention of a suicide attempt. Listener discretion is heavily advised.
Rex ShadesEagle overcame his addiction after 27 years by addressing his childhood pain. From the age of six to twelve, he was subjected to physical and sexual abuse until being expelled onto the streets for retaliating against his abuser. On the streets of South New Jersey, he would learn how to hustle, lie, cheat, and steal. Rex kept using heroin for the next 20 years, going in and out of jail, until one night in October 2013 when the lies crumbled and a new man emerged.
Alison focuses on topics connected to harm reduction and addiction rehabilitation as a writer and advocate. Because she meets the most incredible and motivating people while interviewing them, she loves writing about recovery. Because keeping people safe in their daily lives, supporting wellness, and preventing additional harm are at the core of harm reduction, she enjoys writing about it.
Since joining the Virginia Recovery Advocacy Project, where she is based, she has moved her recovery advocacy from Maine to Virginia. She is the president of the Maine Association of Recovery Residences and has extensive ties to the state of Maine's recovery community.
CINI BEGAN HER CAREER IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED. SHE CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A VOICE AND HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED BY OUR SOCIETY.
CINI SPENT MANY YEARS AS A STAY-AT-HOME MOM IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY. SHE IS AWARE OF THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES THAT GO HAND AND HAND WITH RAISING A FAMILY AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL PRESSURES, ALIENATION, AND COMPETITIVENESS IN MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES. CINI RECOGNIZES THESE PRESSURES CAN BE OVERWHELMING, LEADING TO LOW SELF-ESTEEM, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND UNSAFE COPING SKILLS.
IN 2014, SHE BEGAN TO DEVOTE HER TIME AND ENERGY, WITH THE SAME PASSION SHE HAD EARLIER IN HER CAREER, PARTNERING WITH INDIVIDUALS ON THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY.
CINI BECAME A PROFESSIONAL RECOVERY COACH AND AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT AND NEW YORK. ON A DAILY BASIS, SHE MEETS INDIVIDUALLY AND IN GROUP THERAPY SETTINGS TO ASSIST THOSE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN DEVELOPING ACCEPTANCE, EMPOWERMENT, SELF-COMPASSION, AND A SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY PLAN.
Charlie's self-esteem began to unravel when he was diagnosed with a rare eye disorder in third grade. He would never fly in a jet fighter as he had imagined. He'd never race a car and see the checkered flag wave. He couldn't go to college because he wasn't smart enough. At least, that's what his teachers said. Only an unusually cruel God would destroy a little boy's dreams by making him defective. It was the only plausible explanation, and it was a crushing blow. Why should he care about himself if God doesn't care about him?
And so Charlie's descent into a world of negative self-talk and, eventually, addiction began. A self-destructive spiral that would see him avoid death twice as he marched to the brink of suicide.
After a severe medical encounter that resulted in an opioid use disorder, her life was completely rocked a few years later. After that, she had five years of first-hand exposure to the effects of addiction and how the criminal justice system dealt with them.
Angela's goal as End It For Good's director of outreach is to promote inclusive community engagement. This covers a wide range of activities, from holding community meetings to teaching law enforcement and first responders how to reduce injury and respond in a trauma-informed manner. Regardless of their opinions on addiction and drug policy, she wants to see everyone treated with respect.
Jordan Goldberg, a recovery support specialist, talks harm reduction and medicated-assisted treatment.
Joe Powell was surrounded by an addiction-filled world from a young age. He was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Joe recalls that his parents had eight children—seven boys and one girl. All of them worked as performers. He recall tap dancing with The Jackson 5, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra. When he was four years old, he appeared on television. The Ted Mack Amateur Hour was a program that aired on CBS. Of course, there is a lot of drinking and drugs in the entertainment industry. His father would get drunk and do his entire act. Being raised in a home with an alcoholic father and experiencing that kind of trauma affected him long term.
In the realm of recovery, Ashley has both professional and personal experience. Ashley started her road toward substance use recovery when she was 21 years old. She has now been sober for 7 years. At Colorado State University, Ashley created and launched a Collegiate Recovery Program in 2016, which assisted hundreds of students in beginning a life of recovery. Additionally, she has professional expertise working one-on-one with clients who are struggling with substance use and mental health issues. Ashley is a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and of young adults in recovery.
Liberation Programs' president and chief executive officer, John Hamilton, is a nationally renowned authority in the field of addiction treatment and prevention and brings three decades of experience to his position. John serves on the Governors Alcohol and Drug Policy Council and chairs the advisory board for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).
Jesse Heffernan specializes in long-term rehabilitation from drug and alcohol usage as well as mental health issues. In his early career, he organized activities and events supporting substance use recovery, statewide conventions, recovery meetings held in jails and institutions, and the first youth-focused recovery support group in Wisconsin. He trained hundreds of coaches across the United States after attending the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) Recovery Coach Academy in June 2014.
He has guided countless recovery capital development planning sessions and assisted in coaching individuals and families in developing recovery plans and linkages to resources as a coach, consultant, and partner at Helios Recovery.
The award-winning podcast Beauty in the Grit was started by Ariel "Air" Britt. She is a gifted public speaker who has a strong sense of duty to others. Her career has largely been devoted to creating preventative, intervention, and rehabilitation support services for children and young people. She also worked at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy as a political appointee for the Biden-Harris administration. The University of Michigan is where Air obtained her Bachelor's in Psychology and her Master's in Social Work.
Lisa began her career as an art therapist but, against her will, found herself being drawn into working with two populations: adolescents and those with substance use disorders. Today, Lisa is the executive director of Friends of Recovery Westchester. Lisa continues to support further development in the field of substance use disorders and believes that creativity and art are pathways to healing
Since December 27, 1997, Nell Hurley has been in recovery from addiction. Nell integrates fitness and life coaching with other recovery support techniques to assist people in overcoming substance use difficulties. She is a qualified personal trainer, life coach, and recovery coach.
Detroit native Andre L. Johnson serves as president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Recovery Project, a multi-service organization that offers a wide range of support services to the city's recovery population. These services include GED preparation, 12-step support groups, housing assistance, help with job readiness and employment, and HIV counseling and testing. In order to decrease recidivism and/or relapse among this demographic, the organization also manages an ex-offender program that aids returning citizens in effectively reintegrating into the Detroit community.
Don Coyhis, Mohican Nation, is the President and Founder of White Bison, Inc., an American Indian non-profit organization, located in Colorado Springs, CO. Don originally set out to raise awareness and treat alcoholism among Indian youth on the reservations. After studying the underlying causes of alcoholism, White Bison’s mission expanded to include drug addiction, dysfunctional families and relationships, as well as the American Indian suicide rate. From this, the Wellbriety Movement was born. The teachings of Wellbriety go beyond being sober to include thriving in the community and being balanced emotionally, mentally, physical and spiritually. Over the past 26 years, Don has developed a series of culturally-based programs to address recovery and treatment, youth prevention and treatment, programs for healthy families, and healing from unresolved grief and traumatic loss due to intergenerational trauma. These programs are designed to help with all facets of family healing and have been implemented throughout the United States and Canada. Don has dedicated his life to raising awareness about all issues surrounding alcohol and drug abuse, how it impacts the family system and, most importantly, how families and communities can heal from these issues.
Don Coyhis, Mohican Nation, is the President and Founder of White Bison, Inc., an American Indian non-profit organization, located in Colorado Springs, CO. Don originally set out to raise awareness and treat alcoholism among Indian youth on the reservations. After studying the underlying causes of alcoholism, White Bison’s mission expanded to include drug addiction, dysfunctional families and relationships, as well as the American Indian suicide rate. From this, the Wellbriety Movement was born. The teachings of Wellbriety go beyond being sober to include thriving in the community and being balanced emotionally, mentally, physical and spiritually. Over the past 26 years, Don has developed a series of culturally-based programs to address recovery and treatment, youth prevention and treatment, programs for healthy families, and healing from unresolved grief and traumatic loss due to intergenerational trauma. These programs are designed to help with all facets of family healing and have been implemented throughout the United States and Canada. Don has dedicated his life to raising awareness about all issues surrounding alcohol and drug abuse, how it impacts the family system and, most importantly, how families and communities can heal from these issues.
Recovery Matters Podcast 6-14-22Sandy: Hi, honey. It's just the two of us this morning.
Phil: Does that frighten you?
Sandy: No.
Phil: Oh, good.
Sandy: You don't scare me anymore
Phil: anymore? I don't think you scare me anymore. Cause you don't have your big corporate office where you used to scare me.
Sandy: I know. That was really surprising back then.
Phil: Yeah. Well you became like a new person, a different person.
Sandy: Yeah. In the workplace. I would be a leader and at home, I would be completely submissive to your ...desires and wishes.
Phil: So we're here solo
Sandy: duo.
Phil: Yeah. And at this stage in our life, I think there's a big topic. You both, you and I don't really want to talk about, but think we probably should.
Sandy: Yeah. So just recently, just a few months ago, you lost both your parents within 48 hours.
Phil: And the strange part too being, they were divorced for 40 plus years and died like 48 hours almost to the minute, right.
Sandy: From completely different reasons and their progression towards those final days, started around the same time for four, five months prior.
Phil: Well, it was, and I'm interested. So when do you think my, my mother's progression started?
Sandy: Yeah. So your mom was, well, your mom had very serious diseases and ailments probably for her last. 30 years. Right. And kept surviving them.
Phil: Tough. She's tough.
Sandy: Very tough. But the kind of the deal breaker was she was bumped into, by a car and a grocery store parking lot and just couldn't rebound from that.
Phil: And then she was at 88 and my dad was 87 and had along, we think. Probably four or five, six years of progressive dementia. Alzheimer's
Sandy: yeah.
Phil: Yeah. But all of that sped up for him around November, December the same time she was hit by the car and they both went to the hospital and they both went to short-term rehab. And then your mom moved into. Assisted living then got hospice care and your dad went back home under the care and love of his wife and got hospice care and then they chose the same week to leave us
Phil: well. And you know, 88 and 87 62, they've been part of my life for 62 years, obviously. Right. They've both had good lives, I would say overall, you know and there's so many issues here around grief and our recovery principles. So I'm interested to see where this conversation goes because recently I I wanted to process some of the issues with a therapist or a counselor and I signed up and I got somebody that was like, frankly appalling in a lot of ways. So I'm not quite sure what that was about, but here we are a few days later, you and I to talk about it and we talk a lot in our car rides down, back and forth to the beach and process this I think I want to start by asking you a question. As we are pretty much pretty close to bedside with both the deaths, right. And seeing how the funerals and the services played out, how our kids responded. What have you learned? And you also have a lot of other grief in your life. So, yeah, and my sister was a huge part of all this as well, and this played an amazing role. So what have you learned?
Sandy: Well, can I first start maybe by recapping my experiences a little bit.
Phil: Of course,
Sandy: I think it comes out of accumulation. So when I was 39, my father passed away. He was 86 and over the next 10 years, my sister died from, so my father died from congenital heart failure. He was someone similar to your mom who had a major, major illness or disease. At every stage of my life, but I came along the scene. He was 48 when I was born. So I came along the scene later in life. But it, but, so that was kind of expected his age and what his body had been through. My sister had leukemia and survived it. Had radiation induced dementia. And in my mind, she died of dehydration living in a nursing home, but in my mind, she died of the side effects of that disease. And then my brother died of melanoma. And then, so that then my mom,
Phil: well, since you're kind of recapping how everybody died, I'm not quite sure why you're talking about how they died. But your brother was agent orange in Vietnam, right?
Sandy: Right.
Phil: Yeah. That was where the melanoma came from.
Sandy: Yeah. Yeah. And it was sharing cause you had shared how your parents, what they died from.
Phil: Oh
Sandy: yeah. And then,
Phil: well, alzheimer's, isn't listed on my father's cause of death.
Sandy: That's interesting.
Phil: It's some it's too. I can't even remember what it was, but anyway,
Sandy: and then my my mother died of Alzheimer's and then that will happen in 10 years. So between 39 and 49 for me, and then not quite two years ago, another sister died of colon cancer so I have one sibling left and I had 18 onset uncles, and they've all passed away in this same kind of time period,
Phil: Bobby.
Sandy: And then. 2017, my nephew, who was same age as I am died of alcoholism. So I'd been walking that path for a long time and interspersed in there was your battle with stage four cancer and so when you asked me the question of what I learned by this most recent season, it's really accumulation of experiences for me and I'm very emotional, which is a little unexpected this early in the conversation, but this is going to sound super harsh. Don't show up for me at my funeral if you haven't shown up for me in life.. That's what I've learned. I've learned that everybody turns out then, and if you're showing up for the family, you know, if your purpose is to show up, to support the family all about that. But if your purpose is to show up for me, cause I'm dead and he didn't show up for me in my life, then just skip it because I don't know, I am already in the baddest place imaginable so I'm ok. So either shut from my family or show up for me when I'm living. And I know that's wicked harsh.
Phil: Well for you, that's harsh. It doesn't sound harsh to me,
Sandy: but I've just seen it again and again and again, and it it's folks will have regrets that they don't need to have. And it's about, you know, so many times we've talked about, do we really want to go do this, or, you know, what kind of routine do we have time? Can we fit that in when or where do we choose ourselves over somebody else? But there are people in our lives who I don't give enough of my time to who show up for us again and again and again. And it's an incredible gift to have those people.
Phil: Well, you and Don a different trail than I thought you were going to go down.
Sandy: Okay.
Phil: No, that's cool. I mean, just you've always been over the decades. I've known you. You've always talked about showing up and how important that is. And I think that's almost a recovery principle, 90% of life is showing up, right?
Sandy: Yeah. Well, the early recovery pathways were just show up, right? Not just to show up, but not just to go and show up for yourself
Phil: for others
Sandy: who show up for others.
Phil: Right.
Sandy: I'm not in any way implying. I am great at. But as a receiver, it's an incredible gift when people show up for you.
Phil: That's true.
Sandy: So what did you learn? So there's my, there's my answer to your question.
Phil: Well, that was more kind of a esoteric or surface thing that you've learned about.
Sandy: Really. I think that's surface
Phil: while other people show up. What have you learned internally about processing grief and life and all that
Sandy: I got ya. I did go down and I take a fork in the road that you didn't deflect.
Phil: But I can answer your question first, if you want more time to think about it.
Sandy: No, I, I I know my answer
Phil: are you going to be able to say it?
Sandy: I feel that grief is not time-bound. It is. So we talk about smart objectives. Specific measurable time bound grief is not smart. Grief is not time-bound grief does not operate on a calendar. You can go through your loved one passes away and you might walk right through their birthday, their next birthday, having the best day you ever had. And then on some random day you'll see a bird or in my brother's case, I can see a fire truck, 364 days a year. He was a former fire chief passion, love everything for him. And on one random day, one random fire truck, it will hit me and wash over me like a tidal wave. And so grace, when you're going through, grief has in giving grace to myself that if it hits me hard on whatever day or time it's okay because I think the grief isn't measured to the love, the love that you received from the person, the love you had for the person. And if there's a whole lot of grief, it's because there was a whole lot of love. And there's me, there's that answer that
Phil: I talk about the tears are reflective of the amount of love.
Sandy: Well, I like when you say that, then when you're crying, that's lovely king. We know that I leak a lot. Yeah.
Phil: Well, for me it really is turned me introspective and I am by no means through it. You know, I think there was some certain trauma I experienced just by being with your mom and dad within 48 hours at their last breaths. And my mom was in a lot of pain in the last day until she really calmed down and, you know, the hospice and the morphine took care of all that. And my dad was laboring breathing for a couple of days and, you know, we were, we're also with hospice and administering morphine. Turned them over on one side and he just gasped and stopped breathing with me, holding his hand, his wife, holding his hand until, you know, those final memories. They almost super impose themselves on the 60 prior years and all those memories. And it's a question of sorting through all those and you know, just remembering who they were. I mean officiating at the services and, and delivering a eulogy helps you sort through those, you said you found a lot of comfort and insight going through my mom's old things and old papers and everything.
Sandy: Yeah. So when we were, when she moved into assisted living and we were helping your sister clean out the condo, there was an old Barrow in the basement with water damaged, scrapbooks and letters of not only your moms, but your grandmothers and I didn't know your mom much before the age of 60, I think is I met her when she was 58 and I didn't know that version of her. And so to comb through and see the little calling cards from gentlemen and friends and the sorority girl that she was, and the adventurer who is biking and fishing and boating and swimming and playing tennis. I felt like I get got to know that able-bodied person because of my experience and because I had grown up with so much older parents, I really was more familiar with having parents who were not able bodied for long periods of time. So it was really a great way to connect aside from her current situation. You know, I treasure the memory of going into the assisted living facility to visit her after I had done that and teasing her about a letter from an admirer from college. And she said, well, did you find the telegrams from Tony? And I said, no. And she goes, you're a terrible Snoop. So that was just such a, like, that was just a really. Trying to find those nuggets of gold in those final days when you know, you're the one you care about is in such pain and, and connecting them with those happier times.
Phil: Right. I think the, the tools of recovery, or just the fact that we were in recovery, that we were able to show up. Uh, You and I drove to Rhode Island, you know, just about weekly to visit my dad and D and when mom took a turn for the worst, we were there. I can't, I don't even know, but it was the last time. So we showed up, but I think if I was actively using alcohol and drugs, I been at the bar. Yeah. I ended up visiting my dealer. I wouldn't want to deal with death. I think a lot of times when people are dying there's a lot of fear associated with that. And you can face the fear, you know, the flight, the fight, which is facing the fear or flight, and just taking off in the way I always took off when I didn't want to, when I wanted to avoid feelings was to use. Yeah. And I don't, you know, just the fact that we were there, I think was an incredible gift. Not only to me, but to my parents as well. Right. And I know you were available for all your relatives that passed all those times. I don't know if you get better at death or you build thicker skin and it doesn't affect you as deeply because you know how much it affects you, but I'll have to say for me, one of the big learnings was being very grateful for my recovery, but looking at my own mortality in the face. I mean that clearly that there's a likelihood that I could end up the same way. And what do I do about that? But more importantly, What do I do with the time I have left? And I haven't come to any conclusions. I love working in the recovery field. I know I'm tired, but I don't know how much of that is, you know, 23 years of working in the recovery field, or if it's just. You know, the grief upon me, the sadness is upon me. So I'm kind of in a fog, so I'm not going to make any decisions there. But I have learned to find a moment of awe and wonder, at least a few in every day into appreciate the time you have today to live in the present. And. It really comes down to joy. Are you enjoying what creation is around you? Are you enjoying the people around you? I mean, I didn't get sober to be miserable. I don't want to go through the rest of my life. Miserable. Physical pain is physical pain that doesn't have to make me miserable. I can still hurt and be joyful.
Sandy: Well, I'm smiling just because I had a, I had a few of extreme pain riddled days with the frozen shoulder, and I was not feeling much joy earlier this week, but I'm good. You know, so, yes. Right. Even when you were going through your cancer treatment, you know, there were some songs that played a role like Tim McGraw, Live like you're dying, like you're dying. And then there's that other, there's that other song that we're both kind of sematic, but to make sure that you are finding some joy in every day, because we can't control all these circumstances. I do think that the pandemic has created a slightly different version of walking through things like this then before too and I can't really put my hands on the impact of that. But, you know, the, you said, you know, I've been through this more often and so a couple things, there is one thing that I've learned and it came about this week too, with experiencing a ton of shoulder pain, like really at the, between zero and 10, I was between seven and nine for a couple of days. And you said to me the other day, should you be going to work? And I was like, absolutely have to go to work. And the day after my last sister died, who was like a mom to me, she was my oldest sister. I went to work or the day I found out, I found out early in the morning, I didn't tell him. I went to work from home, didn't talk to anybody. So work has always been grounding for me. And when I think about when all my family members were dying, I didn't do it with you. So we had four kids raising kids and I would always defer you to take care of the kids. And I went off and handled my family members situations, you know? So it wasn't that you were supportive, but I didn't want our family impacted by what I was going through. So that's how I always managed it. Like I managed it like work... And it's okay cause those were my decisions at the time, but I think you and I, as our chicks have left the nest and this happens to be the last day of high school for our youngest child that you and I have almost returned to our early days together in recovery, where we're talking and connecting about.... about recovery and you're teaching me to be a better recovery coach for you and you're a great recovery coach for me. And I think we spent all those rides for, for the last two years, having recovery coaching conversations that we have walked through your first really intense experience with death together. And. It's not so much that we are doing this beautifully, but I can think about how hard it would have been without the connection that we've had and without sharing the experience together. So like returning to our formative years in recovery and returning to all those tools and practices, we were somewhat intentionally, but mostly unintentionally equipping ourselves for such a time as this.
Phil: Yeah. I think when I think about recovery and the, and the spirituality associated with many people's recovery and certainly I associate spirituality with my recovery and. You watch the, almost like the mystical spiritual conversations that you're for me, my mom and dad were having with things that they were seeing and nobody else was and I had seen that a few times before. And you had witnessed. That it just reinforces the idea of the spiritual or the supernatural, I guess some people could say it's like delusions in their head or something, but it didn't look like that. To me, they were definitely seeing things. There were wrestling things. One time I was sitting next to my mother's and she just yelled. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. And I don't know who she was talking to. I just held her hand and said I'm right here, mom. It's okay and I think about sometimes the grief brings me to think about what it will be like when I'm on my death bed, if, if that's how I go, you know, and
Sandy: it's going to be interesting. I'm just going to say that,
Phil: well, I don't, I don't know.
Sandy: Interesting.
Phil: Well, I just, you know, will I be afraid? Will I welcome it? I think that it, I know my faith tells me that death is not final, but there's a finality to death.
Sandy: Yeah.
Phil: That it's, it comes up in the strangest way that love what you talked about. Grief doesn't have a timeframe. It's not like a three-month process and you've walked through it. I don't think so. I think it was more like It's at the weird time and went and had a colonoscopy. My mother loved to hear about that. She was a nurse at one time. I wasn't going to call her and say, well, these are the results of my, I'm not going to do that. You know, you know, I can't do that. And you're like start to get all choked up because even something you could connect with your parents about. And you've often talked about my dad, just going back to the house and the presence he had in the house that he was always fun-loving, welcoming. It was our kind of like homestead, you know, that everybody returned to, and
Sandy: really, for six years, he was in that recliner in the middle of that house and that presence, but,
Phil: oh, it's usually pretty peaceful. You know and yeah, it sense of humor. Yeah.
Sandy: Love seeing the dog, more than us used to be the kids, but then
Phil: the dog, he loved the dog.
Sandy: But I know when I was, I was typing up an invitation list for Mary's graduation party and I went to write dad and D and just started sobbing to just write, you know, D with that dad. And the other day, I went to describe her room and dad's house. And that just took my breath away too. So it catches me.
Phil: Well, the theme I put in each of the, the, when we talked at the funeral services was grief, relief and gratitude. Right? The relief really was that they were out of pain and at some level both of them wanted to do. Die. They were done, you know, and the gratitude is just for their lives. They lived, then what they gave me, gave me life. I mean, that's simple as that, as basic as that. Right. And there was much, much more than that, but the grief is the thing that is it's it's a lot more than just like sadness. I mean the sadness will come upon me. I I've noticed that I've become way more quiet. I don't want to necessarily engage and talk with much, much more introspective. And I think that's part of the grief. There's anger at times, and it bubbles up in strange places and weird times that doesn't quite match the event that happened. There's a lot of love and tears and missing. So another tool of recovery is, you know, I I've expanded my own personal emoji chart. Right. I know. Yeah. I know that there's many more emojis that make up Phil and I'm able to say now, I, I kind of know what I'm feeling. I didn't always know. And I can also label that if it's a, yeah. Okay. This is the frustration one or the anger one and it's not associated with this event. It's probably has to do with this though. The strange thing too. And I think we've both experienced it. And my sister talks about it frequently is the fatigue. It's just like, why are we, so why
Sandy: It's almost like having a case of mono.
Phil: And it just go and I don't think it's anything like physical. I do think, you know, I, I did catch COVID in the months after all those years, I caught a bout a COVID, but I don't think it's that. I think I'm over that. And, I'm still there's times where, you know, I know I probably should go walk in the woods. I'd feel better. But I certainly can't get myself to do it. Yeah. Is that depression is that fatigue is that, I don't know what that is.
Sandy: I think sometimes our bodies are telling us it's okay to go and take time, you know, so many different cultural customs have this space and process for grieving and sit and grieve and I think, you know, we got, we got right back to. Life. And it was very intense, right? They both died week one, two days apart. And we did funerals for both week to two days apart and, you know, and then there's things to navigate afterwards and to help with
Phil: the family coming in and out dynamics. And both have very Understanding work environments, workplaces, but there's still demands of work and settling estates and all that stuff and cleaning condos and distributing furniture and other items and
Sandy: well, if you even think about work, right, our whole, our whole workplace thing around grieving is, you know, you get three or five days around the time of the funeral services,
Phil: beurevement? You get your beurevement leave
Sandy: might be four months later that I fall apart. You know, I remember when you you had gone through six months of cancer treatment and you were figuring out some things for a couple months after that, and then that next month I just emotionally fell apart. Right? Like I stayed the course through the whole thing and I fell apart. And you actually did something kind of romantic?
Phil: No, I didn't.
Sandy: I know these, aren't hard to remember. Cause there's so few,
Phil: but that's why I do them so few. So you'll remember that
Sandy: you sent me a vocab flowers with a note that said. It's okay to fall apart now. I'm okay.
Phil: I did?
Sandy: You did.
Phil: That was sweet.
Sandy: I know. That's why you don't remember because it's so rare too, but you know, I think that that's kind of the thing and it's okay. You need those three to five days to go to the funerals and all that good stuff. But I think that, that, again, it's not time bound, but one of the beautiful things for me that has been an outcome of this is I met you through my relationship with your sister and we have navigated life. We've had different seasons of raising children with each other, and we have children who are involved in activities that are different and we just haven't had the kind of capacity and time together. And so having her back really. In our lives again, and walking through it with her has been a treasure. And I'll never forget on your dad's final day. I was not managing my emotions really well. I was went upstairs having a full blown melt down and here she is, she had just walked through her mom's death. And she'd been with your mother. Daily for so long. And she came up and just shared the most beautiful words to comfort me and in a time of intensity for her. And so those are the things that you look for in this, because there will be nuggets of gold in the darkness, and it's just trying to find them and, and and cherish them. I don't know if they told you this, but our son, Matthew is telling me this week that he, when he made the decision to come for the funerals, when he went to fly in for the funerals, that he didn't focus on his own feelings about at all at all, that he just wanted to be there for us and, and Samantha shared that she knew that if he was going to be there, that he would do that because otherwise she was considering coming in from Kenya, which would have been really difficult for her in that quick space of time. And that then he went back and had to figure it out. But we now have adult children who are looking at us, like it's hard to believe that we now have adult children that are trying to figure out what their role is in not parenting us, but supporting us as adult children. And that, you know, I remember sitting at your dad's funeral with Colleen next to me, and, you know, seeing the love and memory and grief and her and you know, knowing the joy that he had and all his grandchildren. And that, you know, he got to meet his grand. They both got to meet their great grandchildren as well.
Phil: And to have Joshua and Matt align be part of the service and do all that. And Mary's God bless her. She's been with us every step of the way and listened to us so many times
Sandy: the only chick left in the nest watching this whole thing.
Phil: Yeah, it was pretty remarkable to see your, your children responding and greeting people with warmth and humor and confidence and you know, his death. And I think what you're, you're bringing home for me, death is, is not 100% all sadness, you know, because. It's sad for us that we don't have those people in our lives anymore, but it's not really sad for them because while they're dead and who knows where they are, I kind of have my own idea. I think I do believe they're in a better place. I mean, when my mom passed, we can almost feel it right. That she almost said to us, this is great, you know, or I'm good. And you could feel that. So. I think about art, you know, art Woodard, when he passed his energy since then has seemed to explode and expand in a lot of ways. He's still reaching people. A lot of the things that he taught me passing on, you know, and they, they reside deep within me. So, you know, my parents do as well. And I'm not, I do feel overall that the fog is starting to clear I've been proceeding cautiously. But when you're like in a boat in the fog, you proceed cautiously until the fog lifts a little bit and you can see farther and see the next channel marker. I can see the next channel marker. So that's the direction I'm added and I'll go there. We'll see what happens, but you know, even though you go through these seasons of life, the words of my sponsor still ring true. And I believe it with all my heart, even for you and I, that the best is yet to come. And that does include death.
Sandy: Yeah. I'm not afraid to die. I'm afraid to be in pain, but I'm not afraid to die. I just want
Phil: I'm a little afraid to die. That's what I think I've discovered. And I'm okay with that. But, you know, because it's, I think it may be, that's watching my parents, you know, you get a like, well, I don't know about all that.
Phil: I don't know if I want to do that, but,
Sandy: well, and I had had different experiences with my brother and my sister. So. The experiences with your mom and dad were very different. So I thought that I was prepared and I, I, I wasn't for that either. I do think, you know, when my sister Jeannie died with radiation induced dementia, she was in the hospital for four days in a coma passing, and we were able to share stories around her bed and share music and And she was very peaceful. It was not, it was a peaceful process. And it was when her oldest grandchild came into the room on the fourth day, late in the day. And he had, I think he was like maybe 13 ish. He had a song he wanted to play for his grandmother and she passed while the song. But he felt this sense of urgency out of all the four days, that was when he wanted to go. And he got his dad to bring him and he played the song and she left us. And with your dad, you know, Mary 17 years old had never driven an hour and a half to what island by herself all day, she was checking in with us. Do I go, do I come? Should I come? We didn't know how to answer it for her. All of a sudden she decided at four o'clock, but she was coming and she got there at five 30 and she went in and he was in a coma and she held his hand and told him she loved him and he squeezed her hand and he died shortly after. And I think both those things are symbolic because our children or their grandchildren are their legacy. That they are in
Phil: passing on the life, kind of forced down and through the last time
Sandy: that they are physically gone from our lives, but hopefully all the good carries on through the families and generations and the people that they've touched.
Phil: I think the last thing, when you talk about that too, is, is the, the slogan that I learned about letting it go, letting it. And you heard me talk with both mom and dad, and I know you did the same. I think our kids go that any, and Shelly, my sister talked about it's okay to go. That we gave them permission that we're good. We got each other, we'll watch this, we'll do this, whatever that may be for the circumstance to, to say. You know, like Shelley and I will take care of each other. We promised mom, you know that we got D you know, you can go, you know, and all that did really well set all that stuff. we hear hospice nurses, cause we talked to our share and nursing home that family wants to hold on, hold on, hold on and do whatever they can to keep them alive. And I don't think either one of my parents wanted to continue living in that physical and mental state quality of life kind of thing, you know? Right. So I think I did a fairly good if it's a job, but I did that well is to really let them know w they transitioned well, as far as I'm concerned, I had no animosity. Everything. I wanted to say, had been said along the line, and that's all a gift of recovery as well. So when it was their time, it was their time and it hurts and it's, but it's beautiful as well. It's, it's a strange thing.
Sandy: Yeah.
Phil: But I thank you for walking through it every time I, I understand when your family, I do feel I was there, but I wasn't as involved as you. Because of our you know, I ended up
Sandy: We had babies.
Phil: I know we had a lot
Phil: of kids and you were saying, even on the way here, how did we do that? How do we take care of like four kids all the same time or a house? And man that was happening. I wonder why people retire. They're just tired from doing that thing. Anyway, look forward to the future with your thanks for sharing.
Phil: I love you. Love you too.
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Liz was introduced to cocaine at 16
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Her father put her up for adoption
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Endured a lot of abuse
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At 17 she connected with a 40 year old drug supplier who introduced her to cocaine
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Her cocaine use got so bad that her eyes, nose and ears doctor had to intervine with emergency surgery…she continued using after that
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Kept up a job and was all liked there until people started suspecting drug use….she was fired after a mandatory drug test came back positive
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Her supplier of endless cocaine cut her off after he noticed how consumed into it she was
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There came a time where she was choosing to buy drugs over buying food for her kids
Liz is now a CCAR Volunteer Manager and is a person in recovery. Hear her story as only she can tell it!
Craig’s alcohol consumption ramped up when he lost both his parents. Additionally, his relationship with his son's mother wasn't going so great. He worked a lot of hours, which also didn't help him with his addiction. Often times he felt like he had no one to talk to, and became somewhat isolated. He hid his addiction well. No one really knew he had a problem. One day during rehab, he started to really understand his addiction and decided to really turn his life around, and with the help of CCAR recovery coaches, he did just that.
Keith Sawyer, now part of CCAR's Board of Directors, is a longtime CCAR volunteer and a person in recovery. Keith also works as a Recovery Support Specialist. He sits down to have a chat with this week's guest host Michael Serrano.
After 12 years on methadone, Mike has been a person in recovery for 6 months now. While currently in treatment, and living in a treatment facility, he started a non-profit organization ‘Inspire 2 Inspire’ to inspire people to help others, and inspire those people to pay it forward.
When visiting his dad in California at the age of 8, he was given an alcoholic beverage for the first time. That became a life altering moment for him. In his early 20's he had a traumatic experience that accelerated his overall alcohol consumption. There was a point in time where he went into rehab 12 times in 10 months! After a motor vehicle accident (while under the influence) left him in the hospital, a family intervention shortly thereafter helped Rashad realize that it was time for him to take control of his life and get serious about his recovery.
Lisa’s son Jordan struggled with the disease of addiction. The disease ultimately took his life. His two younger brothers found his body inside the family minivan in the driveway of their home. It was Jordan's hope that he could heal from addiction and help others fighting the disease. Lisa made a promise to him that she would keep fighting to save other individuals and families from this horrible disease. Less than a month later, on July 26, 2018, A Promise to Jordan was was born.
Dennis Berry is a Life Mastery Coach and has been working with people worldwide for over 15 years. He has been sober since April 8, 2003 during which time he became a successful businessman, athlete, and family man. His journey in recovery helped him find his mission in life, which is to help others achieve inner peace and success, and master every area of their lives. Dennis knows what it is like to be helpless and hopeless with no positive direction. He was able to climb out of the gutter and transform his life and he spends his life helping others do the same.
President/CEO Woman for Sobriety Adrienne Miller and former Administrative Law Judge Mary Beth O’Connor of LifeRing Secular Recovery & She Recovers Foundation join us on this week’s Recovery Matters podcast!
In August 2020, Mary Beth had an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, I Beat Addiction without God, where she described building a personal recovery plan by combining ideas from various programs which included Woman for Sobriety. That led to her meeting Adrienne. and from there they teamed up to speak about multiple pathways that can be taken towards recovery.
Barbara McLane, a person in recovery, photographer and author of her upcoming book “Blessed Not Bitter” joins us this week on the Recovery Matters! podcast where she shares her incredible journey to finding her birth mother and siblings after being separated from them at a very young age. Spiritual alignment as she refers to it.
CCAR Virtual Production Team Manager Travis Caouette talks about his struggles with mental health and the multiple pathways he took to manage the thoughts he constantly wrestled with since childhood.
CCAR Hartford Volunteer Manager, and person in long term recovery Geraldo Rivera aka “The Real Geraldo Rivera” joins us on this weeks show. He has a very interesting backstory you don’t want to miss!
You'll hear Geraldo talk about growing up in Puerto Rico where he experienced his first taste of alcohol at the age of 9, moving to Hartford, Connecticut where he got involved with both using and distributing drugs + his time as a member of a street gang, becoming homeless and more!
CCAR ‘Department of Corrections Recovery Coach’ Jennifer Reed joins us this week on the Recovery Matters podcast!
Her first introduction to substances came at the age of 5 when she guzzled an entire beer 🍺 which was given to her by a family member. In high school, where (side note) she had skipped school with over 100 people 🚶♀️🚶🚶🏻♀️🚶🏻🚶🏽♀️🚶🏾(which has to be a world record of some sort), she experimented with some additional substances.
To support her habits, she turned to theft which eventually landed her in jail 🚔
🎧Hear more of Jennifer’s story by listening to this weeks all new audio podcast
For more information on CCAR, visit https://www.ccar.us
----Across the Web---- ✉️ Donate: https://www.ccar.us/ccar-gift-shop 🗣Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recover
Are you considering gastric bypass surgery? Preparing for gastric bypass surgery is not an easy journey. Gastric bypass surgery is a life-changing procedure that requires early and careful planning. It can help you lose weight without the feeling of hunger, and regain your health. On this week's Recovery Matters audio podcast, guest Stacy Charpentier talks about her gastric bypass surgery journey, before, during and after surgery.
This week on the Recovery Matters Podcast, Phil and Sandy are joined by their son Matthew.
Bill Stauffer, Executive Director of The Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance joins us on this week's all new Recovery Matters Podcast!
This week we are joined by Jason Sirois, a CCAR Recovery Coach. He talks to us about his battles with alcohol which, at the time, impacted his relationships with those close to him. Alcohol was a huge part of his everyday routine until he decided to turn his life around and get the help he needed.
Now available on Youtube is this week's all new episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast featuring Dubliner Ruth Riddick, CCAR Recovery Coach professional and founder of Sobriety Together.
CCAR Department of Corrections Program Recovery Coach Rich Walsh takes the seat this week as he talks about the following topics:
👶 his upbringing 💵 his many hustles to make a living 💰 🔫🚗🌴 the time he was involved in a drug deal gone bad that almost cost him his life 🚨🚔👮♂️ prison time 🏨 his road to recovery
…and so much more!
In Part 2 of his two-part interview, Jamie “THE BEAR” McDonald, owner of Bear's Smokehouse BBQ, discusses drinking, how his dog saved his life, and time spent at The Lighthouse Bali treatment center in Bali, Indonesia + so much more!
This week on the Recovery Matters podcast we have Jamie “Bear” McDonald, a Navy vet, former engineer and ex-pro competitive eater. In 2013 McDonald used his prize money from the wing bowl to buy a smoker and open up his first Bear's Smokehouse BBQ location. In Part 1 of his 2-part interview, he opens about what it was like growing up, his time in the navy, and dealing with bulimia for 20+ years, which then led to his competitive eating.
Unity Recovery, Platinum Sponsor for #MPRCFL2022, was founded to be an inclusive recovery community organization and drop-in center for everyone. Executive Director Robert Ashford joins Phil & Sandy Valentine on this week's all new Recovery Matters Podcast!
Dimitri was raised as a Greek Orthodox. At the age of 10 he lived in Greece where people were more liberal when it came to alcohol and drinking in general. By 11 years old, having a beer was a regular thing for him. He moved back to the states eventually and by freshman year of high school, he got into “party drugs” which eventually led to smoking crack/cocaine and an addiction to heroin after his time in prison.
Robyn Bakes, Dimitri’s wife, through the ups and downs, never gave up on Dimitri during his various relapses. She was an instrumental part of Dimitri’s recovery journey.
Hear Dimitri’s story on this weeks episode of the Recovery Matters podcast.
As the former Program Director for the Yale University Department of Psychiatry, Daryl was contracted to serve as the Director of the Office of Recovery Community Affairs for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. He has experience in the areas of policy development, contract management and project coordination, as well as collaborating with grassroots peer-advocacy agencies and the CT Department of Corrections. Mr. McGraw is a community organizer, activist and philanthropist. He serves on several boards involving re-entry and criminal justice reform in the state of Connecticut. He consults with law enforcement, universities, policy makers, behavioral health and addiction treatment facilities who are looking to expand their knowledge and expertise in the area of criminal justice reform. He is an integral part of leadership decisions for these agencies and organizations. As a leadership consultant, Mr. McGraw inspires cultural competency and challenges organizations to move away from the status quo.
This week we have Rabbi Ilan Glazer on the show to talk about his journey through life and recovery. He brings a unique perspective on being Jewish and the hurdles that exist in the Jewish community. His is a story of faith, family, food, caregiving, nature, spirituality, and much more. Join us as we talk with Ilan!
Trey Laird is in the studio this week sharing his story and the mission of The Lighthouse and their recovery services. His choice to recover out loud and be an inspirational voice in the recovery movement comes through in this discussion. He touches on his drive to fill in gaps that exist in recovery support services and talks about the journey to a new life living happily in sobriety.
Leigh Stepanian drops by the studio to talk with Phil and Sandy and they take all of us along for a journey in recovery. We travel from early days at school into a life hooked on a laundry list of substances. Finally a car crash at 27 years old led Leigh to a recovery community and in turn the eventual realization that there are multiple pathways of recovery, all of which can be used to walk, run, or climb along our path to freedom. Come along and listen.
This week we have a special guest host Rebecca Allen who is the director of recovery advocacy here at CCAR. Phil and Rebecca have Michael Serrano back in the studio to talk about Recovery, his work here at CCAR, and about hosting the Spanish language recovery podcast La Recuperacion Importa. The story brings us through Michael's close call with death and continues through to the hope and healing of recovery. Join us for this powerful conversation.
This week we walk along the path of life with Maysha Zakrevskyy. From her youth in Brooklyn through school and adult life. Recovering from a substance use disorder to be faced with a cancer diagnosis, Maysha has been able to live life on life's terms while staying sober and connected to her community. This episode is another testimony to the power, hope, and healing of recovery.
Amanda sits down to tell her story and talk about the journey that brought her to recovery. The lesson in this one is clear. Never stop reaching for recovery. Ten times a charm in this case, so join us as the story unfolds and Amanda transforms into a recovery resource for people traveling on their path and facing the prospects of moving past a substance use disorder.
Robin Clare reaches into the heart of her recovery and opens the door to the divine in this discussion. Robin shares how writing became a tool for recovery and how her life was changed. From the very beginning this brings the audience into the conversation and sits us in the room as Phil, Sandy, and Robin discuss the connections that open the door to healing. Join us for a discussion that is riveting from start to finish.
Editor's note - This was a fun one to record! I love hearing Phil and Sandy's discussions with guests but these solo episodes give a chance to hear two distinct voices in a thoughtful discussion on a topic. Phil brings the perspective of a person with decades of work with people in recovery and Sandy brings insight as a person working directly with students in recovery. Together they bring another great discourse with ample food for thought.
Domenick talks about the false relief of substance use and how that rocketed him into a life ruled by a substance use disorder. Homeless and almost frozen to death he kept moving forward until one July 4th brought surrender and finally freedom. Once sobriety became a way of living he made the effort to share this gift with others.
This week Phil and Sandy have Herb "Half Crow" Boyd in the studio to talk about his life and the path that brought him to recovery and recovery coaching. Herb's story touches on being a veteran, a member of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, and a person of color, and gives a voice to these groups but also has a universal message for everyone. Recovery is possible and we can help others on their path.
This week Phil and Sandy Welcome Greg Williams to the podcast and discuss his story of recovery. Greg's story leads us through getting into recovery before his 18th birthday, learning to listen, finding a vibrant community, and then finding his voice through film making and recovery advocacy. His journey sheds light on flaws in the support offered for people wrestling with substance use disorders and brings a voice to the questions of how to continue on a path to improvement.
This week Phil and Sandy talk with Scott Strode, the founder and executive director of The Phoenix. This story of Recovery tracks the crash, burn, and resurrection of a life that climbs past the wreckage of substance use disorder and builds a movement focused on building community, erasing stigma, and changing lives for the better.
Don Fertman joins us as our guest on this episode of the Recovery Matters! #podcast. Music man, current Board Chair of the Phoenix, and former Subway Chief Development Officer, Don hasn't had a drink or a drug since June 6, 1983. The group talks about the place of music in life and in recovery, Don's appearance on the TV show "Undercover Boss", how Don promotes recovery, and much more!!
CCAR Emergency Department Recovery Coach (EDRC), Zach Lewin, joins our hosts on episode 41 of the Recovery Matters! podcast. Zach shares about growing up in a small CT shoreline town with a loving family and how he even chose to be sober for a time while in high school. But as Zach explains, addiction doesn't discriminate and we're shown how the descent into a life and death struggle with substance use can come on fast and hard. From straight edge, to victim of the opioid crisis, and finally to a life in recovery working as an EDRC - Zach's story is one defined by extremes.
Episode 40! Phil and Sandy are joined by CCAR Recovery Coach Manager for the Department of Corrections Program, Brian McManus. Brian shares an amazing story that shows the destructive power of alcohol as well as the redemptive power of Recovery. Early red flags regarding drinking, his family's immigration to the US from Ireland, a successful career as a lawyer, a federal prison sentence, Recovery, and a new career spreading the message of hope through service to returning citizens...Brian goes deep and shows us the winding path that brought him to where he is today!
Returning for his second appearance on the podcast, ORCA Project Manager, Kevin Carmignani joins Phil and Sandy on this episode. The Ocean Recovery Community Alliance (ORCA) will celebrate its' one-year anniversary at the end of July 2021. Kevin chats with our hosts about some of the accomplishments this service-based initiative has realized in its first year, the surfing lifestyle, and...naturally, about his recovery!
Phil and Sandy are joined on this episode by 10-year CCAR employee, Hartford Recovery Community Center Manager, Virginia Adams. Virginia explains how moving from school-to-school when she was younger led to an unsuccessful search for self that drew her into substance use and all the unmanageability that comes with it. A story of finding ones identity, meeting life's challenges, and finding peace through creativity, service, and Recovery!
Our guest on this episode is Dr. Haner Hernández. He is a person in long-term recovery who has had an illustrious career, spanning more than three decades, that has included teaching at various universities, working directly and in a consulting capacity for state and federal agencies, performing one-on-one recovery support, and so much more. We hear about the racism Haner encountered at a young age when his mother moved their family to Springfield, MA and how his youth informed his later work. Dr. Hernández goes on to discuss gang life, substance use, exposure to the prison system, finding recovery, and some of the amazing work he has done over his long career. This episode brings it all; an inspiring first-hand account of street life, drug use, and recovery, exploration of racial and economic disparities, and the story of a person finding their voice!
Joining our hosts on this episode is a man heading into his 46th year of Recovery, Phil's sponsor, Rick P. Rick shares some real wisdom; he opens up and shares openly about the most spiritual moments of his life and the most painful. An intense discussion that sheds light on the different and, perhaps, generationally varying perceptions of recovery and addiction. We’re treated to a vulnerable and honest exploration of what recovery looks like, what it is, and what it can be to each of us.
Phil and Sandy are joined on this episode by Kevin Shuler, CCAR's Emergency Department Recovery Coach Manager. What follows is an amazing discussion that will make you laugh and perhaps shed a tear. A picture of a life and a story of becoming; substance intervenes, and as is so often the case, we hear how pain and suffering forge the best version of ourselves when we pursue recovery.
Our hosts are joined on this episode by CCAR Recovery Coach for the Safety Net program, Carmen Bravo! Carmen shares her truth in a casual, yet humble, recounting of the severe tribulations she experienced when active that ultimately guided her to recovery and the person she is today. The Safety Net program pairs CCAR Recovery Coaches with Yale EMT's.
Phil and Sandy are joined on this very real episode by Manchester Recovery Community Center Manager, Cathy Bergren. Cathy gives a picture of how our experiences shape us and, in some cases, can lead to a life defined by substance use. We hear about the progressive nature of its' influence and how it can take us to places we wish it didn't. But Cathy also shows us that being brought to those dark places can show us a pathway to the brightest and beautiful of lives.
This episode of the Recovery Matters! podcast features Phil and Sandy connecting alone, getting really vulnerable and honest. Together, they explore the in's-and-outs of their marriage, their thirty years together, their family, and their personal recovery.
Our hosts are joined on this episode by Windham Recovery Community Center Manager, John Schwartz. John takes us on a wild ride by getting vulnerable and honest. From growing up in an affluent community where domestic disputes were the norm at home, to playing in a band with Rick James, speed-balling and maintaining a successful culinary career...this discussion checks all the boxes. Ultimately the trip ends as a testament to the amazing transformative power of recovery!
CCAR Emergency Department Recovery Coach, Mindy Richardson, joins our hosts on this episode. She shares about early run-in's with the law and becoming a mother at a young age. Mindy goes on to explain how the need to earn and support herself drew her to the fast-money street lifestyle, which ultimately came to overtake her life and led to addiction. Despite many attempts to maintain recovery and a prolonged struggle with DCF, Mindy shares how she found recovery and got her family back. A beautiful picture of the power of persistence, hope, and the redemptive power of recovery!
Our guest on this episode is Adventure Recovery founder, Tim Walsh. Tim shares how an early family tragedy led to headlong experimentation with substance use and a youth defined by anger, rebelliousness, and wandering. Ultimately, he realized the need for change and found Recovery twenty-nine years ago. We hear how he came to find solace and connection in nature, leading to the realization that immersion in nature can serve as a pathway of recovery. A story of adventure, discovery, and multiple pathways of recovery!
Joining our hosts on this episode is Shannon Egan, a woman in long-term recovery and a multiple time, award-winning grant writer and marketing and communications professional. Shannon covers everything from growing up in a Mormon family in Utah to working as journalist in Sudan and the struggle with substance that followed her on her journey. An exciting discussion that spans the globe, shedding light on the search for self and the desire to live our truth.
This episode features CCAR's Director of Recovery Support Services, Rebecca Allen. She shares about her seemingly innocent discovery of substances, in the form of cigarettes, and how addiction asserted itself into her life and the life of her family. A concise picture of how substance can slowly come to characterize our life, no matter where we come from, replacing the healthy passions and things that truly matter to us. Rebecca goes on to discuss how she overcame a severe heroin addiction, the high cost it exacted on her life, and how she came to be Director of Recovery Support Services at one the nation's leading Recovery Community Organizations.
CCAR Communications Manager, Tom Russo, joins our hosts on this episode. Tom shares how exposure to substance use and criminality gradually came to define his own behavior and his life. We hear the story of a person who was able to evade consequences for some time until the consequences he received put his life on hold, culminating in a four year prison sentence. A moving depiction of what "wearing the mask" can do to a person and the healing that follows once we re-discover the best parts of ourselves through the recovery process.
Our hosts are joined on this episode by mother and daughter, Naetha Uren and Calliese Connor, CCAR Trainers who operate out of the UK. We hear the story of family recovery that spans generations and an ocean. A beautiful, honest, and enlightening picture of a family recovering in different stages - supporting one another, overcoming barriers, and establishing boundaries. Naetha and Calliese go on to discuss the circumstances in England that drove them to join CCAR's international team of trainers, bringing the Recovery Coach Academy and other recovery coach trainings to audiences in the UK.
CCAR Emergency Department Recovery Coach, Barry Richardson, joins our hosts on this episode. Barry has worked with CCAR for two-plus years, serving more than 1,000 individuals in hospital Emergency Departments across Connecticut. Here, Barry shares his story of becoming, growing up in the North Carolina countryside and how the attraction to an addictive lifestyle and a long search for self started at a young age. Barry goes on to discuss service in the Navy, the social acceptance of alcohol and his addiction to cocaine, how he found his way into fifteen years of recovery and a life defined by service to others, and the skills he uses as an Emergency Department Recovery Coach.
CCAR Department of Corrections Recovery Coach, Melissa McGee, joins our hosts on this episode for a hard-hitting discussion that documents the progressive nature of the disease of addiction and the amazing redemptive power of recovery. Melissa gets vulnerable about her struggles with alcohol and coping with the challenges of life and how she moved from the darkness of addiction into the light of recovery.
CCAR's Special Events Manager and Recovery Ally, Amy Albanese, joins our hosts for this episode to talk about her passion for creating special moments for others and how Recovery has been a recurring theme in her life. Amy explains how recreational use, addiction, and its' consequences stayed on the periphery of her life for some time. She goes on to discuss how she became an avid supporter of the recovery movement upon being suddenly immersed in the recovery lifestyle when she came to be employed at CCAR. A wonderful reflection from a true recovery ally!
Our hosts are joined this episode by CCAR Emergency Department Recovery Coach Program Manager, Jennifer Chadukiewicz. She shares how the disease of addiction came for her at a young age but also how recovery found her shortly after at the age of eighteen. What follows is the story of an adventurous life in recovery defined by family, service, and living life on life's terms.
Our hosts are joined on this episode by CCAR's Emergency Department Recovery Coach (EDRC) Program Coordinator, Regina McGarrah. A woman who exudes positivity, hope, humility, and calm, Regina shares how progressive mental and physical health issues produced an addiction to increasingly stronger opiates prescribed to her by her doctor. She explains how these amazing challenges left her homebound for fifteen years and how on March 19, 2004 she came out of the house and decided to seek Recovery. A story of persistence against all odds and a story of strength and hope that speaks to the deeply redemptive power of Recovery to help us overcome even the most difficult challenges life can hand us.
Emergency Department Recovery Coach, Guy Brenan, joins our hosts on this episode. Guy has known our hosts for many years but we hear a story of divergent life paths. Guy documents the progressive nature of the disease of addiction and how it can come upon us incrementally, without us realizing quite where it is taking us. Love, maintaining, addiction, responsibility, incarceration, redemption. We're treated to a picture of community and familial interactions and how our personal lives can contrast with our public ones, even among people who have known us for many years.
An amazing discussion featuring our host's daughter, Samantha, appearing virtually from Kenya while on a mission trip. We hear a story of faith and adventure, defined by finding ones purpose through service to others. An exploration of the benefits of being born to parents in Recovery, parental influence versus ones own natural becoming, faith versus religion, families growing together, and much more.
In this episode, our hosts Phil and Sandy dig into the subject of codependency in their relationship and in general. A meditation on human interaction, what we expect from one another, and how we see ourselves versus how others see us.
We're joined on this episode by Zachary Green, a person in recovery and staff member of the UConn Recovery Community. First prescribed ADHD medication and Xanax at the age of 13, Zach shares how a career as a chef in New Orleans carried him into a life defined by substance. From New Orleans kitchens, deep involvement in selling drugs, picking up opiates, and working in the Colorado cannabis industry, we hear the story a man finding his way out of the darkness into the light of a life in Recovery.
Our guest for this show is New Haven Recovery Community Center Manager, Rita Natale. A story of becoming and how different events guide our life's trajectory. Rita gets real about some painful events early in life that led to a search for self and how that search led to substance use. Rita's story shows that when we try to fill a spiritual hole with substance, it leaves us needing something more. After finding Recovery on August 24, 1989, Rita explains what that "more" looks like to her and how it defined the rest of her life.
Maggie Young, MSW, LADC joins us on this episode for a gut-punch of a discussion that takes us from the vicious racism of 1950's Alabama to Maggie's search for her self when her family moved to New England. We hear of the seemingly innocent descent into addiction that progressed to the street life and dealings with the criminal justice system. Ultimately, we are treated to a story of glorious redemption found in a life of recovery and of the long and beautiful career of Maggie Young. She has worked in addiction prevention, residential treatment, and outpatient treatment services for more than 25 years and is currently serving as Chief Recovery Officer of Liberation Programs Inc. Learn more about Maggie and Liberations here: https://www.liberationprograms.org/
Phil and Sandy's look back on Phil's thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail resumes in this episode, starting with a moment where the journey almost stalled. Discussion goes on to cover the connection to be found with others in nature, especially when galvanized by the shared challenges of a journey, and a family who supported their father by making parts of the trip their own. Part 2 brings us through the struggle toward the finish, where this life-changing experience was completed at the summit of Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
Phil and Sandy discuss Phil's spirit-led decision to hike the entire Appalachian Trail after overcoming a stage-four cancer diagnosis. The first in a two-part series, this episode covers the faith, family support, and preparation that led up to the journey and takes us into the first half of Phil's walk from Georgia to Maine. An inspiring discussion about family, perseverance, faith, miracles, and, of course, recovery!
Our hosts Phil and Sandy Valentine look back on the challenging journey that ensued after Phil's stage-four tongue cancer diagnosis in 2010. Phil and Sandy get real about the day-to-day struggles and realizations they and their family experienced while navigating such uncertainty. We hear clear parallels between Addiction Recovery and recovery from any kind of disease and how Phil's personal recovery informed the way he faced this illness. A powerful discussion that delves into the individuals experience and a family's experience in dealing with a cancer diagnosis while also managing personal recovery under extremely stressful circumstances.
Our hosts are joined in the episode by professional storyteller, storytelling teacher, and recovery coach, Meghann Perry. Meghann pursued her love for acting and drama in her younger years but found her way into addiction as well. Discussion covers the desire for expressing creativity in ones life, struggles with addiction, becoming a recovery coach, the importance of well-crafted and well-presented recovery stories, being able to pursue ones passion because of recovery, and much more.
CCAR Young Adult and Family Services Manager, TJ Aitken, is our guest on this episode. After serving as an Emergency Department Recovery Coach for three years, TJ recently came into this new role. Episode discussion explores how some young people find their way into a life of substance use, the cycle of treatment and incarceration, harm reduction, spirituality, finding Recovery as young adult, TJ's approach to Young Adult and Family Services, and much more. A great listen for young people and families seeking or in Recovery.
Brian Robbins, CCAR's Senior Program Manager, joins our guests Sandy and Phil. In recovery since 2000, Brian and our hosts discuss growing up trying to please exacting parents and the long-term effects of rarely, if ever, receiving praise from family as a young person. Brian shares how he slowly became "unemployable" as his substance use became problematic, working various jobs, living the street life, and being caught up in the justice system. Discussion follows into how Brian ultimately found Recovery, at a time of spiritual brokenness, and the help he received to get there. This episode is a picture of the timeline from youth into addiction and, finally, to redemption, and all the beauty and pain that occurs along the way.
Our hosts, Phil and Sandy Valentine, are the guests on this episode. Together, they reflect on 27 years of marriage and 62 years of combined Recovery. Their discussion covers the challenges of finding and sustaining Recovery, long-term involvement in 12-step fellowships, building careers and family, and so much more. This episode is a moving account of a marriage built on a foundation of Recovery that has given the Valentine's a beautiful family and a successful life.
0:40 - Guest hosts Don Smith and Tom Russo introduce themselves and their guest, Stacy Charpentier.
2:00- Stacy talks about the scope of CCAR Training.
4:08 - Stacy explains what the Recovery Coach Academy (RCA) is and how it came to be.
6:08 - Don and Stacy discuss welcoming Recovery Allies into the Recovery Movement and Stacy shares her personal experiences that made her a Recovery Ally.
11:19 - Stacy discusses use of technology to bring the message of Recovery to people in these difficult times.
17:50 - Don discusses his entry into Recovery, the gifts he received as a result, and how exposure to a more inclusive idea of Recovery changed his life.
19:30 - Tom asks Stacy, "what are some ways we've worked to meet people where they're at in the virtual space with all the things going on right now?" and Stacy discusses some of the work other RCO's have done to provide Training.
25:31 - Don shares his experience attending the RCA and reflects on the change he see's it bring about in others who attend.
26:27 - Stacy discusses certification of Recovery Coaches and the importance of vetting Coaches. She goes on to explain the unique offerings for vetting and support that CCAR Training created specifically for Recovery Coaches.
33:20 - Tom and Stacy discuss how CCAR uses its' Training earnings to fund Recovery Support Services.
37:12 - Stacy explains the inspiration that drove CCAR Training to create the International Association of Recovery Coach Professionals (IARCP) and what membership entails.
40:07 - Stacy shares where more information can be found about the RCP, the IARCP, and CCAR Training's offerings.
0:25 - Sandy and Phil introduce themselves.
1:54 - Michael Askew introduces himself, discussing multiple incarcerations, that ultimately led to his finding Recovery.
5:56 - Michael tells us the story of his last bid and how he found hope that Recovery was possible for him.
7:19 - Michael discusses experiencing a cycle of homelessness in his active years.
10:27 - Michael explains his thought-process that ultimately led to his decision to change.
12:11 - Michael answers Phil's question, "Why do you think you started using?" and discusses his formative years.
14:40 - Michael discusses some of the changes he has seen in the Recovery Movement, with a specific focus on jail diversion.
17:51 - Michael discusses the disproportionate incarceration of people of color and law enforcement in the inner city.
22:00 - Michael explains how Spiritual growth helps him remain peaceful in the face of such blatant disparities.
26:00 - Discussion about issues closest to Michael's heart.
28:36 - Moving discussion about race in America.
33:40 - Michael answers the question "What do you do to maintain and sustain your Recovery today?"
37:00 - Michael discusses his Spirituality and some of his practices for living it each day.
42:23 - Michael discusses his impending retirement.
45:00 - Discussion of Michael's legacy and hopes for the future of Recovery Advocacy.
- 3:25 - Kevin introduces himself and describes how he first found Spirituality in nature on short outings to the Appalachian Trail.
- 4:58 - Kevin explains how he found surfing, the deep connection it brings to his life, and how he now uses surfing and time in the water as a pathway of Recovery.
- 9:00 - Kevin discusses exactly what he feels, from a spiritual standpoint, when he is surfing.
- 13:50 - Kevin talks about his Recovery
Executive Director, Phil Valentine, revisits a well-known blog post of his entitled, "12-Step Recovery, Multiple Pathways, and Recovery Coaching" and takes questions from Communications Manager, Tom Russo, and IT Specialist, Don Smith.
In this inaugural episode of "Recovery Matters" CCAR staff members Don Smith and Tom Russo interview Executive Director, Phil Valentine, giving a window into who we are as an organization, what we do, and how CCAR became one of the nation's leading Recovery Community Organizations.
3:25 - Michael explains how he got his nickname, The Peacemaker, and about the street life in Hartford.
5:00 - Michael describes the start of his Recovery journey and the struggle that entailed.
11:00 - Discussion on the voice in our head that continues to justify our use even in the face of unmanageability.
14:00 - Michael describes his early days coming to know CCAR, his first encounter with the concept of Recovery, and engaging in service as a means of finding Recovery.
17:47 - Michael describes what Recovery meant to him in those early days and attending his first All Recovery Meetings.
19:33 - Michael explains what Recovery means to him today.
22:00 - Michael shares what made him want to be a Recovery Coach.
27:38 - The connection between Michaels past and present are explored.
30:52 - Michael explains what he does for his Recovery today.