Real Recovery Talk

In this episode I discussed a life-changing event that took place on June 14, 2022. My dad had a massive stroke and lost his vision. Along with that a lot of his memory has been severely affected. These are the things that we often talk about when getting sober that we need to be prepared for. Life throws things at us and if we're not ready for them it can very easily be a reason to drink or use drugs. Fortunately for myself I had a lot of support from friends and family that I could rely on to get me through this tough time. My hope for you in this episode is that you can see it is it possible to endure these challenges without using drugs or alcohol. If you would like to reach out about your specific situation you can email me at [email protected] and [email protected] enjoy the show!

In this episode we discuss the Top 5 reasons/excuses as to why people dont go into drug treatment. We are very good at talking ourselves out of doing the things that we know are best for us. Realtiy is, there are no good excuse to not go to treatment when it is needed. Dont let anyone or anybody talk you out of making the best decision of your life. If you would like to reach out to us and discuss your specific situation you can email us at [email protected] [email protected]

In this episode we discuss five tips to keep your sobriety intact and not let it get stale. No matter where you are in the sobriety journey it is important to stay active and to continue to build on your sobriety. We can do this in many different ways, but most importantly we need to continue to work on ourselves. These tips are very applicable and can be done at any moment. If you want to amplify your sobriety, take a listen and emplement these stratagies today! If you would like to reach out to us you can email us at [email protected] [email protected] Thank you for all of your support!

In this episode we discuss the top five reasons why you keep going back to treatment. Unfortunately people have unrealistic expectations around what treatment is supposed to be for. We tell people all the time, if you're not doing it while you're in treatment, you won't do it when you are out of treatment. If you take these five things and really focusing on them during your treatment process it is going to be very hard for you not to be successful. Thank you everyone for your support. Remember, you can always turn your mess into your message! If you would like to reach us you can email us at [email protected] and [email protected] also please go and take a look at our Youtube Channel!!

The holiday season is here upon us. This can be tough for those who are in early recovery, especially being with family. Along with family comes a lot of emotions. You may have indulged in drugs and alcohol to get through previous holidays to get yourself through this time. Now, however; you are sober and you'll need to put new tools in your toolbox to move through the holidays sober. The big question I'm going to discuss today: How can we go into the holiday season and be sure we will be OK when we get out the other side? Don't go into the holiday season with the idea that this will be hard for you. Put your fear aside, celebrate being joyful with friends and family. Especially if you're new to sobriety, take heart to follow these steps and make your holiday season a good and memorable one. Here is a plan you can follow to have a safe, fun and enjoyable holiday season this year: #1 Create a plan for your holiday Not just plan where to go, but how you are going to deal with situations. If you are seeing family, you'll most likely be going back to the same dysfunction or bad habits of the family. Think about what you are going to do and say when family members put you in a "party" situation or try to bring you to a bar. #2 Find a meeting where you are going during the holiday Find a support person locally to reach out and talk to someone who can support you. #3 Communicate with your family members Tell your family your boundaries and expectations for your health and to support you. Let your family know if they cannot support you, that you will not be coming to the family function. They won't know what you expect unless you communicate with them effectively. Share with them your expectations weeks before you are going to meet them for the holidays. This will relieve the awkwardness of your family so they will know what you feel comfortable with during events. Tell your family that you don't want to be offered alcohol or drugs. If they are drinking, you may need to be in a different room. #4 Set up your accountability partners beforehand The newly recovered person should decide before they go to a family function who the responsible family members are which they can have for support. #5 Look at this as an opportunity to create new, wonderful memories with your family! Look for happy moments and fill your time with fun activities with your family and friends. Have meaningful conversations and tell them about your newfound sobriety. You may be a vehicle for others to become sober. You may have spent years not being there for your family, this is your time to show your family and friends you are sober and there for them. Have gratitude you have this opportunity to spend time with them. If your family is a party family and always uses drugs or alcohol, your best choice is to not attend a family gathering. Be proud of your sobriety and do not put yourself in a situation to lose what you have done for yourself! There's nothing on the face of this planet that is worth more than your sobriety. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [01:44] Sobriety - you haven't had to be sober for previous holidays, but now you do! [03:22] Going into your first holiday season as a sober person. [04:33] #1 Create a plan for your holiday [07:11]What should you do when your family puts you in a not-so-great situation? Plan ahead! [09:09] #3 Communicate with your family members [12:03] Decide what family members are supportive and communicate with them. #4 Set up your accountability beforehand. [15:59] Know that you have a say in what you do with alcohol. [19:09] Be proud to be the sober person in the crowd. [20:15] There's nothing on the face of this planet that is worth more than your sobriety. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center

"Addiction is so big in our society right now that it's best that you let loved ones know that they can have help. They can receive help, and they can do this. It doesn't have to kill them." -Devin Today, Ben and I chatted with Devin, who's an example of getting back on track. He began drug usage during childhood, and found himself in prison later. Devin gathered the strength to face himself and the beast within. He doesn't do it alone, but with the help of the people around him. Listen in as he talks about using drugs to feel a void, getting back on track after a relapse, and how families can help their loved ones through treatment. Too Much Time on His Hands Isolation created a gap in Devin's childhood of growing up in Atlanta, GA. He raised himself since 5th grade while his family was busy with work and life. His family's absence made him yearn to be noticed. Devin felt lost despite knowing his family was working to give him a better life, especially his father. Devin smoked his first joint around the age of 13. As he experimented with different substances and alcohol, it progressed into something he wanted to do every day. Devin thought the drugs and alcohol changed the way he felt. Besides that, he had a lot of time on his hands, and a gap in his life to fill. Devin tried Xanax at 15, and then Cocaine at 18. All his experimenting led him to using Meth at age 20. He lived with this addiction, even while in prison. After prison, he felt the urge to change his relationship with substances. Family and friends became a major inspiration for Devin receiving guidance about treatment, and even helping him get back on track after a relapse. Devin managed the beast within by refusing to give up on himself. A Message to Families and Friends Since family and a supportive community played a role in Devin's treatment, he encourages other families about their role in a loved one's recovery journey. Structure and accountability are needed in recovering and maintaining sobriety. Devin mentions the small routines, like making his bed, that helps him along the way. With the belief from himself and people around him, Devin is able to keep getting back on track day by day. Check out our website, where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Highlights [02:12] - How early did Devin start experimenting with substances [05:07] - Isolation can influence substance abuse [08:46] - What did Devin's aunt say to him to help him get treatment [12:13] - A relapse occurs when he thinks he has his drug usage under control [18:30] - What was Devin's mindset when he restarted his program against drug usage [21:24] - Here are steps to support loved ones through treatment Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"I have a purpose today, and I feel God steps in my life a lot and he was telling me to have courage and be fearless." -Ira Today, Ben and I chatted with Ira, who's a real deal addict. He's had a ton of health issues like cancer, diabetes, and even facing death as a result of his drug and alcohol addiction. But he managed to turn his life around and now he's going on two years sober! Listen in as he talks about getting addicted, how he overcame it, and all the people who helped save his life along the way. Struggling to Find His Place Growing up in the 70s as half Irish and half Vietnamese, Ira felt like he never fit in anywhere. He went through some verbal and physical abuse at an early age. In seventh grade at age 13, he picked up his first beer and smoked dope for the first time. By age 15, he was an IV drug user and hooked on cocaine and opiates. Then he dropped out of high school with only a 9th-grade education and eventually became a convicted felon in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida. Years after his father passed away from cirrhosis, Ira turned to heavy drinking. "I drank alcoholically because I was searching for the high from dope and pills or whatever it may be, and I wasn't getting it." This led to frequent illness and hospital visits that did nothing to help his addiction... until a pivotal low point marked the real beginning of his turbulent recovery. Helping Others in Recovery After a lot of pain and uncertainty about where his life was headed, Ira has taken up a mantle that not many sober people choose. He shares his story in hopes of helping others recover from their addictions. Through his own experience of 35 years and newfound faith, he meets great people in places like hospitals, treatment centers, and psyche wards. Ira knows the importance of having a supportive person or group on the road to sobriety. Check out our website, where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Highlights [05:26] What made Ira swear off heavy drinking for 13 years [07:26] How he got high on alcohol and drugs at the same time [10:49] Frequent hospital visits as an easy way to get a fix [14:11] Why the substance of choice plays a minor part in addiction overall [18:46] Ira's downturn before the turnaround [29:36] An intervention that led to him getting treatment for his health problems [40:04] The place and the meeting that ended up saving his life [46:58] How the last few months of Ira's life have changed Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"I have a place that I was comfortable with that I was already a part of for my recovery." -Reed Today, Ben and I chatted with Reed, who tells his story about how his addiction started in college. Raised locally in Palm Beach Gardens, Reed had a good life growing up with loving parents who gave him many opportunities in life. However, with his parents being conservative regarding drinking, Reed didn't get drugs and alcohol from his parents. Experimenting with Drugs While in high school, Reed did drink and smoke weed, but drugs and alcohol weren't a big problem at this point in his life. However, when he went to the University of Mississippi, he started to heavily get into drugs and alcohol. In his second year at university, his roommate sold multiple forms of hard drugs. With easy access to drugs and alcohol, it was easy for Reed to become addicted to his personality. "That opened the door of my first year of solid, heavy drug use." When his house was raided by the DEA, and his roommate passed away from an overdose, Reed was charged, went to jail, and left school. Talking to Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol Reed agrees with us when we talk about being overly strict with your kids about drugs and alcohol, especially in teen years. Instead of telling them not to do anything, be open and frank with your children and have discussions with them about the adverse effects of drugs and alcohol. When kids aren't allowed to do anything and have a very restrictive home life, they will generally go out and start to party hard out of control because they were too sheltered in high school. Check out our website, where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Highlights [06:04] Starting by experimenting with drugs and alcohol during his high school years. [09:48] Reed's progression from college drinking and drugs to DEA raids. [21:27] Why being a helicopter parent can persuade your kids to do drugs. [32:19] Entering into his first treatment program. [41:27] Needing a geographical change depends on your home life. [50:11] We discuss the pros and cons of methadone. [57:46] Speaking to other through AA to educate college students on drugs and alcohol. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"Life continues to show up, whether you want to be a part of it or not." -Natalie Today, Ben and I chatted with Natalie, who endured horrible abuse as a small girl that gave her immense amounts of childhood trauma that ended up turning into a drug and alcohol addiction as a teen. Listen in to discover how Natalie overcame her addiction by healing her emotional wounds as an adult. Her Early Years Traumatized as a Child At the age of eight, Natalie was sexually molested and started drinking at the age of 14. As her disease progressed, she started using Zanax and was arrested at 17 and put on probation. She couldn't trust anyone by the age of 10 and didn't know who she was or what to do in her daily life. Natalie felt a constant challenge of wanting to be the best and fitting in with other kids her age. In college, Natalie became addicted to oxycontin, robbed her neighbor's home, and was picked up and put in jail for 14 days. Her father wouldn't bail her out, and she was considered the black sheep of her family. Shortly after her jail sentence, Natalie moved to Canada and started selling herself for sex to keep up with her drug addiction. Learning to Utilize Her AA Tools to Heal Surrendering is Natalie's lifeline to healing. "Everyday you need to surrender yourself." Natalie understands the importance of having a good, reliable support group, such as the people she's found at Rock Recovery Center. Check out our website, where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Highlights [02:32] Natalie talks about her past history growing up in a family of six children. [07:22] Using the white chip to surrender yourself so you can heal. [12:53] How surrendering leads to recovery for addicts. [17:48] Utilizing sobriety in the form of having clean people around you to help you change your lifestyle. [22:49] Moving from one addiction to another because you need the high to survive. [33:07] How Natalie's life has changed since she started her recovery. [45:00] What she is doing to continue her recovery into sobriety. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

In today's episode, Ben and I talk with Vince, a 25-year-old recovering addict from Philadelphia. He stole a bottle of vodka and drank the entire bottle in sixth grade. In the summer of his freshman year of high school, Vince started smoking pot. Cocaine became a weekend sports celebration during his junior year of high school. Vince became an addict after his team coach gave him a prescription narcotic drug in his second college year. Vince was involved in sports as early as he could remember. His family consisted of three sisters, one of the older and two of them younger than him. Both of his parents were supportive of him and good, hard-working people. "Growing up, I was instilled with morals and values." He was brought up to respect elders, women, and to have good social manners. "I remember going to this fight in third grade. Everybody started cursing and fighting. Immediately after that, I said my first curse word, then I went home and started watching fighting videos." He isn't sure if this one incident brought him down a negative road, but his life was very different after this experience. The next year in fourth grade, he ended up getting kicked out of school for fighting. "I was fighting and cursing and doing things kids that age shouldn't be doing." He felt a purpose playing sports as he was always asked to play with the older kids in the next league up. "Everything on the outside just mattered so much, and I thought that was who I was. I thought that I was based on all external things." However, if anything went wrong, he immediately turned to anger and aggression, which he remembers his father modeling for him at an early age. His school discipline record was horrible. However, the school let him slide because of his athletic abilities. Vince remembers not having any consequences for fighting during his high school years. This enabled him to continue this behavior, along with smoking pot with his friends. Listen in as Vince tells his story of how he lost his scholarship to Rutgers, what happened when he became addicted to opiate drugs, and his multiple attempts at getting sober. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:09] Vince talks about his past experiences growing up in Philadelphia. [07:11] His first experience drinking in sixth grade. [13:33] Social acceptance and drug culture. [15:21] Personal identity associated with career for men. [18:25] Vince had his first experience with opiate drugs his senior year in high school. [19:45] He started stealing from his family to buy more opiate drugs. [25:11] The "Florida Shuffle" moving on from the treatment facility to another facility. [28:40] Ben talks about the incredible recovery culture in Florida. [33:10] Why Vince having his daughter wasn't enough to keep him sober. [37:01] Sobriety and addiction and how these two can easily interchange. [40:13] What is different for Vince in this recovery process? [43:42] His biggest fears for the recovery process. [45:27] Vince's spiritual AA experience. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"What alcohol was doing for me outlaid what it was doing to me." --Tom Today, Ben and I are talking to Tom, who works in the recovery field. Born and raised in downtown Manhattan, he became a drug dealer and eventually became sober from drugs and alcohol. He has been on the road to recovery for the past seven years. Starting the Drinking Habit at Age 10 Born and raised in New York City, Tom grew up in abusive family life, reflected in his poor behavior at school. Feeling like something was missing in his life, he discovered that alcohol filled that void at 10. From the beginning, Tom drank too much and didn't know how to stop drinking as he was trying to impress the older adults who surrounded him. He was so obsessed with drinking and doing drugs that he had to stay an extra year in high school to finish up the credits that he missed from his addiction during the school year. Falling into Becoming a Drug Dealer Since many of his friends ended up selling weed in high school, Tom decided to go the same route as college wasn't even on his radar. "I had a big retail business with guys delivering for me. I was a career pot dealer." Although he knew he was living a lie as a drug dealer, the thought of becoming clean was scary because Tom realized if he left dealing drugs and his lifestyle that he would have to grow up and become responsible. Check out our website where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [02:05] Tom's early years and how he became addicted to alcohol. [04:22] How New York and growing up in a fast-paced environment impacted Tom's addiction. [10:32] His circle of friends in high school was drug dealers selling weed. [14:00] The thought of getting sober was scary for Tom because he realized he would need to grow up. [16:55] The first time he decided to stop being an addict was on 9-11. [18:33] Discovering opiate drugs and how Tom thought he would be OK with opiates. [21:44] Adding cocaine to his alcohol and opiate drug addiction. [26:29] First time Tom experience hope in his life to get off of drugs and alcohol. [35:14] The point at which Tom stopped making excuses in his life. [40:16] Surrendering and how this affected his healing journey to recovering. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"'Alcohol was the substance I just could not go without - I felt safe with alcohol." -Al Today, Ben and I are talking to Al, a native of Pittsburgh, who is sharing with us today his journey and what he did to become sober. He talks with us about Foundations - a program that provides housing for men moving through their journey of sobriety. His First Experiences with Alcohol At the age of 16, Al found a bottle of homemade wine in the basement of his home and decided to try it. When he drank, Al noticed that he didn't feel embarrassment, a common emotion he would have in public. "It seemed that alcohol was a solution for me, I didn't realize the hell that was in for me with alcohol." Although he wasn't aware of becoming an alcoholic, this was the start down the path to addiction. Alcoholic's Perspective on Drinking "I thought that everyone drank to feel good," says Al. He didn't recognize that there was a social aspect to drinking. Today, Al acknowledges that you need to be OK with your strengths and weaknesses and that having good self-esteem and self-worth is a key component to completely recover from an addictive state. When he talks about his addiction, Al says that his wheels fell off when the alcohol "didn't work anymore." At this point, there wasn't an amount of alcohol that he could drink that didn't make him sick. However, he didn't know how to or who to ask for help. Today, Al is grateful that he doesn't have to use alcohol to feel good. "It's incredible to not have that chemical holding me hostage all day!" Now, he learns about himself daily and seeks out meaningful relationships with others. Check out our website where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:15] Al's experience with alcohol and growing up with an alcoholic father. [07:04] The emotional void that alcohol fills. [10:08] Starting to drink in the morning to avoid feeling hungover. [17:56] The wheels fall off when the alcohol doesn't work to solve your problems. [20:01] How he decided to go into rehab and who helped him get there. [24:58] Going into recovery simplified Al's life in a very profound way. [30:39] His first conference call with an addiction counselor. [34:34] Be willing to take suggestions from others to help you on the road to recovery. [39:33] What AA is all about and how you can use AA to recover. [43:48] Giving up alcohol gave Al his entire life back. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Here we are with Real Recovery Talk! Do you know someone who is considering going to a treatment facility for up to 30 days? Today, I'm going to talk about how you most likely won't be cured by going to treatment for 30 days. There are a few people who have been successful after just 30 days; however, they are few and far between. The first day of treatment consists of detox, which generally ranges from day one to day seven. Detox can vary from one to fourteen days, depending on the individual and specific variables. Variables that can affect the length of detox are the types of drugs you are using, how long you are using drugs, the vehicle of use of drugs. For example, are you using drugs IV, orally? Similar variables apply to alcohol, with some additional factors such as drinking alone or with others. A detox facility is a safe place where you can get meals, medical attention, and be in a safe environment when you detox. During this time, your body will start to repair the damage inflicted by drugs and alcohol. From this point, you can now transfer to a residential facility where you will be day and night for treatment. You may have a behavioral technician keeping tabs on you every 15 minutes when you join the residential treatment program. This part of the team makes sure everyone is safe and comfortable. They also ensure that you are getting to your programs, meetings, and medical appointments on time. This period is known as a "drying out period." Therapy is still minimal, as you are usually not yet ready to start treatment. At this stage, you're detoxed and are moving toward creating a support group, getting to know your peers, and your therapist. Next, you'll need to figure out your personal triggers. What are your triggers? Are there specific environments in which your triggers are set off? Have you developed tools in your toolbox to deal with these triggers and to keep your calm in anxious situations? Have you considered your role or your family dynamics when dealing with triggers and healing from addiction? Listen in to find out why the first thirty days of recovery only scratch the surface. Understand why recovery is a process in which each individual needs to move through at their own pace. Learn why you'll need to continue healing and be consistent to work through previous trauma and have a successful recovery. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Look for our new daily shows, which are five minutes or under! Listen in for yourself or for a friend. You can also find our new short episodes on our Facebook page. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [05:48] What the first seven days of treatment will most likely be for an addict in recovery. [06:05] Variables which affect the length and severity of detox. [09:28] The next phase of your healing: moving to a residential facility. [12:24] You may have spent multiple years becoming an addict, you will most likely spend months if not years to recover to the point of not falling back to your addiction. [14:41] Have you identified your triggers? If so, what are coping skills you are using to calm your reaction to your triggers? [16:48] An example of what shouldn't happen when you come in for recovery. [19:42] We work with clients for three to four months on a continual basis to continue their recovery process. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected]

"Kratom feels like an opiate, you get strong feelings similar to opiates.'" -Perry Today, Ben and I are talking to Perry, a 24-year-old from Maryland and started smoking marijuana at age 16. He lost everything that he owned and had to drug and alcohol abuse in a short period of time. We talk with Perry about his experience with Kratom and how it negatively affected his life. Kratom and Kava Kratom is sourced from an Asian variety of pine trees and works the same as an opiate drug in your body. Kratom is addictive and you easily get hooked. Kava is a root herb from the Polynesian islands that is not addictive and is mostly used by people for relaxation and sleep. In many states, Kratom is illegal because of its addictive side effects. In low doses, Kratom is a stimulant. In higher doses, it's a sedative. Perry's Experience with Kratom After taking Kratom, Perry quickly realized that this legal street drug has very similar physical and mental effects to opiate drugs. He thought he had found the answer to his addiction issue and felt he would be able to continually use Kratom without negative side effects. What he soon learned is that he could build tolerance and that Kratom has the same effect as addictive drugs. Check out our website where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [01:33] Perry talks about his backstory and history of addiction. [04:11] How he became interested and addicted to psychedelic drugs. [06:55] Social aspect of doing drugs and participating in raves. [11:47] Ben talks about what Kratom is and why it's a bad choice to get off of drugs. [14:44] The first time Perry tried Kratom and how he became addicted to this drug. [22:09] How Perry decided to get back on Kratom after he was clean for a year. [31:57] Different phases of Kratom use when taking it daily. [36:07] Life became unmanageable once he was addicted to Kratom. [41:57] How Perry decided to get off Kratom and his plan for his future. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"You couple substance abuse with PTSD and I'm wondering, 'How do I fit in?'" -Ken Today, Ben and I are talking to Ken, a 35-year active military combat-in-arms, now veteran, discussing his alcoholism and addiction and what his post-military recovery journey has been for Ken. He is now paying it forward, helping others recover from their addiction. Ken's Background Born in 1964 to an Irish-Catholic family and the youngest of seven, the first memory of drinking alcohol is at age eight. With an abusive family environment, and alcohol readily available, Ken needed an escape. As a child, his escape was sports until he started drinking hard in 7th grade. He met up with a guitar player in his teens and started a band. After that, he skipped most of high school until he was thrown out of school at 16. He remembers trying everything except for heroin. "We knew the path we were on and decided that we can't keep on this path, so we joined the service." Having enrolled in the military in 1981, he saw much of the similar trauma he grew up with, such as suicides, fighting, and seeing a lot of blood, were familiar sites to Ken. The Military and Drugs and Alcohol Ken remembers how alcohol was a part of daily life in the military. "This is normal, this is the way we operate." He remembers the monthly keg in the breakroom and the keg in addition to alcohol troops brought to the barracks, there was "alcohol in mass quantities." He also recalls that the military didn't have the same policy regarding drugs as they would "disappear." Once he left the army, it was hard to integrate into society with a different language, no one to give orders, and a different lifestyle. So when he re-entered the civilian world, his life slowed down exponentially. Check out our website where you can download any episode along with helpful information for those in recovery and the families of those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [06:20] Ken talks about the parallels between his childhood and the military. [07:38] He discusses how drinking was embedded into the military back in the 80s and 90s. [10:01] Ken recalls his experience in Iraq on a specific "crazy" mission. [13:25] Why many men in the company used heroin as their drug of choice in the military. [16:10] How the military and his marriage kept him busy enough that he drank less. [21:17] Having the root of his moral compass grounded in God. [22:52] Ken describes the series of events leading him up to his successful recovery at Rock Recovery Center. [31:59] The seven points of rehabilitation he took on his journey to recovery. [50:23] Where Ken is going from here and what his future looks like. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"I can't even put into words how tight-knit a community that we're a part of." -Ben Today, Ben and I will cover the top five unexpected benefits that have come about because of our sobriety. These positive side effects are items that naturally and organically happen through the process of sobriety. But, of course, these come with time and work on ourselves, along with setting goals. Original Thoughts On Sobriety Initially, I thought that I would spend 45 days in a sober rehab facility, then go back to Pennsylvania and spend time drinking beer with my buddies. As developments happened over time, I realized that I couldn't fully comprehend the life I could potentially have for myself. Ben was living in a false reality. From his perspective, every person drank alcohol and did drugs, and that some people have figured out a way to moderate their addiction. Surrounding Yourself with Other Alcoholic and Drug Addicts I surrounded myself with alcohol and drug addicts while living an addiction lifestyle. I thought that they were true friends, but I realized everything that we did revolve around alcohol. There wasn't a gathering that I attended that didn't consist of massive amounts of alcohol. So when my friends started changing, and I changed friends, my life started moving in the right direction. You can tell who wants to be sober and do the work to get better, and while in treatment, I surrounded myself with that crowd. What AA and NA Has to Offer Not only do AA and NA offer drug and alcohol recovery, but they also offer so much more! One of our clients attending AA wasn't into the work to achieve the 12 steps. In conversation with him, I mentioned the amount of professional networking at meetings, which can potentially build his business. There are many opportunities outside of sobriety when you build trust in relationships during sessions. We encourage our clients to participate and share with others so that the community can get to know them better. Change of Hobbies with Sobriety Golfing, bowling, and archery were all activities that I used to participate in while drinking. It took me some time and effort to realize that I could again do these activities without having alcohol involved. Ben had re-tuned his life and activities and is now better at the hobbies that he enjoyed when he was an addict. Not only is his skill set increased, but he enjoys his hobbies much more now that he is sober. Check out our website where you can download any episode along with helpful information for those in recovery and the families of those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [02:51] Ben's benefits from sobriety that he didn't expect. [05:00] Ben thought that every person was an addict when he was addicted. [07:50] I talk about how my friends' circle changed when I became sober. [11:01] How addicts typically view the AA program when they first get into recovery. [17:15] Using the sober community to support yourself during recovery. [18:17] Finding and participating in new hobbies and activities sober. [21:54] Ben explains how much time he wasted on drugs and alcohol. [25:32] How I spent all my money before I earned my money. [30:00] Ben talks about his financial insecurities when he entered sobriety. [35:12] Hiding alcohol and drugs and learning to cope with reality without the addiction. [42:38] The importance of filling your spirit when recovering. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"You have choices in what you do with your time, and that's up to the individual." -Cody Today, Ben and I are chatting with Cody, who was very successful in life, and then addiction took it all away. Listen in to find out how he is rebuilding his life as a sober member of society and how drugs and alcohol can create alternative negative behaviors that aren't a part of who you really are. Growing Up with Learning Disabilities Cody had multiple learning disabilities in grade school growing up. Because of his learning disabilities and not getting support in the school system, Cody couldn't make good grades. He wanted to play sports but could not get on a team because of his low marks in school. He quickly learned that smoking pot was a solution to lessen his school anxiety and found that it helped him in school. Using Drugs in High School When he entered high school, Cody continued to use drugs. In addition, he also decided to make an income selling drugs. At one point, he was making a better income than his mom during his high school years. Going to Prison for Drugs Cody ended up in prison for violence, acting under the influence of drugs and alcohol from the age of 17 to 21. While in prison, another inmate introduced him to AA meetings. Even though he was in prison, Cody was able to easily access drugs and alcohol through the microeconomy of the prison. Success and Addiction With his first success at age 21 creating an app, he was bringing in good money. However, since he was an addict, Cody says, "being an addict gave me no respect for the scenario, and I needed drugs and alcohol as the highlight of the situation. Drugs and alcohol always came first in my life." Check out our website where you can download any episode along with helpful information for those in recovery and the families of those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:00] Cody talks about his drug and alcohol use starting at an early age. [04:16] Ramping up from using drugs to distributing drugs. [07:32] Attending his first AA meeting in prison at the age of 19. [12:34] Differences between jail and prison. [17:37] Why drugs and alcohol make you violent. [21:58] How addiction can take down the most successful people. [30:01] Philanthropy in addiction and recovery. [36:45] Reflecting on his previous decade of life and figuring out what he needs to do to make amends. [44:11] Negotiating and figuring out how to get money when you're an addict. [47:34] Building blocks needed for an addict to recover their life. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"One day I broke into tears and told my dad I can't stop drinking and I needed help." -Kevin Today, Ben and I are chatting with Kevin, who is an alumnus of Rock Recovery Center. Listen in and find out how Kevin could move past his anxiety, which was the cause of his alcoholism, and move into a life of sobriety. Learn how Kevin is making amends with those he hurt while he was alcoholic, and how he is giving back by supporting other members who are recovering. Dealing with Severe Anxiety Although Kevin never was an alcoholic growing up, he discovered that he suffered from severe anxiety and noticed that when he had alcohol, he wouldn't have panic attacks or other anxiety fallout. In addition, he would also experience anxiety when he came down off of the alcohol he drank, causing his condition to worsen and Kevin to drink more often. Drinking Alcohol to Reduce Panic Attacks At the age of 31, Kevin worked at a local high school when he had a severe panic attack that lasted a week. His doctor put him on an SSRI, which helped, and he could go back to work. A year later, he was drinking daily and wasn't able to work at all. Working for his father, Kevin had to tell him he was an alcoholic and needed help. Not knowing about detox facilities, Kevin went to his local hospital, which admitted him for a high heart rate for several days from his anxiety. Two months later, he was back in the hospital from heavy drinking and using cocaine. Outpatient Treatment He attended an intensive outpatient treatment but did not identify as an alcoholic. Although the center recommended that Kevin take an AA program, he refused to go to meetings. After trying three centers, including a PHP center, he was only clean for three days until he went back to drinking. Kevin finally found freedom from his addiction at Rock Recovery Center in 2021. Check out our website where you can download any episode along with helpful information for those in recovery and the families of those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [04:36] Kevin introduces himself and gives his backstory. [11:42] Anxiety as an underlying issue to alcoholism. [15:48] Drinking intermittently to calm a week-long panic attack. [20:40] Progression from alcohol to cocaine and other dry goods drugs. [23:05] How Kevin started drinking and how his alcoholism progressed with his anxiety. [29:05] Going through the levels of care to get to recovery. [32:29] Back into drinking when living at home with his parents post-recovery. [33:30] Red flags and issues that Kevin had when he came to Rock Recovery Center. [41:11] Being of service to others by driving them to meetings. [43:01] Coming up on one year of sobriety! [48:22] How Kevin has turned around his life since coming to Rock Recovery Center. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"At Rock I'm getting to talk to people and come to an understanding of what each of the twelve steps means." -Darell Today, Ben and I are chatting with Darell, who served 13 years in the United States Air Force as an EOD. We talk about his challenges post-service in the military and his progression of alcoholism through childhood, the military, and how he found solutions to his addiction when he returned to civilian life. Darell's History with Alcohol Growing up in New York, Darell can't remember when alcohol wasn't in his home. His first memory of his grandfather around the age of three was giving him tobacco to chew. So Darell spits it out, and his grandfather gave him a beer to wash it down. Growing up on a farm, he always had early morning farm chores with his siblings. His older sister would drink beer with his dad after chores in the morning. In addition to the morning alcohol at age five, he also remembers large parties at his farm where his parents would truck in kegs of liquor. Addicted to Alcohol as a Teen At 14, Darell was an addict, inviting friends over for drinking parties. "Once I started my goal was to get blackout drunk." He refused to stop drinking, and as his disease progressed through his teen years, he came to a point where he would drink an entire bottle in one night. Joining the Air Force as an Alcoholic Darell says, "I wanted to get away from where I was because everyone was on their second or third DUI." He realized that this was where he was headed if he didn't change his environment. Since many of his family members had positive experiences in the military, Darell thought this would be an excellent way to sober up and reclaim his life. "For me it was a no-brainer just do what you're told and you'll get through this," he says of his first days in the military. His job was to dispose of explosives and other weapons in his unit. He spent three tours abroad, disarming bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Listen in and find out how Darell was able to get alcohol while on tour, why being in the military didn't stop him from drinking, and why he decided to quit drinking. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [01:40] Growing up with alcohol on a farm in New York. [04:30] Starting his alcohol addiction at age 12. [10:00] Addiction norms depending on your culture and location. [15:26] Ben's inability to stop drinking while addicted. [18:35] How different people get into alcoholism. [20:11] Why Darell decided to join the Air Force. [25:57] His job and the responsibilities that came along with ammunition disposal. [27:52] How Darell was able to acquire alcohol while on tour in Afghanistan. [33:37] His exit from the military and circumstances leading to his medical discharge. [37:09] The diagnosis of PTSD and how that led him to medical treatment. [45:01] Transitioning from military to civilian life. [49:00] Changes that happened when he exited the military. [53:30] What's different for Darell now that he has his second round of sobriety. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"I've built routines here at Rock Recovery Center that I still have today." -JP Today, Ben and I are chatting with JP Burton, an alumnus of Rock Recovery Center. We speak about essential life skill development that accompanies the treatment process and the road to recovery. Listen to our conversation about prayer, meditation, and positive lifestyle changes that have stayed with JP through his treatment and beyond. JP's History and What Led Him to Drug Use Before drugs, JP enjoyed a life full of family, a home, and a comfortable lifestyle. Through his addiction, he lost his home, his relationship with his children and wrecked or sold his vehicles. By the time he was admitted into treatment in November of 2019, JP was homeless, and the only item he owned was the clothing on his back. Putting Addiction First JP acknowledges that he didn't lose his family, homes, and cars. He readily admits that he had a choice and gave away all that he had. "No one was holding a gun to my head, I just gave it all away." When he first went to treatment, he was healing from a compound fracture to his leg and started walking in detox. "You've never seen someone so excited about treatment." However, when he finally was able to get drugs out of his body, he realized he needed to change his mindset if he could survive and thrive after addiction. It's not a Drug Problem, It's a Personality Problem Ben says that his mentor told him that he didn't have a drug problem; he had a personality problem. After years and years of repeated patterns and behavior, learning to become sober long-term equates to creating changes in thinking. You can put down the alcohol and drugs, but remember that this takes time to find and replace negative habits with positive habits. Building New Routines for His New Life JP has never missed a day of routine since he came to Rock Recovery Center. He wakes up at 5 am, prays, and reads. Then, he's off to the gym to work out. Establishing this routine and making an effort to meet others who are also in recovery has helped him rebuild his life step-by-step and give him the ability to make his world better. Listen in and find out why community is a big part of a successful recovery, why helping others with their sobriety brings joy to JP, and why JP believes that routine is vital for successful sobriety. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:34] Why JD decided to put drugs first and lose everything. [04:33] Playing the victim role when we lose material goods to drugs. [07:38] When alcohol or drugs take over your life, you start to lose the ability to choose. [10:24] The realization of what life is like without drugs and alcohol. [14:12] How JP's mindset changed once he was at Rock Recovery Center. [16:10] Building new routines for a more successful life. [21:18] Buying into the process of routine and becoming a member of the community. [26:12] Why JP wants to help as many people become sober as possible. [30:03] JP's routine and why it keeps him moving forward in his sobriety. [36:00] What to look for if you're searching for a good recovery center for your loved one. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"I've had family members that have died from addiction, but I never thought that I would have an addiction." -Tommy Today, Ben and I are chatting with Tommy, who became an addict after taking narcotic drugs for pain relief after a motorcycle accident. Since he has addiction in his family, Tommy wasn't a stranger to the effects of drugs and alcohol on a person and their loved ones. Why Tommy Didn't Think Addiction was in his Future "I never saw myself as that person that has a need for anything other than myself," Tommy explains. Looking back, Tommy sees behaviors and patterns that led him down the path to addiction. He would go to parties and drink to the point of losing time, hurting himself or others, and not remembering events that happened while he was drinking. Prescription Pain Medications as Gateway Drugs Tommy quickly found that he liked the feeling prescription painkillers afforded him as he felt like he could get up and do anything. At first, he would run out of his prescription early, which quickly escalated to increasing his dose, then the doctor hopping to get more drugs legally. When one of his doctors wouldn't write him refills for pain medication, he turned to buy heroin and oxycontin on the streets. "Then I was so tired from these drugs that I started cocaine and crack." Within five years of starting his addiction to prescription pain medication, Tommy was out on the street purchasing only illegal drugs. The First Round of Addiction Treatment In 2019, his family gave him the option of getting treatment or leaving their home, so Tommy decided to go to his first treatment facility. "I was scared and didn't know what to think. I didn't fully believe in it and I didn't want to do it." At this time, he didn't acknowledge that he was having an issue with drugs and alcohol and didn't believe that he needed help to get past his addiction. Realizing that he needed help with getting sober, Tommy was motivated to get back on track during his second treatment at Rock Recovery Center. Listen in and find out why Tommy changed his viewpoint about getting help for his addiction, why having a drink will lead addicts back to treatment in a short time, and why Tommy was scared that he wouldn't be happy as a recovered addict. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:33] Decompression surgery to his skull led to more health problems after his motorcycle accident. [04:08] What treatment was like the first time in recovery for Tommy. [05:37] How his prescription for pain medication led to illegal drug use. [07:53] Tommy reflects back on his time at the first recovery facility. [13:08] Getting back to life requires a lifestyle change after addiction. [18:35] Tommy's second time in recovery at Rock Recovery Center. [23:56] The danger of hanging out with old friends who drink and do drugs when you're an addict. [29:48] Questioning if he is going to be happy when he was in recovery. [34:11] The importance of surrounding yourself with positive people after addiction. [39:08] Life changes that happened to Tommy as he worked through the recovery program. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"My mom was my biggest enabler and as soon as she took her foot off the gas pedal my life came crumbling down around me. That's where the biggest change and growth came from." -Noah Today, Ben and I are chatting with Noah, who was 20 when he received his first DUI. His parents kicked him out of the house after this event. Forced to attend AA, his grandmother took him to his meetings. Not understanding the program or the benefits of completing the 12 Step Program, Noah wasn't an engaged participant in the program when he first started his road to recovery. Events that Led to Noah Receiving His First DUI "Me and my mom would get into it over anything and everything," explains Noah. He would fight with her about little details and would refuse to help out around the house. Noah liked his work pattern: go out to drink, come home, and repeat this daily pattern. Although his mom was encouraging Noah to seek help, he didn't believe he had a problem. "I was living life the way I thought it should be lived." He didn't see his alcoholism because he found that many of his friends lived the same type of lifestyle, so Noah normalized his way of life through others. His Life Post-DUI Losing the ability to be independent and drive himself to where he wanted to go, Noah soon realized the humiliation that accompanied losing his privilege to drive. "I had all this freedom to do what I wanted and then suddenly it was stripped away." Sitting at his parent's house, his mom caught him drinking. She sent him to a nearby detox center to clean up his act. Relapse Patterns and His Struggle to Become Sober Not feeling like he belonged in treatment, Noah wanted to fast track to the next step so he could get home and live the way he wanted to live. Putting on a show and not being his genuine self, Noah refused to dive into what he needed to do to become a sober member of society. After going through his first detox treatment in his hometown, Noah ended up back drinking alone in his room. His mom sent him back to detox again. Listen in and find out why the crowd at the detox center affected Noah's ability to get clean, what happened when his mom wouldn't let him live at home, and why Noah was kicked out of recovery. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:33] Noah's first DUI, which led him down a negative spiral of life events. [04:20] What led Noah's parents to kick Noah out of their home. [05:53] His life after getting kicked out of his parent's house post first DUI. [10:34] Noah struggles through multiple attempts at recovery. [14:42] What happened after Noah left his first detox treatment in Illinois. [17:21] His mom reaches her breaking point and doesn't allow Noah to live with the family again. [21:01] Ben explains recovery capital and the reason for living after addiction. [22:12] Rehab romance and why it didn't end well for Noah. [26:11] Noah was asked to leave on administrative discharge because he wasn't progressing through the addiction program. [28:59] Ben tells mom to stop paying for all of Noah's mistakes. [31:37] Noah regresses back to drinking after this fourth time in recovery. [34:13] The importance of pulling the plug and not enabling your addict. [41:49] Why a support group is needed to hold each other accountable. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"Alcoholics Anonymous didn't just save my life, it taught me how to live a life worthy of having been spared and changed me from the inside out." -Eric Sheets Today, Ben and I are chatting to Eric Sheets, who is sharing his story of recovery and how he has taken his experience to give back and help other addicts become sober again. Eric's Background with Drugs and Alcohol Eric says he came to the 12 Step Program a "broken man" and admits that this is the first time he has been honest with himself. "I could see that fear has governed my life as long as I can remember." He did have a stretch of sobriety between 2003 and 2010 when his wife fell ill with a rare lung disease and was terminally ill. "In that time I found God and my understanding of him" because, for the first time in his life, he understood his purpose. Although he realized that God put his wife into his life, he still didn't believe that he was an addict and didn't understand what this lifestyle entails. The Second Phase of Drinking for Eric After his wife passed away, Eric didn't drink for several weeks until he was invited to a dinner party where a woman gave him a glass of wine after convincing Eric that he wasn't an alcoholic. He remembers that moment like it was yesterday and picked up his addiction at the moment he left off. At the moment he realized he couldn't move on anymore, he walked into a hospital and told the emergency staff he was going to commit suicide; and he was baker-acted and introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous. Living a Life of Purpose "Living a life of purpose makes me happy," Eric comments. He found that when he has a purpose, he can live sober and help others live sober. "Living in communion with my creator is how I found my purpose and what greater purpose can there be?" Listen in and find out how Eric came to find his purpose, what happened when he stopped being of service, how fear and selfishness crept into his life, and how he rebuilt his relationship with his son. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [05:01] History and background on Eric's early history. [10:58] The days and weeks following his wife's death. [12:45] Picking up his first glass of wine after being sober for seven years. [14:54] Eric's rapid progression through alcoholism. [17:05] When Eric started working the 12 steps, he started to care about other people. [18:56] How Eric found purpose in his life and how his purpose motivated him to stay sober. [20:53] The importance of addressing the little issues that trip up addicts. [23:30] How Eric patched his relationship with his son. [34:11] Eric found his new wife after his addiction. [40:23] Putting a "why" between his alcohol and his addiction. [43:34] The importance of having faith when you're a recovering addict. [53:13] His spiritual experience when going through the fifth step. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"I'm able to get high on life with sobriety." -Faith Penda Today, Ben and I are chatting to Fatih Penda, a long-term addict who has recovered and is now leading a drug and alcohol-free life. Leading to building a recovery center, Fatih is now leading other adults into recovery and positive life. Fatih's Background with Drugs and Alcohol Born in Salem, Massechuessets with a Muslim upbringing, Fatih always felt different than everyone else. Although his uncle did drink, he isn't sure where his addiction comes from. "Throughout high school I started taking drinking to the next level, then using and abusing drugs and taking that to the next level," where he went back and forth between drugs and alcohol. Spending his summers overseas in Turkey, Fatih understood and spoke two languages fluently, going to school in Turkey and the US. "It was always hard to adjust when I came back to school after the summer." In his eighth grade year, he found out he was going to start high school in Turkey. With no drinking age, he was able to smoke and drink whenever he wanted to. Picking Up his First Drink and Getting into Addiction He would experiment with different drugs and return to the United States for his freshman year of college. Fatih found himself treating life as an adult, and it was hard to get back in with his jock friends and the circle of athletes he previously hung out with. Fatih's friend gave him acid, and he started tripping in classes, and his drug use escalated from there. Moving onto cocaine and other drugs, including prescription drugs, Fatih's addiction spiraled out of control. Fatih's First Experience with Addiction Treatment The Muslim culture doesn't understand addiction and the concept that addicts can't just stop their addiction. His parents sent him back to Turkey, in an attempt to get him away from the environment that was supporting his addiction. However, Fatih found a way to get prescription drugs cheap and was hooked on Xanax for weeks, eventually ending up in a mental health facility. Listen in and find how Fatih received sobriety through the 12 Step Program from AA, action steps you can take to start your journey into sobriety, and how sobriety has changed his viewpoint and perspective on life. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [04:30] Fatih's early years and his upbringing. [10:00] Returning back to the states for his college education. [15:00] His first attempt at recovery from his addiction. [19:02] Going to a Scientology recovery center for his second treatment. [28:49] Action steps you can take to make your first move into sobriety. [33:56] Witnessing the journey from addiction to sobriety. [35:44] Fatih talks about his upcoming heart surgery. [38:37] What saved Fatih from crashing and burning on drugs and alcohol. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Today I will talk about the process and path of a person moving from being a "normie" to using drugs and alcohol and becoming an addict. In this episode, I talk with Brad Jensen, the founder of Key Nutrition, and is in recovery. He comes to us today to talk about how fitness and health have positively impacted his sobriety. Brad also talks about his struggles with sobriety. He'll talk about his experience, his awareness of the three pillars to life, and how he can assist clients with his coaching to be more successful on the path of sobriety. Struggling with anxiety and ADD from age 12, he tried alcohol as a release and found drinking worked to relieve his stress. Additionally, he was overweight and was picked on by friends. By age 14, Brad jumped into reading books on health and fitness and was hooked on his health class at school. He remembers wanting to look like a bodybuilder on the cover of a magazine, then realizing that alcohol would not let him achieve his goal and quit drinking. At the end of his sophomore year, he was fit, but still had anxiety and was presented with opiates at a party. Even with a stable family situation and a good life, Brad fell into drugs and alcohol. "This wasn't supposed to happen to a guy like me," he says, recalling his stable family life. Brad continued bodybuilding, along with his heroin addiction, until he finally ended up in prison for an extended period. Listen in to find out how Brad denied his addiction for years, how he recovered from his long-term addiction in November of 2012, and the best thing his parents did for him during recovery. Brad also talks about how the loss of his grandfather affected his recovery from addiction. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:59] Brad's journey through addiction and his background with drugs and alcohol. [06:01] Brad tells his story of how he was introduced to and hooked on opiates. [08:45] His experience of trying to take more pain pills and how to get a hold of more. [10:56] Building his identity through distributing opiates, the significant power this gave him and his first experience with heroin. [14:52] His senior year of high school his mom found a briefcase full of drugs. [22:56] Brad's first experience with a long-term prison sentence. [26:18] How Brad's parents stopped enabling him and how this helped him to stop using drugs. [28:06] What happened when Brad asked his mom for drugs. [30:00] Brad's first steps to recovery after he was released from 30 days in prison. [36:54] How materialistic items can keep people sober. [46:30] How fitness and health has impacted Brad's sobriety. [51:54] Get your anger, anxiety and issues out of your head with a good workout in the gym. [54:54] It's not how long you've been sober, it's what you've done during and after your recovery time. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Brad Jensen | Key Nutrition Coach

"I wanted to take something hard that I had to go through that was painful and help another human being to get through without struggling as hard as I did." -Maya Today, Ben and I are chatting to Maya who is a full-time employee at Rock Recovery Center. She is here to talk about her past history and how she became a professional in the substance abuse space. Why Maya Chose to Work with Recovering Addicts "I never thought that I'd be here working in mental health and the substance abuse field," Maya says about her career choice. She is excited to be working with us at Rock Recovery Center and is an excellent fit for our team. She was born and raised in Florida, growing up in an upper-middle-class family with a strong work ethic. However, both her parents were addicts, and her dad died of his disease. "I never felt a part of, or good enough, or that I belonged in any environment." Her parents divorced when she was one and didn't have good relationships with her stepparents on either side. "I was an addict long before I picked up any substance," as she was trying to validate her worth early on with love being conditional based on her achievements. As a result, she was a high-achiever in academics and sports. "It's hard to maintain that level of expectations." Her First Drink at Age 15 She remembers feeling scared when she picked up her first drink at 15 and the feeling of the potential damage that could arise with drinking. "It's like a switch flipped and it wasn't very pleasant." However, since there was some sense of relief, she continued with the addiction. It wasn't long before her disease progressed and friends noticed. Dropping out of school in the next year, she moved from her prestigious private school to public school. Waking Up and Realizing Her Addiction Having had opiates in her system every day of her life for over a decade, Maya was struggling just to survive. When she woke up in the medical unit of jail, she gave up hope and thought she would die. Listen in and find how Maya decided to become a mental health provider, why her recovery has to be separate from her work and clients, and her advice on how to deal with someone who is addicted. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:45] History and how she became addicted to alcohol and drugs. [07:49] Maya now embraces herself with her flaws and strengths. [08:30] Picking up her first drink at age 15 and the consequences of drinking. [11:17] Trying to forge her identity as an adolescent. [19:10] Her dad passes away and she ends up in jail for stealing a car. [27:10] Why addicts can't stop even though they want to stop the addiction. [31:14] How she decided to become a licensed social clinical worker. [33:44] Her personal experience navigating as a clinical worker and being in active recovery. [34:22] How she separates her personal recovery and work life. [43:16] Maya's advice for families dealing with a loved one's addiction. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Tom and Benjamin B. are joined by Keith. Keith is a rockstar when he plays the guitar. He is also here to talk about why it's so important to have structure within sober living. There are some places that don't have any structure, but a guy like Keith could whip them into shape really fast. Keith is a behavioral health tech. He has also been a house manager, and he is a recovering addict. He tells it like it is, but is able to do it in a way where he doesn't offend people and is able to gain the respect of the clients. This episode is a great insight into how structure can help someone move forward with their life. Show Notes [03:00] Ben and Keith have known each other for at least three years now. Keith is also in recovery, and he is a behavioral health tech. [03:12] Keith is known for some methods that are tied into the structure and regimen that we are going to be talking about today. [03:30] Keith is an addict. He came to Florida in 2013 from a homeless shelter. This is where he first learned to start having a regimen. [04:16] He didn't want to be drunk, high, and irresponsible anymore. [05:12] Get up in the morning, make your bed, do your dishes, take a shower, and take care of yourself. [05:42] A lot of clients that we deal with tend to be a little bit spoiled. Keith had limited resources, but took what was available and applied what he needed to. [07:06] Keith was grateful to have a roof over his head at the homeless shelter when it was snowing outside. [08:04] Keith lost everything and anything that came to him after that he considers a gift. [10:27] Tom and Ben both started this text as well. [10:47] Keith demands respect, and he is very straightforward with his clients. [12:53] Clients spend 90% of the day with the techs, and it might just be the most important position here. [13:53] You have to think about what the client is going through. [15:18] People aren't perfect. Who runs treatment centers? People. [17:03] The work actually starts after you get sober. [17:34] A house manager is someone with a certain amount of sobriety time. This is one of the hardest positions to find. [19:13] It's really a job on top of a job. [20:28] Being a house manager was an opportunity that Keith took while he was also working another full-time job. [20:42] This was his opportunity to make things different and fix things that were wrong when he was a client. [22:02] Keith has flipped mattresses, and even set up a guy's entire room in a gazebo. [24:04] Keith is always involved in exciting stuff, and his life looks like a blast. The clients seem to pick up on that. [25:00] He'll go diving and jump out of a plane all in one day. He has also broken every bone in his body. [26:34] Say what you mean, but don't say it mean. [29:05] Experience is what Keith had to bring to the table. [31:25] There is meant to be confrontation in treatment. The job is to give people the opportunity to utilize coping skills. [33:15] It's a client's responsibility to contribute to the safety of the treatment program. [34:07] There are people from all walks of life with every defect in the house. [36:22] Keith has opinions that bring truth and help the treatment plan have balance. [41:41] Keith is from the Bronx. He presents himself for who he is. Links and Resources: AA

Geographical change can help assist people going through recovery. A change that includes getting away from the people and influences that led to the addiction in the first place can be helpful. Benjamin B. and Renee L. are here today to talk about the benefits of sending your loved one to recovery someplace that includes geographical change. We talk about South Florida recovery versus Northeast recovery and Renee shares her experience with both. Renee and Ben both share their experience with recovery and geographical change. We talk about medically assisted therapies like suboxone and methadone and how additional therapy geared toward abstinence, spirituality, or AA are needed along with a desire to change. Show Notes [02:50] Prior to coming to South Florida, Renee was deep in her addiction. She actually came to South Florida for geographical change. [03:21] She didn't stay in the Northeast because of people, places, and things. [03:40] In the Northeast, there's the high-end recovery that focuses on yoga or medically assisted treatment. [04:00] Renee had tried suboxone therapy and it didn't keep her sober. [04:18] There are a lot of suboxone clinics up north. [04:47] Ben also has experience with methadone and suboxone. [06:24] When Ben was taking the methadone, he received therapy once a month. The methadone and suboxone kept him alive long enough to gather enough tools to want abstinence. [08:35] Ben went to therapy in Minnesota where his grandmother lived. [09:07] Medically assisted treatment means some type of methadone or suboxone, but there is no actual therapy. [10:02] Technically, Renee wasn't sober. She was just switching from opiates to suboxone. [11:47] Suboxone is also an abusable drug that people can become dependent on. [12:53] Geographical change removes the addict from the place where they are comfortable with their addiction. [13:17] Getting on an airplane and going 1500 miles away from home is a commitment. It's also a good way to avoid triggers. [14:25] Without geographical change, Renee doesn't think she would have gotten sober. [16:50] In the first year, Renee changed nothing other than where she was living. Relationships made getting clean the hardest for her. [18:01] When relationships failed, Renee went back to drugs. [18:57] South Florida is known for having great recovery. [20:30] It's hard to get clean when you're still surrounded by people who don't want that to happen. [22:59] By traveling for recovery, it's harder to change your mind and go home. Addicts can be extremely impulsive. [24:28] It's vital that loved ones and those involved don't make the geographical change with the addict. This includes over the phone and Skype. People need to make their journeys on their own. [27:04] Life is going to happen no matter what. You can get through things without getting high. Treatment is not easy for your love ones, you can't derail it as a family member. [30:23] Families being involved are a vital part of the process, but there is a time and a place. [33:37] Renee is hoping to start a meeting in the Northeast. She built a good foundation during the five years she was in South Florida. [35:09] Exercise abstinence first. Don't look at a MAT program as your first option. Benefits to geographical change include commitment, recovery based culture, and lack of triggers. [37:33] Geographical change is very important if it is a viable option for you. Links and Resources: Episode 20: Is Methadone an Effective Treatment Option?

"I know people that have gotten clean and sober off of their drug of choice... and have tried this 'medical marijuana' aspect of it... and... I don't know of anybody that was able to stay that way and maintain sobriety after going down that road." -Tom Conrad Today, Ben and I are chatting about California Sober, brought to light recently by Demi Lovato on Joe Rogan's podcast, offering our opinions on it. While we aren't here to criticize how other people recover from addiction, as we are not witch burners, we just want to offer our opinions based on our own experiences being former addicts ourselves. How We Ultimately Feel About California Sober In her interview with Joe Rogan, Demi Lovato defines what she means by being California Sober, saying, "It's a term that a lot of people use to identify this path of moderation with the help of some green plants." Our perspective on this is that that isn't going to work for everyone. We both agree that while marijuana isn't usually a gateway drug and wouldn't likely cause us to revert back to harder substances, it wouldn't likely have any benefit in our lives and would, in fact, likely hinder productivity. Give it a go if it works for you, but our experiences suggest that, again, it does not work for everyone. How People Like Joe Rogan Have Misunderstood the Twelve Steps The first step of the twelve steps is admitting that you are powerless in your addiction, and some people seem to confuse powerlessness with helplessness. If you were helpless, then there wouldn't be recovery programs. Being helpless refers to an inability to take action, but these programs offer things that you can do, ways to fix the problem. It isn't helplessness. In fact, if anything, it can actually be empowering. Our Experiences and How They Shape Our Opinion on Marijuana MaintenanceWe, for starters, have known people who have relapsed and even died of overdose after years of sobriety because they started smoking marijuana. Living in the Palm Beach County Area in Florida, we have also seen four local treatment centers adopt the marijuana maintenance treatment method. Two of them were actually shut down by the FBI and owners got arrested because of how addicts were being taken advantage of, one voluntarily shut down because of its clientele not being serious about actually wanting to recover, and, finally, someone that we know personally throwing in the towel on the program because of his perspective that it had absolutely no benefit to him. What the Best Approach Is in Our Opinion While, again, we are not witch burners and are not even against marijuana, there is absolutely nothing to support the idea that marijuana maintenance is a more effective treatment than abstinence based treatment. While marijuana maintenance (or California Sober) works for some, that doesn't seem to be the norm, so it is our belief that it is always better to completely abstain from illicit substances, that that's always the best approach. Listen in and hear us discuss our experiences and how they shape our opinions on this topic. Be sure to check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [04:16] What the topic of this episode will cover – California Sober. [08:19] How Tom and Ben feel about Demi Lovato's discussion of being California Sober. [09:54] Whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug and what kind of effect it could have on someone trying to maintain longterm recovery from harder drugs. [12:18] How Tom feels about Joe Rogan commenting on helplessness in the addiction and recovery community. [15:01] How Joe Rogan's perspective on the twelve steps is misguided because there is a difference between powerlessness and helplessness. [19:54] Marijuana Maintenance has been adopted in treatment centers in the Palm Beach county area of Florida, none of them successes. [24:00] Why abstinence from all illicit substances is the best path to recovery. [30:53] How recovery is not absolute or black or white. [34:45] How substance abuse is, for some people, all or nothing, which is why abstinence is the best approach. [39:16] Summary of the episode's main points about California Sober. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Tom's Instagram Page Ben's Instagram Page Demi Lovato on Relapsing and Being "California Sober" Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"This disease does not discriminate and it's really hard to get sober." -Nicole Bifano Today, Ben and I are chatting to Nicole Bifano, a primary worker at Rock Recovery Center and an LCSW, about the therapeutic process, the steps of detoxification, and the details of AL-ANON membership. Why Nicole Chose to Work with Recovering Addicts Nicole felt called by God to work in the realm of addiction treatment. Working at a treatment center was her only option when she graduated. Although Nicole didn't plan on working in an alcohol and drug rehab center, she fell in love with her job. "I was able to discover who I was in the process as I had an attachment to this disease since I grew up around it." Nicole's Perspective on Counseling Addicts She realizes that it's not about the substance; for addicts, it's the underlying emotional imbalance that brings them into addiction. "For me, it's about identifying with people on a human level." Nicole looks to connect with those in recovery to show them that they are loved and cared for as human beings. "Connecting with people on their level gives you the ability to help them." Breaking Through the Addictive Mindset Clients have a range of issues, and sometimes they are still in the party and drugging stage. By looking at their past life history and experiences, Nicole can get a good insight into the source of their addiction and work with them to move past their emotional grief. Many of her clients don't feel loved or that they don't belong, and addiction to drugs gave them a feeling of inclusion. Listen in and find out the multiple facets of addiction, how Nicole facilitates the healing process, and how she guides her patients through the recovery process. Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [04:14] Why Nicole chose to work with those recovering from addiction. [06:15] Her approach to counseling those with addiction issues. [10:30] Nicole's treatment approach with her counseling. [12:51] Common elements across patients with drug addiction. [18:45] How time is spent working with clients during counseling. [20:27] Creating connection through a relationship built on trust. [25:05] Resources to support your loved one through their healing process. [32:55] Tangible Al-Anon takeaways and why Nicole uses them as a resource. [39:33] The importance of relinquishing control as an addict. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"I knew I didn't like myself, but I didn't even know myself." -Steve Today, Ben and I are chatting with Steve, our intern at Rock Recovery Center, who will celebrate 12 years of sobriety this week! Steve has been with us since January. He is attending university for his bachelor's degree in social work, and we are excited to have him on the show today to talk about his recovery and his work here at Rock. What Steve is Contributing to Rock Recovery Center Being an addict in recovery, Steve understands our family's struggles and challenges here we at Rock Recovery Center go through regularly. "I think I can contribute to working with young adults, as I was a young adult when I decided to go into recovery." His parents sent him into recovery, where he was able to get back on his feet and stop living the junkie lifestyle that was "exhausting." Steve's History of Drug Use Growing up with Crohn's disease, Steve was in and out of the hospital dealing with the medical implications of this auto-immune disease from the time he was 11 to the time he was 17. The doctors had put him on high doses of Prednisone, destroying his hips, resulting in Steve's use of crutches and a wheelchair to be mobile. Steve dealt with many different side effects from being on long-term, high-dose steroids, such as excessive weight gain, which kids at school bullied him about daily. He also grew up in a chaotic household with his parents constantly arguing until their divorce. He started his abuse of drugs by smoking pot in his late teens. He remembers smoking pot and telling his friends he didn't want to not feel stoned. Steve had a hard time emotionally and used marijuana to self-medicate. By the age of 22, he was homeless and smoking crack daily in his car. "My life spiraled so fast from using Oxycontin and Roxie's - the next thing I know I'm smoking crack." Listen in and find out Steve's big wins from his 12-year sobriety, what steps to take to bring yourself out of the addict's mindset, and why Steve chose to work with addicts in a recovery center. Check out our new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:46] Why Steve decided to work in the substance abuse field. [06:17] His battle with addiction and becoming homeless. [08:20] Steve's history growing up and how he became addicted to drugs. [17:03] Biggest sobriety accomplishments to date. [23:21] How to get ahead of the game when you're working on getting sober. [25:17] What draws Steve to work in a therapeutic setting. [33:19] Steve's future and what he is planning to do in the next five years. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Getting clean and sober can be stressful. We try to do everything possible to help people going through recovery deal with stress. It's scientifically proven that exercise will help reduce stress levels. This is why we can't emphasize the importance of exercise enough in the process of getting clean and sober. Today's episode is about exercise and why it is important to incorporate into your journey. Tom and Ben will be discussing this important topic along with the benefits of exercising throughout the recovery process and how exercise can affect your overall physical and mental well being. It can even have an effect on heart health and inflammatory issues. Show Notes [02:23] Stress reduction. Exercise is a natural stress reducer. It naturally correlates with the chemicals in your brain. It also gives you an opportunity to take your mind off of whatever you've been thinking about for the day. [03:42] Getting clean and sober can be stressful. There are a lot of things that you aren't used to doing that you now have to do while you're sober. [04:20] There is even research out there that shows stress can cause heart and inflammatory issues. [04:50] Exercise also incorporates into time management. Going to the gym right after work gives you an opportunity to step away from the stressors of the day. [05:46] If you exercise, you get better sleep. Most people in recovery are prescribed some type of sleep aid. It's hard to fall asleep when you first begin recovery. [06:52] It's extremely beneficial to wean off of the sleep meds, and exercise can help you do this. [09:57] Seroquel is an antipsychotic used for sleep. It makes you tired and makes you sleep. Tom became dependent on it. [11:29] Tom has to do something exercise-related during the day even if it's just going for some walks. It definitely helps him sleep. [12:15] In Ben's opinion, sleep medication helps maintain the addicts behavior and mentality. [13:11] While we're sleeping our bodies rejuvenate and repair themselves. [13:51] Improves mood. Exercising actually improves your mood. Exercise helps with the depression and anxiety that people in recovery frequently have. [15:45] We just built a gym and run our clients through a workout routine. We ask them to pay attention to their mood before and after the exercise. We frequently see people walk out of the exercise session with a smile on their face. [17:32] Opiates release endorphins. A runner's high is similar to the endorphins from opiates. It's the same chemicals on the brain. [19:48] Most people who get regular exercise aren't depressed. [20:10] CrossFit or something with a community workout gives people a sense of accomplishment. [21:15] We find exercises that we can modify for all of our clients. [22:06] Increase of energy. Energy capital. Even though exercising expends energy, by exercising you end up with more energy throughout the day. [24:05] Coffee and energy drinks are not the only way to energize. [25:26] If you work out you sleep better, if you sleep better you have more energy. It all comes full circle. [26:01] Exercise gives you a stronger immune system. It's important to have a strong immune system during recovery, because you don't want to get sick. [27:20] Exercise can help push out the last of the detox process. [28:49] Pot is fat soluble and can store in your fat cells. [30:07] Exercising as a whole will help with relapse prevention. [30:24] It's a challenge, it gives you purpose, it's something you enjoy, you sleep better and feel better. [30:59] Also add good nutrition and have a sense of community or a 12-step program, and you will be setting yourself up for success. [31:44] Tom just competed in a US powerlifting competition. [32:29] A big part of recovery is fellowship. [35:12] We have seen exercise work time and time again. It helps with mood and everything else. [35:47] This is why we incorporate exercise into our programs. We give people the tools they need and coach them through the workouts. Links and Resources: Ep. 27 – Is Steroid Use in Recovery Considered a Relapse?

Today, Ben and I are chatting with Allie Severino, host of the "Dope Sick Nation", which premiered on VICE in 2019. Allie's goal is to help educate and heal America with her series offering a unique, inside perspective on the addiction problems facing our country in addition to the addiction treatment industry. Allie is passionate about educating families on the advancement of addiction treatment, harm reduction, and holistic approaches. She believes in education to aid prevention and advance the recovery of people with substance abuse. Allie's goal is to help families and loved ones affected by addiction. Allie's Addiction History After getting arrested at 17 for drug use and receiving probation, Allie admitted herself into recovery. She earned her GED and started working full-time, obtaining her real estate license in the process. Allie wasn't enjoying real estate as she had hoped, so she started her own Fresh Start magazine. She wrote and published under a fictitious name, not wanting anyone to know who published this magazine. Pitching "Dope Sick Nation" To get "Dope Sick Nation" picked up by a production company, Allie and her friends had to go in and pitch it more than once. The first time, they hated it; the second time, they loved the idea. She talks about how several of her friends died during the filming of the series. "There was a lot of emotional stuff going on while we were filming." While there were definitely positive memories, such as Shane, who is still in recovery doing well, much of it was very intense. Alex's Story of Addiction, Relapses and Recovery Starting treatment in Florida last year, he heard of "Dope Sick Nation" being filmed. In 2020, he had relapsed very severely and was drinking heavily daily. Since he was looking for treatment in Florida, he decided to reach out to Allie to be in the series. Listen in and find out what you can expect from watching "Dope Sick Nation", and how Alex decided to stay in recovery instead of going home to Arizona. Check out our new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:15] Allie gives us a bit of her history from addict to recovery. [07:11] How Allie's friend decided to create a movie on patient brokering. [10:21] From the movie American Relapse to getting syndicated as a TV series. [16:50] Ben and Allie discuss drug addiction recovery options. [19:18] Allie's experience with couples recovery. [22:35] What you can expect when you watch "Dope Sick Nation". [25:45] Alex tells us his story of addiction, relapse and recovery. [30:10] Allie's visit with Alex in recovery. [33:37] How we incorporate physical fitness at Rock Recovery Center. [40:39] Alex's plans for the near future. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions Visit Allie Severino on the web Check out American Relapse

Today, Ben and I are chatting to Jacob, who tells us his story of relapse, which led him to his deterioration and how he dug himself back out to sobriety again. Being introduced to alcohol at age 8, Jacob had a long and challenging life ahead of himself, which has led to his recovery with support from Rock Recovery Center. Starting His Life of Alcohol and Drugs at Age Eight At 26, Jacob has been living in Florida for over eight years. He was first introduced to alcohol at age 8, where he was given sips of drink at a New Year's Eve party. Jacob liked taking whatever activity he participated into the extreme, and drugs were no exception. He had his first introduction into a drug and alcohol rehab program at the age of 14. Although he was there for a week, he participated but didn't take the program seriously. Jacob Meets Ben at Rock Recovery Center At 18, Jacob came down to Florida to Rock Recovery Center and first met Ben. He didn't like anyone telling him what to do and was always in trouble. When he turned 20, Jacob finally took his recovery seriously and was able to pick up his 90-day celebration chip on his 21st birthday. Taking Recovery to Heart "The steps were easy for me in the beginning, and looking back on it now, I wasn't fully honest through all the steps." At nine months sober, Jacob lost a best friend who was like a little brother to him and promised him that he would throw his heart and soul into recovery. Jacob spent three and a half years sober before he fell into the cycle of drugs again. His relapse started when he stopped connecting with his support group and supporting the recovery community. Jacob began to manipulate the people around him. "The depression, the anxiety, and the anger set in, and it was taking over me." Listen in and find out what Jacob had to do to change his mindset and stay sober after his harrowing experience on and off of drugs. Check out our new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [06:00] Jacob's first experience in a drug rehab program at age 14. [09:15] Promising the soul of his lost best friend that he would put his heart into recovery. [12:42] What his first two years of sobriety looked like for Jacob. [19:05] Jacob's ego got the best of him and started drifting back to drugs. [26:03] Users and recovering addicts should avoid kratom as it binds to your opioid receptors. [32:01] He thought he had arrived when he started drinking himself to a blackout when he felt depressed. [38:08] Why Jacob went back out and did drugs and alcohol. [40:43] Dealing with past trauma and how that affected his addiction. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Today, Ben and I are chatting about gaining enough positive capital into your life for relapse prevention. Many people get sober, and relapsing can be expected. In this episode, we want to teach you tools and action steps to prevent relapse. Build your emotional capital as a buffer against wanting to go back and becoming an addict again. Becoming Proactive in Your Recovery Process Being proactive in your recovery process is a big part of staying on track in your sobriety. If you do your work on the front end, it's easier to resist those cravings and stay clean when you do have desires. One way to be proactive is to go to meetings regularly - skipping meetings gives cravings a chance to sneak back into your thoughts. Make sure to consistently be doing the work to keep your sobriety. Sobriety Before Relapse Someone sober has made strides and put forth the effort to become sober. A dry person has put down the drugs and alcohol for the time being, but they haven't done the emotional work necessary to fix the addiction's root. It's possible for an individual to go to meetings and be dry because they haven't created the internal rearrangement to become sober. When a person relapses, they have experienced emotional trauma or stress, which has made them crave drugs to feel better again. Rearranging Yourself Internally During our addiction, behaviors ingrained in us are negative, selfish actions used to acquire our drug of choice takes a lot of effort to redirect. You also must build recovery capital by becoming proactive. Gaining capital is a good cushion against relapse because withdrawals happen through negative experiences, and if we overdraw your account, relapse can happen. Check out our new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [05:26] Relapse prevention is not a black-or-white topic. [07:26] A prerequisite for relapse is for a person to be in active recovery. [09:21] It's possible to go to meetings and be dry because that person hasn't created the internal rearrangement to become sober. [12:50] Start your day ready to add emotional capital to your account. [18:21] The importance of keeping challenges in your life to prevent boredom and relapse. [24:06] Having more responsibility results in more chances for negative circumstances to occur. [32:08] Learning how to be sober and deal with negative emotional feelings on your own is important to preventing relapse. [41:05] Enjoy activities for the activity, not for the past memory of what you did previously. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Today, I'll be talking about three questions you want to think about and reflect on before deciding to speak with your loved one about becoming clean and sober. No matter if they are a daughter, son, parent, or friend, these are three critical questions that you want to have answered before you start the conversation on recovery. Keep in mind that drugs and alcohol are not the only two forms of addiction. Food, sex, gambling, and shopping are all conduits for addiction. These outlets are no less of an addictive substance than drugs or alcohol as the process ignites the same pleasure systems in the brain. Common Themes Parents Talk About with their Addicted Children While deciding to have a conversation with your child about their drug habit is a good choice, you first want to consider if this is a fear-based or care-centered conversation. Parents who have conversations out of fear speak out of emotion, leading to a charged conversation with negative side effects. Words such as "need to", "should", "do you realize", "how can you", don't belong in a conversation in which your goal is to get your loved one to rehabilitation. What do You Want for Your Son or Daughter? Many parents have a big plan for their children for what they want for their son or daughter based on what they want out of life. We want them to live a happy life with a caring partner, have children, and experience grandchildren for themselves. However, we must pause and reflect on what we are asking of them. Are we basing our children's plans based on what we want for them or what they want out of life? I've experienced parents who have expectations of their children based on what they want for them, not what their children want. For selfish reasons, parents are looking for their kids to live a certain lifestyle because it's easier for the parent, not the child. Evaluate your motives when you are thinking about what your children "should or should not do." Give your kids space to breathe and space to make decisions on their own. Do You Have Realistic Expectations for Sobriety? I can't tell you the number of parents who had no realistic expectations of their children for their recovery. Children are set up for failure when they can't achieve their parent's goals. Understand that when your child enters into sobriety, they are most vulnerable. They must solely focus on themselves to successfully move ahead in the process and become clean again. Check out our new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [05:41] Conversations I have with parents about talking to their children about recovery. [08:41] Negative side effects of having a conversation out of fear. [13:38] Tom recalls the conversation with his dad in which he decided to become clean. [17:37] Make sure your goals for your children are based on what they want and need out of life. [23:50] How children decide who is involved in their recovery process. [27:38] Reasons to reflect on these questions before you talk to your son or daughter. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Are you considering methadone or suboxone prescription as a way to treat heroin addiction for you or a loved one? Is this a safe way to beat an opioid addiction or will it only make the struggle more difficult? Ben Bueno is a recovering heroin addict shares his experience of being treated with methadone. Resources mentioned in this episode: Facebook Support Group RealRecoveryTalk.com/Facebook

Everyone on the planet is affected by self-esteem in one way or another. Today, Tom discusses how self-esteem in general can influence addiction. In this episode, he talks about what self-esteem is and why positive self-esteem is so important for sobriety and getting and staying sober. He shares his own battle with self-esteem issues and why finding the root cause is so important. He also stresses that it's a process that needs to be facilitated by a good therapist. He talks about action steps that anyone can take to start building up their self-esteem in a positive way. By the end of the show, you'll be able to understand how the health of one's self-esteem can directly impact whether someone will have or develop an addiction problem. Show Notes: [02:03] Just after we did a show on the dangers of Suboxone, we found out that the manufacturers have been ordered to pay a 1.4 billion dollar settlement for negligent marketing. [04:14] Everybody has self-esteem. It can be good or bad, and it's learned over a period of years. [04:51] Traumatic events are a driver of negative self esteem. [05:41] The majority of the way someone feels about themselves will develop during their childhood state. [06:35] If someone has negative self-esteem growing up, the likelihood of them turning to something like addiction is higher. [07:43] One of the first things Tom and his team try to do is help clients identify where their negative self-esteem is coming from. [08:48] Figuring this out comes through therapeutic process. [09:19] If we can figure out what it is that's causing low self-esteem, we are in a position where we can reinforce positive things to build self-esteem back up. [09:26] Once self-esteem is built up, it won't be necessary to act out the way an addicted person did in the past. [11:20] Tom shares his childhood abandonment issues and how when he first began counseling he didn't believe that it was a problem. [12:12] Once Tom realized that he did have abandonment issues, it was a good place for him to start building upon that. [14:05] We want to know what happened prior to your drinking and using drugs that made you turn to them in the first place. One of the biggest reasons for this is one's self-esteem. [14:45] Providing a life that reinforces positive self-esteem will reduce the likelihood of your child turning to drugs and alcohol. [17:19] Once the self-esteem issues are established, it's time to reinforce and build up things that will encourage positive self-esteem. [17:33] People have to have some type of sense of identity and sense of security where they are okay with themselves. [18:00] Community and having friends is a big part of the sobriety process. [19:03] Take the top five people that you surround yourself with the most and you are the average of those five people. [19:39] Having a sense of purpose is a big part of the process. Having something to work towards will keep you going when you are sober. [21:59] It takes internal search to find your purpose. It's also okay to reach out to people and be vulnerable. [22:48] You also have to feel capable and have a sense of self-confidence. [23:19] Tell yourself that today might be hard, but you can get through it. If you don't believe this, you'll never achieve it. [24:22] Make a list of your strengths and things that you have accomplished in the past. [26:04] Eat good food and exercise. What you put in your body will directly impact the way that you feel. [26:57] Have some quiet time and go for walks on your own or listen to a podcast. [27:24] Be clean and take care of yourself and your hygiene. [27:38] Make sure you're home and living area is clean and organized. [28:10] Do things that you enjoy. Try things that you haven't done before to see what you like. [28:35] Doing all of these things will really help to build up your self-esteem. Links and Resources: Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Ep. 75 – Suboxone – Our Opinions – The Pros and Cons

We received two phone calls a couple of days ago that two people we know quite well had overdosed on drugs. One was rushed to the hospital, treated, and released. However, the second person is in ICU and will most likely not make it through his overdose. As a result of these recent tragedies, Ben and I decided to talk about what happens when addicts come to a place where they overdose and signs you can look for to hopefully prevent this from happening to someone you love. Ben Recalls His Early Days of Addiction While addicted, his mom would warn him to make sure that his drug source was "OK" because she was worried that his source could be laced with another drug. His mom was concerned, and now, Ben feels the same. When Ben would doctor shop, he knew his opiates would be regulated through a pharmacy. The "Wash and Rinse Cycle" of Treatment People will go to treatment, get clean time, and then their tolerance to drugs and alcohol drops as they haven't had their drug of choice in their system for some time. At this point, you can get the wrong combination when you buy drugs off the street and you can easily overdose. It's playing Russian roulette if your drug of choice is opiates and you choose to purchase them off the street. The majority of clients coming in for treatment have dabbled in opiates, even if their main drug of choice is alcohol. It's rare to see a client that hasn't tried opiate drugs. The primary drugs we see people recovering from at Rock Recovery Center are heroin and opiates, although many identify as an alcoholic. Relapsing to Drugs Via Alcohol Alcohol is a gateway drug to other harder street drugs. We've seen people start to drink from an office party, then slide back into drug addiction. Whether or not alcohol has been a problem for someone in the past, if you've been an addict to drugs, you also need to stay away from alcohol so as not to relapse back into your old pattern. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [04:41] Differences in drug addicts and alcoholics. [07:19] The dangers of laced drugs in the 21st century. [10:08] What it means to have a case of severe jitters when you're addicted. [14:05] Alcoholics typically die slow, painful deaths. [16:46] Relapsing into drugs starting with alcohol. [18:53] The ease of covering up alcoholism as it is socially accepted and easily available. [22:25] Why alcoholism needs to be recognized as a powerful drug. [26:38] Addiction needs to have more resources to be combated. [30:20] This circumstance has been heartbreaking and we don't want to see another person overdose again. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Charlie is here today to pick up his two years sobriety medallion at Rock Recovery Center. He is a graduate of our program and has successfully navigated a clean and sober life since leaving Rock Recovery Center. Charlie and his wife chat with us about how Charlie has been living his daily life as a clean and sober society member. The Beginnings of Charlie's Addiction At age 13, Charlie left his home and started drinking socially to the point that he was drinking five gallons of alcohol a week. Before he started drinking heavily, he started taking hard drugs. "Once the drinking took off, my addiction became like a wildfire." His portfolio of drugs included "meth, cocaine, crack, acid, shrooms, and I was in for anything that didn't take a needle." "Balancing" Work-Life and Addiction At 42, Charlie had to make sure he was clean for his job. "I was a Union carpenter, and I worked in a nuclear facility, so my background had to be squeaky clean, so I could pass the Homeland Security background check." He would work 12 hour days, six days a week. After work, he would drink a few shots, go to sleep, then get up and go back to work. His addiction progressed into drinking in the morning to hold him over until break time at work, where he could drink a few shots, then drink again when he drove home from work. Switching from Drugs to Alcohol At first, he was able to "drink like a normal person," and Charlie says that the "alcohol was socially acceptable, so it was easy to get." He felt it was OK to get drunk at home by himself, watching TV, or "playing around in my workshop. I could cut off as many fingers as I wanted to because I was by myself, and it didn't bother anybody." Charlie was a solitary alcoholic and didn't drink around friends or family. Charlie's Wife Amy and Her Perspective on His Addiction "When we first got together, he point-blank told me that he was an alcoholic and he likes to drink." She was OK with that until things progressed and they were in a more serious relationship. He started isolating and not paying attention to her or the children. Charlie decided to go to recovery, came back, and then relapsed soon after. "We live right down the street from a liquor store," so it was easy for Charlie to get a hold of alcohol. They separated, and then Charlie decided to go to Rock Recovery Center for treatment as Amy didn't want to continue the relationship with Charlie's addictive behavior. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [02:24] Charlie talks about his childhood and addiction background. [05:48] He reflects on his history of work and addiction. [09:57] Amy gives her perspective as a wife of an addict. [12:15] Charlie remembers driving drunk with his three-year-old grandson in the car. [14:25] Coming to Florida to Rock Recovery Center was Charlie's first immersive rehabilitation experience. [19:05] What Charlie is doing daily to continue his successful recovery. [19:45] Amy's experience with Charlie's recovery and her wedding proposal to Charlie. [24:28] Living life on life's terms and the importance of reaching out for support. [28:01] Charlie talks about his solid sobriety foundation. [31:36] Why life isn't boring when you're sober. [32:46] Charlie's recommendation on the first steps to sobriety. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

"I feel that if I didn't take that crappy job that I hated, that I wouldn't be here on the path I was meant to be on." -Ben Ben's First Two Years in Recovery Today, Ben and I celebrate Ben's tenth year of sobriety! "Years two through now have flown by for me," says Ben reflecting back on his journey. He remembers his first two years being rough for him as his first two years were a struggle. Ben refers to AA's founder and his recollection of having waves of resentment and self-pity through his process. Why Ben's First Year Was Extraordinarily Hard Ben realizes what made his first year so difficult was that he wanted to go back to his comfortable life. This was when he started taking suggestions and takeaways from meetings and other members of the various groups he belonged to in his recovery. Ben encourages others to take advice and try suggestions from successful sober society members to see what works for their recovery. If something doesn't work, they need to note what didn't work and try a new solution. After two years of sobriety, he created a career change from bartending and personal training to working for a moving company, although he didn't want it as a job choice. He didn't realize that this job would lead him to go to school, getting his degree, and giving him the ability to work with recovering addicts. People realized Ben was owning his own plan and working out of his comfort zone, and they decided to support him. How Trust Makes Sobriety Work When you first come "off the street," you don't trust hardly anyone. However, to have a complete recovery, you'll need to put your trust in a few people to support you in your journey. Ben reminds us that we cannot have a successful recovery without trusting others, giving them a chance to "buy-in" to our recovery, and letting them be a part of our team and lead us to a healthier lifestyle. Listen to Ben's challenges his first two years and how he got through his hardships, how he came to accept "life on life's terms," and how he changed his life's paradigm to create less conflict and justification in his life, which led to his complete recovery. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [02:36] Ben celebrates ten years of sobriety! [03:37] He reflects on his first two years of being clean and sober. [09:14] Trying new solutions when the previous idea didn't work. [12:33] Do you really need a job that humbles you? [14:37] Getting out of your own way and how that can help you in life. [18:05] Ben's most challenging hardships the first two years of sobriety. [21:13] What prevented Ben from picking up drugs and alcohol during his recovery. [25:41] Playing "Simon Says" to stay sober. [31:07] Confidence in taking action in order to stay clean. [35:17] Life doesn't get easier, you have to get better at handling life situations. [38:20] What he does today to stay sober and how sobriety is possible. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

If you or a loved one have tried a 12-Step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous and weren't successful this episode is for you. Find out what works and what doesn't work in the typical 12-step recovery program. Our guest, Ron, will also teach you what it takes to conduct an intervention to get someone you love into treatment for their alcohol or substance abuse issues.

"There are two kinds of people in this world: people in recovery who think they're not and people in recovery who think they are." Tullian Tchividjian Today, I'll be talking with Tullian Tchividjian, a pastor and active in the addiction community that Ben and I have gotten to know very well. He has come to Rock Recovery Center to share his experience and strength with our clients. Tullian is a pastor for The Sanctuary, a church in Jupiter, Florida. Tullian grew up in a laid-back Christian home that was supportive and friendly. In the middle of seven children, he always had a family at hand. At the age of 16, Tullian started to dabble in drugs and alcohol. His parents gave him the choice of giving up drugs and alcohol or leaving home. Tullian decided to live life on his own. First, he enjoyed his newfound freedom. Then, at age 21, he realized "there's got to be more to life than what I'm experiencing." With his parents laying a good foundation, Tullian realized he needed to go back to God, similar to the Prodigal Son story in the Bible. "I was so taken by God's amazing grace and his unconditional love in coming after a train wreck like me that I wanted to spend the rest of my life telling the world about this God." At the age of 41, his entire world came crashing in with a divorce, losing friends, and book deals. "Dealing with the guilt, shame, regret, and loss of all of this and beginning my life of recovery from this ordeal" felt to Tullian as if he was in recovery and dealing with many of the same feelings although he hadn't been an addict. His second wife, Stacey, came into his life and was an active part of recovering his life. At this point, non-Christians were the people who helped him feel "less alone," which resulted in Tullian having no interest in leading a church as a pastor again. His belief is that we all have a negative connection to something in this world and that we are all in constant recovery to reach the next level of our own humanity. Listen to his amazing story of how he came to transform and reinvent himself, his new congregation and his message of Christianity for everyone. Bio Tullian is a south Florida native. The middle of seven children, he dropped out of high school and got kicked out of his house at 16 years old. After a few years of running from God, God captured him and gave him a burning desire to reach a broken world with God's boundless grace. He eventually graduated from Columbia International University, where he earned a degree in philosophy, and Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [05:15] Tullian speaks about his background and history. [08:47] He ended his life of enjoyable freedom from his parents and school at age 21. [10:14] Tulian finds out that he needs to go back to God to find purpose. [15:39] How his world came crashing down during his first divorce. [17:20] His second wife Stacey and how she was the cornerstone of his recovery. [23:48] The activities Tullian used to fill the void of his life. [25:20] Tullian's views on why God is in your life even though you may not feel his presence. [27:45] How shifting blame from himself to others played a role in his recovery. [31:00] The moment he recognized his freedom for himself. [38:38] God works with everyone, including "messy" people. [43:00] How Tullian approaches people that don't buy Christianity. [50:26] "The only qualification to be a part of Christianity is to admit that you're not qualified." [51:25] His experience with his younger brother, Antony and Antony's battle with addiction. [55:14] Tullian says "The best people to lead a recovery center are former addicts." [58:07] Pastors could get farther and reach more people in their ministry if they were transparent about their shortcomings. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions Visit Tullian on the web Tulian.net Twitter TullianT Facebook TullianT Instagram TullianTch Listen to his podcast The Sanctuary

Alex Uslar is the manager of the Hybrid Gym and the Director of Operations for the online company Hybrid Performance Method. Alex is a powerlifting, weight lifting, and crossfit coach. The Hybrid Performance Method is a virtual gym that provides accessible, affordable, and effective online workout programs to athletes of all skill and experience levels. In this episode, we talk about Alex's journey and how he used nutrition and working out to stay sober. Like many addicts, Alex had a rough start and turned to alcohol and drugs. Unlike many, he discovered what he wanted to do at a young age. He was then able to harness that desire and use it as fuel for sobriety. We talk about his journey and how he was able to turn his experience into a positive. Show Notes [02:47] Alex is 26 years old, and he just had his 7 years sobriety date. [02:59] He was born in South Florida and moved to Pensacola when he was 4 years old. [03:15] When he was 13, he moved to Miami. [03:44] He had some emotional and psychological abuse when he was younger. [04:13] He was expelled from private school, and he started public school in the middle of the year. [04:47] It only took two or three days before kids tried to sell him drugs. [05:06] He started smoking marijuana. [05:31] There are people who drink super heavily in the punk rock scene. They're also the straight edge kids. [05:49] Things escalated after 8th grade for him. [06:51] His parents are from Venezuela. [07:18] His family left Venezuela when things got really bad, but his dad stayed over there. [08:01] Ben and Tom see a lot of clients who have had instability in their lives when they were young. [09:12] From 13 to 19, Alex's entire life revolved around music and partying. [10:51] Alex wouldn't change or trade anything that he went through, because without that he wouldn't be where he is now. [12:49] He dropped out of school and in the process, he got arrested. The counseling he had to go through helped him a lot. [17:09] He still went down a super destructive path. When he was 19, he wanted to get his act together. [20:29] The catalyst for him was getting a DM from an older punk rocker who owned a gym. They had similar stories and signing up for the gym was his first day sober. [21:23] He even realized that he wanted to work at a gym. [21:53] Staying sober and staying mentally strong and going to the gym was one of the hardest things he did. He had to relearn how to live. [25:34] He was given an opportunity to do an unpaid internship at the gym. The owner was his mentor in sobriety and coaching. He eventually became one of the head coaches. [32:06] Follow your passion if you work hard, you have the opportunity to rewrite the script. [32:46] Taking steps forward can be uncomfortable. [33:56] Alex became an extrovert as he learned how to sell gym memberships. There weren't any promises that he would get hired. He still worked hard and kept getting more and more work. [35:44] He ended up with the most personal training clients and made more money than anybody at the gym. [36:32] He showed so much ambition and desire that he kept growing and growing until h maximized his abilities and income. [38:52] Alex left his mentor's gym in 2017 to go work for Hybrid. [40:18] They talked three or four days ago. [45:18] People come and go in life sometimes. [47:16] Utilizing fitness and nutrition in sobriety. Alex feels people need something to rely on. [49:39] He believes that you control your thoughts and your actions. [52:06] At the end of the day, we are all trying to get to a better place. [53:58] If you don't want to look for a higher power, find a higher purpose. [55:46] Alex got sober by working out. [57:44] He loved seeing his clients transform. Now his social media following has grown. Links and Resources: Hybrid Performance Method Alex Uslar on Instagram The OK Podcast by Tom Boyden & Jujimufu Stefi Cohen & Alex Uslar

Today, I'll be talking about how to handle talking to your loved one to find out if they have a problem with addiction. Parents can have denial about their children's addiction, and family members may not recognize signs of addiction. Find out how you can recognize the signs of addiction and what language to use in the delicate conversation of talking to your loved one who may be addicted to drugs and alcohol. How we frame our message in the conversation is important, such as, "I want to allow you to get help." Be patient and don't demand that they reach out for help. It is a privilege to be able to have the resources to obtain assistance to become clean. However, many times the addict doesn't want to become clean and sober, even if they can participate in a rehab center. Be tactful when approaching your loved one. Make sure to have guidance on how to have this conversation. Create an open conversation to not push your child or loved one away from moving them towards recovery. Also, make sure to have options that you have vetted put into place before you speak with your loved one. If they agree to be treated, you want to keep that momentum going and have options already in place to offer to them. The next step should be readily available, and they should be ready to go within 24 hours of agreeing to treatment. If they refuse, use leverage points to make them uncomfortable and want to go. For example, if you provide a car, home, food, cell phone, or other necessity, take it away until they decide to recover. When you provide these things for them, it is easier for them to use their cash to buy drugs or alcohol. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:45] The difficulty of navigating talking to your children about addiction. [04:57] Does your child recognize that they have an issue with drugs or alcohol? [06:30] The privilege to have the resources to get clean and sober. [08:07] How to phrase your concerns - words to use and not to use. [12:10] Be ready with treatment options so as not to put time in between your loved one agreeing and going to treatment. [14:26] What to say when they refuse treatment. [19:45] Don't go into a conversation being hostile. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

Ben and I talk to Sean, who works for Behave and Detox here in South Florida in today's episode. He is here to share his story of addiction and his recovery process. Sean shares what to look for in a detox center and details about the detox process. Born in the Bronx, Sean moved to Brooklyn with his mom when his parents separated. Brooklyn was a tough place filled with violent crime, drugs, and alcohol - similar to his household. Today, his father has over 30 years of sobriety, and Sean follows in his footsteps. His mother was physically violent with him from an early age. "What I got as corporal punishment back then is considered child abuse now." He didn't get into drugs or selling drugs because he was too afraid of his mother beating him. At 12, Sean developed addictive behaviors as drugs and alcohol were easy to hold in his town. "That was when crack had first come out, and I rarely went to school in the 8th grade. He was offered his first drug in junior high during 6th grade. "When I really got in trouble in the neighborhood, my mother decided to take me out of there." He and his mother moved to Florida for a better life when he was 14. Once in Florida, he started doing drugs and alcohol. Every summer, he would visit his family in New York without rules or boundaries. An addict at 18, he had to change high schools five times before receiving his diploma. His mother wanted him to go to community college. "I said, save your money, I'm going to a party. That's what I wanted to do because that's all my friends did." Getting into the plumbing industry at the age of 22, he quickly spent his money on drugs and alcohol. As per tradition, apprentices in the union didn't pay for alcohol at the bar. For five years, he never paid for a bar tab. "That was the deal, Thursday at lunch we'd cash our paychecks, we'd go to the bar, and I'd drink for free. Then I'd go home and have my own party." Listen in to find out why Sean was constantly drinking and drugging, how he made excuses for not going to rehab and the events that led him to check in to rehab for the first time at the age of 33. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [04:51] Sean gives his background history. [06:15] He describes what it was like growing up in Brooklyn in the 80s. [07:35] How Sean was introduced to drugs at the age of 12. [10:01] When he was offered his first drug in sixth grade. [13:53] Sean's life after high school graduation. [16:50] Getting into his 30's as a full-blown addict and alcoholic. [17:33] Events that led Sean to realize he needed to go to rehab. [24:15] What happened after Sean left rehab. [29:10] Sean's fourth attempt at sobriety with only two weeks available to him in rehab. [31:16] Ben gives his perspective on Sean's story. [36:06] How Sean's role has changed in his new life. [40:36] Why AA was the best thing that happened in Sean's life. [43:53] Distinguishing "the life" from recovery. [46:46] Why Sean didn't know how to live. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

In today's episode, I talk to Jeremy about his story of addiction. He has decided to be a guest today to inspire others to also start their journey to sobriety. This is Jeremy's eighth attempt at sobriety and learning to live a clean life. Jeremy is now medically retired from the army at age 39 as a result of PTSD. He served our nation for nine years, starting at age 23. Brought up in Concord, North Carolina, Jeremy was a household child who taught respect and manners. He grew up with two siblings, an older brother, and a younger sister. "My childhood was really great. I was involved in baseball, football, and dirt bike racing." He remembers his friends not having the same solid family foundation, so his parents would take them under their wing and support his friends. At the age of five, however, Jeremy was sexually molested by a member of his church. He wasn't sure how to handle this emotional trauma. As a result, his teen years were an emotional turmoil as his previous trauma bubbled to the surface. His doctors prescribed him anti-anxiety, antidepressants, and sleep medications. "It progressed from there, I just started numbing myself out. Even at that young of an age, I would abuse benzos." He quickly found out that he could "reach for a substance for comfort" early in his life. "About 16 years old, I started drinking with my girlfriend and drinking with friends." From this teen experience, he evolved to keg parties with high school kids. At this point, he also experimented with cocaine. At 18, a friend introduced him to oxycontin. He soon realized this type of drug took away his social awkwardness and made him feel more comfortable around people. Jeremy went back and forth with his addiction until, at age 20, he went to a methadone clinic for a year. From this point, he decided to get clean on his own. At age 23, he talked to an army recruiter as he liked the aspect of military life, and "I knew that's what I wanted to do once I got sober." Listen in to find out why Jeremy's growth was stagnant on methadone treatment, how he became addicted again through his military experience, and why Jeremy believes in healing physically and spiritually. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [04:14] Jeremy gives listeners a bit of background about his story. [06:59] He talks about his younger, formative childhood years. [08:47] Jeremy talks about how he learned his addictive behavior from using doctor prescribed medications. [11:44] The feelings he has had to deal with as a result of his childhood trauma. [13:27] Part of his addiction is genetic as his father was an alcoholic. [15:30] Two weeks after first trying oxycontin, Jeremy was addicted. [18:43] Jeremy's experience taking methadone. [23:49] What happened to Jeremy when he enlisted in the military. [25:56] Factors that led to Jeremy staying clean for seven years. [27:47] Advice Jeremy gives to addicts looking to join the military to overcome addiction. [32:44] The army substance abuse program and how the military treats addicts. [37:49] Why Jeremy is grateful for his battle with addiction. [40:26] Biggest contributing factors for Jeremy moving forward. [44:00] His plans for his new future. [45:30] Words of encouragement to others who are looking to get freedom from their addiction. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

In today's episode, Ben and I talk to Kat, who shares her experiences, the strength she found in her recovery, and the hope she has for her future. Kat's home is in Louisiana, and she is a current resident at Rock Recovery Center. At 32, Kat's second attempt at recovery, with her previous attempt at a different location. Kat started using at the age of 15 and quickly chose heroin as her drug of choice. Much of her drug use has been with family and friends, such as her mother and younger sister. Her mother denies that she is addicted, however; she supports Kat in her journey to become free of drug use. Drugs are a normalized part of her family life. In her 17 years of addiction, she has experienced the same detox treatment center ten times, and one other recovery center in addition to her stay here at Rock Recovery Center. If you or your loved one has been to numerous treatment centers, and you are wondering why you can't come clean of your addiction, many times, it's the person's mindset that is preventing them from coming clean of their dependency. To successfully move through treatment, you or your loved one needs to be there because you want to be free of your habit. After being arrested and thrown in jail, Kat came to the realization that she would either be spending a lot of time in jail unless she could free herself of drugs. She understood, "I would get my kids back, I would get my family back, I'll get everything I want back if I put my mind to it and do it!" Parents and families ask us, "when do we throw in the towel on people and give up," and the fact is that we never give up to get an addict free of their habit. We consistently reach out to potential clients to see when they are ready to join others in their journey to freedom and a better life. Listen in to find out how the Rock Recovery Center has surpassed Kat's expectations, the benefits of treatment at Rock, and how her support system has been key to Kat's recovery. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [04:24] Kat talks about her using history and how she became addicted to drugs. [08:45] Ben explains how family dynamics play a role in recovery. [12:23] Her first experience at a detox center in 2012. [14:12] Reflecting back on her previous detox attempts. [16:29] The stages of change in the detox process. [17:35] Kat's moment when she had her mindset shift in recovery. [20:36] She talks about the exhaustion of constantly being around negative influences as a result of doing drugs. [23:15] Lying as a social norm of an addict's life. [25:26] How Kat's experience has surpassed her expectations. [27:22] Her experience at Rock and what she has really enjoyed about her stay. [30:45] Comparing Rock Recovery treatment center to other plans of treatment. [33:26] How Kat stayed off of narcotic drugs post-surgery. [38:00] Hospital stay experiences when you are in active addiction. [42:00] Ben and I reflect on Kat's amazing progress at Rock Recovery Center! Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions

In today's episode, Ben and I talk with Vince, a 25-year-old recovering addict from Philadelphia. He stole a bottle of vodka and drank the entire bottle in sixth grade. In the summer of his freshman year of high school, Vince started smoking pot. Cocaine became a weekend sports celebration during his junior year of high school. Vince became an addict after his team coach gave him a prescription narcotic drug in his second college year. Vince was involved in sports as early as he could remember. His family consisted of three sisters, one of the older and two of them younger than him. Both of his parents were supportive of him and good, hard-working people. "Growing up, I was instilled with morals and values." He was brought up to respect elders, women, and to have good social manners. "I remember going to this fight in third grade. Everybody started cursing and fighting. Immediately after that, I said my first curse word, then I went home and started watching fighting videos." He isn't sure if this one incident brought him down a negative road, but his life was very different after this experience. The next year in fourth grade, he ended up getting kicked out of school for fighting. "I was fighting and cursing and doing things kids that age shouldn't be doing." He felt a purpose playing sports as he was always asked to play with the older kids in the next league up. "Everything on the outside just mattered so much, and I thought that was who I was. I thought that I was based on all external things." However, if anything went wrong, he immediately turned to anger and aggression, which he remembers his father modeling for him at an early age. His school discipline record was horrible. However, the school let him slide because of his athletic abilities. Vince remembers not having any consequences for fighting during his high school years. This enabled him to continue this behavior, along with smoking pot with his friends. Listen in as Vince tells his story of how he lost his scholarship to Rutgers, what happened when he became addicted to opiate drugs, and his multiple attempts at getting sober. At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being. Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review! Show Notes: [03:09] Vince talks about his past experiences growing up in Philadelphia. [07:11] His first experience drinking in sixth grade. [13:33] Social acceptance and drug culture. [15:21] Personal identity associated with career for men. [18:25] Vince had his first experience with opiate drugs his senior year in high school. [19:45] He started stealing from his family to buy more opiate drugs. [25:11] The "Florida Shuffle" moving on from the treatment facility to another facility. [28:40] Ben talks about the incredible recovery culture in Florida. [33:10] Why Vince having his daughter wasn't enough to keep him sober. [37:01] Sobriety and addiction and how these two can easily interchange. [40:13] What is different for Vince in this recovery process? [43:42] His biggest fears for the recovery process. [45:27] Vince's spiritual AA experience. Episode Links and Resources Real Recovery Live Chat Real Recovery Talk on the Web Real Recovery Talk on YouTube Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes Rock Recovery Center Real Recovery Talk on Facebook Ideas for a show? Email us [email protected] and [email protected] Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions