The Addictive Pod: How to Recover from Addiction

Duane Osterlind, host of The Addicted Mind Podcast, comes on the show to talk about how he recovered from alcohol and drug abuse. Duane shares what he has learned from 20 years of experience as a therapist, and over 200 podcast episodes. We talk about the importance of social connection, and how to make those first early connections when you are struggling with isolation. 

Follow Duane https://www.instagram.com/addictedmindpodcast/ https://theaddictedmind.com/about/

Follow me https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Alcohol damages not only the drinker but everyone in their life as well. This is a raw vulnerable story of the daughter of an alcoholic - Sarah talks about the feelings of anxiety guilt and shame that come with being a child of an alcoholic, and how stigma prevented her Dad from getting help.

Sarah's insta: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_drage/

Sarah's podcast and other links: https://linktr.ee/sarah.drage

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Sebastien W shares his story of recovery from alcohol! We talk about drugs, alcohol, hopelessness and existential angst, and why AA might not work for everyone.

My insta: @addictivepodcast

Arlina the host of ODAAT podcast comes on the show to share her story of recovery from alcoholism!

We talk about sexual abuse, being "bad" as an identity, finding forgiveness and love in AA, and how the 12 steps are like an orgasm :)

Arlina's insta: https://www.instagram.com/arlinaallen/

Arlina's podcast: http://odaatchat.com/

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

It's the Valentines Episode! Madeline from Happiest Sober comes on the show to talk about sober dating, breakups, coping with emotions sober, and lots more.

Madeline's insta: https://www.instagram.com/happiestsober/

Madeline's sober trips: https://linktr.ee/happiestsober

My insta: www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

The Founder of First Step Men's Therapy comes on the show to tell his story of recovery and healing! Adam escaped his reality as a kid by fantasizing about travelling to other places in the world. Once he was older and discovered alcohol, this became his new escape. Working as a flight attendant was another escape, but he eventually returned home realizing that he needed to ask for help. We talk about how to ask for help, why there is a crisis in men's mental health, apprehension around spirituality in 12 step recovery, and lots more!

Adam's site: https://www.firststepmenstherapy.com/

Adam's insta: https://www.instagram.com/firststepmenstherapy/

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Have you ever done something so shameful you hope no one will ever find out? Phillip shares his story of sex addiction, how he was eventually found out after downloading illegal images, and how he recovered from addiction and discovered spirituality. 

My instagram: @addictivepodcast

Sandra was a nurse working in the emergency department until PTSD from the job forced her to leave. She went through a terrible divorce, had her house burnt down accidentally, and as her life fell apart she attempted suicide. She was prescribed medications and eventually developed an addiction to Xanax, using it to numb out for years. On this episode she shares her story of how she recovered, initially inspired by the Bible and Eminem lyrics.  Let's go slim shady:) She is now dedicated to helping others as an international speaker, resiliency coach, the founder of the non-profit Love and Light to the World, and published author.

https://www.sandraleespeaks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sandra_lee_rn/

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Jane shares her story of how alcohol numbed out the pain in her life and destroyed it in the process. Once in AA, she continued drinking for another year! When someone told her she wasn't going to make it, she decided to prove them wrong and do everything she could to recover. 13 years sober, author of two books about recovery, Jane has a beautiful story about how a relationship with God (who she calls Source) is the secret to a happy life. 

Jane's insta: https://www.instagram.com/janezarse/

Jane's books: https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Zarse/e/B075N1KP13?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

23 years homeless, in and out of jail, addicted to any substance that would help him numb out from reality, Anthony Brown is what you might call a low bottom drunk. On this episode, he shares the powerful story of how he got help and recovered from addiction. One of the craziest spiritual experiences I have ever heard on the show!

Check out his website to find the book and help support the Brown Manor project:

Anthony's website https://anthonyhowardbrown.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brown.manor/?hl=en

My instagram https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/?hl=en

After 9 years sober, Jen shares her experience with three stages of recovery! We talk about what it takes to maintain a beginner mindset, how to avoid plateaus, and how to prioritize doing what you love.

Jen's insta: https://www.instagram.com/jenleehirst/

Her website and coaching: https://linktr.ee/jenleehirst

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Disclaimer, that's not dave in the photo. But yes he was tasered, and yes he did continue to drink and use even after getting tasered. Dave shares his incredible story of recovery, and how he let go of self pity despite experiencing a terrible trauma at a young age. Through working the steps, he gained a completely different attitude about himself and others, and lost all desire to drink or use. 

Dave's insta: https://www.instagram.com/taserdave

What Does the BigBook  Say Series: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uuCf6pf06qjCFupLS38Ef?si=5HBIPa6gQbK2mcGlaQ8qBA

my insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Are you scared to quit because you think drugs and alcohol is your source of creativity? Stefan Bratt, bassist from No Fun at All and founder of Atlas Losing Grip, tells you why you have nothing to worry about. 

Stefan's instagram: instagram.com/stefan.bratt/

See No Fun At All Live: https://www.songkick.com/artists/286201-no-fun-at-all

My insta: instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Tim shares his story of 27 years addicted to alcohol and drugs, multiple suicide attempts, and two events that can only be called miracles. If you struggle with the concept of God or Higher Power, this episode is for you! 

Tim's insta: https://www.instagram.com/tlodgen/

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Kat found success in software sales and bodybuilding, but still felt restless and unhappy. She lived life in extremes, once she found a certain drug she liked, she wanted that feeling every day. When a friend suggested she go to AA, she never imagined that she might belong there, let alone find complete transformation. Today, Kat is the CEO of Laguna Shores Treatment Centre where she helps create an environment that inspires others to overcome their dependence on drugs and alcohol. This story is about discovering the life beyond our wildest dreams, and learning to focus on giving rather than receiving. 

Kat's insta: https://www.instagram.com/socalkattt/

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Growing up in a Mormon community, Lindsey was taught that being gay was unacceptable. She turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the pain of exclusion and eventually lost her job, her home, and faced jail time. This is a story about unlearning the negative beliefs we are taught about ourselves, discovering a relationship with a Higher Power, and righting all the wrongs in our past. 

Lindsey's insta: https://www.instagram.com/kantyoudigit/ art: https://www.instagram.com/palomas.gris/

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Sarah from Sober Gratitudes shares her story of recovery from alcoholism! We talk about anxiety and depression, motherhood, how being in AA is different from actually living the steps, and how to live life with joy and gratitude. Also my apologies for the bad sound quality on my end, I blame zoom.

Sober gratitudes website: https://www.sobergratitudes.com/

my insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

What a story from @recoverybaddie! Hayley shares how she survived sexual assault, cancer, betrayal trauma, and alcoholism in this raw and powerful episode. Hands down one of the strongest people I have ever met, and that is because she views pain not as something to be avoided, but as a teacher. 

Hayleys insta: https://www.instagram.com/recoverybaddie/

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Host of "That Sober Guy Podcast" Shane Ramer comes on the show to share his story of recovery from alcoholism. He is not your typical alcoholic, being a fairly functional human being throughout his 17 years of drinking. However, when he did try and quit he found out he could not, until he eventually went to treatment and found 12 step recovery. We talk about getting in touch with emotions, the reality of why people quit AA, and how to overcome the fears that hold you back in early recovery.

Find Shane's 30 day course! >> https://www.thatsoberguy.com/

My insta >> https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Born and raised in Hawaii, Kyle had a promising future in golf, competing against Tiger Woods at the age of ten. One bad decision destroyed this opportunity, and a few years later he tried crystal meth for the first time. Addiction put him on the street, where he became the most wanted man in Hawaii. He was captured, escaped, put in solitary confinement, and then had a spiritual experience that changed everything. Today he is a guest speaker at high schools and universities, inspiring kids to make better choices.

Kyle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayhumblepray/

Kyle's Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59727005-pineapple-prison

Addictive Pod insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Nate joins me to tell his story of recovery from an 8 year addiction to opiates. We talk about drug dealing, overdoses, treatment, relapse, and then finally finding recovery in the twelve steps and losing all desire to use drugs. He is now dedicating his life to fighting the opioid epidemic, and by bringing narcan and training to people in the streets of Southern Cali he has already contributed to saving over a 100 lives.

Follow Nate @narcan_nate @newpathnarcanproject

Follow the show @addictivepodcast

Hilary is almost 30 years sober and shares how sobriety is only the smallest thing she gained from being in recovery.

We talk about the underlying causes of addiction, practical tips for working the steps daily, the challenges and joys of being a mom in sobriety, and lots more.

Hilary's insta: https://www.instagram.com/as.hil.sees.it/

My insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Mackenzie struggled with feelings of worthlessness and anxiety, and when she discovered alcohol at 14 it became her solution. Drinking escalated in her teens until she had a near death experience and asked for help at age 20. In this episode we talk about how the 12 steps can change your life, why its so hard but so important to turn over your willpower in step 3, and how life keeps getting better even 8 years sober.

https://www.instagram.com/mackenzie_kiesel/

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Gillian from episode #2 joins me to talk about body image issues, learning to feel embodied, fitness and diet obsession, and sexuality. This episode is packed with tips on how to feel at home in your body. Be sure to listen to the end for Gillian's brilliant daily habit! 

https://www.instagram.com/gillianyoungb/

https://linktr.ee/gillianyoungb

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

John from "A Podcast Greater than Yourself" joins me to share his story of recovery from alcoholism. After a "mini" psychotic break, John was introduced to AA at 18 but went back into active drinking and using until his 30s. We talk about the importance of Step 1, how to work the first three steps on your own, and lots more practical advice on getting sober and staying sober. 

John's podcast: https://apodcastgreaterthanyourself.podbean.com/

 John's meme page: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_silkworth/

my insta: https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Sadie used to be a daily drinker who couldn’t take care of herself or anyone else, sinking deeper into debt and depression. Today she has found peace and joy as a sober mother, homeowner, and blog writer.

https://www.instagram.com/sobersadie/

https://sobersadie.com

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Matthew Taub breaks down two very important questions: why did he drink, and why should he get sober? After his drunkenness put the life of his newborn son at risk, Matt went to treatment to find the answers to these questions and transform into the person he is today, a successful father and business owner, 16 years sober. 

https://www.instagram.com/matthewtaub/

https://linktr.ee/MatthewTaub book a call or a workout

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

patreon.com/addictivepod

After losing both his parents before the age of eleven, Charles also mourned his grandfather and uncle who were parental figures for him. Alcoholism was how he escaped these tragedies, and it wasn’t until he found himself homeless and in a veteran’s shelter that he began the healing journey. Transforming his pain and trauma into valuable lessons, Charles has written seven books about addiction recovery, healing from tragedy, and more.

https://www.instagram.com/lifelongexperience/

https://www.lifelongexperience.net

Support the show! https://www.patreon.com/addictivepod?fbclid=IwAR3tmb-0bjSf7h4crGLOSHvj2H-_l1nRtPjK2WOBUeG1GnZDALZEkRomSYw

Today I’m joined by one of the most vulnerable and raw guests I’ve ever had. Fausto shares his story of sexual abuse and addiction to drugs and alcohol, and how he was faced with the escape of suicide but chose a new life instead. We also talk about something I never hear much about, which is sex life in sobriety. How do you date again? How do you get over insecurities around sex due to past trauma or addictive behavior? How do you recover from being cheated on? Find out on this episode.

https://www.instagram.com/soberfausto/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/socalhopedealers/?hl=en

my insta : https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/?hl=en

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/addictivepod

Today’s guest is a fitness and sobriety coach from the UK. Ellen shares her story of growing up as an adventurous person only to find herself bored in the routine of motherhood and career. Alcohol was her solution, and she never considered it to be a problem until she began to face health problems. After taking thirty days alcohol free, she never looked back. Ellen shares about the incredible benefits of sobriety and how she finds adventure and fulfillment in her new life.

https://www.sobrietysisterhood.com

https://www.instagram.com/sobrietysisterhood/

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Former professional heavyweight boxer and bestselling author Ed Latimore shares his story of how quitting drinking was the key to his success. Sobriety allowed him to focus on the life he wanted and what he needed to do to get there. We talk about a fighter’s mentality, social anxiety, why you should leave friends that don’t add to your life, and much, much more. 

Find his books, blog, and social media here! https://edlatimore.com

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Support the show https://www.patreon.com/addictivepod

I’ve talked a lot on this podcast about amends, I did a whole episode a while back on the art of a genuine apology with Coach Drew, and on this episode Johnny Alvarez talks about something just as important as amends, that topic is forgiveness. Experiencing sexual abuse in childhood and then finding out that his step-dad was not his biological father, my guest escaped into drugs and alcohol to numb the feelings of not belonging. Drug dealing, drunk driving, arrests, all of this led him to the point where he could not face himself in the mirror anymore, and he chose to become a better dad for his kids. To recover fully, my guest had to face his perpetrator and truly forgive him, only then could he let go of the shame and loneliness that fuelled his addiction. 

https://www.instagram.com/groundedphoenix/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnUk4fp_3uofBbu7_tKywLA

This is a fascinating story about where untreated alcoholism and mental health will lead you. Abi shares openly about her mental health crisis, going after the "glamorous" party lifestyle in London, trying to find herself during ten years travelling but only finding drugs and alcohol, and finally getting sober during the solitude of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to find out what she did to become comfortable in her own skin and accept herself for herself.

instagram.com/abi.feltham/

https://www.tiktok.com/@abifeltham?

My instagram: instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

How do you get to 30+ years of sobriety and experience more joy and peace with each year? By keeping it simple! Clay F, author of the Sarcastic Big Book, shares his story of alcoholism and finding recovery.

https://sarcasticbigbook.com

https://open.spotify.com/show/2wiV1PODYV3dAgYJGRySAt

https://www.instagram.com/sarcastic.aa.book/

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

It's Matt from A Life Recovered! His story is pretty wild, demoted and then discharged from the military for drinking and drug use, DUI's, facing charges for possession and intent to sell, and then a spiritual experience in treatment that changed everything. Matt is so vulnerable on this episode and shares his story of relapse after a year sober and how he handled it. Check out his insta for more!

https://www.instagram.com/aliferecovered/

Sarah Kate is a casualty of mommy wine culture, a mom who drank to escape the feeling of not being fulfilled in her career and life. Her drinking became out of control, leading to blackouts and hiding bottles, until she finally became sick and tired of being sick and tired and changed her life for the better. She is the founder of the online magazine Some Good Clean Fun, and an awesome human being! 

On this episode we talk about the real needs driving the desire to drink, and how to get those needs met without turning to alcohol. We also discuss getting in touch with our younger self, the self that existed before addiction screwed everything up. 

https://www.somegoodcleanfun.com

https://www.instagram.com/somegoodcleanfun/

Support the show: Patreon.com/addictivepod

What a story from Peter Soiles.

Heroin addict at age 17.

Drug dealing for 17 years in East Hastings, Vancouver.

Taken down in 2011 by Project Tyrant undercover operation.

Nearly died from withdrawals.

Built a new life through the 12 steps.

Now a husband and father! Including adopted father of two children who lost their mothers to drug addiction.

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/i.am.legnd/

⠀

A story of alcohol and drug addiction in Hawaii! Alika Gambill grew up in a party culture, his role models surfed, drank and did drugs, and so he did all these things too. Even though he was more introverted he became the life of the party, but then substance use progressed to the point where no one else was using like him. Friendships fell apart, and he lied and manipulated his way through his twenties, unable to even consider stopping. It wasn’t until his family caught him that he realized he wanted and deserved a better life, and he entered 12 step recovery. This is a story of radical transformation, a story of forgiveness and healing from harms that felt impossible to ever fix.

prorecoverypower.com

https://www.instagram.com/alikagambill/

https://www.instagram.com/addictivepodcast/

Bill struggled with his identity growing up as half first nations in a predominantly white Christian school, and workaholism and smoking weed became the main ways to numb out and feel okay. Becoming wealthy did not satisfy his inner emptiness, and he began to escape by smoking crack. After a few years of gaining tolerance, his drug use increased and became completely compulsive, to the point where he lost everything and entered recovery. My guest is a big book thumper through and through, the twelve steps is what saved his life and brought him to a place of happiness and peace today. He now focuses his energy on spreading the recovery message through the online platform he has built.

Bill's links: https://www.instagram.com/billwardlife/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR5po8HYVP9nGS4yf-4d86A

Donny grew up in a party house in Ohio and began drinking and doing drugs at an early age which helped numb out from childhood traumas. Meth, cocaine, prescription pills, and then eventually heroin and fentanyl became routine as the addiction progressed, leading to an overdose and then to rehab at age 25. After two more relapses, my guest admitted he was an addict and began the path of recovery. The 12 steps played a central role as he rebuilt his health and mental wellbeing, being able to truly be present with family members at the end of their lives and experiencing true friendships. 

https://podcastnsa.com

How does sponsorship work? How do you find a sponsor? What makes a good sponsor? How do you respond when sponsees relapse? Ryan and Patrick share from their personal experience to answer these questions in their hilarious and brutally honest style. Enjoy.

Insta: @dontdiewisconsin

Website: https://dontdiewi.libsyn.com

We all have that voice in our head: "You're not good enough, you're going to fail, people think you're a loser." Some days it doesn't seem to ever shut up, especially in early recovery. Jesse Mogle returns to the show to discuss practical tools for how to handle this internal dialogue, explaining the Neuro-linguistic programming theory along the way. 

Jesse is an professional speaker and coach, specializing in NLP to help his clients achieve the life they want. He is over four years sober from alcohol, and the host of the podcast From Sobriety to Recovery. To learn more about Jesse and access his courses, take a look at his website:

jessemogle.com

Instagram: @fromsobrietytorecovery

Joining me is the Apology guy himself, Dr. Andrew Blackwood, author of the Art of a Genuine Apology. He does not hold back in this convo, sharing with me the four steps to making a genuine apology, what to avoid, and many more powerful insights from someone with over fifteen years of experience as a psychotherapist, a Coach, and a facilitator of change.

Get the book: https://www.amazon.ca/Art-Genuine-Apology-significant-relationships-ebook/dp/B07GM1GHGB

Andrew's site: https://coachdrew.ca 

insta: @coachdrewcan

Carrie grew up in a household which taught her to hide her emotions and look good on the outside. Seeing her parents marriage fall apart led her to cope by seeking approval from men and escaping with alcohol and drugs. This lifestyle led to her having multiple abortions and contracting an STI. The shame of this dangerous cycle eventually became so powerful that she was willing to try something new, and went to 12 step meetings. The recovery community, combined with many forms of therapy and coaching transformed my guest into the incredible shameless person she is today, someone who now helps other women overcome shame and heal from past trauma.

Instagram: @carriepullaro

Website: carriepullaro.com

Sponsor: https://www.responsible4recovery.com code ADDICTIVEPOD for free month trial

My guest today is the founder of Natural Highs Recovery, a community for those seeking life long transformation. Jake discovered drugs at a young age and utilized primarily marijuana to escape from the anxiety of teenage years and to pursue adventures in life. He become a drug dealer and progressed to other substances before hitting bottom and seeking help through the twelve steps and Recovery 2.0. A fundamental part of his recovery was discovering rock climbing and channeling his drive for adventure into climbing instead of substances. Now he guides others on wildnerness expeditions and also is a life coach, helping others overcome unwanted behaviors so they too can excel towards their recreational and professional dreams.

Jake's Insta - @naturalhighsrecovery

Website - https://www.naturalhighsrecovery.org

Sponsor - https://www.responsible4recovery.com use code ADDICTIVEPOD for free trial

After being released from prison, Kyle Houston worked his way up from a minimum wage job to becoming the Vice President of a $2B publicly traded company. Today he joins me to discuss what he learned about work. We talk about the different motivations behind work, how work can become an escape and an addiction, and how flow state is different from the grind.

Instagram: @kyledeanhouston

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.ca/Patchwork-Junkie-Prison-Surviving-Redemption-ebook/dp/B08DRV17XD

Sponsor: https://www.responsible4recovery.com use code ADDICTIVEPOD for free access

Growing up with both parents recovering from alcoholism, Madeline avoided drinking until college. Alcohol quickly became a necessary social lubricant, until it began to have negative effects such as anxiety and hangovers. Madeline shares why she decided to quit, even though she does not identify as an “alcoholic”, and she shares why these labels may be irrelevant. 

Madeline's instagram: @happiestsober

Sponsor: Responsible4Recovery https://www.responsible4recovery.com use code ADDICTIVEPOD 

Tommy has a hell of a story. Alcohol, drugs, stealing, staring down the barrel of a shotgun, selling cans for crack, and ultimately, a spiritual experience that changed everything. This episode is about powerlessness, what does it mean, and where do you go from there. 

Buy Tommy's book:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737077701/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=9781737077701&linkCode=qs&qid=1621268883&s=books&sr=1-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thats-what-junkies-do-thomas-figlioli/1139509286?ean=9781737077701

Sponsor of the Show: https://www.responsible4recovery.com Promo code ADDICTIVEPOD for a free month

Support the show! >> Patreon.com/addictivepod

What is gambling addiction? How do you recover? Alex answers these questions by sharing his story of getting hooked on roulette, and after years of financial loss and mental health decline, finally quitting. 

Alex instagram: @theinvisibleaddiction

Website: theinvisibleaddiction.com

Learn about the steps at Patreon.com/addictivepod