In this episode of the Bare Knuckle Recovery Podcast, Zach Dawson and Bob Springer kick Nate and Tommy out of the studio to take over the mics to speak directly to the two groups of people who reach out to them the most: moms and significant others.

Zach and Bob dive deep into the wreckage caused by active addiction, sharing vulnerable stories about the manipulation, lies, and fear they inflicted on the women who loved them most. They discuss the long, difficult road to rebuilding trust, emphasizing that sobriety is just the beginning... true recovery requires a complete change in behavior and integrity.

Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to the realities of working in the recovery field. The hosts open up about the toll the job takes on their families, the necessity of accountability among teammates, and how they navigate the fine line between helping others and being present for their own homes.

In this episode, we cover:

• The addict vs. the partner: How relationships survive the chaos and the transition into a healthy, sober dynamic.
• Rebuilding trust: Why "just trusting" an addict doesn't work and why it takes years of consistent action to repair the damage.
• The mother-son bond: Bob shares a touching story about taking his mother to breakfast with his own money and the redemption of being present for her when she passed away.
• The "monster" of addiction: Understanding how drugs change a person's personality and why they lash out at the people they love most.
• Accountability on the front lines: A raw look at how the BKR team supports each other, including a story about finding a stash of drugs on a job and relying on teammates to do the right thing.

Whether you are a mother, father, a spouse, or someone in recovery trying to make amends, this episode offers a message of hope: don't give up, because people can and do change.

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

💚🎗 Join Tommy Streeter and Nate Moellering for this powerful episode as they sit down with special guests Zach Dawson from the Bare Knuckle Recovery team and Allendale Treatment, along with Jarred White, founder of FW22, to discuss Mental Health Awareness Month and PTSD Awareness Month (recorded in June).

👀 Note: If you'd prefer to watch this episode, you can find it on YouTube by searching for Bare Knuckle Recovery.

The group delves into the stark reality of mental health struggles, particularly the skyrocketing suicide rates, especially among men and veterans. They explore how modern life contributes to the problem, discussing the isolating effects of social media and "artificial connectivity," which often replaces genuine human connection; a key to overcoming addiction, depression, and anxiety.

A core part of the discussion centers on the nature of PTSD, with Jarred sharing his perspective that it's often rooted in what someone tried to do to you rather than what one has done. They also explore the complex relationship between substance abuse and mental health, noting that one can mask the other, making it difficult to properly diagnose and treat.

The episode then shifts to focus on the solution, emphasizing the critical need for action and commitment, not just talk, to achieve lasting recovery and mental wellness. They stress that treatment is not "one size fits all" and encourage listeners to find their support system and take proactive steps like exercise, prioritizing sleep, and journaling. Zach shares his personal journey, underscoring the importance of asking for help and actively working to rebuild relationships.

👊 The team closes with a strong message of unwavering support: they promise to fight tirelessly for anyone reaching out, regardless of circumstance, with a commitment to meet people where they're at, but not leave them there.

Reach out to the BKR team here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Reach out to Jarred and FW22 here: https://www.fw22.org/

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

In another powerful episode of the Bare Knuckle Recovery Podcast, hosts Tommy Streeter and Nate Moellering welcome special guest Warren Gumpel, a leading voice and educator on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Warren shares his deeply personal journey, including his struggle with depression, anxiety, and substance use issues which eventually led him to a life-saving discovery: ketamine treatment. Ten years ago, after a couple of treatments, his depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts were gone.

Inside the Conversation

• The Power of Neuroplasticity: Warren breaks down a critical concept: ketamine is not a "silver bullet". Instead, it acts as a powerful catalyst and provides a window of heightened neuroplasticity —the brain's ability to build new thought patterns and neurons —allowing a person to implement the necessary behavioral changes in their daily life.
• Dissociation and Trauma: The discussion dives into the dissociative aspect of ketamine, explaining how it temporarily shuts off the brain's "default mode network" (the inner ego and narrative). This process allows an individual to gain a critical distance from traumatic memories, enabling them to re-examine and recontextualize them without the overwhelming physiological "fight or flight" response; an effect that works synergistically with therapies like EMDR.
• Best Practices and Safety: The conversation covers the difference between outpatient and inpatient care with inpatient facilities like Allendale Treatment offering the optimal environment for building durable habits away from triggers. Warren stresses the importance of a multidisciplinary screening approach and cautions against recreational use, emphasizing that these medicines must be used as part of a therapeutic process with medical supervision.
• The Psychedelic Horizon: Warren gives an exciting look at the future of mental health treatment, touching on the efficacy of MDMA for PTSD (especially for veterans) and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.
• A Story of Redemption: Hear the incredible story behind the documentary "Lamar Odom Reborn", where Warren helped the NBA star through his own ketamine and Ibogaine treatments following a near-fatal overdose. This moving example showcases the incredible hope and transformation possible for those struggling with trauma and addiction.

Don't miss this crucial conversation about innovation, hope, and the critical work being done to change the landscape of mental health and addiction recovery.

Discover more episodes and watch the video version of this episode on YouTube or at www.bareknucklerecovery.com

Watch this episode here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/