Episodes

  • Rewriting Her Future: Betzy's Tale of Overcoming Addiction and Finding Faith

    Rewriting Her Future: Betzy's Tale of Overcoming Addiction and Finding Faith
    Sep 17 2024
    Betsy describes her journey from a turbulent childhood and early exposure to substance use to finding strength and purpose through faith and community support. Throughout her story, she details her personal struggles, the turning points that led her towards sobriety, and her work at the Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery, an organization that played a key role in her recovery. By reflecting on her past and embracing her faith, Betsy illustrates how transformative recovery can be, especially when one discovers one’s true purpose and builds a supportive network. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:38 Betsy's Recovery Journey Begins 01:52 Faith and Family in Recovery 02:42 Challenges of Young Parenthood 04:39 Generational Struggles and Personal Growth 06:26 Early Exposure to Alcohol and Toxic Relationships 15:09 College Struggles and Finding CCAR 16:24 Realizations and Changes at CCAR 20:08 Parenting and Recovery 26:43 Working with the Reentry Community 32:36 Final Reflections and Message to Young Women
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    35 mins
  • Strings of Sobriety: Sam's Path to Recovery Through Music

    Strings of Sobriety: Sam's Path to Recovery Through Music
    Sep 10 2024
    Sam shares her inspiring journey of long-term recovery, having been clean since August 11, 2020. Sam recounts her early life in Connecticut, her struggles with addiction, and the turning point that led her to seek help during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses her path through detox, rehab, and her commitment to the 12 Steps program. Sam also talks about rediscovering her passion for music, the importance of staying engaged in fun, sober activities, and her various roles in the recovery community, including her work as a peer support specialist and her creative outlets. Her story highlights the transformative power of recovery, community support, and personal growth. 00:00 Introduction and Recovery Milestones 01:32 Early Life and Struggles with Addiction 07:28 The Turning Point: Seeking Recovery 12:24 Entering Treatment and Early Sobriety 13:45 Life in a Sober House 15:32 Volunteer of the Year Award 15:44 First Job in Recovery 16:38 Music and Recovery 25:32 Fun Activities in Recovery 31:45 Identity and Recovery 35:58 Concluding Thoughts
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    37 mins
  • Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery w/ William Cope Moyers

    Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery w/ William Cope Moyers
    Sep 3 2024
    Bestselling author and national recovery advocate William Cope Moyers shares his journey of recovery, which began in 1989, and his unexpected encounter with prescribed pain medication in 2012. Despite having decades of sobriety and a wealth of recovery capital, Moyers struggled for a few years with addiction to painkillers following significant dental surgery. He highlights the complexities of addiction, the importance of anti-craving medications like Suboxone, and the stigma surrounding them. This episode explores Moyers' path to finding stability again and underscores the message that recovery is not a linear journey. His new book, “Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery” is out now! 00:00 Introduction and Shared Experiences 00:21 The Journey to Recovery 01:22 Defining Recovery and Sobriety 02:24 The Power of Belief and Hope 05:34 Founding of CCAR and Advocacy 09:35 Challenges and Misconceptions in Recovery 13:27 Struggles with Pain Medication 22:24 Recovery Capital and Its Importance 31:13 Hitting Rock Bottom Sober 31:44 Joining Al-Anon and Learning to Let Go 32:18 Struggling with Pain Meds and Redefining Sobriety 33:15 The God Box and Medallions 34:22 Consecutive vs. Cumulative Sobriety 38:07 Stigma Around Anti-Craving Medications 42:03 Multiple Pathways to Recovery 50:23 Personal Reflections on Life and Recovery 01:01:32 Overview of the New Book
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • How Alcohol Took Over My Life and How I Found My Way Back

    How Alcohol Took Over My Life and How I Found My Way Back
    Aug 27 2024
    Shane shares his story of starting to drink at a young age, his college partying days, and the moment of clarity that led him to seek help. Despite numerous challenges, Shane's determination to overcome his addiction is evident. He discusses the importance of finding a personalized path to recovery and the role of sports and community outreach in his life post-recovery. The conversation highlights the power of the mind, the value of self-directed recovery, and the impact of helping others on one's own recovery journey. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:42 Shane's Early Drinking Days 02:17 College and Escalation 03:32 Turning Point and Seeking Help 05:51 Entering Rehab and Detox 07:21 Rehab Experiences and Realizations 09:20 Transition to Outpatient Program 11:21 Helping Others and Personal Growth 14:26 Navigating Sobriety in Daily Life 16:28 The Relentless Pursuit of Success 16:58 Transforming Relationships and Social Circles 17:30 Navigating Social Situations Sober 18:26 The Power of Mindset in Overcoming Addiction 19:05 Personal Stories of Rehab and Recovery 22:44 Replacing Bad Habits with Good Ones 27:49 Commitment and Discipline in Recovery 31:22 Final Thoughts and Future Goals
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    34 mins
  • Breaking the Chains: Joe's Journey from Addiction and Incarceration to Inspiring Recovery Advocate

    Breaking the Chains: Joe's Journey from Addiction and Incarceration to Inspiring Recovery Advocate
    Aug 20 2024
    Joe, who has been sober since November 11th, 2021, shares his story of battling addiction, the impact of early life experiences, and the moment of surrender that led him to recovery. Highlights include Joe's experience growing up in a family of drinkers, the trauma of losing his father, his transformative prison experiences, and how he has turned his recovery into a platform for giving back and inspiring others. 00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds 00:53 Joe's Journey into Recovery Coaching 03:37 Early Life and Family Struggles 06:48 The Impact of Loss and Addiction 15:08 The Turning Point: Surrender and Rebirth 17:39 The Turning Point: Making a Decision in Jail 18:42 Finding Faith and Surrendering to a Higher Power 20:01 Discovering AA and the 12 Steps 20:24 The Power of Gratitude and Journaling 21:40 Rebuilding Life After Prison 23:37 Engaging with CCAR and Recovery Coaching 27:23 Launching Big Joe Recovery 30:59 Living a Life of Integrity and Wellness 32:53 Final Reflections and Words of Wisdom
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    35 mins
  • Medication-Assisted Recovery | Pharmaceutical Innovations in Addiction Recovery

    Medication-Assisted Recovery | Pharmaceutical Innovations in Addiction Recovery
    Aug 13 2024
    In this episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, host Phil welcomes Ahmed Abdel Aziz from Indivior, a global pharmaceutical company focused on addiction medicine. Ahmed introduces himself and discusses his passion for public health and addiction treatment. He highlights Indivior's commitment to transforming lives affected by substance use disorders, emphasizing the need to treat addiction as a disease, not a moral failing. Ahmed shares insights into common misconceptions about medication-assisted recovery and explains the importance of patient-centric and culturally competent care. They explore the evolving landscape of addiction recovery, including the potential of psychedelics and the principles of harm reduction. Ahmed also reflects on his personal journey and motivations for working in this field, rooted in early exposure to the pharmaceutical industry and personal experiences with friends affected by addiction. The conversation delves into broader societal perspectives on healthcare and the evolving role of big pharma in addressing public health challenges. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:19 Ahmed Abdel Aziz's Background and Indivior's Mission 01:33 Common Medications and Misconceptions 03:51 Ahmed's Personal Journey into Addiction Medicine 06:46 Family and Future Generations 08:46 Shifts in Addiction and Recovery Perspectives 12:37 Multiple Pathways to Recovery 22:10 Hot Topics: Psychedelics and Harm Reduction 29:27 Big Pharma and Population Health 36:41 Spirituality and Recovery Coaching 43:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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    44 mins
  • Tommy Rosen on the Role of Medication in Addiction Treatment

    Tommy Rosen on the Role of Medication in Addiction Treatment
    Aug 6 2024
    On this week's Recovery Matters Podcast, Phil and Tommy Rosen discuss the current state of addiction treatment, with a focus on the over-reliance on medication. They reflect on their personal recovery journeys, highlighting the importance of 12-step programs, yoga, and other non-pharmacological methods to achieve lasting sobriety. Rosen shares his transformation through yoga and meditation, manifesting a broader vision of recovery beyond traditional methods. The conversation delves into the significance of offering multiple pathways to recovery, the impact of the addictive past, and the essential spiritual pursuit of purpose in life. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:52 Concerns About Medication in Addiction Treatment 02:21 Historical Perspective on Addiction Treatment 03:36 The Rise of Medication-Assisted Treatment 05:44 Personal Recovery Stories and Philosophies 14:48 The Role of Yoga in Recovery 22:21 Childhood Reflections and Hyperactivity 24:44 Reflecting on Childhood and Early Challenges 25:54 Struggles with Addiction and Substance Use 30:51 The Turning Point: Embracing Recovery 31:26 The Power of the 12 Steps 34:13 Relapse and Redemption 39:26 Exploring New Paths to Recovery 49:24 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life 53:47 Conclusion and Future Plans
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    56 mins
  • Reducing the Harm | Harm Reduction Discussion

    Reducing the Harm | Harm Reduction Discussion
    Jul 30 2024
    Cameron, a Harm Reduction Coordinator, delves into the complexity of human behavior, societal structures, and the importance of humane treatment for individuals still using substances. They discuss philosophical and practical aspects of harm reduction, including the distribution of clean syringes and Narcan, drug checking, and the necessity of treating those with substance use disorders with dignity and respect. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the different paths to recovery and the vital role harm reduction plays in keeping communities safe. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Recovery Stories 00:47 Challenges and Turning Points in Recovery 05:04 Understanding Harm Reduction 08:59 Harm Reduction in Practice 12:40 The Importance of Compassion and Dignity 14:18 The Role of Harm Reduction in Public Health 25:16 Personal Reflections and Future Goals 39:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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    43 mins