In this episode of HYDRATE I interview my baby brother Daniel, comedian, musician, father and husband. He shares his raw and REAL journey with addiction.

Do you or someone you know struggle with addiction to pain medication or another form of addiction?

In this episode of HYDRATE, Tracy’s baby brother Daniel opens up about his battle with addiction and how the root of his addiction was a desire to numb out the pain of not feeling like he was enough.  His humbling journey is one we can all relate to. His vulnerability and quick quips will keep you engaged as he shares an honest journey of the mind and the progression of addiction.

Daniel was in a car accident at 21 years old and was prescribed pain killers that ended up being upwards of 900 pills a month. This eventually led to street drugs such as Methamphetamine’s and Heroin

In his story he opens up about how there was nothing anyone could say or any rehab (after 3 years of rehab) that could help him until he was ready to change. He shares the turning point, rock bottom and the mindset that he needed to help him choose that drugs were no longer an option for him.

What we discuss…

Intro - Tracy and Daniel discuss growing up in a missionary home and feeling different from the others.

11:45  - How the addiction started off. Seemed so innocent. Prescription meds for pain.

18:21 - The realization that the back pain was bad but the addiction was worse

22:14 - Prescribed a large dose of medication that became a lethal cocktail.

24:41 - Realization that the medication was worse than the heroine

27:32 - Wanting to die because he felt trapped in the drugs 

32:41 Learning to show vulnerability was healing

35:03 The root of addiction was not feeling enough 

45:16 The truth about getting street drugs in Mexico

49:25 - The suicide attempt and the moment of clarity

57:33 - Rock bottom and the turning point

1:04:03 Having hope for the future and admitting to himself his problem was the key to getting  clean

1:08:32 The current mindset that keeps him clean.

Instagram: @mmanoverboardd

This episode is dedicated to Greg Barnhardt. A dear friend of Daniel’s whom he met in rehab. Greg passed away from a drug overdose last night.