How do culture, stigma, and family expectations shape addiction recovery? In this episode of Behind the Citgo, host Lavar Marlow explores the barriers that prevent people from seeking help, with a focus on experiences within the African American community.

Through personal stories and honest conversation, this episode examines generational alcoholism, mental health stigma, and the ways families can unintentionally normalize addiction. We discuss how pride, silence, and the expectation to “toughen up” can delay recovery—and why seeking counseling or addiction treatment does not mean abandoning your faith.

The conversation also explores:

Whether you’re navigating sobriety, concerned about a loved one, or helping others find support, this conversation offers a message of faith, compassion, and hope. Recovery begins with honest conversations—and no one should have to face it alone.

Subscribe to Behind the Citgo for real stories and meaningful conversations about addiction, mental health, and lasting recovery. Share this episode to help break the stigma.

#AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #FaithAndRecovery #BehindTheCitgo

What if your brain and body already contain tools that can help you change destructive habits, regulate stress, and support recovery?

In this episode of Behind the Citgo, Josh Torbich sits down with Tom Harris to explore what Tom calls the “Inner Pharmacy” — the relationship between the autonomic nervous system, neuroplasticity, and our ability to reshape deeply established patterns of thought and behavior.

Tom shares his personal journey following a traumatic brain injury, his experience living in a constant “vigilant mode,” and how understanding the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems changed the way he approached healing. They discuss how repeated behaviors create neural pathways, why “neurons that fire together wire together,” and how breathing, affirmations, humming, vagus nerve stimulation, faith, and repetition can become practical tools for recovery.

This conversation brings faith and science together to examine how people struggling with addiction, trauma, stress, and destructive habits can begin building healthier patterns — one repetition at a time.

Subscribe to Behind the Citgo for real conversations about addiction, recovery, faith, neuroscience, mental health, and the people working to change lives.

#BehindTheCitgo #AddictionRecovery #AutonomicNervousSystem #Neuroplasticity #NervousSystem #Recovery #VagusNerve #MentalHealth #TraumaRecovery #FaithAndScience

What happens after life behind bars?

In BTC EP#33: Prison Re-Entry: What’s After the Life Behind Bars, Josh Torbich sits down with Lateisha Thrash of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction to discuss the realities of prison re-entry, addiction recovery, and rebuilding a life after incarceration.

They explore re-entry simulations, employment, housing, transportation, technology challenges, substance use treatment, MOUD, community support, and the importance of preparing people for successful reintegration before they ever leave prison.

This conversation takes an inside look at how North Carolina is approaching re-entry—and why recovery, accountability, opportunity, and community all play a role in reducing barriers after incarceration.

#PrisonReentry #AddictionRecovery #SecondChances #CriminalJusticeReform #Recovery #Reentry #BehindTheCitgo

In BTC EP #32: I Tried to Be My Sister’s Keeper, host Josh Torbich sits down with Jwantana Frink for a deeply personal conversation about addiction, family, grief, faith, and the painful reality of trying to save someone you love.

For the first time publicly, Jwantana shares the story of her sister Lawahna’s struggle with addiction and what it was like to become the family’s “manager”—watching for warning signs, trying to keep the peace, navigating difficult conversations, and carrying the weight of knowing something was wrong while hoping she could somehow help make it right.

Jwantana reflects on the moments that, looking back, revealed just how serious her sister’s addiction had become—from withdrawing from family activities to the conversations and missed opportunities that still stay with her today.

The discussion explores the impact addiction has on the entire family, including codependency, intervention, shame, grief, family dynamics, enabling, recognizing the signs of substance use, and finding the courage to confront addiction before it is too late.

After losing her sister, Jwantana and her family turned their pain into purpose through Blossoms Parenting and More, carrying Lawahna’s legacy forward by helping women rebuild their lives and providing support for those transitioning toward greater stability after treatment.

At the heart of this episode is a message for every family affected by addiction: trust your instincts, have the difficult conversation, ask questions, seek help, and don’t allow fear or shame to keep addiction hidden.

Jwantana also shares the role faith has played in carrying her through grief and closes the episode with a powerful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer.

Behind the Citgo is about the conversations most people never get the chance to hear—real stories of addiction, recovery, faith, family, loss, redemption, and hope.

If you or someone you love has been affected by addiction, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Subscribe to Behind the Citgo and turn on notifications for new episodes.

#BehindTheCitgo #SistersKeeper #AddictionRecovery #AddictionAwareness #FamilyAddiction #FamilyRecovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #RecoveryIsPossible #AddictionSupport #GriefAndLoss #FaithAndRecovery #ChristianRecovery #Codependency #AddictionIntervention #FamiliesOfAddicts #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryCommunity #HopeAfterAddiction

What happens when a community chooses to stand behind recovery?

In Episode 31 of Behind the Citgo, Josh Torbich sits down with Art Dornfeld, Mayor of the Town of Shallotte, North Carolina, to discuss how local government, law enforcement, businesses, churches, and neighbors can help create a community where people in recovery have a real opportunity to rebuild their lives.

They talk about the growth of Christian Recovery Centers, the importance of faith-based recovery, second chances, employment opportunities, and the impact people in recovery are making throughout Shallotte and Brunswick County.

The conversation also explores how strong partnerships between recovery organizations and the surrounding community can create a model that other towns can learn from.

Subscribe to Behind the Citgo for conversations about addiction, recovery, faith, leadership, and the people working to make lasting change possible.

#BehindTheCitgo #AddictionRecovery #Recovery #ChristianRecoveryCenters #FaithBasedRecovery #ShallotteNC #BrunswickCountyNC #SecondChances #RecoveryCommunity #ChristianRecovery

What if addiction prevention starts long before drugs or alcohol ever enter the picture?

In Episode 30 of Behind the Citgo, Josh Torbich sits down with Pastor Jordan Hise of Highest Praise Church and Southeastern Christian Academy to discuss why helping young people establish a strong identity in Christ may be one of the most powerful forms of prevention.

They explore how parents, churches, schools, and communities can reinforce a consistent message about identity and purpose while preparing young people to face peer pressure, social media, temptation, adversity, and the pressures of growing up.

The conversation also examines the difference between simply trying to change behavior and building an identity strong enough to guide decisions when life gets difficult.

Identity is prevention.

If we want to change the future of addiction, we have to reach the next generation before they ever need recovery.

Subscribe to Behind the Citgo for conversations about addiction recovery, prevention, faith, family, and the issues shaping our communities.

#BehindTheCitgo #AddictionPrevention #YouthPrevention #ChristianParenting #IdentityInChrist #FaithAndFamily #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #ChristianPodcast #YouthMinistry #Parenting #NextGeneration

What happens when science, government policy, religious freedom, and lived recovery experience point in different directions?

In BTC EP #30: When Science Fails, Behind the Citgo host Josh Torvik examines the debate surrounding medications for opioid use disorder, including Suboxone, methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

Using the recent Salvation Army litigation as a starting point, Josh explores the tension between federal disability protections and the right of faith-based recovery programs to operate according to their beliefs and established models of care.

Drawing from his own experience with heroin addiction, medication-assisted treatment, and more than 12 years of sobriety, Josh explains Christian Recovery Centers’ approach to MOUD. He discusses how medication can reduce overdose deaths and provide stability while asking whether long-term recovery should also pursue freedom, purpose, and personal transformation.

This episode is not an argument that everyone must recover the same way. It is a call for multiple recovery pathways that meet people where they are and help them continue moving forward.

Watch the full episode and share your perspective in the comments.

Subscribe to Behind the Citgo for conversations about addiction, recovery, faith, leadership, and public policy.

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and other major podcast platforms.

#BehindTheCitgo #AddictionRecovery #MOUD #MedicationAssistedTreatment #FaithBasedRecovery #OpioidRecovery #RecoveryPodcast #Sobriety

Aaron Martin’s addiction began in middle school and eventually cost him his military career, marriage, home, and relationship with his children. His turning point came when he found himself barefoot, homeless, and alone during Hurricane Matthew.

In this episode of Behind the Citgo, Aaron shares how that desperate night led him to detox, long-term treatment at Christian Recovery Centers, and a complete transformation through faith, surrender, and recovery.

Today, Aaron has rebuilt his relationship with his children, created a loving family, become a successful business leader, and serves others through church ministry and Bible studies inside the New Hanover County Jail.

This powerful addiction recovery testimony is a reminder that no person is too broken and no situation is beyond God’s ability to restore.

Subscribe to Behind the Citgo for honest conversations about addiction, recovery, faith, treatment, leadership, and family restoration.

Listen on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Player FM, Podchaser, Boomplay, and other major listening platforms.

#BehindTheCitgo #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryStory #ChristianRecovery #FaithBasedRecovery #HurricaneMatthew #GodOfRestoration #Sobriety #AddictionTestimony #RecoveryPodcast

Addiction and human trafficking are often deeply connected—but the path to freedom begins when someone is willing to build a relationship, earn trust, and remain present until a survivor is ready for help.

In BTC EP #28: Unbroken – Women Rising from Addiction and Exploitation, host Josh Torbich sits down with Beverly Weeks, CEO of Wayne Pregnancy Center and Cry Freedom Missions, for a powerful conversation about addiction, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, trauma, faith, and long-term recovery.

Beverly shares how an encounter with a young woman living in addiction and exploitation changed the direction of her ministry. What began as street and hotel outreach eventually grew into a comprehensive effort serving women who are vulnerable to trafficking or actively being exploited.

This episode explores the realities that often remain hidden from public view: women exchanging sex for drugs, food, shelter, or survival; traffickers using addiction, fraudulent promises, psychological coercion, and fear to maintain control; and survivors who may not initially recognize that they are being trafficked.

Beverly also explains why rescue is rarely a single moment. Meaningful intervention often requires repeated contact, patience, trauma-informed care, addiction treatment, safe housing, vocational opportunities, spiritual support, and relationships built over time.

Beverly shares several difficult but important survivor stories that demonstrate how addiction and exploitation can affect people from every type of family and community. She also explains why survivors sometimes return to dangerous environments—and why organizations must be prepared to continue offering support without judgment.

At the center of the episode is a clear message: lasting freedom requires more than removing someone from an immediate crisis. Survivors need safety, healing, purpose, community, practical support, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Cry Freedom Missions provides emergency placement, case management, long-term residential support, trauma-informed services, vocational training, addiction-recovery resources, and faith-centered care for individuals affected by human trafficking and exploitation.

Cry Freedom Missions:

Cry Freedom Missions Hotline:

If someone is in immediate danger, contact 911 or the appropriate local law-enforcement agency. Suspected trafficking can also be reported anonymously.

In BTC Episode #27, Josh Torbich sits down with Rob Hardin of Rare of Breed for a powerful conversation about addiction, redemption, identity, perseverance, and the transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ.

Rob shares the remarkable story of being removed from his home and entering foster care at eight years old, using poetry and music to process childhood trauma, struggling with drug addiction as a teenager, attending Tar Heel ChalleNGe Academy, facing incarceration, and ultimately reaching a life-changing moment of surrender.

On September 4, 2011, Rob and his future wife walked to an altar together, surrendered their lives to Christ, and were baptized. That decision changed the direction of their lives and became the foundation of a ministry that would eventually reach millions of people through music, concerts, prison tours, and Rare of Breed’s distinctive blend of Christian rap, country, Southern rock, and faith-filled storytelling known as “God Twang.”

Rob also discusses the ten years of unseen work that preceded his success, the importance of developing strong spiritual roots, the temptation to quit, the role his wife played in encouraging him, and why lasting purpose requires faithfulness long before anyone sees the results.

Behind the Citgo is also available on major podcast and streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, iHeartRadio, and other leading podcast services. Search for Behind the Citgo on your preferred listening platform and follow the show for future episodes.

#BehindTheCitgo #RareOfBreed #RobHardin #GodTwang #ChristianRecovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryPodcast #ChristianPodcast #FaithBasedRecovery #ChristianMusic #ChristianRap #CountryRap #RecoveryTestimony #RedemptionStory #FosterCareSurvivor #PrisonMinistry #IdentityInChrist #FaithAndRecovery #JesusChangesEverything #WeDoRecover