Mike explores what real surrender looks like—from the science of addiction and brain chemistry, to the shame that keeps people sick, to the quiet chaos of high-functioning alcoholism.

Step One isn’t weakness. It’s the beginning of your strength.

You’ll also learn:

Why 94% of people with addiction never get help

What neuroscience says about “powerlessness”

Why “unmanageable” doesn’t always look like rock bottom

How millions recover without AA—and what they all have in common

What it takes to stop pretending and start healing

Plus a few darkly funny truths every addict knows too well

Whether you’re new to recovery, sober-curious, or still drowning in denial—this episode will hit you straight in the soul

In this unflinching and deeply personal episode of Big D-Tox, host Mike dives headfirst into the stigma surrounding addiction—what it is, where it comes from, and how it’s destroying lives in silence. Titled “Stigma Kills: The Deep, Dirty Truth About Addiction and Judgment,” this extended episode explores the systemic shame, social bias, and cultural cruelty faced by people with substance use disorders. Backed by powerful statistics and raw storytelling, Mike exposes the brutal reality of how stigma blocks recovery, fuels overdose deaths, and impacts everything from healthcare and employment to family, race, and mental health. With data from the CDC, NIDA, SAMHSA, and more, this episode is both a call to awareness and a demand for compassion. 🔥 Topics include: Why 90% of people with addiction don’t get treatment How doctors, families, and employers perpetuate stigma The racial and class-based double standards in drug laws and recovery access The deadly link between stigma, suicide, and incarceration What actually works: harm reduction, peer support, MAT How you can help fight stigma right now Whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or just want to understand addiction beyond the headlines—this episode is for you. 🧠 Real talk. 📊 Real data. 💔 Real consequences. ❤️ Real hope. Listen now—and help dismantle the shame.

In this video, we start our journey as I touch on how I got to this point over the last 5 months.