Addiction Uncovered

From Badge to Breakthrough: A First Responder’s Journey Through Addiction & PTSD


Listen Later

In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Davin Cole, a retired law enforcement officer, to discuss addiction and recovery within the first responder community.

Davin shares how a line-of-duty injury led to long-term opioid use, how PTSD quietly shaped his addiction, and why asking for help can feel impossible for those trained to protect others. This conversation sheds light on stigma, trauma exposure, and the cultural barriers that prevent first responders from seeking support — and what recovery can truly look like on the other side.

If you or someone you love works in emergency services, this episode is essential listening.


References:

Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase
Davin Cole – First Responder Advocate & Speaker
National Institute on Drug Abuse – https://www.drugabuse.gov
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – https://www.samhsa.gov

American Psychological Association – https://www.apa.org


This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠ or visit ⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠


Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro
00:00:55 – The Start of Davin’s Addiction
00:08:14 – Asking for Help as a First Responder
00:15:20 – PTSD & the Push to Sobriety
00:24:51 – Advice for Sober Living
00:28:23 – Current Community Work

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Addiction UncoveredBy Hurrdat ONE