In this episode, Mike Gibson joins me on the podcast to talk about how to recover from drug and alcohol addiction.

 

We also touch on how to help our kids who may be struggling.

 

Mike Gibson earned a scholarship to Cal-Berkeley for football and played for two years before he got drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. He played a total of 6 years in the NFL (Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals). 

 

In his third year, he suffered an injury and shortly after got addicted to prescription painkillers. He started at 5 mg of Vicodin and by the time he finished his career was taking a minimum of 300 mg of OxyContin daily. 

 

After he retired, he became a sheriff's deputy, completing his credentials as class president, abusing OxyContin and adderall the entire duration. He was a deputy for under a year before getting asked to resign for his unhealthy habits. This setback turned him to becoming addicted to stronger substances such as heroin and meth. After going in and out of rehab 6 times, in his last session Mike made a breakthrough and has been sober for 5 years. He has worked in treatment centers as an addiction counselor for the entire 5 years he has been sober. 

 

Listen in as we talk about:

• [3:30] When Mike realized he was addicted to painkillers
• [5:10] The phenomenon of craving
• [8:55] How prevalent is alcohol addiction 
• [12:50] The first steps in getting help
• [15:50] How Mike helps addicts today 
• [18:40] What made it possible for Mike to recover from addiction
• [22:50] Setting boundaries with your children who may have an addiction

 

Notes from Natalie:

• Sign Up for Natalie’s Newsletter 
• Purchase Carla’s Books

 

Connect with Mike Gibson

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyliferecoveryinc 
• Website: https://healthyliferecovery.com/about/ 

 

Connect with Natalie Tysdal

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ntysdal/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ2puxB_hWDNn1Qe3UzOMKg 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatalieTysdal/ 
• Website: https://www.natalietysdal.com