In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Erik, who spent three decades living under the dark cloud of active addiction, but who is now whole and walking on the recovery path. It’s a dramatic transformation story that testifies to the power of love and hope in our addicted loved one’s recovery. Erik misused meth for over 30 years, and he alternated between living under a bridge, in jail, prison, rehabs, and halfway houses during that time. Joining in the conversation in the second half of the episode are his sister Beth and their 89-year-old mom Laurie, who realized they were helpless to “fix” Erik. But they never gave up hope that he would find recovery. And he did! Find out what it was that turned Erik’s life around, and hear from all three family members, who are dear friends of Beth, Jan, and Joey, as they recall the traumatic experiences and triumphs of their family.

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RESOURCES:

Resource mentioned in this episode:

• Oxford House - https://www.oxfordhouse.org/

Other Resources:

• Other Parents Like Me -  https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me
• Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/
• Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

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Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at [email protected]

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Support Safe Home on Patreon

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TIME STAMPS:

1:28 Erik’s adolescence and the start of his addictive behavior

5:17 Finding a sense of community on the streets

6:34 Introduction of meth and life got way worse

10:59 The revolving door of incarceration

20:30 What ended up turning Erik around?

30:04 Erik reflects on his parents and his own parenting

34:47 Erik’s sister Beth and mom Laurie join the conversation

48:27 Erik’s miraculous transformation through the responsibility of work

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