Recovery Culture

What does addiction really feel like from the inside?

In this episode, Valerie interviews co-host Steven about his personal journey through addiction, recovery, and the mental battle that many people never see.

Steven shares how substance use progressed from pain pills to heroin, why addiction became about more than getting high, and what it was like to live in constant pursuit of the next fix. He also opens up about rock bottom, the challenges of getting sober, and the freedom he found through recovery.

Whether you're struggling with addiction yourself or trying to understand a loved one who is, this honest conversation offers insight, hope, and proof that change is possible.

In this episode:

Raised around abuse, addiction, and instability, Vic spent years searching for belonging through gangs, violence, drugs, and life on the streets.

After prison, addiction, and years of running from himself, everything slowly began to change.

In this episode, Vic shares his powerful testimony of trauma, survival, faith, recovery, and finding purpose through helping others heal.

Addiction doesn’t just affect the person using — it impacts the entire family.

In this episode, Steven and Valerie share an honest conversation about loving someone through addiction. They talk about boundaries, codependency, enabling, surrender, and the hard lessons learned from both sides of recovery.

Whether you’re a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend of someone struggling with addiction, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone — and that healing is possible for families too.

In this episode, she shares her journey through depression, broken trust, codependency, hopelessness, and loving someone through addiction — and how faith and recovery ultimately changed her life.

From childhood wounds to difficult relationships and a season of overwhelming darkness, Valerie opens up about the experiences that shaped her perspective on healing, recovery, and second chances.

This episode is for anyone who has ever struggled silently, carried someone else’s pain, or wondered if things can truly get better.

In this episode of Recovery Culture, Valerie and Steven talk about acceptance, patience, persistence, and the life-changing mindset behind “the power of yet.”

From stepping out of denial to learning how to let go of control, they discuss how recovery often begins by simply telling yourself the truth — and believing that growth is still possible, even when you can’t see it yet.

Whether you’re struggling with addiction, mental health, broken relationships, or life in general, this conversation is a reminder that healing takes time, progress comes in small wins, and breakthrough often comes right before the resistance.

In this episode, Steven and Valerie talk about one of the hardest — but most freeing — parts of recovery: forgiveness. From family wounds and past resentment to self-hatred and the struggle to let go, they share personal stories about how unforgiveness can quietly shape our lives, relationships, and recovery journey.

Together, they unpack the difference between forgiving others, accepting forgiveness, and learning to forgive yourself. They also discuss how resentment, anger, and unresolved pain can keep people emotionally stuck — and why true healing often begins when we finally release what we’ve been carrying for years. Honest, vulnerable, and deeply personal, this conversation is about finding freedom, peace, and the courage to move forward.

Ashley’s story doesn’t start with chaos—it starts with what felt normal.

Growing up around alcohol, drinking was never questioned. But over time, what seemed manageable turned into blackouts, close calls, and moments that couldn’t be ignored.

We talk about:

If you’ve ever told yourself “it’s not that bad”… this episode might hit closer to home than you expect.

Vic O.’s story is one of addiction, violence, and a life that nearly ended too soon.

After a promising boxing career was cut short, Vic fell into years of drug use, gang life, and prison—until a near-death experience changed everything.

In this episode, he shares how he found faith, broke free from addiction, and built a new life rooted in purpose.

This is a raw conversation about pain, redemption, and what it takes to truly change.

In this episode, we dive into amends—and why they’re more than just saying “I’m sorry.”

We talk about what real amends look like, how to take responsibility for the harm we’ve caused, and why action matters more than words. We also cover when to make amends, when not to, and how to handle it if they’re not received the way you hoped.

If you’re working through recovery—or just trying to make things right—this episode is about owning your past, moving forward with freedom, and finding healing.

What happens after the breaking point?

In Part 2 of Kevin’s story, we pick up right where we left off—at one of the most intense moments of his life.

From there, Kevin opens up about the path that followed: the choices, the consequences, and the reality of where addiction and identity can lead when left unchecked.

But this isn’t just a story about destruction—it’s a story about what it takes to change, and how transformation becomes possible even in the darkest places.

This is Part 2 of Kevin’s story.