Betsy describes her journey from a turbulent childhood and early exposure to substance use to finding strength and purpose through faith and community support. Throughout her story, she details her personal struggles, the turning points that led her towards sobriety, and her work at the Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery, an organization that played a key role in her recovery. By reflecting on her past and embracing her faith, Betsy illustrates how transformative recovery can be, especially when one discovers one’s true purpose and builds a supportive network.

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome

00:38 Betsy's Recovery Journey Begins

01:52 Faith and Family in Recovery

02:42 Challenges of Young Parenthood

04:39 Generational Struggles and Personal Growth

06:26 Early Exposure to Alcohol and Toxic Relationships

15:09 College Struggles and Finding CCAR

16:24 Realizations and Changes at CCAR

20:08 Parenting and Recovery

26:43 Working with the Reentry Community

32:36 Final Reflections and Message to Young Women ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

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Sam shares her inspiring journey of long-term recovery, having been clean since August 11, 2020. Sam recounts her early life in Connecticut, her struggles with addiction, and the turning point that led her to seek help during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses her path through detox, rehab, and her commitment to the 12 Steps program. Sam also talks about rediscovering her passion for music, the importance of staying engaged in fun, sober activities, and her various roles in the recovery community, including her work as a peer support specialist and her creative outlets. Her story highlights the transformative power of recovery, community support, and personal growth.

00:00 Introduction and Recovery Milestones

01:32 Early Life and Struggles with Addiction

07:28 The Turning Point: Seeking Recovery

12:24 Entering Treatment and Early Sobriety

13:45 Life in a Sober House

15:32 Volunteer of the Year Award

15:44 First Job in Recovery

16:38 Music and Recovery

25:32 Fun Activities in Recovery

31:45 Identity and Recovery

35:58 Concluding Thoughts ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

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Bestselling author and national recovery advocate William Cope Moyers shares his journey of recovery, which began in 1989, and his unexpected encounter with prescribed pain medication in 2012. Despite having decades of sobriety and a wealth of recovery capital, Moyers struggled for a few years with addiction to painkillers following significant dental surgery. He highlights the complexities of addiction, the importance of anti-craving medications like Suboxone, and the stigma surrounding them. This episode explores Moyers' path to finding stability again and underscores the message that recovery is not a linear journey. His new book, “Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery” is out now!

00:00 Introduction and Shared Experiences

00:21 The Journey to Recovery

01:22 Defining Recovery and Sobriety

02:24 The Power of Belief and Hope

05:34 Founding of CCAR and Advocacy

09:35 Challenges and Misconceptions in Recovery

13:27 Struggles with Pain Medication

22:24 Recovery Capital and Its Importance

31:13 Hitting Rock Bottom Sober

31:44 Joining Al-Anon and Learning to Let Go

32:18 Struggling with Pain Meds and Redefining Sobriety

33:15 The God Box and Medallions

34:22 Consecutive vs. Cumulative Sobriety

38:07 Stigma Around Anti-Craving Medications

42:03 Multiple Pathways to Recovery

50:23 Personal Reflections on Life and Recovery

01:01:32 Overview of the New Book ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

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🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify):

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Shane shares his story of starting to drink at a young age, his college partying days, and the moment of clarity that led him to seek help. Despite numerous challenges, Shane's determination to overcome his addiction is evident. He discusses the importance of finding a personalized path to recovery and the role of sports and community outreach in his life post-recovery. The conversation highlights the power of the mind, the value of self-directed recovery, and the impact of helping others on one's own recovery journey.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:42 Shane's Early Drinking Days

02:17 College and Escalation

03:32 Turning Point and Seeking Help

05:51 Entering Rehab and Detox

07:21 Rehab Experiences and Realizations

09:20 Transition to Outpatient Program

11:21 Helping Others and Personal Growth

14:26 Navigating Sobriety in Daily Life

16:28 The Relentless Pursuit of Success

16:58 Transforming Relationships and Social Circles

17:30 Navigating Social Situations Sober

18:26 The Power of Mindset in Overcoming Addiction

19:05 Personal Stories of Rehab and Recovery

22:44 Replacing Bad Habits with Good Ones

27:49 Commitment and Discipline in Recovery

31:22 Final Thoughts and Future Goals ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

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🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify):

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Joe, who has been sober since November 11th, 2021, shares his story of battling addiction, the impact of early life experiences, and the moment of surrender that led him to recovery. Highlights include Joe's experience growing up in a family of drinkers, the trauma of losing his father, his transformative prison experiences, and how he has turned his recovery into a platform for giving back and inspiring others.

00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds

00:53 Joe's Journey into Recovery Coaching

03:37 Early Life and Family Struggles

06:48 The Impact of Loss and Addiction

15:08 The Turning Point: Surrender and Rebirth

17:39 The Turning Point: Making a Decision in Jail

18:42 Finding Faith and Surrendering to a Higher Power

20:01 Discovering AA and the 12 Steps

20:24 The Power of Gratitude and Journaling

21:40 Rebuilding Life After Prison

23:37 Engaging with CCAR and Recovery Coaching

27:23 Launching Big Joe Recovery

30:59 Living a Life of Integrity and Wellness

32:53 Final Reflections and Words of Wisdom ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

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🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify):

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In this episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, host Phil welcomes Ahmed Abdel Aziz from Indivior, a global pharmaceutical company focused on addiction medicine. Ahmed introduces himself and discusses his passion for public health and addiction treatment. He highlights Indivior's commitment to transforming lives affected by substance use disorders, emphasizing the need to treat addiction as a disease, not a moral failing. Ahmed shares insights into common misconceptions about medication-assisted recovery and explains the importance of patient-centric and culturally competent care. They explore the evolving landscape of addiction recovery, including the potential of psychedelics and the principles of harm reduction. Ahmed also reflects on his personal journey and motivations for working in this field, rooted in early exposure to the pharmaceutical industry and personal experiences with friends affected by addiction. The conversation delves into broader societal perspectives on healthcare and the evolving role of big pharma in addressing public health challenges.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:19 Ahmed Abdel Aziz's Background and Indivior's Mission

01:33 Common Medications and Misconceptions

03:51 Ahmed's Personal Journey into Addiction Medicine

06:46 Family and Future Generations

08:46 Shifts in Addiction and Recovery Perspectives

12:37 Multiple Pathways to Recovery

22:10 Hot Topics: Psychedelics and Harm Reduction

29:27 Big Pharma and Population Health

36:41 Spirituality and Recovery Coaching

43:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎙RecoveryMatters Podcast (Spotify):

https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...

🗣Recovery Matters TikTok

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🗣Recovery Matters Instagram

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🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

On this week's Recovery Matters Podcast, Phil and Tommy Rosen discuss the current state of addiction treatment, with a focus on the over-reliance on medication. They reflect on their personal recovery journeys, highlighting the importance of 12-step programs, yoga, and other non-pharmacological methods to achieve lasting sobriety. Rosen shares his transformation through yoga and meditation, manifesting a broader vision of recovery beyond traditional methods. The conversation delves into the significance of offering multiple pathways to recovery, the impact of the addictive past, and the essential spiritual pursuit of purpose in life.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:52 Concerns About Medication in Addiction Treatment

02:21 Historical Perspective on Addiction Treatment

03:36 The Rise of Medication-Assisted Treatment

05:44 Personal Recovery Stories and Philosophies

14:48 The Role of Yoga in Recovery

22:21 Childhood Reflections and Hyperactivity

24:44 Reflecting on Childhood and Early Challenges

25:54 Struggles with Addiction and Substance Use

30:51 The Turning Point: Embracing Recovery

31:26 The Power of the 12 Steps

34:13 Relapse and Redemption

39:26 Exploring New Paths to Recovery

49:24 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life

53:47 Conclusion and Future Plans ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify):

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🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok

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Cameron, a Harm Reduction Coordinator, delves into the complexity of human behavior, societal structures, and the importance of humane treatment for individuals still using substances. They discuss philosophical and practical aspects of harm reduction, including the distribution of clean syringes and Narcan, drug checking, and the necessity of treating those with substance use disorders with dignity and respect. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the different paths to recovery and the vital role harm reduction plays in keeping communities safe.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Recovery Stories

00:47 Challenges and Turning Points in Recovery

05:04 Understanding Harm Reduction

08:59 Harm Reduction in Practice

12:40 The Importance of Compassion and Dignity

14:18 The Role of Harm Reduction in Public Health

25:16 Personal Reflections and Future Goals

39:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

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🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify):

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Michael celebrated one year of sobriety on June 24th, 2024. He delves into his deep-rooted battle with addiction. Michael details his life as an everyday meth user, starting at the age of 21, despite coming from a family with a history of substance use. He recounts his initial meth experience at an after-hours party in Fort Lauderdale and how he got entangled in a drug-fueled lifestyle that included sex clubs and parties. Michael shares his struggles with heroin and his transition into IV drug use, his relationships, and the domestic violence he endured, which led to contracting HIV. He speaks candidly about his eventually turning to escorting as a means of survival and how the COVID-19 lockdowns brought him back to the East Coast. The pivotal moment for Michael came when he received a federal target letter, prompting him to seek recovery. He discusses his path to sobriety, including attending meetings at CCAR, taking care of his aunt, and engaging in therapy. Michael's story is a testament to the resilience required to overcome addiction and the transformative power of recovery.

00:00 Introduction to TJ and Michael

00:08 Michael's Journey into Addiction

02:50 The Party Lifestyle and Meth

03:52 Experiences with Different Drugs

05:15 Struggles and Turning Points

14:25 Life in the Gay Community

25:05 Relationships and Domestic Violence

32:38 Path to Recovery

36:05 Finding New Pathways

39:12 Conclusion and Reflections ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify):

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🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

James, an author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach, shares his tumultuous journey dealing with substance use, injuries, and life's setbacks. He details how his fiancée and a spiritual awakening led him to sobriety, eventually becoming a motivational writer and recovery coach. With an emphasis on the importance of a supportive community, therapy, and spirituality, James highlights the transformative power of recovery and the impact of addressing both physical and emotional pain.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:43 James' Journey to Recovery

03:13 Overcoming Physical and Emotional Pain

05:19 Writing and Promoting Books

09:53 Spiritual Awakening and Recovery

15:03 Challenges and Lessons from the Streets

22:22 Turning Point and New Beginnings

23:01 Shared Experiences and Reflections

23:19 Challenges of Jail Life

24:14 Path to Recovery

24:37 Holistic Approach to Well-being

25:51 Importance of Community Support

26:29 Role of Recovery Coaching

27:24 Finding Purpose in Recovery

30:39 Consistency and New Habits

35:35 Volunteering and Community Engagement

37:05 Final Thoughts and Connection ----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify):

https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok

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🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery

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🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery