Ryan Sims, a Department of Corrections Recovery Coach, discusses his difficult childhood experience, including his mother's drug addiction and molestation, and his early experiences with drinking and smoking, which eventually led to his first time in prison. He also reflects on finding acceptance and identity while incarcerated, his journey of recovery and self-acceptance, and how his life changed after finding recovery through a recovery coach. As a former member of a well known biker gang, he reflects on his violent past experiences and how he found redemption through recovery.----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

"Visions" is a moving play that tackles substance use and recovery through depicting the journey of addiction and the awakening of individuals to their problem, leading them to seek help and join Twelve Step programs. The play has reached tens of thousands of people, with the troupe performing in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, shelters, youth houses, and correction centers, where they use the powerful medium of theater to educate about addiction and show that recovery is possible. The play has also been presented to churches, schools, and communities, usually with no fee, except for raising money for charitable organizations. The cast and crew have formed a not-for-profit organization, Visions Recovery Inc, dedicated to substance use prevention and recovery education. Bob L., the author, producer/director, initially penned the images in his head during breaks on his job in an automotive plant, and after facing initial rejection from community theaters, he sought help from friends and acquaintances to form a cast. The play has won several awards for community service and volunteerism, including the State of New Jersey Governor's Volunteer Award in the Arts and Humanities and the Presidential Points of Light Award.----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

Rex ShadesEagle returns to our podcast, discussing the unexpected success of his TikTok video which gained 3.6 million views. Despite the popularity, Rex opens up about the online hate he received, challenging his statements about staying awake for 31 days.

He also talks to us about his upcoming Ride 4 Life USA bike tour for suicide prevention. Visit www.knowlovefoundation.org to donate and for more information.----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, Rob Decker of Rise as Lions shares his personal experience with trauma and addiction, emphasizing the importance of bringing traumas to light without judgment or shame. He recalls his own journey of recovery and the moment of clarity that led him to turn his life around. Rob discusses the reality of sobriety and how it involves ongoing work and mindfulness. He explains that his own childhood experiences of rejection, neglect, isolation, and abandonment had hindered his emotional development and led to his self-medication with drugs and alcohol. The speaker also shares the traumatic events from his childhood, including being told his father wasn't his real dad and being molested at a young age. Despite these challenges, the speaker is committed to helping others navigate their own traumas and learn to love themselves instead of turning to self-medication. This honest and candid conversation highlights the importance of ongoing healing and growth in the recovery journey.----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

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

Recovery Matters Podcast host Phil Valentine is interviewed as shares his personal experiences with addiction and recovery. From growing up in Manchester, Connecticut to the impact of alcohol and drug use on academic performance, he discusses the challenges and regrets of struggling with addiction in college. He also delves into cocaine addiction and recovery, including the impact on relationships and health. Faith's role in recovery is explored, as well as the importance of building a recovery community and its impact on family life. ----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

TJ, a recovery advocate and Young People And Family Services program manager at CCAR, shares his journey of overcoming addiction and finding a new career path. Topics discussed include growing up in a divorced household, experiencing drugs and alcohol for the first time, early adoption of opiates, medication-assisted treatment, Narcan accessibility, creating a supportive space for parents in recovery, and more. ----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

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

Jack reflects on his experience with alcohol addiction, beginning with a seemingly innocent encounter with alcohol at a party with friends during high school. He recalls getting caught drinking for the first time by his parents, and then using alcohol to cope with the pandemic-induced lack of social connection and activities. As Jack’s addiction progressed, he began to drink heavily and got into encounters with the police.

Jack’s parents (interviewed in last week’s Recovery Matters Podcast) were by his side, offering support and help, which played a vital role in his recovery. ----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

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

This conversation centers around the challenges Tom, his wife Sheila, and their family faced in trying to help their son, Jack, recover from addiction. They talk about how they tried various unsuccessful methods to get him to stop, and the challenges of looking for a college that could provide a supportive recovery environment . Eventually, they were lucky enough to find one with a collegiate recovery program, the University of Connecticut aka UConn. ----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery

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

Nanette Ginse, a licensed massage therapist and board-certified reflexologist, has a passion for teaching and bodywork. She has traveled to China to experience Chinese medicine and worked as an instructor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and Acupressure for 18 years. Nanette's interest in helping others led her to found a non-profit organization, Self Care For Recovery, in February 2022. Her mission is to provide free therapeutic bodywork to women in early sobriety who cannot afford complementary/alternative healthcare. Her goal is to help these women reach their self-care goals and experience healing through her skillful touch.----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery

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

Calliese Conner shares her journey to becoming a recovery coach and building a recovery community in the UK. She reflects on her experience with the Recovery Coach Academy and her passion for bringing more recovery resources to her community. Also discussed is the importance of treating people as resources and the impact of language and relationships in the recovery process. ----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

https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?

🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/

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

📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery

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