This powerful addiction recovery story features Kori Leigh, who opens up about childhood loss, alcohol addiction, abusive relationships, and self-harm. She shares how 12-step recovery, therapy, and spiritual growth led her to sobriety, purpose, and peace after years of chaos.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Kori: https://www.korileigh.com/, https://www.instagram.com/korileigh, https://open.spotify.com/show/6HeZtt4fp198P8J1hTgcM8

Key talking points:
1. Kori Leigh lost her father at age six, sparking deep trauma and mistrust in God.
2. She struggled with rage, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-hatred throughout her youth.
3. Her substance use began with alcohol in her teens, followed by Ritalin, weed, and heavy drinking.
4. She lived a double life—running marathons and building a career while blackout drinking weekly.
5. An abusive three-year relationship escalated her alcohol and cocaine use.
6. Shame and denial masked the severity of her alcoholism, even as she lost cars and memory to blackouts.
7. Rock bottom came during a blackout Christmas, when she accused her husband of rape while drunk.
8. She entered 12-step recovery in December 2016, beginning her sobriety journey.
9. Early sobriety was brutal, as her husband left and old grief resurfaced, but she stayed sober.
10. Today she has 8+ years of sobriety, is a mentor, podcast host, and lives with peace, faith, and purpose.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote
00:23 Welcome to Recovery Cast
00:35 Meet Cory Lee
01:23 The Journey to Sobriety
02:41 Childhood Trauma and Memories
04:01 Losing a Father
05:54 Coping with Loss and Rage
11:33 Early Substance Use
14:42 Eating Disorders and Alcoholism
20:31 The Downward Spiral
28:18 Rock Bottom and Seeking Help
29:09 Struggles with Alcoholism and Mental Health
29:36 Marriage and the Return of Darkness
30:32 Realization and Attempt to Quit Alcohol
31:58 Hitting Rock Bottom
34:21 The Turning Point: Deciding to Get Sober
35:09 Early Days of Sobriety
38:22 The 12 Steps and Finding God
43:15 Life After Sobriety
45:50 Helping Others and Setting Boundaries
47:34 The Journey of Healing and Recovery
54:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

#addiction
#addictionrecovery
#addictiontreatment

Hilary Phelps shares her addiction recovery story after a 15-year battle with alcohol, depression, and perfectionism. From high-achieving athlete to struggling with secret drinking and shame, she opens up about her long-term sobriety, healing through 12-step recovery, and building a new life as a recovery advocate and mother. This mental health & addiction recovery story is powerful, honest, and deeply inspiring.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Hilary: https://www.hilaryphelps.com/, https://www.instagram.com/hilaryphelps_

Key topics:

1. Hilary’s early experiences with alcohol, marijuana, and depression at age 14.
2. Hiding her addiction behind academic and athletic success as a competitive swimmer.
3. How perfectionism and people-pleasing contributed to her emotional decline.
4. Escalation of blackout drinking and destructive behavior during college.
5. The impact of addiction on her romantic relationships and personal identity.
6. Navigating recovery while being part of a high-profile and famous family.
7. Her decision to seek help through outpatient treatment after multiple failed attempts.
8. The recovery tools that have supported her 18 years of sobriety.
9. Parenting with emotional openness and discussing addiction with her young son.
10. Launching The Right Room to help women in recovery and life transitions.

00:00 A Smoking Dilemma at a Funeral

00:37 Introduction to Recovery Cast

01:33 Meet Hilary Phelps

01:40 Swimming Beginnings

04:12 First Encounters with Alcohol

04:54 High School Struggles

11:27 College Challenges

17:01 Blackout Drinking Explained

17:53 The Shame of Addiction

25:07 Relationships and Ultimatums

26:37 First Steps Towards Recovery

30:24 Recovery.com: Your Path to Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

30:50 The Power of Shared Experiences in Recovery

31:12 The Journey of Self-Reflection and Acceptance

33:03 The Turning Point in Treatment

34:18 Navigating Emotions and Feelings in Recovery

35:08 The Importance of Support Systems

37:52 The Challenges and Triumphs of Long-Term Sobriety

43:51 Open Conversations About Addiction with Children

48:01 The Role of Community and Support in Recovery

50:17 Finding Identity and Purpose Beyond Addiction

53:49 Non-Negotiables and Boundaries in Recovery

58:17 Empowering Women Through Shared Experiences

01:02:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This is Zac Clark’s raw addiction recovery story—his journey from heroin, alcohol, and crack use to over a decade of sobriety. Zac opens up about childhood experiences, battling a brain tumor, opioid addiction, relapse, and the turning points that led to founding Release Recovery. A powerful mental health and addiction recovery story about hope, resilience, and lasting change.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Zac: https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/, https://www.instagram.com/thezacclarkshow/, https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclark

Release Recovery: https://www.releaserecovery.com/

00:00 – Stolen check & the bank moment that changed everything
 01:00 – Introducing Zac Clark: Addiction recovery advocate & entrepreneur
 02:45 – Childhood, hidden trauma & early influences
 06:00 – Permission to ask for help & be curious about your life
 06:30 – Early behavioral addictions before substances
 07:30 – First drink in 8th grade & learning to lie
 09:00 – Falling asleep at the wheel after drinking
 11:00 – Brain tumor diagnosis, surgery & painkillers
 14:00 – From prescribed opioids to street drugs
 17:00 – Why families often don’t see addiction right away
 20:00 – First rehab in 2010 & intro to AA
 24:00 – Relapse & first time using heroin
 27:00 – How heroin became cheaper than OxyContin
 29:00 – $500/day habit & life in active addiction
 36:00 – Arrest, living on the street & “God moment” at the bank
 41:00 – Entering 5-month treatment at Caron
 42:00 – Detox symptoms & early recovery struggles
 46:00 – Tools from treatment: spiritual, clinical & physical
 48:00 – Life after rehab & 8 years of building recovery
 50:00 – Staying sober on The Bachelorette in 2020
 57:00 – Founding Release Recovery & helping others heal
 1:05:00 – Advice for those struggling & ready for help

In this powerful addiction recovery story, Parker Schley shares his journey from teenage binge drinking, cocaine use, and repeated arrests to finding hope in rehab. After a decade of alcoholism that began at 15, Parker entered treatment in 2025 and embraced a 12-step program. Now 6 months sober, he’s rebuilding relationships, discovering life beyond alcohol, and inspiring others with his vulnerability.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Parker: https://www.tiktok.com/@parkerschley

00:00 The Decision to Go to Rehab

00:25 Introduction to Recovery Cast

01:15 Parker's Early Struggles with Alcohol

02:55 High School and the Start of Alcoholism

07:30 College Years and Escalation

15:41 The Turning Point and Seeking Help

23:15 Understanding Alcoholism

23:46 Releasing Shame and Finding Tools

24:20 Transitioning to Sobriety

24:45 Rediscovering Life Without Alcohol

27:29 Building a Sober Community

29:09 Vulnerability and Honesty in Sobriety

33:17 Finding Treatment and Support

38:07 Recovery Routine and Support Systems

41:41 Sharing the Recovery Journey

43:37 Encouragement for Those Struggling

In this mental health & addiction recovery story, Fausto Castellanos shares his harrowing battle with meth, ecstasy, alcohol, and the trauma behind his substance use. From psych ward holds to becoming “The Hope Dealer,” Fausto opens up about his journey through epilepsy, suicidal thoughts, and eventual recovery.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Fausto: http://www.hopedealer.org/, https://www.instagram.com/hopedealerfausto, https://www.youtube.com/@NotYourAverageCounselor, https://www.facebook.com/faustocastellanoss/

00:00 The Hope Dealer: Fausto's Introduction

02:22 Early Struggles: Anxiety and Seeking Validation

04:29 Childhood Trauma: The Impact of Abuse

09:10 Teenage Turmoil: Drugs and Desperation

13:20 The Party Persona: Escaping Through Substance Abuse

21:44 Rock Bottom: Overdoses and Suicidal Thoughts

29:55 A Glimmer of Hope: Seeking Help and Finding Purpose

31:48 The Pink Cloud Experience

33:02 Sharing My Story on Social Media

34:12 Tools for Maintaining Sobriety

35:00 The Power of Forgiveness

38:43 EMDR Therapy Explained

42:31 Navigating Sobriety Challenges

48:05 The Hope Dealers Movement

56:11 Finding Peace in Asia

57:58 The Importance of Lived Experience in Therapy

01:02:19 Final Thoughts and Social Media

Corey Warren’s addiction recovery story begins with heroin use in high school and escalates into daily vodka consumption, an alcohol-induced seizure, and incarceration for armed robbery. After multiple stints in rehab, Corey not only found sobriety but also built Rise Recovery Community to help others. This is a raw and inspiring journey of transformation through accountability, faith, and community.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Corey: https://www.instagram.com/icoreywarren, https://www.youtube.com/@icoreywarren

Rise Recovery Community: https://www.rrclansing.org/

00:00 A Night to Forget: Alcohol-Induced Seizure

00:43 Introduction to Recovery Cast

01:26 Corey Warren's Journey Begins

02:21 First Encounter with Addiction

02:44 High School Struggles and Rehab

05:25 The Descent into Crime

07:00 Realization and Recovery

08:22 The Role of Alcohol

15:07 Finding Support in AA

21:03 Rise Recovery Community: A New Beginning

26:06 Straight Talk: Reaching Out to Youth

26:28 Upcoming Plans and Reflections on Recovery

26:49 The Tattoo Shop Success Story

27:22 Balancing Business and Recovery

28:24 The Downfall Begins

29:08 Relapse and Its Consequences

33:03 The Road to Redemption

38:05 Embracing Faith and Community

42:26 Navigating Social Media and Authenticity

53:58 Advice for Those Struggling

57:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This addiction recovery story follows Tony Hoffman’s journey from OxyContin, heroin, and meth use—along with incarceration and homelessness—to becoming an Olympic coach and national speaker. His honesty about mental health, trauma, and redemption offers a message of hope and purpose.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Tony: https://tonyhoffmanspeaking.com/, https://www.instagram.com/tonymhoffman

00:00 From Prison Cell to Olympic Dreams
00:27 Introducing Tony Hoffman: BMX Pro to Recovery Advocate
02:45 Tony's Early Struggles and BMX Beginnings
04:17 The Pressure of Talent and the Desire for Normalcy
11:41 The Lone Wolf: Embracing Individual Sports
16:37 The Downward Spiral: Addiction and Isolation
28:16 Rock Bottom: Homelessness and Desperation
33:09 Reflecting on Loss and Fast Living
34:51 The Role of Structure in Recovery
36:28 The Power of a Quote
37:29 The Journey of Self-Discovery
40:39 Finding Community and Mentorship
51:24 The Importance of Rigorous Honesty
59:54 Myths and Realizations in Recovery
01:01:34 Paying It Forward in the Recovery Community

This is Abby Fickley’s addiction recovery story—from early alcohol use in high school to postpartum depression, Xanax, and Percocet abuse that spiraled into IV heroin use and multiple rehab stays. Abby shares how relapse, jail threats, and a powerful disownment letter led to lasting sobriety, and how she’s now a thriving sober mom, speaker, and advocate.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Abbey: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbeyfickley, https://www.instagram.com/abbeyfickley/

00:00 Introduction to Recoverycast

01:22 Abbey's Early Struggles with Alcohol

02:37 High School Drinking and Early Signs

18:21 Postpartum Depression and Prescription Drugs

30:38 First Time in Rehab

40:41 Family Therapy and Relapse Prevention

41:32 The Illusion of Control

42:24 The Cycle of Relapse and Recovery

44:54 The Dark World of Addiction

46:36 Facing Legal Consequences

49:09 A Turning Point in Treatment

50:56 Building a New Life in Sobriety

54:01 The Role of Faith and Humility

56:02 Life Beyond Addiction

01:17:53 Advice for Those Struggling

In this episode of Recoverycast, we sit down with Tony Hoffman, an inspirational figure whose life story is a testament to the possibilities of redemption and recovery. Once a troubled teen who went from Wasco State Prison to becoming a pro BMX rider, Tony managed to turn his life around after battling addiction, mental health challenges, and incarceration. Today, as a motivational speaker, founder of pH Wellness, and Olympic BMX coach, Tony shares his incredible journey of how he rebuilt his life, emphasizing the importance of balance, honesty, and community support. Listen as Tony discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his path, the mentors who guided him, and the crucial steps he took to achieve peace and success. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, this episode is a must-listen for inspiration and practical advice on finding the courage to make a change. Don't miss this powerful story of resilience and hope.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Tony: https://tonyhoffmanspeaking.com/, https://www.instagram.com/tonymhoffman

00:00 From Prison Cell to Olympic Dreams

00:27 Introducing Tony Hoffman: BMX Pro to Recovery Advocate

02:45 Tony's Early Struggles and BMX Beginnings

04:17 The Pressure of Talent and the Desire for Normalcy

11:41 The Lone Wolf: Embracing Individual Sports

16:37 The Downward Spiral: Addiction and Isolation

28:16 Rock Bottom: Homelessness and Desperation

33:09 Reflecting on Loss and Fast Living

34:51 The Role of Structure in Recovery

36:28 The Power of a Quote

37:29 The Journey of Self-Discovery

40:39 Finding Community and Mentorship

51:24 The Importance of Rigorous Honesty

59:54 Myths and Realizations in Recovery

01:01:34 Paying It Forward in the Recovery Community

Elizabeth Pearson shares her powerful addiction recovery story, detailing her struggles with alcohol, OCD, sexual trauma, and deep depression. From secretive drinking, an abusive relationship, and a near-suicide, she found healing through 12-step recovery, community, and running marathons. A story of transformation, faith, and finding purpose in sobriety.

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Elizabeth: https://www.instagram.com/eatlizabeth/

00:00 Introduction and First Impressions

00:30 Meet Elizabeth Pearson

01:55 Early Struggles with Alcohol

03:43 College Life and Drinking Culture

06:51 Dealing with Trauma and Addiction

12:33 The Turning Point

15:24 Finding Sobriety and Support

19:23 Embracing Recovery

25:26 The Power of Community

28:20 Diagnosed with OCD: A New Perspective

28:45 Understanding OCD Beyond Stereotypes

29:06 Alcoholism and OCD: The Connection

30:47 Daily Practices for Managing OCD and Alcoholism

31:49 The Importance of Asking for Help

33:27 Navigating Relationships in Sobriety

39:22 Spirituality and Running in Recovery

44:30 Family Healing Through Recovery

48:45 The Gift of Recovery: A New Life

52:38 Final Thoughts and Social Media