Recoverycast: Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Stories

Struggling with Dry January or thinking of cutting back on alcohol? In this bonus Recoverycast episode, guest host Riley Whelan fields the 14 most‑asked questions about Dry January and sober curiosity. She explains how a social media challenge became a powerful way to explore your relationship with alcohol. Whether you’ve never gone a week without drinking or you’re just curious about sobriety, Riley shares practical tips for starting one day at a time, coping with emotional and physical withdrawals, and understanding the true benefits of a 30‑day alcohol detox.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

You’ll learn why accountability is crucial, how to deal with cravings and boredom, and whether you should avoid parties or simply switch to mocktails with supportive friends. Riley talks openly about the discomfort of early sobriety—from mood swings to loneliness—and offers healthier ways to reward yourself than grabbing a bottle. She also discusses navigating relationships when your partner isn’t on board, building confidence without “liquid courage,” and finding sober‑curious communities online or in your city. If Dry January reveals deeper concerns, Riley explains when to seek professional help and how to connect with 12‑step programs or treatment centers. Tune in for a compassionate, candid Q&A that makes sobriety feel less intimidating and more empowering.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Dry January Q&A With Riley Whelan
00:21 – What Is Dry January & Why Do People Do It?
01:03 – How Do I Start Dry January If I’ve Never Gone a Week Without Drinking?
02:09 – How Long Does It Take to Feel Better After Stopping Alcohol?
03:12 – Should I Tell People I’m Doing Dry January or Keep It Private?
03:55 – How Do I Deal With Alcohol Cravings, Stress & Boredom?
05:07 – Should I Avoid Parties or Bars During Dry January?
06:24 – How Do I Stay Motivated When Everyone Around Me Is Drinking?
07:49 – What If My Partner Doesn’t Want to Do Dry January?
09:09 – How Can I Feel Confident Without Alcohol?
10:32 – Is It Normal to Feel Lonely, Sad or Restless Without Drinking?
11:48 – How Do I Reward Myself Without Alcohol?
13:06 – Where Can I Meet Sober or Sober-Curious People?
14:57 – What If Dry January Makes Me Realize I Need Help?
16:31 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Support

#DryJanuary #SoberCurious #QuitDrinking

After hitting one year of sobriety, TikTok star Gabbie Egan joins us again and opens up about quitting alcohol and nightly weed use to reclaim her life and mental health.  In this candid conversation she recounts the surprising truth that the first months of sobriety felt harder than her chaotic partying days, yet staying off alcohol and cannabis eventually allowed her to feel “more me than I ever have” and maintain a healthier baseline despite her bipolar I diagnosis.  Gabbie describes reading the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, leaning on a group chat of sober women and her husband’s own recovery journey to avoid relapse triggers.  She talks about losing a close friend to suicide, attending a wedding filled with drinking soon after, and the importance of finding sober support when life gets messy.  Her psychiatrist warned that alcohol and weed were especially harmful for her bipolar disorder, so she replaced late‑night cannabis edibles with melatonin and learned to sit with discomfort without self‑medicating.  As a young mom, she now channels her energy into volunteering, making T‑shirts, school activities and building authentic friendships instead of nights out.

Whether you’re searching for sobriety stories, curious about alcohol recovery success stories, struggling with weed addiction recovery, or seeking inspiration for bipolar recovery, Gabbie’s vulnerable account offers hope and practical tools.  Listen to hear how she navigates grief, stigma and social pressure while maintaining sobriety one day at a time.  She proves that with community, honesty and small daily commitments, it’s possible to rewrite your story.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & First Year Sober: Brittany welcomes Gabbie and recaps her year of sobriety
02:10 – Grief, Suicide & Staying Sober: Gabbie discusses losing a friend and resisting the urge to drink at a wedding.
05:45 – Friendships, Family & Building a Sober Community: She explains how her husband’s sobriety and a group chat of sober women keep her accountable.
09:30 – Mental Health & Bipolar I: Gabbie describes quitting nightly weed, her bipolar diagnosis and learning healthier coping skills.
13:00 – Staying Busy & Advice for Relapse Prevention: Volunteering, motherhood, creative outlets and a call‑to‑action for viewers.


❓ Questions the Video Answers:


How did Gabbie Egan stay sober after years of alcohol and weed use?


What does the first year of sobriety really feel like?


How can someone with bipolar I manage mental health while quitting substances?


Why did Gabbie’s psychiatrist warn her that alcohol and cannabis were dangerous?


What strategies help prevent relapse when grief or stress hits?


How do you rebuild friendships and community in recovery?


How can sober parents find fun and connection without drinking?


What role does the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book play in recovery?


How do you replace late‑night weed or alcohol with healthier sleep habits?


What does “one day at a time” mean in practice?


How can you support a partner’s sobriety journey?


What are signs that alcohol and weed are worsening mental health conditions?


#sobriety #mentalhealth #addictionrecovery

Kevin Kreider’s raw story of adoption, alcoholism and healing challenges everything you think you know about recovery. A Korean adoptee raised by a German‑Irish Catholic family in Philadelphia, Kevin battled depression, anxiety, alopecia and a desperate need to belong. Alcohol and weed offered brief relief but quickly spiraled into 20‑hour drinking sessions, broken relationships and career collapse.

We hear how Kevin’s father captured him on camera at his worst, how high‑school partying cost him a promising athletic career, and how pain drove him toward acting in New York, where booze felt more necessary than auditions. Kevin opens up about the cultural pressures of being a Korean American male, the shame surrounding addiction in Asian communities, and why he finally called himself an alcoholic. He explains how a single AA meeting on Thanksgiving, supportive roommates and his then‑girlfriend Devon moved him toward sober living in 2015. Over the next six years he rebuilt his life through 12‑step recovery, therapy, sleep hygiene, diet changes and renewed Christian faith, transforming his platform on Bling Empire into advocacy for mental health and sobriety.

Kevin’s journey shows that recovery isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about gaining an authentic identity, clearer purpose and stronger relationships. He now speaks out to normalize sobriety within the Asian community, encourage men to seek help, and remind everyone that it’s never too late to change.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Stay tuned as Kevin shares practical advice on emotional regulation, the importance of good sleep, and why sobriety is the ultimate performance hack. If you or someone you know is struggling, this episode offers hope and actionable steps toward healing. Don’t forget to subscribe, comment with your thoughts, and share this powerful story with a friend who might need it.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & Kevin’s background
02:10 – Adoption, identity struggles & growing up Korean adoptee
05:45 – High‑school and college drinking, party culture & consequences
09:30 – Rock bottom: career collapse, father’s tough love & first AA meeting
13:00 – Sobriety tools: therapy, 12‑step recovery, faith & advocacy

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

1. What led Kevin Kreider to start drinking alcohol and smoking weed?
2. How did being adopted from Korea affect his identity and mental health?
3. When did Kevin realize alcohol was ruining his athletic and acting dreams?
4. How did his father intervene and encourage him toward sobriety?
5. Why do some Asian cultures struggle to acknowledge alcoholism and recovery?
6. What role did AA and the 12‑step program play in Kevin’s recovery?
7. How did Kevin’s alopecia and depression influence his addiction?
8. What challenges did he face when joining the cast of Bling Empire sober?
9. How does Kevin balance his recovery with a public career?
10. What daily practices (sleep, diet, meetings) support his sobriety?
11. How can loved ones support someone struggling with addiction?
12. What misconceptions do people have about being sober and “boring”?
13. Why is spirituality or faith important in Kevin’s recovery journey?
14. What message does Kevin have for Asian Americans facing addiction stigma?
15. How can you find help for mental health or addiction treatment?

#AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Sobriety

In this powerful Recoverycast episode, Jason & Ashley Wahler share their raw journey through alcohol addiction, relapse, OCD and postpartum depression. On their very first date, Jason told Ashley that his sobriety and faith came before everything. To support him, she even stopped drinking for over a year. Despite years of sobriety, Jason’s unresolved OCD, shame and anxiety fed his alcoholism, leading to multiple relapses and his thirteenth trip to rehab. Ashley describes the codependency and secrecy that defined their marriage during these dark years, and how Al‑Anon and therapy gave her tools to reclaim her identity and set boundaries.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

After the birth of their son August, Ashley was blindsided by postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD. She recalls experiencing vivid suicidal thoughts and feeling like a “demon had taken over”. Her mind raced so intensely that she would drink just to quiet it, demonstrating how postpartum mental health issues can lead to substance misuse. With Jason’s support, she sought medical help, bravely trying medication despite fearing dependency. Together, they discuss the importance of therapy, medication, exercise and spiritual practice in healing. Jason speaks candidly about moments when he was “literally drinking vodka, crying that I didn’t want to do this” and how recovery taught him to love himself and his family again. This episode offers hope to anyone battling addiction or mental health challenges, showing that recovery is possible for individuals and families.

Subscribe to Recoverycast for more sobriety stories, share your thoughts in the comments, and join us in breaking the stigma around addiction, postpartum depression and OCD.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Jason & Ashley Meet: Sobriety on the First Date
02:20 – Navigating Early Love: Setting Boundaries & Staying Sober
08:31 – Reality TV Rewind: Filming Addiction on The Hills & Laguna Beach 
16:13 – The Mask of Addiction: OCD, Anxiety & Mental Health 
17:47 – Relapse & Recovery: Al-Anon, Codependency & The Family Disease 
24:45 – Saving the Marriage: 3 Years of Therapy & Rebuilding Trust 
27:56 – Daily Discipline: Faith, Fitness & The 12 Steps 
36:25 – Ashley’s Darkest Hour: Postpartum Depression & Intrusive Thoughts 
43:18 – Medication & Healing: Breaking the Stigma of PPD Treatment 
46:19 – The Gifts of Recovery: Emotional Maturity & A Second Chance 
51:57 – Advice for Spouses: Spotting the Signs & Trusting Intuition 

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

1. How do you support a partner struggling with alcohol addiction?
2. What does sobriety look like when you’re married to an alcoholic?
3. How do OCD and mental health issues fuel substance use?
4. What does relapse feel like for someone in long‑term recovery?
5. What are the first signs of postpartum depression and anxiety?
6. How can postpartum OCD manifest after childbirth?
7. What should you do when you suspect your spouse is secretly drinking?
8. How does Al‑Anon help families of addicts recover?
9. What is postpartum depression medication and how does it work?
10. How do you balance motherhood and recovery after postpartum depression?
11. How can therapy and community help rebuild self‑trust after relapse?
12. Why are honesty and boundaries critical in addiction recovery?
13. How do you rebuild a marriage after addiction and mental health crises?
14. What coping tools exist for mothers experiencing postpartum anxiety?
15. How can exercise and spirituality support long‑term sobriety?

#mentalhealth #addictionrecovery #postpartumdepression

Jason Wahler opens up about OCD, alcohol misuse and an Adderall‑fueled relapse, revealing how he found hope and became a recovery advocate. Growing up in a supportive family in Laguna Beach, Jason began compulsively washing his hands until they bled and wore neoprene gloves full of Neosporin to hide the damage. This early battle with obsessive‑compulsive disorder created a double life – popular and athletic on the outside, but wracked with shame and validation‑seeking behind closed doors. Years later a brain scan revealed he had PANDAS, a strep‑related autoimmune condition that triggers OCD, helping him finally understand his mental health.

As a teen he discovered alcohol. His first sip was poured over his shoulder in feigned bravado, but by 15 he was drinking heavily on weekends, and by 17 he was already attending treatment programs. Fame on MTV’s Laguna Beach and The Hills fueled his bad‑boy persona and masked deeper pain, leading to public arrests and private turmoil. A moment of clarity came when he sat in a therapist’s office with his parents; hearing his dad confess that his parents lay in bed every night waiting for a call that he was dead broke him open. He entered treatment, embraced 12‑step recovery and faith, and built five years of sobriety before slipping again.

The relapse wasn’t glamorous. Prescribed Adderall despite a history of loving cocaine, he began taking ten pills a day and spiraled into drug‑induced psychosis. Drinking returned as a misguided sleep aid, and the cycle of shame and guilt lasted for years until he asked for help again. Today, Jason shares his story to destigmatize addiction, emphasize the link between mental health and substance use, and remind listeners that connection and honesty are the foundation of long‑term recovery. Whether you’re grappling with OCD, alcohol, stimulants or codependency, his journey offers hope that relapse can be part of recovery and that it’s never too late to turn pain into purpose.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & first encounter with alcohol
02:15 – Childhood in Laguna Beach and early OCD struggles
05:00 – PANDAS diagnosis & hidden self‑inflicted trauma
09:00 – Teen drinking escalates and first treatment at 17
12:30 – Laguna Beach fame, bad‑boy persona & codependency
18:30 – Baseball dreams fade and public attention grows
24:45 – Moment of clarity: parents confront Jason’s addiction
30:10 – Celebrity Rehab, 12‑step program & early sobriety
33:45 – Adderall prescription, cocaine cravings & relapse
36:50 – Detox, shame, and the path back to long‑term recovery
37:53 – Preview of part two featuring Jason’s wife, Ashley

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

What is PANDAS and how did it trigger Jason Wahler’s OCD?

How did washing his hands until they bled affect his teenage years?

Why did Jason hide his mental‑health struggles from his parents?

How did his first experiences with alcohol at 14–15 shape his addiction?

At what age did he start drinking heavily and enter treatment?

How did fame from Laguna Beach and The Hills amplify his substance use?

What did his parents say that finally motivated him to seek help?

How did he find sobriety through 12‑step programs and therapy?

What led to his Adderall‑fueled relapse and why was it so dangerous?

How did he cycle between periods of sobriety and relapse for years?

What role did shame and guilt play in prolonging his addiction?

How does Jason approach mental‑health conversations with his own children?

Why is connection and honesty crucial for long‑term recovery?

What advice does he give to people dealing with OCD and addiction?

How can understanding trauma help prevent relapse and support healing?

#addictionrecovery #mentalhealth #sobriety

Imagine going from a college‑bound basketball star to stealing change jars just to stay high. That’s the raw path Dakota Mortensen opens up about in this candid conversation. Growing up on a bird farm with a tight‑knit Mormon family and a deep love for sports, he never imagined that a knee injury would introduce him to pain pills—or that popping a couple to get through practice would snowball into snorting pills, moving to 30‑milligram “blues,” and eventually chasing heroin.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Dakota recounts how his parents discovered his stash, how he tried to hide his addiction behind a “jock” persona, and how his high‑school sweetheart—later his wife—walked out after catching him smoking heroin. He talks about overdosing in front of her and the shame and emptiness that followed. When she left, he hit rock bottom. Yet he also describes the paradox of feeling “free” when he didn’t care about anything, even as his life spiraled.

Through multiple relapses, treatment centers and hard‑won moments of clarity, Dakota ultimately chose recovery. He shares the emotions addicts often suppress, why community and family support mattered, and how he uses his platform today to advocate for opioid addiction recovery, fentanyl awareness and mental health. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to claw your way back from addiction, this story pulls no punches while showing that sobriety is possible. Stick around to hear how he stays sober, builds community and helps others find hope—and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment with your own questions, and share this story with someone who needs it.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome & Dakota’s mission
01:05 – Bird‑Farm Childhood & Basketball Dreams
03:30 – Knee Injury & Pain‑Pill Gateway
05:40 – Snorting Pills & Teenage Experimentation
07:50 – Denial, Warnings & Family Intervention
10:00 – Losing Basketball & Sliding to Stronger Drugs
13:15 – Marriage, Overdose & Dual Lives
18:07 – Rock Bottom: She Leaves & Self‑Hatred
20:30 – Emotions, Numbness & Illusion of Control
23:00 – Choosing Recovery & Becoming an Advocate

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

How can a seemingly harmless sports injury lead to opioid addiction?

What are early signs of opioid addiction in a high‑school athlete?

How did snorting pills accelerate Dakota’s addiction?

How do parents handle finding pain pills in their child’s pocket?

What happens when addiction strips away a lifelong passion like basketball?

How can addiction impact a marriage and cause a loved one to leave?

Why do some people feel “in control” even while their addiction is ruining everything?

What triggers finally push someone from denial to seeking help?

How does self‑hatred and shame feed into the cycle of relapse?

What role do community and family support play in opioid addiction recovery?

How do you rebuild trust and self‑worth during a mental health recovery journey?

What does daily life look like for someone several years sober?

How can sharing your story inspire others to seek mental health treatment?

Why is it important to address both emotional pain and physical dependence in recovery?

What actionable steps can someone take today if they’re struggling with fentanyl addiction?

#addictionrecovery #mentalhealth #sobriety

After postpartum depression triggered a relapse, Brittany Jade lost custody of her three children and spiraled from alcohol back into cocaine, Suboxone and even heroin and meth. Raised by an alcoholic father and introduced to drinking at 13, she later turned to weed, cocaine and acid during her teens and early twenties. Her story includes serious suicide attempts, a turbulent marriage, and a desperate move to California where she hoped a new start would help her get sober. Instead, postpartum stress and hidden drinking escalated into hiding vodka in cabinets and drinking nightly. A relationship with a man from detox led her to misuse Suboxone and eventually inject heroin and meth every day.

Brittany explains how losing custody forced her to confront addiction. She describes detoxing medically, logging breathalyzer tests four to six times per day and taking weekly drug screens to prove her sobriety. Despite setbacks—including psychosis and arrest—she found faith, re‑entered a 12‑step program, and built a support network that included her mother, who moved across the country to help her regain custody. Within 28 days of returning to Wisconsin she got legal custody back. Now more than five years sober, she shares practical relapse‑prevention strategies, the importance of honesty, and why recovery isn’t linear. Listeners will learn how she balances ADHD, postpartum depression and motherhood while staying sober, how she rebuilt trust with her children, and why breathalyzers and drug testing can be powerful accountability tools. Brittany’s raw story offers hope for anyone facing addiction, mental health struggles or custody battles.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

From high‑stakes courtrooms to 12‑step meetings, this conversation covers relapse prevention, early warning signs, Suboxone misuse, heroin and meth recovery, and parenting in sobriety. Whether you’re searching for “alcohol addiction recovery,” “sobriety stories,” “postpartum depression treatment,” “heroin addiction story” or “relapse prevention strategies,” Brittany’s journey delivers actionable insights and inspiration. Stay tuned to hear how she maintains her sobriety, rebuilds relationships and advocates for recovery on social media.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & Background
02:10 – Growing Up: Early Drinking, Weed & Cocaine
05:45 – Acid, Suicide Attempts & First Treatments
09:30 – Marriage, “Sober” Wedding & Hidden Drinking
13:00 – Postpartum Depression & Twin Birth Trigger Relapse
17:40 – Suboxone Misuse, Custody Loss & Breathalyzer Logs
22:15 – Heroin & Meth Run, Overdose & Returning Home
26:40 – Regaining Custody, 12‑Step Faith & Five Years of Sobriety
30:10 – Life Today & Advocacy – Hope for Others

❓ Questions the Video Answers:
How can postpartum depression lead to relapse in recovering alcoholics?
What are the early warning signs of alcohol addiction and relapse?
How did Brittany’s teenage weed and cocaine use contribute to her alcoholism?
What role did Suboxone misuse play in her descent into heroin and meth addiction?
How do breathalyzer logs and drug tests help regain custody in court?
What does a medical detox from alcohol feel like?
How can parents protect their children during addiction and custody battles?
What strategies help prevent relapse after treatment (“relapse prevention plan”)?
How does postpartum depression intersect with addiction recovery?
What is religious or alcohol‑induced psychosis, and how can it be managed?
How can you rebuild trust with children after addiction and abandonment?
Why is recovery not linear, and how can you stay motivated on bad days?
Where can you find mental health and addiction treatment resources tailored to you?

#addictionrecovery #sobrietyjourney #mentalhealth

What happens when two sisters face the same trauma but walk completely different paths to healing? In this deeply moving episode of Recovery Cast, host Brittani Baynard sits down with Alyson Stoner and her sister Correy O’Neal for a raw, emotional, and inspiring conversation about addiction recovery, childhood abuse, family trauma, and the long road to rebuilding trust.

Find addiction and mental health treatment near you: https://recovery.com/
Learn more about Movement Genius: https://www.movementgenius.com/

From surviving an abusive home and struggling with eating disorders, substance abuse, and homelessness, to rediscovering joy and creating their mental health platform Movement Genius, Alyson and Correy share how they transformed pain into purpose.

They open up about:
-Growing up in a house shaped by addiction, manipulation, and fear
-How trauma shaped their identities, relationships, and bodies
-What it takes to rebuild sibling bonds after years of silence
-The role of somatic therapy, community, and radical honesty in recovery
-Why they built Movement Genius to make mental wellness tools accessible to everyone

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome to Recovery Cast
01:00 – Growing Up in Chaos: Childhood Trauma & Abuse
05:00 – Sibling Disconnect: Silence, Survival & Coping
10:30 – Reconnecting with Their Father & Redefining Trust
17:00 – Addiction, Anorexia & the Illusion of Control
21:30 – Hitting Rock Bottom & Choosing Change
26:00 – Adulting After Trauma: Learning to Live & Feel
32:00 – Healing Through the Body: Somatic Therapy & Movement
40:00 – Permission to Feel: Learning Emotional Safety
46:00 – From Pain to Purpose: Creating Movement Genius
53:00 – Building a Wellness Business That Heals Everyone
55:30 – Reclaiming Their Story: Speaking Truth in Recovery
01:02:00 – What Recovery Looks Like Today
01:08:00 – Trust, Connection & Becoming Sisters Again
01:16:00 – Lessons from the Past & Messages for the Future
01:19:00 – No One Deserves to Suffer: Finding Hope & Community
01:20:30 – Where to Find the Book & Movement Genius

❓ Questions the Video Answers:
How can siblings heal after growing up in an abusive home?
What are signs you’re ready to start your recovery journey?
How does childhood trauma impact adult relationships?
What role does somatic therapy play in trauma healing?
How can you rebuild trust after family betrayal?
What’s the connection between addiction, eating disorders, and trauma?
How can parents break generational cycles of dysfunction?
What does it mean to “find joy” in recovery?
How do you set emotional boundaries while healing?
How can community and safe connection support recovery?
What inspired Alyson and Correy to start Movement Genius?
How can you start feeling your emotions after years of numbing?
What’s the difference between surviving and truly healing?
How can siblings reconnect after years of separation?
Why is truth-telling such a powerful part of recovery?


#MentalHealthRecovery #TraumaHealing #AddictionRecovery

In this mental health & addiction recovery story, Adriana Sansam shares how her husband’s four‑year sober streak ended in relapse and fatal accidental overdose — and how she chose to stay “just for today” so she can stay sober for her children and rebuild their family life.

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

Connect with Adriana: https://www.instagram.com/adrianasansam/, https://www.facebook.com/p/Adriana-Sansam-100086399725563/, https://www.tiktok.com/@adriana.sansam

Just for Today Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/justfortodaypodcast/, https://www.youtube.com/@justfortodaypodcast

Key talking points: 
1. Adriana Sansam lost her husband Eric to a heroin overdose in 2023 after years of high-functioning addiction.
2. Eric had been sober for over four years before relapsing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Adriana discovered his heroin use after finding a needle early in their relationship.
4. Despite multiple relapses, Eric often asked for help and wanted to recover.
5. He struggled with childhood trauma, grief, and untreated mental health issues.
6. Adriana supported him through detoxes while raising three young children.
7. After Eric’s death, Adriana faced intense grief and suicidal thoughts.
8. She found the phrase “Just for Today” in his recovery journal, which helped her stay alive.
9. Adriana chose to break the silence around addiction and now shares her story publicly.
10. She advocates for open conversations, support for loved ones, and living with honesty and hope.

00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:36 Meet Adriana Sansam
01:25 How Adriana Met Eric
04:12 Discovering Eric's Addiction
08:22 Eric's Relapse During COVID
17:28 Living with an Addict
30:39 Eric's Final Days
36:39 The Moment of Realization
38:37 Breaking the News to the Children
40:21 Coping with Daily Life
45:22 The Struggle with Addiction
48:22 Finding Support and Sharing the Story
57:38 Living with Grief and Finding Joy
01:16:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

#grief #overdose #mentalhealthawareness 

Trigger Warning:
In this episode, we talk about experiences of abuse and self-harm. These topics can be difficult to hear, so please take care of yourself and listen at your own pace. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline anytime.

Caitlyn Boardman shares a mental health & addiction recovery story of early alcohol use, adoption trauma from South Korea, BPD symptoms, an eating disorder, and self-harm—and how she got sober in 2021 after cops were called, then rebuilt through fitness, meditation, and self-compassion. A candid look at relapse, motherhood, and staying sober with boundaries and breathwork.

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

Connect with Caitlyn: https://www.instagram.com/caitlynbayybee/, https://www.tiktok.com/@madeinkoreaxo

Key talking points:
1. Caitlyn began drinking alone in middle school, hiding alcohol in her closet.
2. As a South Korean adoptee with early foster care, she later recognized adoption trauma and cultural isolation.
3. Home life lacked emotional safety; her father died when she was six and grief went largely unprocessed.
4. She developed alcohol addiction alongside BPD symptoms, self-harm, and an eating disorder with body dysmorphia.
5. Drinking escalated after her third child (2016), leading to job loss risks and blackout episodes.
6. A CPS scare after police calls pushed her to get sober in 2021 without rehab, leaning on her kids as motivation.
7. She rebuilt through meditation, breathwork, fitness (from “skinny” to strong), and strict social boundaries.
8. In early 2024 she relapsed in Seattle after being served real beer as “NA,” then drank for three days and stopped.
9. Sharing the relapse online brought empathy and community, reinforcing a no-shame, start-again recovery mindset.
10. Her message: persistence over perfection—relapse is a detour, not a dead end, and sobriety makes presence possible.

00:00 Early Memories of Alcohol
00:26 Introduction to Recovery Cast
00:39 Caitlyn's Background and Struggles
02:07 Childhood and Adoption
05:29 Early Alcohol Use
06:59 Battling Eating Disorders
09:36 Struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder
12:54 Path to Sobriety
16:04 Maintaining Sobriety and Fitness
19:54 Sharing the Sobriety Journey
20:24 Opening Up on Social Media
21:05 A Relapse Story
23:00 Support and Recovery
24:17 Coping with Loss and Staying Sober
25:30 The Aftermath of Relapse
32:39 Struggles with Body Image
35:17 Living with Borderline Personality Disorder
37:48 Encouragement for Those Struggling
39:10 Final Thoughts and Social Media Handles

#addictionrecovery #bpd #eatingdisorders