Ryan Hedrick sits down to talk about something every parent, spouse, or loved one in recovery eventually faces: how do you let go… without letting them down?

We center the conversation around three questions that can keep you up at night: How much do I step in? What are the expectations now? And how do I stay optimistic when other people doubt them — or when I start doubting myself?

Ryan shares honestly about how his relationship with his wife has changed now that she’s in recovery. He reflects on what it used to look like, what it looks like today, and the hard but freeing shift from trying to manage everything to learning how to trust, surrender, and love differently.

He’s also joined by Teresa and Mark Perlite, parents to Luke, a young man who is doing incredibly well in his recovery. They walk us through Luke’s journey — and just as importantly, their own. We talk about control, surrender, letting go, managing resentment when it builds up, and what to do when things are actually going well. Because success brings its own emotions too.

This episode is real, relatable, and full of perspective for anyone trying to support someone they love without losing themselves in the process.

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

• Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org
• AA Meetings: aa.intergroup.org/meetings
• NA Meetings: virtual-na.org
• Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255 (24/7)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ryan Hedrick opens up about what it really means to trade one addiction for another. From drugs to social media, he explores how addiction is still addiction, even when it shows up in different forms and at different levels.

Ryan shares honest examples from his own recovery journey and sits down with a friend who has been clean for more than six years to talk about how social media has impacted his sobriety. You will also hear from a young woman in Florida and an author who specializes in helping caregivers navigate a loved one’s addiction and recovery.

If someone you love is in recovery, this is an episode you will not want to miss. It is a real conversation about how addiction can continue to evolve, even while recovery is in progress.

Resources

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! 

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ryan Hedrick talks about his experience with addiction and the long process of rebuilding his life. He explains what his day‑to‑day looked like when he was using, including the period he spent living in a crack house in Washington, D.C. He also describes the moment his mom stepped in and helped him start the path toward recovery.

Ryan walks through what he found in 12‑step meetings, the people who modeled a calmer way of living, and how his outlook changed as he began to trust the recovery process.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick open up about grieving clean and sober, and the challenges that come with living life on life’s terms. Ryan shares about his recent trip to Maryland, where visiting his grandmother in a nursing home stirred emotions he had to process without leaning on old habits.

Matt talks about how sobriety has changed the way he handles family issues, and together the guys reflect on what it means to face these moments with clarity and honesty.

Resources

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! 

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick talk about coping with grief and loss while in recovery. Recently, Ryan traveled to Maryland to be with his family as they said goodbye to his father, an experience he had never faced before.

Matt also shares his own perspective on handling loss and finding balance through recovery. Together, they discuss practical ways to manage difficult emotions and support one another through challenging times. This episode offers helpful insight for caregivers and anyone walking alongside a loved one dealing with loss.

Resources:

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.org/find-aa

NA Meetings: na.org/meetingsearch/virtual-meeting-search/

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Resources for Families
• Families Against Narcotics (FAN) - Support for Families
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marijuana is not exactly top of mind when we think of addiction. You might gently roll your eyes when hearing someone say, “I’m addicted to marijuana…” I mean, really? How can you be addicted to the ganja? You can’t overdose on it. It makes everyone giggle. It’s a natural pain killer. How, how in the world is marijuana addictive or dangerous? Some people even smoke it as a sacrament. Praise the green goddess and pass the sticky icky!

About that. Addiction is addiction, and you can absolutely, unequivocally become addicted to cannabis. Today’s bud is incredibly potent compared to the stuff your parents or grandparents smoked back in the 70s, and it can be laced with fentanyl, a one-shot killer that can overdose the user with a penny sized amount. Then there are synthetics, or man-made products with THC. They’ve turned the weed world on its head. Who knows what you’re smoking?

We’re the addicts, you’re the caregiver. We don’t think marijuana is bad by itself, just bad in the hands of addicts. We discuss in Ep. 56, so give it a listen if you’re cannabis curious. While you’re at it, find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate! 

Resources:

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.org/find-aa

NA Meetings: na.org/meetingsearch/virtual-meeting-search/

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Resources for Families
• Families Against Narcotics (FAN) - Support for Families
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick take a look at how complicated it can be to care for someone in recovery. The relationship shifts, emotions run high, and boundaries can blur — especially when the phone rings and it’s your loved one on the other end. Whether they’re trying to stay clean, have slipped back, or the roles have reversed and now you’re the one calling them, Matt and Ryan talk through how addiction and recovery change both people. This episode explores the before, during, and after of recovery — and what it really takes to stay connected through it all.

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! 

Resources:

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Resources for Families
  
  
• Families Against Narcotics (FAN) - Support for Families
  
  
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP)
  
  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick talk about the dangers of drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil—one of the most powerful opioids out there—and the struggles people face trying to break free.

They share real tips on how to start recovery, handle cravings, and stop thinking about drugs all the time. The conversation also looks at how to build a healthier life, stay safe, and find support when dealing with these powerful substances.

If you or someone you know is dealing with fentanyl, carfentanil, or other drugs, help is available:

Resources

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! 

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick are talking about something that’s tough but important—saying no. In this episode of Supporting Sobriety, “Why We Say No,” they get into what it really means to support someone through addiction, and why setting boundaries isn’t just okay—it’s sometimes the best thing you can do for both of you.

They break down the three big reasons caregivers often struggle to set boundaries. First, we haven’t fully bought in to the recovery process. Second, we may have never truly given sobriety a chance. And third, sometimes we are not done using ourselves. These are real challenges that can make it feel impossible to take a stand.

This episode’s for anyone who shows up day after day to support someone facing addiction. It’s about finding that balance—taking care of yourself while still being there for them—and realizing that sometimes, saying no isn’t turning your back. It’s actually an act of love.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick talk about why desire in recovery from addiction isn’t something you can measure or force and what that means for caregivers. They get into the struggles of supporting someone who might not always feel ready to change and why expecting constant motivation can lead to frustration.

Drawing from what they’ve learned in their own recovery, they talk about how to stay supportive without overstepping, handle your own expectations, and keep your relationship healthy while your loved one navigates the ups and downs. This episode is packed with practical advice and reassurance for anyone walking alongside someone in recovery.

Resources

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! 

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.