Inside the Mind of an Addicted Police Officer with Scott Graham | The Hopeaholics Podcast


From corrupt cop to nationally respected interventionist, Scott Graham shares one of the wildest and most powerful recovery stories we’ve ever heard. In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Scott opens up about living a double life as an LA County Sheriff battling addiction, getting arrested while on duty, becoming an exotic dancer after prison, finding faith, marrying his wife in just 20 days, and ultimately dedicating his life to helping families heal from addiction. With over 2,000 interventions and nearly four decades in recovery work, this conversation is packed with raw honesty, redemption, laughter, and life-changing insight for anyone struggling with addiction, mental health, or family trauma. If you or someone you love is fighting this battle, this episode will leave you inspired and hopeful. Scott also breaks down why family recovery is just as important as individual recovery, and how healing the entire household can change generational patterns forever. From shocking undercover stories to deeply emotional moments about faith, prison, marriage, and fatherhood, this episode takes you on an unforgettable journey of transformation.


#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie


Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 


Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!


Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics


Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com


Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 


Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 


Timestamps:
00:03:00 - Meeting and Marrying His Wife in 20 Days
00:03:32 - From Pool Cleaner to LA County Sheriff
00:04:47 - Lying Through the Sheriff Hiring Process
00:06:05 - Joining Vice Narcotics and Addiction Escalating
00:08:08 - Marriage Falling Apart While Thriving at Work
00:09:01 - Running Corrupt Drug Stops for Money
00:10:50 - Getting Exposed in Court
00:11:31 - Arrested on Duty and Facing Prison
00:12:11 - Becoming an Exotic Dancer After Jail
00:13:39 - Meeting Jenny at Sagebrush Cantina
00:16:39 - Eloping in Vegas
00:17:21 - Pleading Guilty and Going to Prison
00:20:36 - Discovering His Calling in Interventions

The Truth About Wealth Most People Never Learn with Bart Zandbergen | The Hopeaholics Podcast

Returning guest Bart Zandbergen joins the Hopeaholics Podcast for a powerful conversation about wealth, discipline, purpose, and what it really takes to build a meaningful life. As a nationally recognized wealth advisor, entrepreneur, and financial educator, Bart has spent decades helping successful families and business owners create long-term financial freedom while avoiding the emotional traps that destroy wealth. In this episode, he reflects on his journey from growing up in the Netherlands to moving to America at just 17 years old with very little money and learning how to build success from the ground up. Bart opens up about the sacrifices, failures, and lessons that shaped his mindset around money, discipline, relationships, and leadership. The conversation dives deep into why most people stay financially stuck, how emotions quietly sabotage decision-making, and the difference between simply making money versus creating lasting wealth and fulfillment. Bart also shares his perspective on mentorship, raising financially intelligent families, and why true success has more to do with purpose and contribution than status or material possessions. Throughout the episode, he offers practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, young professionals, and anyone trying to build a better future without losing themselves in the process. Whether you’re focused on business, personal growth, financial freedom, or creating a life with deeper meaning, this conversation with Bart delivers timeless advice and real perspective.

#thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie

Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 

Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!

Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics

Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com

Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 

Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 

Timestamps:
00:03:41 - Growing Up in the Netherlands
00:05:18 - Moving to America at 17 Years Old
00:07:02 - Learning English and Adapting to a New Culture
00:10:11 - Early Struggles With Money and Identity
00:14:26 - Discovering Entrepreneurship and Finance
00:18:09 - Building Wealth From Nothing
00:21:33 - The Difference Between Rich and Wealthy
00:25:47 - Why Most People Stay Financially Stuck
00:29:18 - The Habits That Separate Successful People
00:33:52 - Making His First Major Investment Mistake
00:37:14 - Learning Discipline and Delayed Gratification
00:41:27 - How Emotional Decisions Destroy Wealth
00:45:36 - Teaching Financial Literacy to Families
00:49:58 - Why Most People Never Reach Financial Freedom
00:54:21 - The Importance of Mentorship in Business
00:58:07 - Balancing Success, Family and Personal Fulfillment
01:02:46 - Why Money Alone Won’t Make You Happy
01:08:13 - Faith, Purpose and Long-Term Vision
01:14:55 - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs Starting From Scratch

Brad Jensen: Using Heroin While His Mom Drove | The Hopeaholics Podcast


In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Brad Jensen,  widely known online as “The Sober Bodybuilder,” joins the Hopeaholics Podcast for a brutally honest conversation about addiction, homelessness, recovery, and rebuilding a life from rock bottom. Before becoming a successful fitness coach and helping millions through his content, Brad was trapped in a devastating cycle of heroin, meth, alcohol, and prescription pill addiction that nearly killed him multiple times. In this episode, he opens up about being bullied as a kid, finding confidence through fitness, and how quickly pain pills turned into full-blown addiction. Brad shares stories about smuggling drugs across the border, manipulating the people who loved him, and spiraling into homelessness while desperately trying to survive. He also reflects on the heartbreaking moments that forced him to confront the reality of what addiction had done to his family, relationships, and identity. As the conversation unfolds, Brad explains how sobriety, mentorship, fitness, faith, and personal accountability completely transformed his life and gave him a new purpose. From emotional conversations about forgiveness and making amends to powerful lessons on discipline and recovery, this episode is packed with raw truth and perspective. Whether you’re battling addiction yourself, supporting someone who is, or searching for motivation to change your life, Brad’s story is proof that recovery is possible no matter how far gone things feel.


#thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie


Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 


Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!


Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics


Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com


Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 


Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 


Timestamps:
00:04:25 - Finding Heroin After Becoming a Personal Trainer
00:05:32 - Being Overweight and Bullied as a Kid
00:06:12 - First Experience With Alcohol at 13
00:10:49 - Gym Mentors Told Him to Quit Drinking
00:11:54 - Taking Pain Pills for the First Time
00:13:00 - “I Had Fully Arrived” After Hydrocodone
00:13:42 - Smuggling Pills Across the Mexico Border
00:15:02 - Girlfriend Calls Him a Drug Addict
00:17:38 - Telling His Mom He Was Addicted to Heroin
00:18:19 - First Rehab Experience at 20 Years Old
00:19:19 - Sneaking Out of Rehab and Relapsing
00:39:39 - Parents Finally Cut Him Off Completely
00:40:30 - Using Meth to Survive and Hustle
00:41:02 - Living Homeless Around Dangerous People
00:41:44 - Withdrawing at His Grandfather’s Funeral
00:42:43 - His Mother Watching Him Inject Drugs
00:43:44 - Realizing He Had to Get Sober or Die
00:57:46 - Learning Gratitude Through Sobriety
00:58:37 - Discovering a Mentor Relapsed After 10 Years Sober
01:10:12 - “You Don’t Have a Drug Problem, You Have a You Problem”
01:20:07 - Making Amends With His Father
01:21:09 - His Father’s Emotional Apology
01:26:06 - Fully Surrendering His Life to God

“I HAD NO SAFE PLACE GROWING UP” with Blaire White | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Blaire White opens up about the trauma, addiction, and chaos she experienced growing up in a small rural town surrounded by drugs, family dysfunction, and cult influences. Known for her outspoken commentary, viral YouTube presence, and controversial takes on culture and identity, Blaire shares a side of herself rarely seen online. She reflects on how witnessing addiction firsthand shaped her decision to avoid hard drugs entirely and break the cycle that consumed many around her. The conversation dives into her transition journey, the struggles of feeling different as a child, and how she learned to survive emotionally through imagination, independence, and resilience. Blaire also speaks candidly about forgiveness, healing family wounds, and the difficult process of confronting childhood trauma later in life. As the episode unfolds, she shares how a powerful spiritual experience led her to Christianity and completely transformed her outlook on purpose, pain, and identity. From discussions about addiction and mental health to faith, free will, and personal growth, this is one of Blaire’s most vulnerable and honest conversations to date. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider, struggled with your past, or searched for meaning through hardship, this episode will resonate deeply.

#thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie

Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 

Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!

Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics

Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com

Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 

Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 

Timestamps:
00:02:07 - Family Addiction History
00:03:26 - Father’s Opiate Addiction & Death
00:05:40 - Growing Up in Corning, California
00:08:55 - Growing Up Around a Cult
00:10:53 - Brother’s Drug Addiction & Jail History
00:12:29 - Healing Relationship With Her Mother
00:13:41 - Being Different as a Child
00:17:30 - Learning Forgiveness
00:22:01 - Being Controversial in the Trans Community
00:25:17 - Transitioning at 20 Years Old
00:27:07 - Coming Out to Her Family
00:30:22 - Weed, Psychedelics & Self-Exploration
00:32:16 - Following Jesus Instead of Religion
00:39:27 - Beginning Her Spiritual Journey
00:40:46 - Spiritual Experience That Changed Her Life

Kevin Lanning: A Google Executive's Addiction | The Hopeaholics Podcast (RE-RELEASE)

In this powerful episode of the The Hopeaholics Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Lanning, a former Google executive who shares the raw and deeply personal story of his battle with addiction, the pressures that came with success, and the painful reality of trying to maintain a high-level career while struggling internally. Kevin opens up about how substance abuse slowly took control of his life despite his professional accomplishments, leading him to moments of desperation, legal trouble, broken relationships, and ultimately a rock-bottom experience that forced him to confront the path he was on. He speaks candidly about the wake-up calls that pushed him toward sobriety, the recovery meetings and support systems that helped him rebuild his life, and the difficult process of learning how to live without substances after years of dependence. Now years into recovery, Kevin has dedicated his life to helping others through his podcast, Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, where he shares honest conversations and inspiring stories from people who have overcome addiction, trauma, and mental health struggles. This episode is filled with hard-earned wisdom, vulnerability, hope, and proof that no matter how far someone falls, transformation and healing are still possible.

#thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie

Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 

Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!

Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics

Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com

Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 

Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 

Timestamps:
00:10:57 — How Percocet Changed Everything
00:13:51 — The Textbook Hustle Begins
00:17:20 — Arrested for Grand Larceny
00:18:54 — Taking a Job Interview While Handcuffed
00:25:07 — “I Wish One of Those Bullets Hit Me”
00:32:55 — Learning to Live Through Recovery Meetings
00:34:02 — Feeling Accepted for the First Time
00:35:11 — Relapsing After Surgery
00:48:52 — A Weekend Bender in Miami
00:49:18 — Intervention and Rock Bottom
00:50:36 — Calling His Sponsor Instead of Using
00:51:41 — Sitting in Starbucks Until the Craving Passed
00:53:10 — Divorce, Fatherhood, and Humility
00:57:03 — Leaving Google to Be a Dad First
00:57:49 — Starting “Rise Above with Kevin Lanning”
00:58:14 — Taking a Gamble on Himself in Sobriety
01:00:10 — The Fear of Becoming a Fraud in Recovery
01:03:02 — Using the Podcast to Help People Feel Less Alone

RE-RELEASED EPISODE: The Dark Side of Mob Wives w/ Renee Graziano | The Hopeaholics Podcast

This re-released episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast revisits a powerful and unforgettable conversation with Renee Graziano, known for her role on Mob Wives, as she opens up about her life journey with raw honesty and vulnerability while celebrating nine months of sobriety. Renee reflects on growing up in a prominent mob family, navigating life in the public eye, and the deep struggles she faced with addiction, offering a candid look into the challenges and consequences that shaped her path. She shares how she began rebuilding her life, the support system that helped guide her through recovery, and the mindset shifts that allowed her to move forward with purpose. Her story is one of resilience, transformation, and perseverance, serving as a reminder that recovery is possible at any stage of life. Revisiting this episode highlights the power of change, the importance of self-belief, and the reality that even after hardship, a life rooted in authenticity, hope, and growth is within reach. Her perspective sheds light on the emotional and mental battles that often go unseen behind addiction and recovery. This conversation continues to resonate, offering encouragement and real insight for anyone navigating their own journey toward sobriety.

Follow us on all our social media platforms down below

INSTAGRAM : https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics/?igshid=Mzc1MmZhNjY%3D

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/4diCrlmIyqrkE2e22mFgU1?si=2df7f5920f944098

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thehopeaholicspodcast/

TREATMENT : https://www.hopebythesea.com

TIMESTAMPS:
00:01:19 - Introduction and discussion of her impact from Mob Wives
00:10:57 - Car crash, drugs, and legal consequences wake-up moment
00:12:02 - Losing direction in life and struggling to find purpose after TV 
00:13:41 - Realizing sobriety is the only way to show up for her family
00:14:15 - Overdose in a restaurant and being brought back to life
00:15:09 - Admitting she was slowly killing herself and hitting rock bottom
00:21:53 - Setting boundaries with family and protecting her sobriety
00:23:03 - Celebrating nine months sober and the reality of how hard it is
00:24:14 - Shame, guilt, and the mental battle of addiction even years later
00:26:18 - Faith, God, and navigating recovery through belief
00:32:02 - Living in hope and finding purpose through helping others
00:33:29 - Sharing trauma and creating a safe space for others to open up
00:38:10 - Losing her father and spiraling into identity crisis
00:39:53 - Childhood lessons that led to hiding pain and staying silent
00:40:36 - How silence and trauma carried into abusive relationships
00:47:37 - Power of vulnerability and finally sharing her story publicly
00:50:21 - Sexual assault, accountability, and healing through honesty
00:48:54 - Letting go of shame and owning her past
01:00:52 - Future projects, podcast, and life after rebuilding

RE-RELEASED EPISODE: The Neverending Betrayals w/ Bam Margera & Dannii Marie | The Hopeaholics Podcast


This re-released episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast brings back one of the most talked-about and unforgettable conversations featuring Bam Margera and Dannii Marie, as Bam opens up in a raw and unfiltered way about addiction, betrayal, relationships, and the ongoing battle for sobriety while living in the public eye after his rise on Jackass. He shares what recovery has looked like for him, including the role of structure, routine, and rediscovering passions like skateboarding and fitness, while reflecting on the highs, lows, and pressures of rebuilding his life. The episode also dives into his complicated relationships with family and the Jackass crew, unpacking moments of conflict, loyalty, and pain that have shaped his journey, while Dannii Marie speaks on what it’s like to support someone through addiction and public scrutiny and how their relationship has been tested through it all. Revisiting this episode offers a powerful reminder of how messy and non-linear recovery can be, capturing a moment in time that is emotional, controversial, and deeply human.


#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie


Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 


Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!


Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics


Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com


Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 


Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 


Timestamps:
00:02:45 - Opening discussion on current life and relationship dynamic
00:06:10 - Bam reflects on sobriety and recent life changes
00:10:32 - Structure and routine in recovery
00:15:08 - Physical transformation and getting back into skateboarding
00:20:41 - Relationship challenges and public scrutiny
00:26:15 - Trust, betrayal, and rebuilding relationships
00:32:50 - Family dynamics and tension with parents
00:40:12 - Jackass crew relationships and fallout
00:48:27 - Media narratives vs reality of Bam’s life
00:55:03 - Dannii’s perspective on supporting Bam through addiction
01:02:18 - Communication and growth within their relationship
01:10:44 - Setbacks, accountability, and staying sober
01:18:29 - The pressure of fame during recovery
01:27:05 - Rebuilding identity outside of addiction
01:35:22 - Lessons learned from past mistakes
01:45:10 - Moving forward with purpose and intention
01:55:36 - Final thoughts on recovery, love, and second chances

A Relapse That Started in the Closet with Jessica Wood | The Hopeaholics Podcast 

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Jessica Wood shares her deeply emotional and raw story of addiction, trauma, eating disorders, relapse, and recovery, opening up about growing up under intense pressure, experiencing abuse, and turning to alcohol, cocaine, and heroin at a young age to cope with pain and identity struggles. She talks about her journey through treatment, being prescribed Xanax, losing opportunities due to addiction, and navigating recovery while being a mother, as well as the challenges of working in the medical field while battling substance abuse. Jessica also shares the reality of long-term sobriety, including a near relapse after 13 years, the moment she returned to alcohol, and how she found her way back, offering a powerful perspective on grace, accountability, and resilience. This episode dives into the complexities of relapse, the importance of community, and the truth that recovery is not always linear, delivering an honest message that even after setbacks, healing and hope are still possible. She also reflects on the emotional triggers that can resurface even after years of sobriety and how quickly old patterns can return without vigilance. Her story highlights the importance of staying connected, asking for help, and continuing to grow no matter how far along you are in recovery.

#thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie

Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 

Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!

Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics

Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com

Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 

Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 

Timestamps:
00:12:36 - Pressure from childhood and perfectionism leading to addiction
00:13:20 - Sneaking out, partying young, and early drinking behavior
00:14:04 - Trying to change identity by switching schools
00:14:35 - Gravitation toward drugs and unhealthy relationships
00:15:15 - First experiences with cocaine and heroin as a teenager
00:46:51 - Eating disorder struggles and treatment experience
00:47:44 - Prescribed Xanax and introduction to substance dependence
00:48:42 - Getting kicked out of treatment due to lack of insurance
00:49:25 - Selling prescriptions and abusing access in medical field
00:50:52 - Party leads to cocaine and heroin use and losing her job
00:51:34 - Entering treatment while caring for her son
00:52:39 - First experience with AA and being offered drugs in parking lot
01:42:24 - Nearly relapsing after 13 years sober and internal battle
01:44:05 - Relapse moment and using alcohol to numb pain again
01:59:48 - Message about relapse, acceptance, and continuing to come back
02:01:02 - Impact of the podcast and recovery community changing lives

Robbing a Convenience Store To Fuel An Addiction with Corey Warren | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Corey Warren shares his powerful and deeply personal story of addiction, crime, alcohol abuse, and recovery, opening up about growing up around alcoholism, seeking validation through drugs and reckless behavior, and eventually spiraling into heroin, armed robbery, and severe alcohol addiction that nearly cost him his life. Corey talks about waking up drinking vodka, experiencing alcohol-induced seizures, facing prison time, and the moment he realized that the real problem wasn’t the substances but the mindset and pain driving his behavior. He reflects on rehab, AA, faith, fatherhood, marriage, and building a new life centered on purpose, honesty, and helping others, while also discussing the pressures of social media, breaking generational cycles, and teaching his kids a different path. This episode is a raw and honest conversation about accountability, redemption, and the daily work required to stay sober, showing that no matter how far someone falls, recovery, faith, and hope can still rebuild a life.

Check out his FREE Sobriety Masterclass here:
https://www.coreywarren.com/

#thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie

Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 

Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!

Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics

Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com

Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 

Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 

Timestamps:
00:02:00 - Family trip to California and being a father in recovery
00:03:14 - Teaching kids about alcohol and breaking generational patterns
00:09:39 - Corey Warren explains why he started social media
00:12:13 - Social media pressure, marriage strain, and balancing family life
00:15:20 - Purpose of the podcast and fentanyl awareness conversation
00:19:46 - Corey Warren shares how he wanted to be on the Hopeaholics podcast
00:25:48 - Childhood, family background, and father’s alcoholism and lifestyle
00:27:15 - First exposure to heroin in high school
00:27:49 - Stealing checks from his father to buy drugs and seeking validation
00:28:59 - Armed robbery to get drug money and running from police
00:32:02 - Arrest, jail, and facing 15 to 30 years in prison
00:34:33 - Addiction driven by validation and peer approval
00:38:34 - College drinking culture and replacing heroin with alcohol
00:40:23 - Drinking nearly two fifths of vodka a day at 21
00:42:31 - Alcohol-induced seizure and waking up surrounded by EMTs
00:43:50 - Leaving the hospital and returning to drinking
00:44:25 - Father pushes him to go back to rehab
00:45:02 - Therapist tells Corey that he is the problem, not drugs or alcohol
00:46:17 - AA meetings, sponsor, and early recovery structure
01:23:12 - Trusting God and finding purpose through pain closing message

A Life Built on Lies, Addiction, and Broken Trust with Tony Johnson | The Hopeaholics Podcast


In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Tony Johnson shares his raw and unfiltered story of addiction, manipulation, crime, prison, and recovery, opening up about growing up with childhood neglect in Seattle, getting shot, chasing money and power through drug dealing, and spiraling into Xanax, pills, and heroin. He speaks honestly about living a double life filled with lies, burning bridges, stacking felonies, losing relationships, and hitting rock bottom before his adopted mother’s tough love and a life-changing Narcotics Anonymous meeting pushed him toward recovery. Tony also discusses accountability in behavioral health, the dangers of fentanyl, rebuilding trust, faith, and using his past to help others escape addiction, delivering a powerful message about responsibility, redemption, and choosing a new path when everything feels lost. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the mindset that kept him trapped in addiction, the importance of honesty in recovery, and the daily discipline required to stay sober and grounded. This episode highlights the reality of consequences, the power of community, and the role of faith and purpose in long-term recovery.


#thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie


Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics 


Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!


Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics 
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics


Buy Merch: 
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com


Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. 


Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com 


Timestamps:
00:01:07 - Tony Johnson introduction and welcome to the podcast
00:02:05 - Love language and words of affirmation discussion
00:11:28 - Childhood neglect and first exposure to weed in Seattle
00:21:50 - Getting shot and deciding to chase money and power
00:22:25 - Trauma from drug dealing and discovering Xanax
00:28:08 - Getting ran over and becoming addicted to pills and heroin
00:29:14 - Felonies stacking up and going to prison
00:31:01 - Marriage destruction, prison time, and Suboxone charges
00:32:00 - Adopted mom’s tough love and rock bottom realization
00:54:19 - First Narcotics Anonymous meeting and feeling at home
00:55:15 - Addiction mentality and making amends in recovery
01:09:20 - Responsibility in behavioral health and fentanyl crisis message
01:10:40 - Closing thoughts and sharing God’s message