In a world that often feels insurmountable, Tim Lineaweaver’s story reminds us that hope and redemption are always within reach. His journey through addiction and into sobriety is a testament to the transformative power of recovery.

Tim Lineaweaver's life was overshadowed by addiction to alcohol and cocaine from an early age. Growing up in an alcoholic household, he had his first blackout at just 18, which marked the beginning of a relentless cycle. His addiction took him to places he never thought he would go, stripping him of his dignity, family, and sense of self. Yet, in the depths of despair, Tim found a spark of hope one fateful day after his daughter's christening, which propelled him to seek help. With the support of therapy, group sessions, and a commitment to change, he embarked on a grueling but fruitful recovery journey.

Recovered Life is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The initial month of sobriety was starkly challenging for Tim. He described it as a “rock fight,” filled with emotional turmoil yet suffused with a sense of commitment he had never felt before. As he navigated through the shadows of his addiction, he found clarity and purpose; everything began to shift. Sobriety did not just reclaim his relationships; it granted him a life filled with love and fulfillment. Celebrating over thirty years of sobriety, Tim is now the proud father of three and a grandfather of four. His recovery has even led him to become a therapist, guiding others struggling with similar battles, helping them find their way back into the light.

“What I can tell you is that everything I have today has been granted to me by being sober,” - Tim Leideweber

His own experience has become a beacon for many lost in the darkness, illustrating that recovery is possible and profoundly rewarding. He urges those teetering on the edge of change, reminding them, “If you work at it and commit yourself, then you too can be sober—even if you’ve relapsed before. Just learn from it and keep pushing forward.”

If you are at a crossroads in your life, contemplating the leap into recovery, Tim's story can guide and inspire you. For a deeper understanding of recovery and to hear more incredible stories like Tim's, subscribe to Recovered Life Plus. Join us as we navigate the path to hope and healing together. Don’t wait—take that step towards your best life today by listening in on our conversations and connecting with a community dedicated to recovery.

Join Tim and many others as we walk this journey together!

Ad Disclaimer: You still have to do the work to stay sober, even while using the mug.

In this Recovered Life Plus exclusive, Judy Acheson and I go deeper into the conversation sparked by our main episode on Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT). This isn't just a recap — it's where we really pull back the curtain. We talk openly about the stigma still lingering in recovery circles, how misinformation is harming people, and why emotional sobriety matters just as much as physical abstinence. Judy shares powerful insights from the front lines of treatment, and we dive into uncomfortable but necessary topics — like people using MAT being judged unfairly, the misuse of treatment protocols, and how sugar, shame, and spiritual bypassing still show up in recovery spaces.

Damon Frank and therapist Judy Acheson dive deep into the world of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for addiction recovery. They explore the misconceptions surrounding MAT, discuss its role in harm reduction, and share personal experiences and success stories that highlight the potential for lasting recovery.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Key Discussion Points:

* Understanding MAT: Damon and Judy explain how MAT works, its applications for various addictions, and why it's a valuable tool in recovery, especially for those struggling with opioid addiction.

* Harm Reduction: The conversation emphasizes the importance of harm reduction strategies in the recovery journey, illustrating how MAT can help manage cravings and ease the transition to sobriety.

* Personal Stories: Listeners hear inspiring success stories from individuals who have transformed their lives through MAT, reinforcing the message that recovery is possible and multifaceted.

* Community and Support: Judy shares insights on the supportive community around recovery and stresses the importance of ongoing engagement in recovery programs, regardless of whether someone is using MAT.

Join us as we bring hope, share knowledge, and empower individuals on their path to recovery.

This video is for informational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a licensed professional for any health-related concerns. If you're in crisis, seek help immediately or call 911.

In this special “After the Show” conversation, Damon Frank and psychotherapist Darrin Dennis peel back the layers of what emotional sobriety really means — and why it’s often the missing piece in long-term recovery. While getting physically sober is a massive step, what happens after that is where the real work begins. This raw and eye-opening dialogue explores why many people stop just short of doing the deeper emotional work and what it takes to move past surface-level healing.

Damon Frank and guest psychotherapist Darrin Dennis delve deeper into the topic of emotional sobriety and its critical role in recovery. They explore how emotional challenges and past traumas can impact sobriety and the journey to a fulfilled life free from addiction.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Key Highlights:

* What is Emotional Sobriety? Darrin defines emotional sobriety as recognizing and coping with feelings that often push individuals towards substance use or addictive behaviors.

* The Importance of Therapy: Darrin emphasizes the value of therapy for healing emotional scars and maintaining motivation on the recovery path.

* Sustainable Sobriety: The hosts discuss the distinction between physical and emotional sobriety and why achieving emotional balance is crucial for long-term recovery success.

* Practical Tips: Listeners are given practical steps for improving emotional hygiene, such as journaling, setting boundaries, and being mindful of their feelings.

This episode is a must-watch for anyone on their recovery journey or seeking deeper understanding of emotional impacts within sobriety. Join Damon and Darrin as they shine a light on the challenging but vital journey towards emotional balance and healing.

After recording an episode of The Recovered Life Show with Coach Joe, I’ve been thinking a lot about the powerful insights he shared. His story of surrender—literally putting his hands out and asking to be arrested—was one of the most impactful moments of our conversation. That moment wasn’t about giving up; it was about letting go of resistance and stepping into real recovery.

Joe’s journey is a reminder that transformation isn’t just about stopping a behavior—it’s about fully embracing a new way of life. And in our conversation, he broke down what that process really looked like for him.

Join us for this episode of The Recovered Life Show as host Damon Frank speaks with Coach Joe, a dedicated member of the recovery community with seventeen years of continuous sobriety. Hear Joe's incredible journey from the depths of addiction to living a fulfilling life in recovery. This episode dives into the misconceptions around knowledge and recovery, the struggle of recognizing addiction, and the importance of reaching out for help. Joe shares his personal experiences, including the pivotal moment that led him to seek help and how he rebuilt his life after hitting rock bottom. Tune in for insights that can inspire anyone on their path to recovery.

Last week, I had an intense and enlightening discussion on BPD & Addiction on the Recovered Life Show. In this After the Show segment, I was joined by Kennedy McGurkin, a therapist and the owner of Returning to Self LLC. This conversation was raw, real, and necessary—diving into the intersection of borderline personality disorder (BPD), addiction, codependency, and recovery.

Facing the Fear Around BPD

I’ll be honest—this was a topic that made me nervous. As a streamer, I’ve encountered many individuals struggling with BPD and addiction, and at first, I didn’t know what I was looking at. It felt like drama, chaos, and unpredictability. But over time, I began to understand that what seemed like manipulation was really a deep fear of abandonment playing out in real time.

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank welcomes back therapist Kennedy McGurkin from Returning to Self in Boise, Idaho, for a deep dive into borderline personality disorder (BPD) and its connection to addiction recovery. Kennedy shares valuable insights on how BPD affects emotions, relationships, and self-perception, as well as why it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. She highlights the fear of abandonment as a driving force behind many behaviors associated with BPD and explains why individuals with BPD may struggle with addiction as a means of self-medication.

Recovered Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This conversation also explores the challenges men face in receiving a BPD diagnosis, how symptoms manifest differently between genders, and the role of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in managing symptoms. Kennedy emphasizes that recovery is possible, encouraging those who suspect they may have BPD to seek professional diagnosis and treatment. For individuals in recovery, building a supportive community and addressing both addiction and mental health issues are crucial for long-term healing.

🔗 Connect with Kennedy McGurkin here.

Thanks for reading Recovered Life! This post is public so feel free to share it.

I had a real, unfiltered convo with Christie Dames after the latest episode of The Recovered Life Show for the Recovered Life + Plus Subscribers—and we didn’t hold back. 💯

In our latest episode, we dove into something that affects almost every person in recovery but doesn’t get talked about enough—what you eat and how it impacts your sobriety. Christie and I had a deep, honest discussion about food, mindset, and the ways our bodies heal after years of addiction.

Main Takeaways from the Episode

1. What You Eat Affects Your Recovery More Than You Think

It’s easy to overlook the impact of food when we talk about sobriety. But what you put into your body directly affects how you feel mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Many people in recovery struggle with feeling “off” even after years of sobriety, and Christie argues that a huge part of that comes down to diet.