After a decade of addiction, Rick woke up in a hospital bed at 24 - homeless, broken, and given six months to live. He'd tried everything: willpower, determination, grit. Nothing worked. In fact, it made things worse.In this raw and honest conversation, Rick shares what actually saved his life: compassion.We explore why shame, not substances, is the real driver of addiction, how disconnection fuels destructive patterns (even in "functional" people), and why the path to healing requires vulnerability, not toughness.What we cover:• Why addiction is really about disconnection at every level• The moment Rick realised willpower was keeping him trapped• How sitting with uncomfortable feelings (without numbing) leads to your true self• The difference between self-abandonment and self-love• Why "connection is the opposite of addiction"• How to find compassion when you're full of shame• The courage it takes to be vulnerable as a man• Practical steps to break destructive patterns (without replacing them with new ones)This conversation isn't just for people struggling with addiction. It's for anyone who's ever used work, dating, scrolling, or perfectionism to avoid facing themselves.Rick is now 9 years sober and helps others through The Recovery Club, guiding people to find connection, self-awareness, and compassion on their own healing journey.If you've ever felt disconnected, lonely, or stuck in patterns you can't break; this episode is for you.CONNECT WITH RICK:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.recovery.club/Website: https://linktr.ee/the.recovery.clubIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Sometimes one conversation can change everything.#addiction #recovery #mensmentalhealth #compassion #vulnerability #healing #sobriety #connection #shame #personalgrowth