Episodes

  • TODAY Is A GREAT Day To Be In Recovery!

    TODAY Is A GREAT Day To Be In Recovery!
    Oct 15 2024
    Connell shares his transformative journey on the Recovery Matters podcast, revealing how he overcame alcoholism that disrupted his marriage and career. Raised in Connecticut by a resilient single mom, he found initial recovery through a Florida rehab but faced relapses before fully committing to the process. With the support of AA and the recovery community, Connell embraced a life of integrity and self-care, ultimately becoming a dedicated father, uncle, and recovery coach. He discusses the importance of patience, meeting people where they are, and maintaining honesty. Connell highlights his personal growth, his commitment to helping others, and the fulfilling life he leads today thanks to his unwavering dedication to sobriety. 00:00 Introduction and Host Background 00:22 Early Life and Family Struggles 01:07 Descent into Addiction 02:41 Seeking Help and First Rehab Experience 04:10 Challenges in Recovery 05:44 Relapse and Realization 06:26 Returning to Recovery 07:01 Living with Integrity 08:42 Building Positive Relationships 09:25 Helping Others in Recovery 10:41 Consistency and Availability 11:40 Financial Responsibility and Gratitude 12:31 Concluding Thoughts on Recovery
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • Losing It All: Jillian’s Fight to Rebuild After Addiction Took Her Children

    Losing It All: Jillian’s Fight to Rebuild After Addiction Took Her Children
    Oct 8 2024
    Jillian, a recovery coach at CCAR, shares her inspiring journey to long-term sobriety. With a clean day since February 23rd, 2021, she describes her path from battling addiction, experiencing homelessness, and losing custody of her children to embracing recovery and finding purpose as a coach. She highlights the importance of treatment, healing past traumas, and the pivotal moment she decided to change her life. Working first at Planet Fitness and then at a private treatment center, she found her calling in helping others, particularly those in situations similar to hers. Jillian emphasizes the need for support resources, particularly for mothers, and encourages those struggling to seek help before it's too late. 00:00 Introduction and Host Background 00:15 Guest Introduction and Recovery Journey 00:29 Becoming a Recovery Coach 00:52 Early Recovery Challenges 04:09 Treatment and Sober Living 06:25 Struggles and Turning Points 12:07 Rebuilding Life and Relationships 26:56 Current Life and Reflections 29:58 Advice for Those Struggling
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • Escaping the Grip of Crack

    Escaping the Grip of Crack
    Oct 1 2024
    Julio discusses the challenges he faced, including a relapse after a previous seven-year sobriety streak. He candidly talks about staying away from triggering environments, the impact of his addiction on family relationships, and his transformative experiences in rehabilitation. Julio sheds light on the emotional toll of addiction, including losing loved ones and dealing with a violent upbringing. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories 00:32 Overcoming Relapse and Strategies for Staying Clean 01:10 Challenges and Support Systems in Recovery 02:00 Family Dynamics and Personal Struggles 02:34 Homelessness and the Path to Detox 03:55 Rehabilitation and Self-Reflection 05:25 Building Relationships and Trust in Recovery 11:06 Faith and Spiritual Growth 12:20 Early Life and Introduction to Substance Use 16:25 Realizing the Depth of Addiction 19:03 A Dangerous Encounter 20:47 Joining the Gang 22:31 First Steps to Recovery 23:56 A Life-Changing Event 24:24 Struggles with Addiction 25:50 Embracing Recovery 28:45 The Importance of Support 35:54 Words of Wisdom
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • From Methadone to Mentorship

    From Methadone to Mentorship
    Sep 24 2024
    Brian, a person in long-term recovery, shares struggles with substance use that began in his teenage years, his journey through various treatments, and the pivotal moments that led him to seek a different path. Brian discusses his experiences with methadone and Suboxone, his involvement with the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), and how he now gives back as a volunteer manager supporting others in their recovery journeys. His story is one of resilience, transformation, and the importance of community and hope in recovery. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Recovery Stories 02:34 Early Life and Struggles 04:29 Descent into Addiction 06:26 Realization and Attempts at Recovery 13:37 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Recovery 17:29 Life in Recovery and Giving Back 29:58 Advice for Those Struggling
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • Rewriting Her Future: Betzy's Tale of Overcoming Addiction and Finding Faith

    Rewriting Her Future: Betzy's Tale of Overcoming Addiction and Finding Faith
    Sep 17 2024
    Betsy describes her journey from a turbulent childhood and early exposure to substance use to finding strength and purpose through faith and community support. Throughout her story, she details her personal struggles, the turning points that led her towards sobriety, and her work at the Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery, an organization that played a key role in her recovery. By reflecting on her past and embracing her faith, Betsy illustrates how transformative recovery can be, especially when one discovers one’s true purpose and builds a supportive network. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:38 Betsy's Recovery Journey Begins 01:52 Faith and Family in Recovery 02:42 Challenges of Young Parenthood 04:39 Generational Struggles and Personal Growth 06:26 Early Exposure to Alcohol and Toxic Relationships 15:09 College Struggles and Finding CCAR 16:24 Realizations and Changes at CCAR 20:08 Parenting and Recovery 26:43 Working with the Reentry Community 32:36 Final Reflections and Message to Young Women
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Strings of Sobriety: Sam's Path to Recovery Through Music

    Strings of Sobriety: Sam's Path to Recovery Through Music
    Sep 10 2024
    Sam shares her inspiring journey of long-term recovery, having been clean since August 11, 2020. Sam recounts her early life in Connecticut, her struggles with addiction, and the turning point that led her to seek help during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses her path through detox, rehab, and her commitment to the 12 Steps program. Sam also talks about rediscovering her passion for music, the importance of staying engaged in fun, sober activities, and her various roles in the recovery community, including her work as a peer support specialist and her creative outlets. Her story highlights the transformative power of recovery, community support, and personal growth. 00:00 Introduction and Recovery Milestones 01:32 Early Life and Struggles with Addiction 07:28 The Turning Point: Seeking Recovery 12:24 Entering Treatment and Early Sobriety 13:45 Life in a Sober House 15:32 Volunteer of the Year Award 15:44 First Job in Recovery 16:38 Music and Recovery 25:32 Fun Activities in Recovery 31:45 Identity and Recovery 35:58 Concluding Thoughts
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery w/ William Cope Moyers

    Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery w/ William Cope Moyers
    Sep 3 2024
    Bestselling author and national recovery advocate William Cope Moyers shares his journey of recovery, which began in 1989, and his unexpected encounter with prescribed pain medication in 2012. Despite having decades of sobriety and a wealth of recovery capital, Moyers struggled for a few years with addiction to painkillers following significant dental surgery. He highlights the complexities of addiction, the importance of anti-craving medications like Suboxone, and the stigma surrounding them. This episode explores Moyers' path to finding stability again and underscores the message that recovery is not a linear journey. His new book, “Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery” is out now! 00:00 Introduction and Shared Experiences 00:21 The Journey to Recovery 01:22 Defining Recovery and Sobriety 02:24 The Power of Belief and Hope 05:34 Founding of CCAR and Advocacy 09:35 Challenges and Misconceptions in Recovery 13:27 Struggles with Pain Medication 22:24 Recovery Capital and Its Importance 31:13 Hitting Rock Bottom Sober 31:44 Joining Al-Anon and Learning to Let Go 32:18 Struggling with Pain Meds and Redefining Sobriety 33:15 The God Box and Medallions 34:22 Consecutive vs. Cumulative Sobriety 38:07 Stigma Around Anti-Craving Medications 42:03 Multiple Pathways to Recovery 50:23 Personal Reflections on Life and Recovery 01:01:32 Overview of the New Book
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • How Alcohol Took Over My Life and How I Found My Way Back

    How Alcohol Took Over My Life and How I Found My Way Back
    Aug 27 2024
    Shane shares his story of starting to drink at a young age, his college partying days, and the moment of clarity that led him to seek help. Despite numerous challenges, Shane's determination to overcome his addiction is evident. He discusses the importance of finding a personalized path to recovery and the role of sports and community outreach in his life post-recovery. The conversation highlights the power of the mind, the value of self-directed recovery, and the impact of helping others on one's own recovery journey. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:42 Shane's Early Drinking Days 02:17 College and Escalation 03:32 Turning Point and Seeking Help 05:51 Entering Rehab and Detox 07:21 Rehab Experiences and Realizations 09:20 Transition to Outpatient Program 11:21 Helping Others and Personal Growth 14:26 Navigating Sobriety in Daily Life 16:28 The Relentless Pursuit of Success 16:58 Transforming Relationships and Social Circles 17:30 Navigating Social Situations Sober 18:26 The Power of Mindset in Overcoming Addiction 19:05 Personal Stories of Rehab and Recovery 22:44 Replacing Bad Habits with Good Ones 27:49 Commitment and Discipline in Recovery 31:22 Final Thoughts and Future Goals
    Show more Show less
    34 mins