587: 3 Intentions to Help Families Start 2026 With Hope
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? As we head into a brand new year, many family members and loved ones are carrying a mix of hope, exhaustion, and uncertainty — especially when someone they love is struggling with addiction. This video is not about resolutions. It’s not about fixing anyone. And it’s not about doing more. In this episode, I share a few simple intentions you can carry into 2026 — practical, grounded ways to protect your own well-being, strengthen connection, and walk into the new year with clarity instead of fear. Join our SKOOL...
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586: Why You Feel Lied To, Manipulated And Guilty (Advice For Parents Only)
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? If it’s Christmas Eve and you’re lying awake right now, worried about your child, this episode is for you. While the rest of the world seems to be celebrating, many parents are quietly carrying fear, guilt, and exhaustion—wondering where their son or daughter is, if they’re safe, or if things will ever change. In this solo episode, I speak directly to parents who are struggling tonight. We talk about why Christmas Eve can feel heavier than any other night, the lies fear tells us when things get quiet, and what...
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585: My Mom Died From Alcoholism: Here is Why...
Real Recovery Talk
Have someone in your life struggling with addiction? DO NOT MISS THIS! Free webclass: 5 MISTAKES FAMILIES MAKE WHEN TRYING TO HELP A LOVED ONE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION In this powerful episode of Real Recovery Talk, we sit down with Ricki Santiago, a licensed clinician who opens up about his own experience growing up with an alcoholic mother—and how that trauma shaped his entire life. Before he was a therapist helping others heal… he was a kid watching his mom drink herself into the grave. Join our SKOOL Group: Join our Big Book Study! Tom IG: Ben IG: RRT IG:...
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584: Addiction or Narcissism? How to Tell the Difference (Professional Opinion)
Real Recovery Talk
Have someone in your life struggling with addiction? DO NOT MISS THIS! Free webclass: 5 MISTAKES FAMILIES MAKE WHEN TRYING TO HELP A LOVED ONE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION In today’s episode, we break down the difference between true narcissism and the narcissistic behaviors that show up during addiction. These can look identical — manipulation, gaslighting, lack of empathy, emotional abuse — but the root cause is often very different. Join our SKOOL Group: Join our Big Book Study! Tom IG: Ben IG: RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
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583: What Families Get Wrong About Addiction (It's Not Willpower)
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBINAR! In today’s conversation, Hilary shares one of the most powerful trauma stories we’ve ever had on the podcast. Before addiction ever entered her life, trauma did. From growing up in chaos… to being pushed into acting at five years old… to living in fear, shame, and survival mode — her story explains EXACTLY why so many addicts and alcoholics struggle the way they do. Join our SKOOL Group: Join our Big Book Study! Tom IG: Ben IG: RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
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582: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Why Addicts and alcoholics are the most grateful people around...
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBINAR! HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I wanted to come on and share my gratitude for ALL OF YOU! Join our SKOOL Group: Join our Big Book Study!
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581: Should You Date in Early Recovery? (This Answer Will Surprise You)
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBINAR! Getting into a relationship in early recovery can feel amazing… until it quietly becomes the thing that takes you out. In this episode, we talk honestly about why early-recovery relationships are so intense, why they so often end badly, and what actually makes a relationship healthy in long-term sobriety. And we finally share something big with the Real Recovery Talk family: Ben and Destiny are in a committed relationship now. 🎙❤️ We use their story as a real-life example of what can work in...
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580: Top 5 Tips To Getting Your Loved One Sober (You Won't Believe This!)
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBINAR! Learn how you can stop focusing on your addict loved one and RECLAIM your life back! Join our SKOOL Group: MindPump Media: Join our Big Book Study! Tom IG: Ben IG: RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
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579: How To Get Sober In Your 40's (It's Not What You Think!)
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? J oin Our FREE WEBINAR! A lot of people think if they haven’t gotten sober by 40, it’s too late. That the damage is done. The truth? It’s not too late — but it is different. In this episode, we break down what it really takes to get sober after 40. From rebuilding your health and relationships to rediscovering your purpose, this conversation is raw, practical, and full of hope. We talk about how to stop comparing your journey to everyone else’s, how to get your body and mind back after years of neglect, and how faith...
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578: How Do You Forgive an Addict? Omar El Takrori
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBINAR! When your own dad struggles with addiction, it changes everything. In this episode, Omar shares the painful truth about growing up with an alcoholic father — the fear, the confusion, and the faith that eventually brought healing. We talk about what addiction does to families, how faith can transform even the darkest situations, and why true recovery goes far beyond just “getting sober.” Omar opens up about his father’s alcoholism, his mother’s strength, and how God used all of it to shape...
info_outlineCharlie is here today to pick up his two years sobriety medallion at Rock Recovery Center. He is a graduate of our program and has successfully navigated a clean and sober life since leaving Rock Recovery Center. Charlie and his wife chat with us about how Charlie has been living his daily life as a clean and sober society member.
The Beginnings of Charlie’s Addiction
At age 13, Charlie left his home and started drinking socially to the point that he was drinking five gallons of alcohol a week. Before he started drinking heavily, he started taking hard drugs. “Once the drinking took off, my addiction became like a wildfire.” His portfolio of drugs included “meth, cocaine, crack, acid, shrooms, and I was in for anything that didn’t take a needle.”
“Balancing” Work-Life and Addiction
At 42, Charlie had to make sure he was clean for his job. “I was a Union carpenter, and I worked in a nuclear facility, so my background had to be squeaky clean, so I could pass the Homeland Security background check.” He would work 12 hour days, six days a week. After work, he would drink a few shots, go to sleep, then get up and go back to work. His addiction progressed into drinking in the morning to hold him over until break time at work, where he could drink a few shots, then drink again when he drove home from work.
Switching from Drugs to Alcohol
At first, he was able to “drink like a normal person,” and Charlie says that the “alcohol was socially acceptable, so it was easy to get.” He felt it was OK to get drunk at home by himself, watching TV, or “playing around in my workshop. I could cut off as many fingers as I wanted to because I was by myself, and it didn’t bother anybody.” Charlie was a solitary alcoholic and didn’t drink around friends or family.
Charlie’s Wife Amy and Her Perspective on His Addiction
“When we first got together, he point-blank told me that he was an alcoholic and he likes to drink.” She was OK with that until things progressed and they were in a more serious relationship. He started isolating and not paying attention to her or the children. Charlie decided to go to recovery, came back, and then relapsed soon after.
“We live right down the street from a liquor store,” so it was easy for Charlie to get a hold of alcohol. They separated, and then Charlie decided to go to Rock Recovery Center for treatment as Amy didn’t want to continue the relationship with Charlie’s addictive behavior.
At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being.
Check out my new website where you can download any episode right from my site along with other useful information for those in recovery.
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Show Notes:
- [02:24] Charlie talks about his childhood and addiction background.
- [05:48] He reflects on his history of work and addiction.
- [09:57] Amy gives her perspective as a wife of an addict.
- [12:15] Charlie remembers driving drunk with his three-year-old grandson in the car.
- [14:25] Coming to Florida to Rock Recovery Center was Charlie’s first immersive rehabilitation experience.
- [19:05] What Charlie is doing daily to continue his successful recovery.
- [19:45] Amy’s experience with Charlie’s recovery and her wedding proposal to Charlie.
- [24:28] Living life on life’s terms and the importance of reaching out for support.
- [28:01] Charlie talks about his solid sobriety foundation.
- [31:36] Why life isn’t boring when you’re sober.
- [32:46] Charlie’s recommendation on the first steps to sobriety.
Episode Links and Resources
- Real Recovery Live Chat
- Real Recovery Talk on the Web
- Real Recovery Talk on YouTube
- Leave Real Recovery Talk a review on iTunes
- Rock Recovery Center
- Real Recovery Talk on Facebook
- Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com
- Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions