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181 - Noah didn't get straight A's in treatment, but he is thriving!

Release Date: 06/03/2021

372 - Patrick's Journey: Addicted in New York to Finding Sobriety in Florida

Real Recovery Talk

Get ready for a raw and real ride as we dive into Patrick's gripping tale of addiction and redemption. Hailing from the hustle and bustle of New York City, Patrick's life was a rollercoaster of substance abuse from the get-go. No substance was off-limits as he struggled to cope with the chaos around him. Hoping for a fresh start, Patrick made the leap to Florida, seeking refuge from his demons. But sunny skies couldn't chase away the darkness of addiction. Despite his best efforts, he found himself drowning in the same old cycle. Yet, amidst the struggle, Patrick stumbled upon a lifeline....

371 - Stages of Change: Navigating the Stages of Addiction and Recovery

Real Recovery Talk

In this episode, we delve into the complex journey of addiction and recovery, exploring the stages of change individuals may encounter on their path to healing. From the initial recognition of a problem to the maintenance of long-term sobriety, we unravel the intricate web of emotions, challenges, and triumphs that characterize this transformative process. Through personal stories and professional guidance, we aim to shed light on the multifaceted nature of addiction recovery, offering hope, understanding, and practical strategies for those navigating their own path towards recovery or...

370 - Crushed by 2,000 lb steel plate: Adam's Unstoppable Journey

Real Recovery Talk

If you are struggling with ANYTHING AT ALL please feel free to reach out to us: Buckle up, folks, because today's episode is a rollercoaster ride of resilience and redemption! Meet Adam, the man who survived being crushed by a massive 2000-pound steel plate—and wouldn't change a thing about it. We'll dive into Adam's incredible story of survival, exploring the moment that changed his life forever and the remarkable journey of recovery that followed. From the depths of despair to the heights of triumph, Adam's tale is a testament to the human spirit's indomitable strength. But Adam's journey...

369 - From North to South: Nate's Journey to Sobriety in Florida

Real Recovery Talk

Join us in this episode as we dive into the inspiring journey of Nate, a guy who found his way to sobriety without the confines of traditional treatment centers. Nestled in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida, Nate's story is one of resilience, community, and finding light in the darkest of times. Without the need for fancy programs, Nate carved his path to sobriety through the supportive embrace of the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Through shared experiences, laughter, and tears, he found a solid foundation of friends who became his lifeline on this challenging journey. Tune in as Nate...

368 - Double Birthday Bash: Ben and Tom both TURNING 40!

Real Recovery Talk

Hey party people! Grab your balloons and confetti because this episode is a double celebration! Join us as we pop champagne and blow out the candles for a special occasion: Ben and Tom both turning the big 4-0 on the exact same day! But this ain't your typical birthday bash. Nope, we're diving deep into the journey of turning 40 and what it means for us, especially considering our shared journey through sobriety. From wild nights to clear mornings, we've seen it all, and now we're ready to share our reflections. We'll reminisce about the good ol' days when a night out meant bar-hopping and...

367 - Bringing AWARENESS to Male Sexual Trauma

Real Recovery Talk

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Ben as he opens up about his journey through childhood sexual trauma. With raw honesty and vulnerability, Ben shares the painful experiences that once haunted him, and how he discovered the power of helping others by sharing his story. For years, Ben carried the weight of his past in silence, struggling with the scars left by his traumatic experiences. In this candid conversation, he bravely confronts the shadows of his past to find light and healing. Join us as Ben recounts the moment he realized that his story could make a difference in the...

366 - How setting BOUNDARIES helped this young man get sober!

Real Recovery Talk

In this touching episode, we delve into the powerful story of Josh's battle with addiction and his remarkable journey to sobriety. With heartfelt honesty, Josh shares how his mother, Julia, played a pivotal role by setting clear boundaries that ultimately led to his recovery. For years, Josh struggled with the grips of addiction, feeling trapped and lost. Despite his mother's unwavering love, it wasn't until Julia decided to establish firm boundaries that Josh began to see a way out. Join us as Josh opens up about the challenging moments of facing tough love and accountability. Through tears...

365 - Why SLEEP is so important ESPECIALLY in early recovery

Real Recovery Talk

In this episode, we delve into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of addiction recovery: sleep. Join us as we explore the profound impact of quality rest on the journey towards sobriety. We'll uncover the science behind how addiction disrupts sleep patterns and discuss the challenges individuals face in achieving restorative sleep during recovery. Through this episode with, we'll examine the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. From practical tips for improving sleep hygiene to strategies for managing insomnia and other sleep disorders, this...

364 - Why Experiential Therapy and Art can HEAL your addiction

Real Recovery Talk

If you are struggling with ANYTHING AT ALL please feel free to reach out to us: In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, host Tom Conrad is joined by licensed mental health counselor Brian Wood, known as B Wood, and primary therapist Maya to discuss the transformative impact of experiential therapy in substance abuse and mental health treatment. Through a deep dive into B Wood's journey from Barbados to becoming a pivotal figure in art therapy, the discussion reveals how engaging with the arts and other experiential modalities can facilitate healing beyond traditional talk therapy. By...

363 - Virtual Therapy for Drug addiction and alcoholism: Does it ACTUALLY WORK?

Real Recovery Talk

In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, we delve into the topic of online counseling in the journey towards recovery. Join us as we explore the emergence of virtual therapy platforms and their role in breaking down barriers to access treatment. We will share our opinions for who it is best for and who will most likely benefit the most from virtual therpy. If you have any questions you can reach us at [email protected]

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“My mom was my biggest enabler and as soon as she took her foot off the gas pedal my life came crumbling down around me. That’s where the biggest change and growth came from.” -Noah

Today, Ben and I are chatting with Noah, who was 20 when he received his first DUI. His parents kicked him out of the house after this event. Forced to attend AA, his grandmother took him to his meetings. Not understanding the program or the benefits of completing the 12 Step Program, Noah wasn’t an engaged participant in the program when he first started his road to recovery.

Events that Led to Noah Receiving His First DUI

“Me and my mom would get into it over anything and everything,” explains Noah. He would fight with her about little details and would refuse to help out around the house. Noah liked his work pattern: go out to drink, come home, and repeat this daily pattern. Although his mom was encouraging Noah to seek help, he didn’t believe he had a problem. “I was living life the way I thought it should be lived.” He didn’t see his alcoholism because he found that many of his friends lived the same type of lifestyle, so Noah normalized his way of life through others.

His Life Post-DUI

Losing the ability to be independent and drive himself to where he wanted to go, Noah soon realized the humiliation that accompanied losing his privilege to drive. “I had all this freedom to do what I wanted and then suddenly it was stripped away.” Sitting at his parent’s house, his mom caught him drinking. She sent him to a nearby detox center to clean up his act.

Relapse Patterns and His Struggle to Become Sober

Not feeling like he belonged in treatment, Noah wanted to fast track to the next step so he could get home and live the way he wanted to live. Putting on a show and not being his genuine self, Noah refused to dive into what he needed to do to become a sober member of society.

After going through his first detox treatment in his hometown, Noah ended up back drinking alone in his room. His mom sent him back to detox again.

Listen in and find out why the crowd at the detox center affected Noah’s ability to get clean, what happened when his mom wouldn’t let him live at home, and why Noah was kicked out of recovery.

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