Libsyn Directory

197 - Getting Hooked On (and Off) Drugs and Drink

Release Date: 11/19/2021

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...

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:...

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/

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/

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!

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...

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/

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...

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...

577: Adopted at Birth, Addicted by 12: Rachel’s Fight for Freedom

Real Recovery Talk

Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBINAR! When Rachel was adopted as a baby, she didn’t understand why she felt so different. By age 12, she was already using drugs — searching for a sense of belonging she never felt. For the next 26 years, addiction took everything from her — her health, her peace, her identity. But through it all, she discovered a truth that changed everything In this episode, Rachel shares her powerful story of addiction, adoption, and redemption — from childhood confusion and rebellion to finally finding purpose,...

More Episodes

“I have a purpose today, and I feel God steps in my life a lot and he was telling me to have courage and be fearless.” -Ira

Today, Ben and I chatted with Ira, who’s a real deal addict. He’s had a ton of health issues like cancer, diabetes, and even facing death as a result of his drug and alcohol addiction. But he managed to turn his life around and now he’s going on two years sober! Listen in as he talks about getting addicted, how he overcame it, and all the people who helped save his life along the way.

Struggling to Find His Place

Growing up in the 70s as half Irish and half Vietnamese, Ira felt like he never fit in anywhere. He went through some verbal and physical abuse at an early age.

In seventh grade at age 13, he picked up his first beer and smoked dope for the first time. By age 15, he was an IV drug user and hooked on cocaine and opiates. Then he dropped out of high school with only a 9th-grade education and eventually became a convicted felon in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.

Years after his father passed away from cirrhosis, Ira turned to heavy drinking. “I drank alcoholically because I was searching for the high from dope and pills or whatever it may be, and I wasn’t getting it.”

This led to frequent illness and hospital visits that did nothing to help his addiction... until a pivotal low point marked the real beginning of his turbulent recovery.

Helping Others in Recovery

After a lot of pain and uncertainty about where his life was headed, Ira has taken up a mantle that not many sober people choose. He shares his story in hopes of helping others recover from their addictions. Through his own experience of 35 years and newfound faith, he meets great people in places like hospitals, treatment centers, and psyche wards. Ira knows the importance of having a supportive person or group on the road to sobriety.

Check out our website, where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!

Show Highlights

[05:26] What made Ira swear off heavy drinking for 13 years

[07:26] How he got high on alcohol and drugs at the same time

[10:49] Frequent hospital visits as an easy way to get a fix

[14:11] Why the substance of choice plays a minor part in addiction overall

[18:46] Ira’s downturn before the turnaround

[29:36] An intervention that led to him getting treatment for his health problems

[40:04] The place and the meeting that ended up saving his life

[46:58] How the last few months of Ira’s life have changed

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