Advertise on podcast: Get a Grip Podcast

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Amber Ray for an intense and deeply personal conversation about childhood abuse, addiction, alcoholism, toxic relationships, and the long road to recovery. Amber’s story is a powerful look at how childhood trauma can follow someone into adulthood, shaping their decisions, relationships, and struggles with addiction. Amber opens up about growing up with an abusive mother, the painful experiences she endured as a child, and the lasting impact those experiences had on her life. She also reflects on her high school years, when experimenting with ecstasy became part of her everyday world. As she got older, alcohol and Xanax became her drugs of choice, and by the age of 18, substance use had begun taking control of her life. What followed was a devastating 16-year battle with alcohol. Amber shares stories about drinking every day, the people and situations that fueled her addiction, and even a shocking experience involving what she describes as a literal “Get Out of Jail Free Card.” Eventually, the drinking began catching up with her, and the life she had built started to fall apart. Amber also discusses marrying someone who struggled with alcoholism, the complicated and sometimes dangerous dynamics of that relationship, and how her experiences led her down an unexpected path. Through years of pain, unhealthy relationships, and destructive choices, she eventually began finding her way toward recovery. Today, Amber reflects on what it took to change her life and offers advice to anyone who may be struggling with addiction, trauma, or the feeling that they are trapped in a cycle they cannot escape. Her story is a reminder that the past does not have to define the future and that recovery can begin even after years of struggle. 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrippodcast #addictionrecovery #alcoholism #alcoholaddiction #recoveryjourney #childhoodtrauma #childhoodabuse #mentalhealth #sobriety #xanaxaddiction #addiction #recovery #healing #trauma #toxicrelationships #wedorecover #soberlife #secondchances #inspiration #hope

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Amanda Gayler for a raw and emotional conversation about addiction, grief, methamphetamine, homelessness, and the incredible journey that led her and her partner to recovery. Amanda’s story is a powerful look at how someone can go from raising a family and caring for loved ones to losing nearly everything, only to find a way back to a life she never thought was possible. Amanda opens up about her childhood and growing up with a father who was seriously ill, and how she found herself raising three children by the age of 20. After suffering a back injury, she was prescribed Percocet, but her life took another devastating turn when she was caring for her grandmother. Following her grandmother’s death, methamphetamine entered the picture, and what began as another chapter in an already difficult life quickly spiraled into a full-blown addiction. As her meth use intensified, Amanda describes working at a nursing home while high, going days without sleep, and experiencing meth-induced psychosis. Family conflict over her grandmother’s house added even more chaos, and eventually Amanda crossed a line she never imagined she would: selling and injecting methamphetamine. She shares what it was like selling drugs out of a window, getting caught up in the lifestyle, going to jail, and ultimately becoming homeless. But Amanda’s story reaches a breaking point when she and her partner, Jaime, are living in a garage that catches fire. With their lives in complete disarray, they find themselves facing a moment that could either destroy them or change everything. At the Hope Center, Amanda was preparing to use one last time before she and Jaime made the decision to go to treatment. What followed was a remarkable journey of getting sober together, rebuilding their lives, and discovering that recovery was possible even when the odds seemed stacked against them. Today, Amanda and Jaime are both sober and still together, proving that even after addiction, loss, incarceration, and homelessness, a new life can begin. This is a story about love, perseverance, second chances, and the hope that can emerge from the darkest moments. 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links:https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Alana Hissong for a wild, unfiltered conversation about addiction, crime, prison, fentanyl, and recovery. From getting a DUI at 17 to building a shoplifting operation and facing years behind bars, Alana's story is filled with shocking twists and hard lessons. Alana opens up about dropping out of high school, blacking out at a young age, and developing addictions to cocaine, methamphetamine, and Adderall while raising two children. As her addiction escalated, she became involved in organized shoplifting, stealing expensive merchandise and pulling off increasingly risky thefts. One attempted robbery at the Tanger Outlets ended in a police pursuit, gunfire, and the possibility of a ten-year prison sentence. After receiving a three-year prison sentence, Alana began finding recovery, but staying sober after release proved difficult. She relapsed, returned to methamphetamine, and eventually began selling pressed fentanyl pills without initially realizing exactly what they contained. Her addiction eventually progressed to injecting fentanyl, and an overdose became another turning point in her life. After years of chaos, Alana finally began taking recovery seriously. Despite entering treatment with eight outstanding warrants, she started rebuilding her life and eventually began working in the treatment field to help others. Her journey is a powerful reminder that even after addiction, incarceration, and repeated setbacks, change is possible. 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links:https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Justin Reynolds for a raw and powerful conversation about childhood drug use, methamphetamine, heroin addiction, overdoses, faith, and the fight to rebuild a life after addiction. Justin shares how his struggles began at a young age and how what started as experimentation eventually spiraled into a dangerous cycle that nearly cost him everything. Justin opens up about using bath salts as a kid while playing Call of Duty, eventually moving into smoking methamphetamine and stealing prescription painkillers from girls in his life. As his addiction progressed, heroin entered the picture and quickly became his primary struggle. He reflects on the consequences of his drug use, including getting his first DUI while on meth and experiencing overdoses that brought him frighteningly close to death. After years of destructive choices and repeated danger, Justin explains what finally pushed him toward detox and recovery. He shares how going to The Refuge became a turning point, helping him reconnect with faith and begin looking at his life differently. His journey highlights the difficult work of getting sober, finding purpose, and learning how to live without the substances that once controlled him. Justin also talks about what life looks like today and the loss of a friend he experienced while in sobriety. His story is a reminder that recovery doesn't erase every hardship, but it can give people the strength and perspective to face life's pain without returning to addiction. This is an honest conversation about meth, heroin, overdoses, faith, grief, and the possibility of transformation. Justin Reynolds' journey shows how far addiction can take someone—and how a commitment to recovery can open the door to a completely different life. ⏱ TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Childhood and Growing Up7:00 – Doing Bath Salts as a Kid While Playing COD13:00 – Getting Hooked on Meth16:00 – Stealing Percs From Girls22:00 – Trying Heroin for the First Time25:00 – When His Addiction Shifted to Heroin29:45 – Getting His First DUI on Meth41:00 – One of His Last Overdoses45:00 – What Finally Led Him to Detox and Recovery55:00 – Finding God and Going to Refuge1:12:00 – Life in Recovery Today1:35:00 – Losing a Friend While Sober 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links:https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Sahara Tomlin for a raw and eye-opening conversation about growing up around addiction, fentanyl, family struggles, drug dealing, and the difficult road to recovery. Sahara shares what it was like being raised by parents who were IV drug users and how addiction became part of her life long before she understood just how dangerous it could be. Sahara opens up about becoming addicted to fentanyl pills after believing she was taking Xanax. As her addiction progressed, she found herself selling the same pills that were controlling her life. She describes trying to quit cold turkey, the frightening experiences she witnessed while spending time at her drug dealer’s house, and the hustle she saw growing up—including the way her mother navigated life in the drug world. Her story also explores her complicated relationship with her parents and what happened when she began running with her father before making another attempt to get clean. Sahara explains how she eventually turned toward treatment, including getting on Sublocade and later receiving Vivitrol as part of her recovery journey. This is an unfiltered conversation about the impact of growing up around addiction, the dangers of counterfeit pills, and how family cycles can shape a person's life. Sahara also shares advice for anyone struggling with addiction or trying to find a way out. Her story is a reminder that even when addiction feels like all you've ever known, change is possible and recovery can begin with a single decision. 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #Fentanyl #Xanax #OpioidAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AddictionAwareness #FamilyAddiction #BreakingTheCycle #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Alex Deener for an intense and unfiltered conversation about early drug use, opioid addiction, heroin, prison, violence, relapse, and the long road to recovery. Alex's story is a powerful look at how addiction can take hold at a young age and spiral into consequences that change the course of an entire life. Alex opens up about his childhood and getting caught with painkillers in middle school, an incident that led to a felony charge and being pushed into online school. With fewer boundaries and his drug use escalating, Alex became deeply involved with opioid pills during high school. At just 18 years old, he tried heroin for the first time, setting off a devastating chapter of addiction. He describes the progression from Opana to heroin and the dangerous decisions that pulled him further into a life centered around drugs. Eventually, Alex was caught with cocaine and heroin and received prison time. He shares the brutal reality of incarceration, including a jail fight that left his jaw broken and the experience of being locked up at the Ohio State Penitentiary. As his addiction continued, crack cocaine became another part of his struggle. Alex also reflects on his childhood experiences with Adderall, the challenges of trying to get sober, and the repeated trips in and out of treatment that came before he began to understand what lasting recovery would require. 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links:https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Lauren Hamilton for a raw, emotional conversation about opioid addiction, fentanyl, family trauma, sexual assault, relapse, motherhood, and finding recovery after years of struggle. Lauren shares how an injury while attending nursing school led to pain management and an addiction to Percocet and tramadol. In a shocking turn, she discovers her father is also struggling with opioid addiction, and the two eventually use OxyContin together. As Lauren's addiction progresses, she becomes hooked on counterfeit Percocet 30s containing fentanyl, experiences repeated relapses, and struggles to find lasting recovery. Lauren also opens up about surviving a violent attack and sexual assault, experiencing a miscarriage, and watching her addiction shift from opioids to crack cocaine. Even after multiple treatment attempts and devastating setbacks, becoming pregnant with her daughter pushes her to seek help and commit to sobriety. Today, Lauren is rebuilding her relationship with her husband and working as a nurse in the recovery field, using her own experiences to help others. Her story is a powerful reminder that even after trauma, addiction, and repeated relapses, recovery and a new purpose are possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Colleen for a raw, emotional, and eye-opening conversation about childhood trauma, losing her brother, alcoholism, blackouts, multiple DUIs, jail time, and finding a way into recovery after nearly three decades of drinking. Colleen shares the story behind her headline-grabbing experience of being a blackout drinker from the age of 11 to 39, opening up about the painful experiences and destructive patterns that shaped much of her life. Colleen begins by reflecting on her childhood and what it was like growing up as the “bad kid.” She discusses the experiences that influenced her early years, including the devastating loss of her brother after a friend accidentally killed him. The tragedy left a lasting mark on her life, adding another layer of pain to an already complicated childhood. Colleen also reveals that she began drinking beer at just 11 years old, setting the stage for a relationship with alcohol that would continue for decades. As Colleen got older, her experiences became increasingly complicated. She shares an unsettling childhood encounter with an older man at a movie theater and reflects on other difficult moments that stayed with her. Despite the challenges she faced, Colleen pursued her interest in art and eventually made it into the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD). But what should have been an exciting chapter of her life quickly took a different direction when she began using cocaine during her sophomore year. What she describes as her “Cocaine Career” became another turning point in a life increasingly affected by substance use. Colleen opens up about the progression of her drinking and the frightening reality of experiencing blackouts. She recounts receiving her first DUI without even remembering the incident, followed by a second DUI not long afterward. Her story highlights the dangers of drinking to the point of losing awareness and how addiction can continue escalating even when serious consequences begin piling up. By age 31, Colleen was also dealing with medical issues, adding another challenge to the physical and emotional toll of years of alcohol use. As the consequences of her drinking continued, she eventually faced jail time related to her DUIs. She discusses what that experience was like and how years of destructive decisions affected her life, relationships, and future. After years of struggling, Colleen finally made her way back to AA meetings for what would become her last time starting over. Recovery was not simply about stopping drinking; it meant confronting the past, rebuilding relationships, and learning how to approach life differently. Colleen also discusses her relationship with her parents today and how those relationships have evolved throughout her journey. After years marked by pain, addiction, and difficult experiences, she reflects on what recovery has taught her and offers advice to anyone who may be struggling with alcohol or wondering whether change is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Andrew Z for a raw, emotional, and eye-opening conversation about prescription pill addiction, heroin, grief, family tragedy, relapse, and the devastating consequences of addiction. Andrew opens up about his childhood in Toledo, Ohio, how his parents' relationship shaped his early years, and how a series of unexpected life events eventually led him down a path he never imagined. Andrew describes growing up in Toledo and navigating his parents' separation when he was just 13 years old. After his father suffered a heart attack, his parents eventually reunited, but Andrew's life would continue to take unexpected turns. He shares his early experiences with drugs, including the first time he took LSD at a Phish concert, and how baseball became a major part of his life when he went on to play in college. Everything began to change when a baseball injury left Andrew with access to large amounts of OxyContin. What started as prescription pain management quickly spiraled into an addiction that would take over his life. Andrew explains how easily prescription opioids became a problem and how his addiction progressed as he struggled to cope with increasingly difficult circumstances. As if his own addiction wasn't enough, Andrew's mother was diagnosed with cancer, and he found himself taking on the role of her caretaker while also dealing with his dependence on Suboxone. Then came another devastating blow: his father was diagnosed with cancer and given just six months to live. Andrew opens up about the emotional weight of watching both parents face serious illnesses while he was battling addiction himself. One of the most heartbreaking moments of the conversation comes when Andrew recounts finding his mother dead. In the aftermath of that loss, he took 120 milligrams of Percocet 10s and stole the remainder of her medication. Andrew also shares the shocking decision to refill his deceased mother's pain prescriptions after her death and attempt to do it again. Eventually, the pharmacy caught on, and he found himself facing serious trouble for the first time. The conversation also turns to Columbus, Ohio, and its devastating relationship with fentanyl. Andrew discusses why the city became known for its severe fentanyl crisis and how the drug landscape has changed the realities of addiction and recovery. In one particularly revealing moment, Andrew is asked a difficult question: Would you take OxyContin again if there were absolutely no consequences? His answer opens the door to a deeper conversation about addiction, temptation, and the complicated relationship people in recovery can have with the substances that once controlled their lives. Andrew also discusses being prescribed benzodiazepines while in sobriety, raising important questions about medication, recovery, and the challenges of navigating treatment after addiction. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nicole Pike for a raw, emotional, and unfiltered conversation about childhood abuse, prescription pills, heroin addiction, crack addiction, homelessness, losing custody of her children, and the long road back to recovery. Nicole opens up about growing up with an abusive grandmother and how the trauma she experienced as a child shaped many of the struggles she would face later in life. As she got older, Nicole began taking tramadol before progressing to Percocet and other prescription opioids. Her addiction quickly became more serious, leading her to steal her father's checks and eventually clear out his bank account to support her drug use. During her addiction to oxycodone, Nicole became pregnant with her daughter and ultimately made the difficult decision to give her up for adoption. She also shares the unbelievable story of how she met her son's father on the same night she gave birth to her daughter. Nicole's addiction continued to progress, eventually taking her from prescription opioids to heroin. She became involved with a boyfriend who was also a drug dealer, and the two were using heroin when Nicole became pregnant with her son. When she gave birth, CPS came to the hospital, beginning another painful chapter in her life. Nicole eventually entered serious recovery with her son and managed to stay clean for two years and ten months. But after that period of sobriety, she began drinking, opening the door to another devastating relapse. Her father eventually discovered that her son's father had died, and Nicole describes how that loss sent her spiraling back into alcohol and opioid addiction. After a serious car accident, Nicole's addiction took another drastic turn. She relapsed on prescription pills and crack cocaine and eventually found herself trapped in a three-year crack binge. During that period, she describes robbing cars and finding thousands of dollars, including one time when she discovered $13,000 and another when she found $6,000. Nicole also discusses experimenting with fentanyl and the desperate lengths she went to as her addiction continued. At one point, she went to ten different rehabs in a single year, searching for a way out of the cycle of addiction. Perhaps one of the most difficult parts of Nicole's story is the time she spent homeless during her three-year crack addiction. She shares what it was like spending her first night homeless on the west side of Columbus and the devastating circumstances that eventually led her to sell her body to get money for crack. This is a brutally honest conversation about addiction, trauma, heroin, crack cocaine, fentanyl, homelessness, prostitution, relapse, loss, motherhood, and recovery. Nicole's story shows just how far addiction can take someone—and that even after years of devastating consequences, a different life is still possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Devon Fitzpatrick for a raw and eye-opening conversation about bipolar disorder, substance use, psychosis, cocaine, PCP, meth, and the devastating impact that mental health and addiction can have when they collide. Devon opens up about his childhood, including the unusual circumstances surrounding his birth—his mother was only 12 years old and pregnant with him. He also discusses growing up in a family where bipolar disorder affected multiple relatives and how those experiences shaped his understanding of mental health. Devon describes his first experience with marijuana and the intense manic episode that followed. What might have seemed like ordinary experimentation quickly became something much more serious. He explains how marijuana and bipolar disorder interacted in his life and how his experiences repeatedly led him back to psychiatric hospitals. During high school, Devon's partying escalated. He shares stories about partying with his aunt, who was actually two years younger than him, before describing one of the most frightening periods of his life. After stealing his grandfather's car, Devon entered a full-blown psychotic episode in which he believed he was Abraham Lincoln. The episode ultimately resulted in another trip to a psychiatric hospital. At just 17 years old, Devon discovered cocaine and describes how quickly he became obsessed with the drug. He talks about his plans after high school, another trip to a psychiatric ward, and eventually entering treatment as his mental health and substance use continued to spiral. Devon also explains what it was like combining marijuana with bipolar disorder and why he believes weed played such a significant role in his repeated psychiatric hospitalizations. His story offers a firsthand look at the complicated relationship between mental health, substance use, and psychosis. After entering college, Devon relapsed and eventually dropped out. During this period, he unknowingly encountered PCP and describes the terrifying experience of smoking it for the first time. The experience became extremely violent, and Devon recounts being beaten so severely that he was left almost unrecognizable. The conversation also explores the different classifications of bipolar disorder and Devon's first experience with methamphetamine. He describes what that first use felt like and how his drug use continued to evolve throughout his struggles with mental health. This is a powerful conversation about bipolar disorder, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, methamphetamine, psychosis, psychiatric hospitalization, and the complicated relationship between mental health and addiction. Devon's story shows just how quickly substance use can become dangerous when combined with untreated or unmanaged mental health struggles. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Matthew Fishrupp for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about Xanax addiction, prescription drug abuse, partying, arrests, psychosis, rehab, and the long road to recovery. Matthew's story reveals how quickly recreational drug use can spiral into a life consumed by addiction, and how becoming a father ultimately changed everything. Matthew opens up about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him growing up. After being sent to Marine Military Academy, he eventually returned to high school, where pills and marijuana became part of his life. What started as experimentation would gradually develop into something much more dangerous. He discusses his first arrest and how his choices began leading him down a path of increasingly serious consequences. When Matthew went to college, partying became a major part of his lifestyle, but Xanax addiction soon began taking control. He shares stories about getting arrested in Texas for marijuana and the frightening experiences that came with driving while heavily under the influence of Xanax. He also describes the wide range of drugs he was using, including his experiences with promethazine and lean, and how substance use continued escalating as he chased the next high. As his addiction progressed, Matthew experienced psychosis and found himself desperately trying to get back into rehab. Even treatment wasn't a straightforward path. He discusses nearly getting kicked out of rehab, meeting his future wife while in treatment, and eventually finding ways to obtain research chemical benzodiazepines after leaving. His addiction continued to evolve, eventually involving crack and cocaine, along with a dangerous episode involving liquid benzodiazepines. Matthew also opens up about what happened after he initially got sober, including periods when he continued dabbling in addiction. He explains how difficult it was to completely leave drugs behind and how the cycle of substance use continued to affect his life. But everything began to change when he had his first child. Becoming a father gave him a new perspective, a new responsibility, and a reason to stop using everything and build a different future. One of the most sobering moments of the conversation comes when Matthew discusses learning that someone who had been sober for ten years died from an overdose. His story highlights the dangers of relapse, the unpredictable nature of addiction, and the importance of taking recovery seriously, even after years of sobriety. This is a powerful conversation about Xanax addiction, prescription drug abuse, polydrug use, psychosis, treatment, relapse, fatherhood, and the difficult process of rebuilding a life after addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible, and asking for help can be the first step toward a different life. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with PJ Wright for an intense and eye-opening conversation about childhood trauma, military service, PTSD, prescription medications, alternative treatments, and a profound spiritual awakening that changed the way he looks at life. PJ opens up about growing up with alcoholic parents and the challenges he experienced during his childhood. He shares how his early experiences shaped him and discusses some of the difficult family revelations he encountered along the way, including discovering disturbing information about what his cousin had done to his uncle. He also recounts being robbed while working as a gas station attendant during college, an experience that added another layer to an already complicated life. PJ eventually joined the military, beginning with the Army Reserves before entering the Air Force. His service took him to bases around the world before he ultimately found himself stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. During his military career, he became a helicopter pilot, taking on demanding training and missions that required intense focus, discipline, and courage. But life after those experiences brought a different kind of battle. PJ discusses being diagnosed with PTSD and being prescribed a variety of medications to manage his symptoms. He opens up about what that period of his life was like and how his search for relief eventually led him toward alternative treatment options and a deeper exploration of spirituality. PJ shares his experiences with PTSD treatment, intravenous ketamine infusions, and ibogaine treatment, explaining how these experiences influenced his perspective on trauma, healing, and consciousness. He also describes what he considers the most profound spiritual experience of his life and how it changed his understanding of himself and the world around him. This conversation explores the complicated journey of living with trauma, searching for answers when traditional approaches may not feel sufficient, and discovering new ways to understand personal suffering. PJ's story raises important questions about PTSD, mental health treatment, spirituality, and the different paths people pursue in their search for healing. If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma, addiction, or mental health challenges, you are not alone. There is hope, and support is available. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with James Polley for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about growing up gay, meth addiction, homelessness, violence, overdose, and finding a path to recovery. James opens up about his childhood and the challenges he faced while growing up gay. As he got older, he was introduced to meth, setting off a chain of events that would dramatically change the course of his life. One of the most shocking moments in James's story involves a meth-related robbery that ended with him being shot. But even after recovering from his gunshot wound, James went right back to using drugs. His addiction continued to spiral, and he experienced another devastating moment when he found his friend dead in his apartment after a night of drug use. Eventually, James lost his apartment and began moving into abandoned houses, spending years living in what are known as bandos. He describes what life was like during that period, how much meth he was using every day, and the dangerous situations that became part of his routine. In another terrifying moment, James went to a casino believing he was using meth, only to discover the substance contained fentanyl. He overdosed and was given Narcan three times, coming dangerously close to being pronounced dead. As his addiction continued, James found himself facing felony charges and additional legal trouble after being caught with a gun and drugs. Those experiences became a turning point, forcing him to reconsider where his life was headed. James eventually began his recovery journey and shares how treatment helped change his direction. He also discusses how he went from struggling with addiction himself to working in the treatment field and helping others who are facing similar battles. This is a powerful conversation about meth addiction, homelessness, surviving violence and overdose, the consequences of addiction, and the possibility of turning your life around. James's story is a reminder that even after years of chaos and devastating setbacks, recovery and a new purpose are possible. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jasper for a raw and heartbreaking conversation about homelessness, opioid addiction, heroin, fentanyl, overdose, and the journey toward recovery. Jasper opens up about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him before addiction entered his life. One of the earliest turning points came when he experienced a friend overdosing, giving him a firsthand look at the dangers of addiction. Eventually, Jasper found himself homeless and struggling with opioid addiction. He shares what life was like on the streets and the circumstances that led to him using heroin for the first time while homeless. A work injury would introduce another chapter in his addiction when Jasper was prescribed OxyContin. What began as medication for an injury eventually became part of a much larger battle with opioids. His substance use continued to escalate as he found himself drinking as many as six bottles of liquor a week while also using heroin. Jasper eventually turned to fentanyl for the first time, leading to a terrifying overdose and another life-or-death moment in his addiction. But his story doesn't end there. Jasper opens up about the beginning of his recovery journey and what it has taken to start rebuilding his life after homelessness, heroin, fentanyl, and repeated exposure to the devastating consequences of addiction. This is an honest conversation about how quickly addiction can take hold, the realities of homelessness and opioid addiction, the dangers of fentanyl, and the possibility of finding a way forward. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: [email protected] 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment