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From Trauma and Oxy Addiction to Faith-Fueled Recovery | Keri’s Story (Rock Bottom with Ryan)In this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, guest Keri from San Diego shares her sobriety date (February 24, 2024) and history with alcohol (especially tequila), marijuana, pills, cocaine, and OxyContin. She describes early trauma, including her father leaving, childhood sexual abuse, later sexual assaults, and how substance use began in middle school while she excelled as a dancer and scholarship soccer player. Despite academic and career success, her addiction escalated, including daily OxyContin use for eight months and severe withdrawals. Her rock bottom came amid divorce, her mother’s death, serious health issues, and a mental health crisis leading to hospitalization and dual-diagnosis treatment. Keri credits working a recovery program, sponsorship, meetings, and faith in God with saving her life, rebuilding stability, and reclaiming herself and her purpose to help others as a therapist.00:00 From Soccer to Pills01:08 Recovery Teaser and Show Intro02:01 Sponsor Message02:34 Meet Carrie and Sober Date03:44 Childhood Wounds and Family05:38 Trauma and Early Substance Use07:53 High School Parties and Scholarship11:49 Florida Friends and New Drugs16:08 Oxycontin Hook and Escalation19:18 Rock Bottom Mental Health Crisis22:32 Treatment And Program24:12 Faith Saves My Life27:31 Surrender And Miracles30:23 Truth Telling Identity32:57 Codependency And Peace36:57 Advice For Getting Sober43:00 Quotes And Future Plans46:22 Find Me And Final Words

From Prison to Purpose: Kelvin’s 17-Year Recovery Journey & the Power of Sound Healing | Rock Bottom with RyanIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Ryan talks with Kelvin, who shares his sobriety date (March 6, 2009) and journey from early drinking in Connecticut to escalating use of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and prescription drugs, leading to repeated arrests, DUIs, probation, and prison. Kelvin describes childhood insecurity, anxiety, and unaddressed trauma, and how alcohol temporarily relieved his distress. After detoxing in jail and serving a 26-month sentence tied to drug use and an assault, he committed to change for his daughter and engaged fully in prison treatment, peer mentoring, and 12-step support. He explains how yoga, meditation, journaling, poetry, and sound healing helped him process emotions, regulate his nervous system, and understand root causes of addiction. Kelvin discusses his work in peer support, co-founding Soul Care Love, and bringing sound healing into treatment centers and prisons.00:00 Treatment Ignored00:28 Meditation States Explained01:13 Show Intro And Sponsor02:18 Meet Kelvin And Sober Date03:49 Childhood And Early Drinking06:59 Trauma Anxiety And Alcohol Relief11:17 School Dropout And Hustle Life13:58 Normalization And Escalation18:08 Hard Drugs And Arrest Cycle22:03 Last Bid And Prison Recovery Tools26:51 Peer Mentorship Behind Bars29:11 Sentence Length And Charges30:43 Prison Turning Point31:58 Breaking Recidivism Cycle33:13 Sound Healing Origins34:37 Poem From Prison37:48 How Sound Changes Brain39:15 Singing Bowl Demo40:52 Bringing Sound to Prisons42:30 Emotions And Release45:52 Walking Beside Others48:50 Holistic Recovery Defined51:04 Founding Soul Care Love53:26 Pain Into Purpose56:37 Advice To Past Self57:42 Final Hope And Resources

Gillian’s Sobriety Revelation: From High-Functioning Drinking to an Expanded Life | Rock Bottom with RyanOn Rock Bottom with Ryan, Gillian shares how a lifelong, normalized relationship with alcohol—shaped by family divorce, early exposure, and chaotic environments—led her to become a high-functioning daily drinker and “professional partier” through college, hospitality work, and extensive travel to 30 countries before 30. After years of weekend binges, drinking-related close calls, and a knee injury that forced her to slow down, she reached a turning point on March 5, 2024, after hearing a podcast about alcohol-free living and recognizing how anxiety, mood swings, relationship tension, inflammation, and focus issues tied back to drinking. She initially committed to 100 days to prove she could moderate, but within weeks privately decided to quit for good. Gillian describes improved family dynamics, deeper relationships, and building a coaching practice for midlife women using five pillars—physical health, mindset/mindfulness, spiritual curiosity, supportive relationships, and self-study—alongside psychology and human design, emphasizing sobriety as expansion rather than deprivation and viewing her change as a revelation rather than a rock bottom.00:00 Adventure And Dopamine00:34 Hangover Wakeup Call02:05 Meet Jillian Sober Basics03:22 Childhood Alcohol Normalized07:02 First Drink At Thirteen09:34 High Functioning Party Girl10:53 College Sorority Hospitality Life12:07 Traveling Europe Booze Budget13:43 Daily Drinking Weekend Binges18:10 Close Calls And Consequences20:52 Knee Injury Sets Stage22:31 Podcast Click Moment25:39 Early Sobriety Fear And Pink Cloud29:00 Breaking Free in Mexico30:33 Facing the Five OClock Trigger30:47 Jungle Walks and Shadow Work32:37 Relationships Get Real34:53 From Sobriety to Coaching36:42 The Five Pillars Framework40:56 Fulfillment Beyond Not Drinking42:17 CBT Meets Human Design44:17 Rethinking Alcoholic Labels48:16 Sobriety as Expansion51:24 Goals Books and Speaking55:42 Revelation Not Rock Bottom56:35 Where to Find Gillian57:18 Final Takeaways and Sign Off

Gerald Lott on Crack Cocaine, Relapse After 14 Years, and Building Sauk Valley Voices | Rock Bottom with Ryan Gerald Lott joins Rock Bottom with Ryan to share his story of addiction and recovery, including early feelings of isolation as a Black student in a private school, escalating substance use through college in New Orleans, and repeated stints in treatment that culminated in jail. After 14 years sober, Gerald relapsed, losing his restaurant and stability, before reentering recovery through a sober living home in April 2008. He describes rebuilding through intensive AA involvement, later moving to a rural Illinois community and starting a structured meeting that grew over 11 years. Gerald founded Sauk Valley Voices to combat the opioid crisis by creating sober social connection, peer support, deflection, sober housing, and efforts toward a recovery high school, while also discussing his podcast, book, and his daughter’s addiction. 00:00 High Class Problems01:27 Show Intro Sponsor02:32 Meet Gerald Lott04:05 Growing Up Affluent05:21 Dad Leaves Mom Depressed08:31 Outsider At Private School09:51 Drugs Take Over10:55 New Orleans Party Years11:29 Law School Music Detour12:18 Trauma And Perspective15:50 Crack Turns Serious17:37 Treatment To Jail Program19:15 Fourteen Years Sober21:40 Relapse And Last Night27:11 Sober Living Reset31:14 Gratitude And Perspective33:48 Immersed In AA Community37:19 Move To Rural Isolation38:41 Building a Better Meeting41:26 Daughter in Jail Update43:54 Wake Up Call Metaphor45:30 Founding Sauk Valley Voices48:34 Sober Fun and Peer Support52:40 Leadership Without Anonymity55:46 Felony Past and Credibility57:50 Staying Sober Boundaries01:02:29 Tribe Finding Connection01:08:10 Podcast and Family Lessons01:09:59 Hope for Those Struggling01:11:39 Quotes Growth and Farewell

Mel’s Rock Bottom: Alcohol, Cocaine, Anxiety, Forced Rehab, and 13 Months Sober | Rock Bottom with RyanOn Rock Bottom with Ryan, Mel (from Brazil, living in Portugal) shares her story of alcohol and occasional cocaine use, severe anxiety, and how her drinking escalated after her father’s death. She describes hiding alcohol, withdrawals, and becoming consumed by secrecy and shame, including a period of drinking and using alone in Brazil that led her family to commit her to rehab against her will. After relapsing, she returned to the same rehab voluntarily, got serious about recovery, and has 13 months sober. Mel discusses “relapse before relapse,” trauma, rebuilding through art school, ongoing therapy and online group support, and creating her podcast “Whoever You Art” to share stories, reduce shame, and help others seek detox or treatment before things get worse.00:00 Anxiety and Rock Bottom01:35 Show Intro and Sponsor02:42 Meet Mel and Her Story04:00 Childhood and First Drinking06:57 Loss and Escalation08:05 Brazil Binge and Rehab10:08 Anxiety as Fuel14:47 Hiding and Withdrawal20:42 Family Intervention Tactics22:34 Sharing Story to Stay Sober24:27 Forced Rehab Trauma27:37 Early Sobriety Setup27:46 Early Sobriety Fears29:06 Blackmail and Coming Clean30:10 Privilege and Rock Bottom32:21 Finding Purpose Through Art33:56 Podcast Mission and Recovery Tools35:15 Meaning Behind Whoever You Art36:45 Confidence and Community40:54 Connection as the Antidote41:30 Get Help and Detox Safely43:36 Protect Your Sobriety Daily46:36 Advice to Past Self47:40 Where to Find the Podcast49:54 Final Takeaways and Sign-Off

Magnat: The Alcohol Alternative Built for Social Confidence | Rock Bottom with Ryan (Andrew from PapaMag)On Rock Bottom with Ryan, Andrew from PapaMag shares how alcohol became his social-anxiety “cure” starting at 16, led to years of heavy beer drinking, and began hurting his workouts, work performance, and parenting. After a nine-month sober stretch during his wife’s pregnancy, he returned to drinking, then quit again around August 24 two years ago and now plans to stay sober. Wanting the social “sweet spot” he felt after one or two drinks—confidence, presence, energy, and connection—without hangovers or downsides, he created Magnat, a 13-ingredient supplement designed as a social lubricant alternative to alcohol. He explains the formulation process, intended effects, misconceptions, safety cautions (e.g., pregnancy/breastfeeding, SSRIs, heart meds), and future plans for stick packs and a canned drink.00:00 From Shy to Drinking01:30 Show Intro and Sponsor02:33 Meet Andrew from Magnet03:24 Alcohol as Social Crutch05:42 Nine Months Sober06:46 Back to Beer Culture07:26 Quitting for Good10:53 Inventing Magnet12:10 Research and Prototyping15:42 Social Anxiety Roots18:05 Alcohol Oldest Scam22:59 Designing the Uplift27:15 What Magnet Is Today28:51 How To Take It30:24 Real World Use Cases31:26 Ingredient Philosophy32:56 Formulation Challenges34:06 Key Ingredients Breakdown37:50 Safety And Medications39:18 Mixing With Substances40:38 Recovery Considerations43:26 Common Misconceptions46:56 Five Year Vision48:53 Changing Drinking Culture51:04 Advice For Going Sober55:47 Where To Find Magnet57:33 Final Thanks And Wrap

From Crack, Heroin & Homelessness to Recovery Reps: Niall’s Rock Bottom Story | Rock Bottom with RyanIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Niall from Stourbridge, England shares how hyperactivity/undiagnosed ADHD, his parents’ divorce, and escalating substance use led from alcohol and cannabis to cocaine, crack, and heroin. He describes blowing a £10,000 inheritance on cocaine, entering crack and heroin addiction, becoming homeless for years, and committing shoplifting and checking unlocked cars to fund his habit. Niall explains multiple incarcerations, withdrawing from heroin in prison, and how his mother’s alcohol-related death intensified his trauma. He details choosing sobriety from his release date (Nov 23, 2023), coming off methadone, rebuilding through fitness, launching his Recovery Reps page, and returning to Stourbridge Rugby Club. Niall emphasizes honesty, goal-setting, and helping others as central to his recovery.00:00 Inheritance And Cocaine Spiral01:46 Show Intro And Sober Date03:35 Childhood ADHD And School07:05 First Drinks And Party Culture09:12 Cocaine Turns Daily11:47 ADHD Divorce And Accountability14:07 Ten Grand Rock Bottom18:05 Military Rejection And Relapse21:13 From Coke To Crack And Heroin23:16 Homelessness And Survival Crime27:39 Arrest Court And Prison Time30:48 Grief and Guilt31:36 Last Goodbye to Mom32:58 Withdrawal Behind Bars35:27 Dovegate to Stoke Heath36:46 Proving Them Wrong38:20 46 Days of Detox39:54 Gym Brotherhood and Mentors41:12 Rugby and Recovery Reps45:12 Honesty and Helping Others52:00 Goals Quotes and ADHD55:32 Final Hope and Where to Find Him

Holly’s Rock Bottom: Alcohol Withdrawal Hallucinations, Ruining a Wedding, and One Year Sober | Rock Bottom with RyanIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Ryan interviews Holly from a small town in Worcestershire, England, who is approaching one year sober with a sobriety date of July 30, 2025. Holly describes starting alcohol at 14, underage street drinking and clubbing, and quickly gravitating to hard liquor, later adding occasional party drugs. Her drinking escalated into daily “hair of the dog,” secrecy, and consuming up to three bottles of wine a night, including severe withdrawals with visual and auditory hallucinations after quitting cold turkey, leading to hospitalization. She shares how alcohol damaged relationships, included relapses, and culminated in getting drunk as maid of honor at her sister’s wedding. Holly explains what finally shifted, how sobriety improved her mental health and confidence, how her friendships changed, and why she started sharing her journey on Instagram as Holly’s Sober Diaries.00:00 Street Drinking Chaos01:05 Show Intro and Sponsor02:09 Meet Holly One Year Sober03:42 Childhood and First Drinks06:29 Hard Liquor and Underage Clubs10:17 Party Culture and Drugs Enter12:42 Hair of the Dog Spiral14:48 Box Wine and Withdrawal17:26 Hallucinations and Hospitalization19:43 Family Finds Out and Moderation Trap21:54 Moderation Fails22:15 Alcohol and Relationships24:09 Wedding Rock Bottom28:01 Last Relapse Switch29:21 Fears of Sobriety31:22 First 90 Days Glow33:09 Friendships Rebuilt35:23 Sober Nights Out38:10 Confidence and Healing39:40 Dark Thoughts to Hope40:44 Sharing Sober Diaries42:25 Fun Without Alcohol43:29 Advice for Not Bad Enough45:22 Who Holly Became46:36 Recovery Tools and Farewell

From Cocaine to Crack Rock Bottom: Lorne’s Recovery Story (Rock Bottom with Ryan)Ryan interviews Lorne, a Montreal DJ and longtime cocaine user who transitioned to crack for four years and got sober on December 8, 2022. Lorne describes a normal upbringing, early experimentation with hash and psychedelics, and a pivotal first line of cocaine at a party that led to decades of escalating use. As addiction progressed, he faced mounting financial ruin, constant job changes, evictions, arrests for fraud and theft, and dangerous situations, while continuing to use even during court appearances. A brief attempt at IOP in 2016 ended in relapse. Lorne credits a message and ultimatum from his son as the turning point, then found support through podcasts and online recovery communities, SMART Recovery, and AA, emphasizing meetings, service, boundaries, and rebuilding his relationship with his son.00:00 Basement Party Flashback00:49 Recovery Meetings Mindset01:15 Show Intro and Guest Welcome02:10 Sober Date and Background02:58 Childhood and Family Life04:37 Personality Before Addiction05:32 First High and Teen Experimenting08:27 First Coke Line Turning Point12:06 From Partying to Daily Use14:33 Dealing and Funding the Habit18:28 Consequences Crime and Court23:20 IOP Attempt and Quick Relapse25:30 Parents Find Out Son Born26:59 Addiction Escalates Fast28:07 First Hit of Crack30:00 Work Life Collapses31:47 Evictions and Seizures34:35 COVID Isolation and Despair35:24 Son's Ultimatum38:55 Finding Online Recovery42:10 Community and Service45:12 Rebuilding Relationships48:54 Closing Reflections

Nicole’s Rock Bottom: Air Force Retirement, Isolation, and Finding Recovery Through Rehab, AA & The Dry SideIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Nicole—recently retired after 21 years in the Air Force and living in Texas—shares how alcohol gradually became a problem after years of high functioning and social drinking. She describes an introverted childhood in a military family, early drinking at 14, and a slow progression that escalated with unstructured time, isolation, and later COVID lockdowns in Belgium, where her drinking became round-the-clock with withdrawals and daily blackouts. Back in the U.S., her husband began noticing changes as she consumed up to a fifth and a half of whiskey a day. After months of daily blackout drinking, she sought detox on Nov. 13, 2025, completed five days of detox and a 60-day rehab, used therapy modalities including EMDR, joined AA, rebuilt family trust, and started The Dry Side podcast to share recovery insights and community.00:00 When Drinking Turned Dark01:01 Rehab Wins Back Trust01:23 Show Intro and Sponsor02:27 Meet Nicole and Sober Date03:55 Childhood in a Military Family06:04 Introversion and Self-Doubt09:06 Sports, High School, First Drink10:45 College ROTC and Early Drinking13:18 Air Force Culture and First Blackout16:41 Hiding It and Keeping Up Appearances20:16 2018 Shift to Drinking Alone22:41 Belgium Lockdown and All-Day Drinking24:33 Withdrawals and the Daily Cycle26:49 Fitness Decline and Family Suspicions30:44 How Much Was I Drinking31:26 Reconnecting with Future Husband33:30 Back in the States It Shows33:56 Husband Sees the Signs34:58 Last Day Drinking Decision36:01 Detox to Sixty Day Rehab37:08 Clear Mind No Cravings38:29 Finding the Root Trauma40:48 Relational Wounds Unpacked43:27 Shot Out of Rehab44:41 Rebuilding Life at Home49:04 Starting The Dry Side51:09 Community Keeps Me Sober54:45 Daily Routine and AA59:47 Whats Next Service Goals01:02:59 Advice One Day at Time01:05:53 Nine Months and Farewell

Recovery Jon: Oxy, Heroin & Alcohol Addiction, Arrests, Rock Bottom, and Rebuilding a Life on Life’s TermsJon shares how a seemingly stable childhood in Connecticut shifted after multiple traumatic near-death experiences and mounting anxiety and anger, leading to heavy drinking, then rapid addiction to OxyContin, heroin (snorting), and later alcohol and cocaine, alongside seven arrests and years of functioning at a high-level job while using. He describes escalating health decline, friends dying amid suspected fentanyl, a retaliatory shooting near his home, and finally entering rehab after admitting he wouldn’t live much longer, followed by relapse and later recommitting to recovery through AA, therapy, and service. Jon explains early sobriety struggles, a “spiritual bank account” mindset, and how helping others during COVID and overdose losses led him to public recovery content, writing Life on Life’s Terms (a #1 new release), treatment-center work, and ongoing goals including sober houses, fitness-focused support, and building a family life.00:00 Spiraling Into Chaos00:58 Pandemic And Loss01:19 Show Intro And Sponsor02:24 Meet John And Sober Date04:09 Growing Up Baseball Dreams06:37 Teen Trauma And PTSD08:52 Anger Takes Over00:03 Oxy First Hook12:11 Why Opiates Felt Perfect14:46 Arrests And Consequences16:54 Double Life At Work19:17 Withdrawals And Money Drain21:14 Fentanyl Era Wake Up22:48 Shooting Sparks Rehab23:34 Rehab Mind Games Relapse24:32 Arrest and Collapse24:53 Worst Day Using25:58 Treatment and Surrender28:34 Early Sobriety Boredom29:28 Spiritual Bank Account30:42 Rebuilding a Career31:49 Posting to Save Lives33:44 Brother Loss and Book34:51 Yankee Stadium Amends37:29 Content That Gives Hope39:59 Staying Sober Through Grief42:44 Life Skills and Goals46:07 Advice and Closing

From Xanax Blackouts to 18 Years Sober: John Campbell’s Rock Bottom & Recovery JourneyIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, John Campbell shares his story of getting sober at 21 after escalating drug and alcohol use, arrests, and stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his family while working at a bank. Raised in Dallas with early behavior issues and ADHD, John gravitated to the wrong crowd, was sent to an all-boys boarding school where substance abuse intensified, then spiraled further in college with cocaine, heavy drinking, and Xanax blackouts. After a family confrontation, he entered rehab in Utah, began embracing AA and spirituality, and continued into a tough young-adult sober living program in Baton Rouge where he found purpose and committed to lifelong sobriety. John later built a career in counseling and founded Campbell Recovery Services, offering therapy, coaching, interventions, and support for addictions including gambling, sex, and technology.00:00 Cocaine And Xanax Spiral01:29 Show Intro And Sponsor02:25 Meet Jon Campbell04:33 Early Life In Dallas07:16 High School And First Cigarettes11:28 Boarding School Chaos14:19 Back Home Senior Year Reset15:40 Austin Freedom And Cocaine18:11 Arrests And Moving Back21:14 Pharmacy Pills And Bank Scheme24:29 Easter Low Point Intervention26:37 Rehab Wake Up Call30:02 Sober Living New Life Skills32:58 Recovery Breakthrough Moments34:33 Amends And Full Circle35:55 Finding Purpose In Counseling37:37 Building Campbell Recovery39:37 Overnight Shift Lessons41:37 What Clients Teach Therapists44:47 Treating Trauma Not Symptoms48:01 Modern Addictions Beyond Substances51:01 Wraparound Care Under One Roof53:43 Mic Drop Recovery Questions55:09 Future Plans Therapeutic Intensives57:34 Hope Legacy And Rock Bottom59:42 Advice Quotes And How To Reach John01:02:16 Sneaker Finale And Sign Off

Paige Calentino: From Party Girl to Sober Coach | Rock Bottom with RyanIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Ryan interviews Paige Calentino, who shares her sobriety date (December 26, 2022), her alcohol and drug use history (martinis, tequila, cocaine, MDMA), and how binge drinking began at 15 and escalated through college at SMU and into corporate consulting’s “work hard, play hard” culture. Paige recounts a major college incident where she fell from a second-story balcony while blacked out and later learned she’d been roofied, yet continued drinking due to social anxiety and shame. In her 20s, burnout and a toxic relationship culminated in a breakup and move to San Diego, where she drank through COVID before becoming sober curious, taking breaks, and ultimately quitting after a three-month trial. Paige explains her coaching approach—identity, somatic work, mindset, and manifestation—why “sober is boring” is a myth, and how she built her Becoming Her program to help high achievers change their relationship with alcohol.00:00 Chasing College Party Life01:01 Manifesting Coaching Mindset01:32 Podcast Intro and Sponsor02:36 Meet Paige and Sober Stats04:07 Picture Perfect Childhood Pressure05:13 Teen Binge Drinking Begins08:17 College Greek Life Escalation12:07 Bahamas Balcony Fall Wakeup16:44 Denial and Redefining Problem Drinking19:13 Corporate Burnout and Toxic Relationship24:33 Cheating Discovery and Fresh Start27:54 COVID Drinking and Sober Curious Steps29:51 Three Month Turning Point30:33 Work Culture and COVID31:34 Deciding to Keep Going33:05 Life Changes and Glow Up36:35 Moderation Versus Sobriety39:51 Building a Sober Brand40:20 Becoming Her Origin Story43:50 Why High Achievers Binge46:32 Alcohol Marketing Everywhere51:21 Coaching Framework Explained57:08 Sober Curious Myths58:47 Unexpected Gifts and Advice01:02:40 Closing and Where to Find Her

From White-Collar Crime to Redemption: David Watson on Prison, Purpose & Going Forward Only | Rock Bottom with RyanOn Rock Bottom with Ryan, guest David Watson from Fort Worth, Texas shares how a stable childhood with his grandparents shifted after his grandfather’s cancer diagnosis, leading to running away and escalating theft and fraud. He describes early schemes, meeting his first wife and committing credit card fraud in the Bahamas, and how the thrill became addictive as his crimes grew over years. Federal investigators ultimately built a case, and David was sentenced in 2019 to 115 months, serving seven years and change, during which his grandmother died and he hit a turning point, taking classes and planning a new life. After release to a halfway house and home confinement, he wrote his book Forward Only in six months and is developing a film adaptation, focusing on change, family, and moving forward. Author of Forward Only00:00 Everyday Hustle Tricks00:57 Rewrite the Ending01:34 Rock Bottom Intro02:38 Meet David and His Book04:10 Childhood and Grandparents06:51 First Runaway at 1308:09 McDonalds Cash Grab09:16 Walmart Returns Scheme11:45 Hot Checks and Bonnie Clyde14:01 Bahamas Credit Card Scam16:06 Caught and Prison Conditions19:22 Federal Case and 115 Months20:32 Missing His Sons Childhood21:50 Mindset Shift in Prison22:06 Grief and Solitary22:52 Turning Point and Self Work23:27 Planning a New Life24:00 Release and Halfway House25:44 Writing the Book Fast26:57 Redemption Message28:52 Hardest Chapters to Write31:37 Hope for Addicts34:06 Hustle Mindset Rewired36:12 Building the Movie38:04 Staying Grounded40:15 Redefining Success40:59 Closing Advice and Quote43:48 Book and Film Updates

From Polysubstance Addiction to Counselor: Adam’s Recovery Story | Rock Bottom with RyanIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, guest Adam shares how early feelings of isolation, learning issues, and clashing with his parents led to a long search for escape that escalated from alcohol to marijuana, benzos, opiates, and other substances. He describes struggles in high school and college, depression and suicidal thoughts, and a spiritual rock bottom that culminated in fleeing a pharmacy job when police arrived and entering treatment in 2007, followed by sober living and daily meetings. Adam reflects on amends with his mom, the importance of vigilance in sobriety, and how recovery reshaped his values, relationships, and career. Now married and sober since June 1, 2007, he works in detox and runs Linwood Counseling Services, including support for artists navigating substance-heavy music scenes, and discusses future goals like specializing in OCD and clinician burnout.00:00 Amends and Vigilance01:11 DJs Seeking Sobriety01:35 Show Intro and Sponsor02:41 Meet Adam and Sober Date04:20 Childhood Feeling Alone06:05 Family Clashes and Amends10:33 First Drinks and Fitting In13:22 Anything to Escape15:11 School Life and Bullying17:11 College Spiral and Isolation20:11 Florida Pharmacy Bottom21:28 Withdrawal and Detox Reality23:12 Treatment and Early Recovery25:21 Staying Sober Mindset26:41 Post Treatment Years Ahead27:07 Anger to Connection27:52 Choosing a Fellowship29:40 Finding a Career Path32:30 Detox Work and Goals34:53 Artists and Recovery37:32 Staying Sober in Nightlife39:28 Daily Recovery Habits40:05 Marriage and Addictive Thinking41:52 Future Goals and Success43:21 Relapse Prevention Mindset45:58 Closing Advice and Resources