Recovering Out Loud

Today i sat down with my good friend Ray. Relapse doesn’t usually start with picking up a substance. It starts quietly — with secrecy, self-deception, and the belief that  “I’ll handle this on my own.” In this episode, we have a brutally honest conversation about what relapse actually looks like  after time in recovery  — when you’re no longer in crisis, no longer desperate, and no longer asking f...

Welcome to al the new listeners! I'm so glad you're here. This is my story in a 20 minute episode, I hope you get something out of it. Relapse doesn’t start with drugs — it starts with  secrets . In this raw episode, I explain how addiction convinces you you’re fine, productive, and “different this time,” even when your life looks good on the outside. I break down how steroids, ADHD meds, and stim...

Today's guest is Logan from New Generation Sobriety. Logan Battled alcoholism and gambling addiction until he went to his first rehab at 17 years old. After getting sober and celebrating some time under his belt, he relapsed on slot machines until he lost it all. Gambling addiction is one of the most dangerous and misunderstood addictions because it’s invisible. Unlike drugs or alcohol, there are...

Today Allen Kharlip, Clinical Supervisor at Addiction Rehab Toronto and good friend, returns to recovering out loud as we open up about current events. In this raw conversation, we unpack how  social media becomes a new addiction  for people in recovery — triggering comparison, inadequacy, obsessive thinking, and emotional relapse. If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram and felt  worse  afterward, you’...

In today’s episode of  Recovering Out Loud , Anthony breaks down one of the biggest challenges in sobriety:  the fear of the future . If you struggle with overthinking, catastrophizing, anxiety about relapse, financial insecurity, or the pressure of rebuilding your life — this episode will ground you. You’ll learn: • The  psychology and neurology  behind fear in recovery • Why uncertainty feels da...

In this community-driven episode, Anthony dives into the real questions you submitted — from alternative paths to sobriety to emotional boundaries, routines, family support, and how recovery skills apply to everyday life. No sugarcoating. No one-size-fits-all solutions. Just practical guidance from lived experience and professional training. We cover: • Why 12-step programs aren’t the only option...

Most people think relapse is a single moment — but it’s not. In this video, I break down the  three phases of relapse  (emotional → mental → physical) and explain why relapse actually starts  weeks or months  before the first drink or drug. Using my own experience — eight years sober before relapsing, multiple rehabs, and now working in addiction counseling — plus the science behind cravings and d...

“We almost died… so we have to talk about it.” This line says everything. This episode is a deep, unfiltered look into addiction, relapse, shame, near-death moments, and why telling the truth becomes a responsibility once you survive something you shouldn’t have. Today I sat down with the ladies from Girl, Undrunk - a podcast about addiction and sobriety. We talk openly about: Relapse triggered by...

Going out sober is one of the hardest early-recovery milestones — but it DOES get easier. In this episode, I share the exact tools, mindset shifts, and sober strategies that helped me get through clubs, parties, concerts, holidays, and social events without drinking or using. You’ll learn: • Why going out sober feels so awkward at first • How to survive the “10–30 minute anxiety spike” • The sober...

AA? SMART? Refuge? Therapy? Coaching? If you’ve ever tried to get sober and felt overwhelmed by all the recovery options out there, this video breaks everything down in a simple, honest, and non-judgmental way. Whether you're sober-curious, in early recovery, or coming back after relapse — this guide will help you understand what’s out there and how to choose the right recovery modality for  y...

Is sobriety supposed to feel boring? Short answer:  yeah… sometimes it does . But there’s nothing wrong with you — your brain is literally recalibrating after years of artificial dopamine spikes from alcohol, cocaine, or whatever your drug of choice was. In today’s video, I break down  why boredom happens in early recovery , how long the  flat / plateau  phase lasts, and what actually helps you re...

Your first 30 days of sobriety can feel confusing, overwhelming, and honestly… scary. In this video, I break down exactly what to expect in early recovery — week by week — so you don’t have to go through it alone. We’ll talk about withdrawal, cravings, sleep, anxiety, emotional ups & downs, what’s  normal , and how to make it through the first month alcohol-free. This video is for you if: • Yo...

From the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Page 86-88 on awakening Follow Us:JOIN ME ON MY SOCIALS - FREE RECOVERY GUIDE AND RECOVERY COACHING ⁠https://linktr.ee/Recoveringoutloudpod⁠🌐 Website: recoveringoutloud.ca📱 Socials: @RecoveringOutLoudPod (Instagram, X, TikTok & more)🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/Recoveringoutloudpod💡 Helpful Resources for Addiction & Recovery🇨🇦 National (Canada-Wide)...

This episode explores  opioid addiction ,  methadone and Suboxone treatment ,  fentanyl risks ,  withdrawal , and the emotional toll of relapse. Kate from CATC breaks down how opioid agonist therapy works, why shame keeps people stuck, and what treatment centers can do better. Anthony shares raw stories from relapse, detox, and how connection, honesty, and support saved his life. If you want real...

In this episode of  Recovering Out Loud , we dive into a raw and honest conversation about relapse, body language, hidden pain, and the transformation that happens when recovery is paired with purpose. We unpack the moment a friend could  see  a relapse coming before the person struggling could even admit it. We talk about the shame, denial, and the sixth-sense intuition people in recovery often d...

In this episode of  Recovering Out Loud , Anthony sits down with  Alexandra Perry , Director of Business Development for Inpatient and Virtual Programs, and former Executive Director at Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centres. With over a decade of experience across nonprofit shelters, addiction treatment, and higher education, Alexandra brings a powerful mix of  lived experience, leadership insight...

In this emotional and deeply relatable episode of  Recovering Out Loud , host  Anthony  sits down with  Eryl McCaffrey , a psychotherapist and woman in long-term recovery, to explore the toxic link between  body image, perfectionism, and addiction . Eryl opens up about growing up in an alcoholic home, chasing perfection to escape pain, and how her obsession with control over her body and success m...

If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, relapse, or finding long-term sobriety, this conversation will inspire you. Host Anthony speaks with Allison, an intake counselor at Addiction Rehab Toronto, about her journey from active addiction to seven years of recovery. They unpack what really causes relapse, the importance of spirituality, practical tools like journaling and gratitude lists, and why...

Today i sat down with Melanie Matthews, BSW, MSW, RSW Director of Clinical Programs at Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres Melanie Matthews is a registered social worker with BSW and MSW degrees. She takes a collaborative approach to therapy and uses a person-centered approach while maintaining empathy and a non-judgemental stance. Melanie has worked in social services and mental health since 201...

After decades of drinking, failed restarts, and hitting countless rock bottoms, Tom found himself on the edge — alone in a Toronto condo, terrified and ready to end it all. But one small moment — looking into his dog’s eyes — changed everything. In this raw and honest conversation, we talk about: Surviving suicidal thoughts and choosing life one day at a time Why “never too late” really matters in...

I say down with Chef Devan... Driven by his desire and ambition to be the best in the business, Guyanese, Canadian Chef Devan Rajkumar (aka Chef Dev) has no boundaries when it comes to culinary exploration.  Chef Devan Rajkumar is on a mission to create food worth sharing that modernizes the craft, traditions and tastes of East and West Indian cuisines.  Whether that means owning the role of food...

In this powerful episode of  Recovering Out Loud , we explore the raw and unfiltered journey of a man who transformed his life from violence, drugs, and street survival to healing, meditation, and spiritual awakening. He shares his earliest memories of abuse, how he lost himself behind masks and identities, and the pivotal moment that led him to leave the street life behind. Through deep reflectio...

This is Braydon Lynch's story In this episode, we dive into one of the rawest stories you’ll ever hear about addiction, relapse, and recovery. Our guest shares how his addiction spiraled out of control — from growing up in a small hockey town to chasing validation in comedy and social media — until one night in Times Square, New York, brought him to his absolute rock bottom. Naked, lost, and locke...

This powerful episode dives into the raw reality of addiction, relapse, and recovery. Hasan shares his journey from building a business, losing $2.5M, and spiralling into cocaine and Percocet addiction — to finding peace through treatment, Suboxone, and a 12-step program. 💡 You’ll hear about: Hitting rock bottom even after “having it all” The mental obsession and physical cravings that make addic...

Jennifer Baxendale and Kirstin Rajala were in NYC to attend the February 2020 show. Inspired by the night, and with their shared passion for women’s stories and lively events, they’ve signed up to bring the series to Canada. Generation Women blends a lively literary salon with the tradition of handing down wisdom from community elders. Join us around the matriarchal campfire for an intimate events...