Recovery Matters! Podcast

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 169 | Danny, who recently celebrated four years of sobriety, discusses his early experiences with drugs and alcohol, the impact of his mother's death on his substance use, and his subsequent journey through addiction, legal troubles, and incarceration. Both hosts reflect on the challenges they faced, the turning points in their lives, and the importance of support...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 168 | TJ sits down with Matt, a young person in long-term recovery, to discuss his journey from childhood to sobriety. Matt shares his experiences growing up, the impact of early trauma, and how he initially turned to alcohol for escape. He recounts his struggles with addiction, multiple DUIs, and his path to seeking help, including his time in treatment at the Lif...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 167 | Tajay's story begins with a life-changing arrest, leading him to outpatient treatment and, ultimately, to CCAR. He didn’t initially seek recovery—it found him. While in IOP, he struggled with staying sober, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism. However, deep down, he knew he wanted more for himself. His commitment to trying something different led him to...

This episode vividly portrays Cass' journey from the depths of addiction to the vibrant glow of recovery. Explore how her shift in mindset revolutionized her mornings, relationships, and daily life. Cass opens up about the transformative power of therapy, creative outlets, and meditation in her recovery. With raw honesty, she discusses rebuilding bonds with her family amidst personal turmoil and t...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 165 | Gordon Lyde shares his profound journey of overcoming addiction and trauma. Growing up in New Haven and moving through the DCYS system, Gordon faced numerous challenges, including being separated from his siblings and feeling unloved due to his biracial background. His struggles intensified during his teenage years in group homes, leading to heavy substance u...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 164 | TJ, Dani, and Jamie share their powerful stories of overcoming addiction and achieving long-term recovery. Each discusses their personal journey, detailing the moments that led them to seek help and the pivotal role their support networks played. They touch on the challenges and growth experienced in recovery, the importance of asking for help, and how being...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 163 | Amilya, who experienced a tumultuous early life with familial addiction, turned to substances following a traumatic event in college. She describes her struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which led her to self-medicate with marijuana and alcohol. However, seeking a healthier path, she discovered the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 162 |  Host TJ sits down with Michael Brunk, a passionate recovery ally. Michael delves deep into his family's experience with addiction, highlighting the significant impact on the family unit and the essential support needed for those in recovery. He reflects on his brother's active struggle with substance use and the pivotal moments that led Michael to make perso...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 161 | Rich St. Pierre recounts his challenging upbringing, the impact of family dynamics, and his turbulent years of substance use. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to recovery, including his experiences with various treatment programs and his ultimate decision to turn his life around. Rich highlights the importance of having a support system, finding...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 160 | John shares his personal story of growing up in an upper-middle-class family with a high-functioning alcoholic father. Despite a good upbringing, John's young adulthood spiraled into addiction, particularly with alcohol and later cocaine. He recounts his first experiences with these substances and the pivotal moments that led to his criminal activities. John...

In this bonus episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, we get to know Stacy Charpentier, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). Stacy shares her personal background, from her childhood in New Britain to her career journey that led her to CCAR. She discusses her family's struggle with addiction and recovery, highlighting the impact of her...

Antonio shares his story of growing up in challenging conditions in Puerto Rico, dealing with family addiction, and facing abuse and bullying. His life spiraled into substance use, gang involvement, and repeated incarcerations. Despite experiencing severe lows, including near-death experiences and encounters with meth addiction, Antonio finds hope through his wife’s support and a recovery communit...

Lamont is a recovery coach who overcame a decades-long battle with substance use. He shares his experiences growing up in the Bronx, his introduction to marijuana in college, and his subsequent descent into crack cocaine addiction. He also recounts his struggles, including losing jobs, family turmoil, and multiple stints in rehab. Eventually, incarceration and support from CCAR helped him find his...

Jovan reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic provided unexpected opportunities for virtual support and fellowship through Zoom meetings and recovery houses. Now five years sober, Jovan discusses the serenity found in peaceful environments, the importance of making amends with loved ones, and the emotional complexities of rebuilding family relationships. His story underscores the resilience needed to ma...

Connell shares his transformative journey on the Recovery Matters podcast, revealing how he overcame alcoholism that disrupted his marriage and career. Raised in Connecticut by a resilient single mom, he found initial recovery through a Florida rehab but faced relapses before fully committing to the process. With the support of AA and the recovery community, Connell embraced a life of integrity an...

Jillian, a recovery coach at CCAR, shares her inspiring journey to long-term sobriety. With a clean day since February 23rd, 2021, she describes her path from battling addiction, experiencing homelessness, and losing custody of her children to embracing recovery and finding purpose as a coach. She highlights the importance of treatment, healing past traumas, and the pivotal moment she decided to c...

Julio discusses the challenges he faced, including a relapse after a previous seven-year sobriety streak. He candidly talks about staying away from triggering environments, the impact of his addiction on family relationships, and his transformative experiences in rehabilitation. Julio sheds light on the emotional toll of addiction, including losing loved ones and dealing with a violent upbringing....

Brian, a person in long-term recovery, shares struggles with substance use that began in his teenage years, his journey through various treatments, and the pivotal moments that led him to seek a different path. Brian discusses his experiences with methadone and Suboxone, his involvement with the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), and how he now gives back as a volunteer manager s...

Betsy describes her journey from a turbulent childhood and early exposure to substance use to finding strength and purpose through faith and community support. Throughout her story, she details her personal struggles, the turning points that led her towards sobriety, and her work at the Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery, an organization that played a key role in her recovery. By reflect...

Sam shares her inspiring journey of long-term recovery, having been clean since August 11, 2020. Sam recounts her early life in Connecticut, her struggles with addiction, and the turning point that led her to seek help during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses her path through detox, rehab, and her commitment to the 12 Steps program. Sam also talks about rediscovering her passion for music, the...

Bestselling author and national recovery advocate William Cope Moyers shares his journey of recovery, which began in 1989, and his unexpected encounter with prescribed pain medication in 2012. Despite having decades of sobriety and a wealth of recovery capital, Moyers struggled for a few years with addiction to painkillers following significant dental surgery. He highlights the complexities of add...

Shane shares his story of starting to drink at a young age, his college partying days, and the moment of clarity that led him to seek help. Despite numerous challenges, Shane's determination to overcome his addiction is evident. He discusses the importance of finding a personalized path to recovery and the role of sports and community outreach in his life post-recovery. The conversation highlights...

Joe, who has been sober since November 11th, 2021, shares his story of battling addiction, the impact of early life experiences, and the moment of surrender that led him to recovery. Highlights include Joe's experience growing up in a family of drinkers, the trauma of losing his father, his transformative prison experiences, and how he has turned his recovery into a platform for giving back and in...

On this week's Recovery Matters Podcast, Phil and Tommy Rosen discuss the current state of addiction treatment, with a focus on the over-reliance on medication. They reflect on their personal recovery journeys, highlighting the importance of 12-step programs, yoga, and other non-pharmacological methods to achieve lasting sobriety. Rosen shares his transformation through yoga and meditation, manife...

Cameron, a Harm Reduction Coordinator, delves into the complexity of human behavior, societal structures, and the importance of humane treatment for individuals still using substances. They discuss philosophical and practical aspects of harm reduction, including the distribution of clean syringes and Narcan, drug checking, and the necessity of treating those with substance use disorders with digni...