Recoverycast: Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Stories

At six years old, Bobby Kazz was already asking his mom how to lose weight; by college he was trapped in a cycle of starvation, binge eating and guilt. This episode of Recoverycast shines a light on male eating disorders—a story we rarely hear. Bobby Kazz explains how teasing at his sixth‑birthday pool party and growing up in a thin family planted seeds of insecurity. In high school he decided to...

Struggling with Dry January or thinking of cutting back on alcohol? In this bonus Recoverycast episode, guest host Riley Whelan fields the 14 most‑asked questions about Dry January and sober curiosity. She explains how a social media challenge became a powerful way to explore your relationship with alcohol. Whether you’ve never gone a week without drinking or you’re just curious about sobriety, Ri...

After hitting one year of sobriety, TikTok star Gabbie Egan joins us again and opens up about quitting alcohol and nightly weed use to reclaim her life and mental health.  In this candid conversation she recounts the surprising truth that the first months of sobriety felt harder than her chaotic partying days, yet staying off alcohol and cannabis eventually allowed her to feel “more me than I ever...

Kevin Kreider’s raw story of adoption, alcoholism and healing challenges everything you think you know about recovery. A Korean adoptee raised by a German‑Irish Catholic family in Philadelphia, Kevin battled depression, anxiety, alopecia and a desperate need to belong. Alcohol and weed offered brief relief but quickly spiraled into 20‑hour drinking sessions, broken relationships and career collaps...

In this powerful Recoverycast episode, Jason & Ashley Wahler share their raw journey through alcohol addiction, relapse, OCD and postpartum depression. On their very first date, Jason told Ashley that his sobriety and faith came before everything. To support him, she even stopped drinking for over a year. Despite years of sobriety, Jason’s unresolved OCD, shame and anxiety fed his alcoholism,...

Jason Wahler opens up about OCD, alcohol misuse and an Adderall‑fueled relapse, revealing how he found hope and became a recovery advocate. Growing up in a supportive family in Laguna Beach, Jason began compulsively washing his hands until they bled and wore neoprene gloves full of Neosporin to hide the damage. This early battle with obsessive‑compulsive disorder created a double life – popular an...

Imagine going from a college‑bound basketball star to stealing change jars just to stay high. That’s the raw path Dakota Mortensen opens up about in this candid conversation. Growing up on a bird farm with a tight‑knit Mormon family and a deep love for sports, he never imagined that a knee injury would introduce him to pain pills—or that popping a couple to get through practice would snowball into...

After postpartum depression triggered a relapse, Brittany Jade lost custody of her three children and spiraled from alcohol back into cocaine, Suboxone and even heroin and meth. Raised by an alcoholic father and introduced to drinking at 13, she later turned to weed, cocaine and acid during her teens and early twenties. Her story includes serious suicide attempts, a turbulent marriage, and a despe...

What happens when two sisters face the same trauma but walk completely different paths to healing? In this deeply moving episode of Recovery Cast, host Brittani Baynard sits down with Alyson Stoner and her sister Correy O’Neal for a raw, emotional, and inspiring conversation about addiction recovery, childhood abuse, family trauma, and the long road to rebuilding trust. Find addiction and mental h...

In this mental health & addiction recovery story, Adriana Sansam shares how her husband’s four‑year sober streak ended in relapse and fatal accidental overdose — and how she chose to stay “just for today” so she can stay sober for her children and rebuild their family life. Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com Connect with Adriana: https://www.instagram.c...

Trigger Warning: In this episode, we talk about experiences of abuse and self-harm. These topics can be difficult to hear, so please take care of yourself and listen at your own pace. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline anytime. Caitlyn Boardman shares a mental health & addiction recovery story of early alcohol u...

Courtney Anderson’s addiction recovery story sheds light on what it means to live as a high-functioning drinker — appearing to “have it all together” while secretly battling alcohol dependence. In this episode, the sober coach shares 10 key lessons from her sobriety journey and how she finally escaped the moderation trap for lasting freedom. Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: h...

Suzanne Warye’s addiction recovery story explores her journey from high-functioning binge drinking to building a sober life rooted in authenticity. She shares the hidden dangers of mommy wine culture, her struggles with postpartum OCD, and the healing power of choosing sobriety—before hitting rock bottom. Find alcohol treatment near you: https://recovery.com/condition/alcohol/ Find OCD treatment n...

Former child star Alyson Stoner opens up about eating disorders, anxiety, and the trauma of growing up in Hollywood. This mental health & addiction recovery story explores their journey from overwork and disordered eating to therapy, sobriety, and becoming a mental health advocate. Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com Connect with Alyson: https://www.inst...

In this addiction recovery story, salon owner & recovery advocate Lauren Welch opens up about her struggles with alcohol, postpartum anxiety, grief, and the pandemic’s impact on her drinking. She shares how an epic meltdown became the turning point toward sobriety and inspired her to create the Sober Curious Society. Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com C...

This mental health & addiction recovery story with Kelly U dives deep into childhood trauma, binge eating, depression, and her powerful decision to get sober from marijuana in 2020. From navigating a toxic relationship to healing through EMDR therapy, Kelly shares her raw and hopeful journey. Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com Connect with Kelly: https:...

In this powerful mental health & addiction recovery story, Kody Green shares how early symptoms of schizophrenia led to meth addiction, incarceration, and ultimately a life-changing diagnosis. Now sober for 10 years, Kody is a nationally recognized recovery coach and mental health advocate. Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com Connect with Kody: https://w...

This powerful addiction recovery story features Kori Leigh, who opens up about childhood loss, alcohol addiction, abusive relationships, and self-harm. She shares how 12-step recovery, therapy, and spiritual growth led her to sobriety, purpose, and peace after years of chaos. Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com Connect with Kori: https://www.korileigh.com/,...

Hilary Phelps shares her addiction recovery story after a 15-year battle with alcohol, depression, and perfectionism. From high-achieving athlete to struggling with secret drinking and shame, she opens up about her long-term sobriety, healing through 12-step recovery, and building a new life as a recovery advocate and mother. This mental health & addiction recovery story is powerful, honest, a...

This is Zac Clark’s raw addiction recovery story—his journey from heroin, alcohol, and crack use to over a decade of sobriety. Zac opens up about childhood experiences, battling a brain tumor, opioid addiction, relapse, and the turning points that led to founding Release Recovery. A powerful mental health and addiction recovery story about hope, resilience, and lasting change. Explore addiction an...

In this powerful addiction recovery story, Parker Schley shares his journey from teenage binge drinking, cocaine use, and repeated arrests to finding hope in rehab. After a decade of alcoholism that began at 15, Parker entered treatment in 2025 and embraced a 12-step program. Now 6 months sober, he’s rebuilding relationships, discovering life beyond alcohol, and inspiring others with his vulnerabi...

In this mental health & addiction recovery story, Fausto Castellanos shares his harrowing battle with meth, ecstasy, alcohol, and the trauma behind his substance use. From psych ward holds to becoming “The Hope Dealer,” Fausto opens up about his journey through epilepsy, suicidal thoughts, and eventual recovery. Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com Connec...

Corey Warren’s addiction recovery story begins with heroin use in high school and escalates into daily vodka consumption, an alcohol-induced seizure, and incarceration for armed robbery. After multiple stints in rehab, Corey not only found sobriety but also built Rise Recovery Community to help others. This is a raw and inspiring journey of transformation through accountability, faith, and communi...

This addiction recovery story follows Tony Hoffman’s journey from OxyContin, heroin, and meth use—along with incarceration and homelessness—to becoming an Olympic coach and national speaker. His honesty about mental health, trauma, and redemption offers a message of hope and purpose. Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com Connect with Tony: https://tonyhoffmans...

This is Abbey Fickley’s addiction recovery story—from early alcohol use in high school to postpartum depression, Xanax, and Percocet abuse that spiraled into IV heroin use and multiple rehab stays. Abbey shares how relapse, jail threats, and a powerful disownment letter led to lasting sobriety, and how she’s now a thriving sober mom, speaker, and advocate. Explore addiction and mental health treat...