The Truth About Addiction

Ep120. The Sound of $16 Billion Lost: Neil Walshe Takes on the Pokies

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 03:00:00 +1000

Are poker machines designed to keep you losing?

When Neil Walshe discovered that poker machines are designed without losing sounds, he realised the silence wasn’t accidental — it was engineered. What followed was a radical and eye-opening mission: from purchasing an illegal machine through organised crime channels to experimentally adding a simple losing sound to test how awareness shifts behaviour.

In Australia alone, poker machines drain approximately $16 billion annually — but the real cost is measured in broken relationships, shattered integrity, and lost self-worth.

In this explosive episode of The Truth About Addiction Podcast, Neil reveals:

• Why poker machines don’t make losing sounds
• How winning sound conditions players to keep spinning
• How a simple losing sound could disrupt a billion-dollar system
• What YOU can do to raise awareness and create change

If you or someone you love is battling gambling addiction, this conversation could change everything.

🔗 Take Action & Sign the Petition:
www.losingsound.com

Ep119. Australia’s Broken Child Protection System: The Truth About Institutional Abuse - with Andrew Carpenter

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +1000

In this powerful episode with Andrew Carpenter, we dive deep into Australia’s broken systems of child protection and legal reform. Together, we expose the long-standing failures surrounding institutional abuse, the lack of accountability, and the lifelong impact on survivors and their families.

This is a raw, honest conversation about justice, reform, and the courage it takes to speak out.

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse and would like to explore your legal options and trauma-focused support, please reach out.

👉 It’s time to have the difficult conversations. Change starts with truth.

Ep118. Mind Your Head - Elliott Hagen on Normalising Mental Health Conversations

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Ron sits down with Elliott Hagen — former Australian rugby union player and currently founder of the Mind Your Head podcast.

“The moment I started loving myself truly was the moment I could love others fully as well.”

Elliott opens up about his journey from experimenting with drugs during his sporting career to realising that the answers he was searching for were not external, but within himself. He shares the lightbulb moment that led him to seek help and the importance of normalising conversations about mental health, including seeing a psychologist.

Through his own platform, Mind Your Head, Elliott creates a space where people can speak openly about their struggles and experiences with mental health.

You can find Elliott’s podcast, Mind Your Head, on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep117. Anna Martin, women supporting women through gambling addiction

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Anna faced the challenge of overcoming a gambling addiction that threatened both her personal and professional life. To take control, she voluntarily excluded herself from gambling venues through a self-barring scheme.

In this episode, Ron and Anna delve into the highly profitable gambling industry.

“It’s a predatory industry with a predatory product.”

Anna recounts her path to recovery, from attending Pokey’s Anonymous meetings to confronting other struggles, including food addiction. Today, she is a proud attorney and a key advocate for The Untangled Project, where she and a group of like-minded women provide a safe, non-judgmental space for women seeking help with gambling-related issues.

Find The Untangle Project on Instagram @theuntangleprojectaus
Website: https://theuntangleprojectaus.carrd.co/

If you'd like to connect with me or have any recommendations for my show, please click here:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep116. Jackie Durnin, releasing trauma of the mind, body and spirit through neuro-technology therapies

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +1000

“There is always some sort of hope in the room somewhere. You just have to look.”

Jackie has consistently explored different modalities and therapies to find effective solutions for her personal well-being. Her journey led her to become a certified Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner and counsellor, where she discovered not only emotional stabilities for herself but also the profound therapeutic value of supporting others on their paths of healing.

Today, Jackie is the founder of Hinterland Health Retreat, located on the stunning Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Her retreat offers cutting-edge neuro-technology for mental health, addiction recovery and health optimisation through a unique combination of research-based therapies. With its grand opening scheduled for November 2024, Hinterland Health Retreat is set to become an exciting and transformative destination for many.

For more information, visit hinterlandhealthretreat.com

If you'd like to connect with me or have any recommendations for my show, please click here:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep115. Mike Phenix’s narrative on professional football, cocaine and addiction recovery

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +1000

With a self-explanatory Instagram handler @madmikebeingmad, the former Barnsley, Salford and Southport player, Mike Phenix has earned an influx of followers for his genuine takes on life, mental health and addiction recovery.

In this episode, Mike candidly shares his heartfelt story right from the beginning including personal tragedies starting at a young age and the highs and lows in his football career. His journey is a powerful narrative of resilience, with significant struggles between medical issues and substance abuse that ultimately led to his early retirement with a four-year drug ban.

Mike speaks about the discovery of the fellowship and the profound impact his recovery journey had on himself and the people around him.

‘I help others today and that’s what keeps me well’

Instagram @madmikebeingmad

Ep114. Jason Shiers’ The Infinite Recovery Project and somatic coaching approach

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +1000

As a Certified Transformative Coach, Jason emphasises the importance of a holistic approach to healing, integrating somatic investigation, and recognising the interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit.

Jason was highly medicated in a psychiatric institution by the age of 10. As a child, he used food as a coping mechanism, which later escalated to heroin addiction during his teenage years.

“I spent 12 years in 12-Step Meeting calling myself an addict, but I don’t believe that’s true now.”

Join Jason as he guides you through his experiences with trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges, sharing his unconventional coaching approaches in the groundbreaking treatment program, 'The Infinite Recovery Project.'

https://www.wideworldcoaching.com/about/

Ep113. Director Gary Smith’s must-see comedy SkyFly inspired by his own sobriety

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Writer/ Director Gary Smith has been very open about his struggles with alcoholism and his sobriety journey. Through his personal narrative of recovery, relapse, and filmmaking, Gary demonstrates that recovery is attainable and that there are multiple paths to achieving it.

Gary got sober on July 11 of last year. His latest feature film, SkyFly, which was recently released, mirrors his own story. The lead character shares Gary's passion for skydiving and motorcycles, and a similar battle in addiction.

Do not miss this exceptional feel-good comedy-drama! I enjoyed it immensely. Available on Amazon, YouTube, Apple TV, and Google Play.

Follow Gary on Instagram @garysmith700 and @skyflythemovie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpm_EHNPG34

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15076784/

Ep112. Holly Deane-Johns, lightbulb-moment transformation in ’Bangkok Hilton’ Women’s Prison

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Holly overcame her drug addiction during her incarceration. Arrested in Thailand on drug-related charges, she was sentenced to 31 years and served 7 years in the infamous ‘Bangkok Hilton’ Women’s Prison. Holly’s experience in a Thai prison was a profound and harrowing ordeal, unimaginable to most.

‘I was fortunate enough to get back and take advantage of the prison system.’

In this episode, Holly shares her journey, discussing her past, her drug addiction, and her transformative experiences. Today, she is a motivational speaker, mental health advocate and counsellor.

Her book ‘Holly’s Hell’ is an in-depth account of her life and detailed documentation of one of Thailand’s most notorious prisons. Purchase it now on Amazon or through her website: hollydeanejohns.com.au
Instagram @hollydeanejohns

Ep111. Scott Bellinger, combatting the stigma of addiction through ‘Experience Strength’

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Scotty is the founder of Experience Strength, a platform dedicated to sharing his journey and insights to combat the stigma associated with addiction. His sole intention is to inspire and empower others through his personal experiences, resilience, and strength.

Nine months ago, Scotty was in very ‘dark places’. Today, he is not only a business owner but also an executive at a highly successful organisation. In his role, he coaches and mentors a talented team of young women in the AFL.

Scotty's journey is marked by overcoming formidable obstacles, including a cancer diagnosis and a relapse. His perseverance and determination have shaped him into the person he is today.

You can connect with Scotty and Experience Strength through Facebook, Instagram @bellingerscotty or LinkedIn for support, hope and strength.

Ep110. Ash Butterss, bringing holistic makeover to sobriety and mental health

Sat, 18 May 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Growing up as a bubbly, life-loving person, Ash lost the power of ‘choice’ when her relationship with alcohol intensified.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of having a sober community. If you find it hard to find connections, if you think you are alone, if you think you don’t have the ability to make better choices… this episode is for you.

Discover how Ash stayed sober after coming out of rehab and the city plunged into the first Covid lockdown, how Ash then transformed herself to emerge as the Makeover Mentor, guiding people through physical, mental and spiritual transformations.

Follow @ashbutterss on Instagram for more information on her personalised coaching, wellness workshops and sensational upcoming retreats!

If you'd like to connect with me or have any recommendations for my show, please click here:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep109. Adam Shaffer, working 12-step program to freedom recovery coaching

Sat, 04 May 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Adam’s nine years of sobriety have shaped him into the empathetic recovery coach he is today. He has never put as much time and energy into something so rewarding in his whole life. The joy, excitement and sense of purpose he derives from his work are unparalleled.

Adam’s transformation began with his commitment to the 12-step program, which he describes as the one thing that provided him invaluable ‘resources, abilities, integrity, love, charisma, accountabilities and so much more.’

‘It gave me all the things I knew I had in me that I used for the wrong reasons to get high and stay high”.

In this episode, we delve into the teachings of the 12-step program and emphasize the significance of fostering connections and relationships in recovery.

To learn more about Adam’s coaching and sober support program, feel free to reach out to him on Instagram @freedomrecovery_sobercoaching

If you'd like to connect with me or have any recommendations for my show, please click here:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep108. Kristen Cooper, Remember Your Why to heal out loud

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Kristen tried alcohol for the first time at 14 years old, she did not like it. When she tried again at 16 years of age, she fell in love. Then she found weed, cocaine, ecstasy and mushroom… the addiction escalated quickly.

Kristen highlighted the sad reality of being dependent on alcohol and drugs, where she experienced being raped, robbed, drugged, head-on crash, DUI… but nothing mattered. She didn’t care if she lived or died.

Today Kristen is the Founder and Host of Remember Your Why Podcast where she engages in meaningful conversations about addiction recovery and mental health stigmas and emphasises the importance of understanding the motivation behind their recovery.

“Whether you’re just starting out or have been on the healing journey for some time, it’s important to always remember the WHY that brought you here... to this very moment.”

To hear Kristen's inspiring story and gain insight into her healing journey, tune in to the Remember Your Why Podcast. Kristen's experiences and resilience make her a compelling example of survival and hope.

Instagram: remember_your_why18
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083342052454
Website: rememberyourwhy18.org

If you'd like to connect with me or have any recommendations for my show, please click here:www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/ www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep107. Hip Hop artist Verbalize - music is my drug

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +1000

‘We live and we die, but what we do in between that time that really matters’.

Music became a pivotal aspect of his life amidst a series of adversity and trauma. Following the tragic loss of his father to suicide at the young age of 15, he found himself unable to cope, leading him to seek solace in substances to ‘block the tears’.

Verbalize’s recovery journey started when he encountered Dr. Joe Dispenza’s book, which inspired him to rewire his thoughts and catalysed the healing process from within.

For a glimpse into Verbalize's artistic expression, explore his latest compositions available on YouTube, and engage with his content across various social media platforms including TikTok @verbalizeofficial, Facebook, and Instagram @verbalize_official.

His highly anticipated latest album ‘Through My Eyes’, to be released later this year, promises a deeply personal and emotive music experience.

Ep106. Jonathan Mendonca, from opioid addiction to living ‘Life on Life’s Terms’

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Jonathan's book, "Life on Life's Terms," swiftly ascended to the bestseller ranks on Amazon following its release last December. This literary work not only chronicles Jonathan's personal journey through profound adversity but also provides a comprehensive explanation of the transformative impact of the 12-step program of Narcotics Anonymous in liberating him from the grips of opioid addiction.

Confronting the tragic loss of his beloved brother to suicide, Jonathan had to forge a path toward a renewed existence defined by recovery and a positive mindset. It was amidst this journey that he penned "Life on Life's Terms" as a poignant tribute to his brother.

For those eager to delve into Jonathan's compelling narrative, "Life on Life's Terms" is available for purchase on Amazon. You can also track his advocacy for mental health awareness by following his journey on Instagram @getlifteddd

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, click here:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep105. Ryan Phillips, former ‘King Of Weed’ in his search for ‘Radical Forgiveness’

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 21:00:00 +1000

“All I care about is giving back and to put a smile on somebody’s face.”

Ryan Phillips gained notoriety as one of Canada's most prominent marijuana smugglers, earning him the title ”King of Weed." He shared his experiences on Locked Up Abroad with a wide audience on National Geographic.

In his candid accounts, Ryan revealed that criminal activity was somewhat of a family tradition, with even his grandmother having ties to the Russian mafia. With such influences, it's perhaps no surprise that Ryan found himself drawn into a life of crime. As a former professional hockey player, his aspirations were dashed by injuries and bad drinking habits. This eventually led to a struggle with prescription drug addiction during his treatment for anxiety.

However, Ryan has since turned his life around and become a fervent advocate for mental health awareness. He's embarked on extensive cycling journeys across Asia and Canada, using his platform to raise both funds and awareness for issues such as human trafficking, sex slavery, and mental health.

Keep an eye out for Ryan's upcoming film, "Radical Forgiveness," set to release later this year. It promises to delve deep into his personal journey, transcending his past as the "King of Weed" to explore themes of redemption and forgiveness.

Find Ryan on Instagram @theryanphillipsofficial

Ep104. Char’s overcoming addiction and the practice of plant medicine

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Char’s first encounter with addiction manifested in the form of an eating disorder. Food binging served as her means of escape.

‘From a very young age, I felt a lot of discomfort with this world.’

At 21, amidst her burgeoning modelling career, Char ventured into cocaine experimentation. As her pursuits in modelling and singing ceased, she started to work in strip club, which also enabled her access to drugs and alcohol without any judgement.

With the passing of her mother, her father and most recently, her sister, all succumbing to the ravages of cancer, Char embarked on a deeply spiritual journey to look for freedom. Not freedom from drugs and alcohol, just ‘freedom’.

Char openly shares her exploration and practices in plant medicine, with a notable emphasis on mushrooms being a huge part of her spiritual journey.

Find Char and her sacred space on Instagram @heal_with_spirit

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep103. Jake Yoder, finding Natural Highs Recovery the holistic approach to sobriety

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Jake’s story wasn’t the ‘classic’ idea of addiction. He started using drugs at the young age of 14 and stopped when he was almost 20 years old. The decision came after the realisation that while using, he couldn’t find the clarity to make decisions and trust those decisions.

Fast forward to a decade later, Jake is a Motivational Speaker, Coach, and Mountain Guide who has helped thousands of people around the world transform unwanted patterns and addictions into new, healthy habits.

Jake works with many individuals who have at some point in their journey felt stuck with marijuana or alcohol consumption that doesn’t serve their highest purpose, and utilizes holistic health and mindfulness to help others create a sober life they love.

Find Jake at @naturalhighsrecovery on Instagram & TikTok and visit www.naturalhighsrecovery.org to learn more.

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep102. Catie Bain, unexpected lockdown transformation

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +1000

During the Covid lockdown, Catie had an unexpected transformation in her life. As sobriety gradually became a part of her daily routine, she began to discover a newfound sense of connection with others.

Catie's struggles with substance abuse began at a young age, as she started drinking at 13 and using cocaine by the age of 15. To cope with her troubles, she was prescribed antidepressant drugs, which she openly acknowledges have caused her much damage.

However, Catie has found solace in her journey to sobriety, which has brought her joy, freedom, and self-love. She now dedicates herself to helping others by openly sharing her story and insights on life through her social media posts.

You can follow Catie's inspiring journey and her perspective on life by checking out her Instagram profile @re.covering.me.

Ep101. Nick Pollard, kicking alcohol and people-pleasing habits

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +1000

“People-pleasing was an addiction, just as much as the bottle was for me.”

With a massive following of 400K on Instagram, 230K on TikTok, and 130K on Facebook, Nick is undoubtedly making a significant impact.

Nick's life was once dedicated to pleasing others at the expense of his own happiness, leading him to rely on alcohol at his lowest point. However, he has since conquered his battle with alcoholism and transformed into a proponent of prioritizing self-care and seeking internal validation.

In response to his own experiences, Nick established People Pleaser Bootcamp, tailored for chronic people-pleasers. The program focuses on setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care.

Discover Nick’s coaching at www.nickpollard.com

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep100. Mel Watson, from Correctional Officer to CSA/ Sexual Survivor Advocate

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Warning: Discussion of Sexual Abuse

Mel is a resilient survivor and passionate advocate for sexual abuse survivors. During her employment at Long Bay Prison and at Downing Center Court, Mel witnessed horrific and extensive details of sexual abuse cases.

Mel’s upbringing was marred by generational domestic violence and traumatic experiences. She endured her first instance of sexual abuse at the tender age of 4, followed by similar incidents at 8 and 15 years old. These traumatic events have had a lasting impact on her mental health, leading to long-term depression and suicidal attempts. Mel turned to drugs and partying through her teenage years as a means of escape.

Driven by her personal experiences, Mel delves into the world of prisons, child grooming and the glaring inadequacies in government support and legislation surrounding these issues.

You can subscribe to Mel’s YouTube and Instagram accounts @Melwatsonofficial to follow her quest on child protection and sexual abuse advocacy.

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep99. Mitch Motivates, turning ‘My Addiction’ into ‘My SuperPower’

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Mitch’s journey began in the grips of alcohol obsession during his childhood, evolving into a tumultuous battle with weed and cocaine addiction. His story took a transformative turn, leading him to emerge as Mitch Motivates—a beacon of hope and support for those grappling with similar struggles.

At just 19, Mitch bravely entered rehab, marking the inception of his remarkable path to recovery. Now, 15 years sober, he stands tall as the esteemed COO at Neinstein Plastic Surgery and the visionary Founder of Mitch Motivates. His unwavering commitment remains steadfast: to maintain his sobriety and extend a helping hand to all who seek it, embodying his purpose: "Helping anyone I could, anywhere I could."

Mitch has recently released his book ‘My Addiction My Superpower’, which can be purchased at

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRVQYQ4G?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_W7QFA919DB4GEE9KJGXY&language=en-US

Follow him on his Instagram @mitchmotivates for content surrounding addiction and mental health help.

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep98. Ori Cohen’s pursuit of addiction recovery from Israel to Australia

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Raised amidst the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, Israel, Ori grappled with the challenges of embracing his true self. He sought solace in drugs and alcohol at the tender age of 13.

His narrative unfolds a troubled childhood and the arduous attempts at getting clean. Ori shares his experiences, detailing the hardships of attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings held in bomb shelters in Tel Aviv, travelling to Australia, and ultimately attaining the remarkable milestones of eight years of recovery.

Listen to Ori’s transformation from the shadows of addiction to become an inspiration for others seeking their own path to recovery.

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep97. Steve Balbi, Rock n Roll and heroin

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Performer, composer and producer Steve Balbi was very much the child prodigy. His first professional debut was with Kevin Borich Express at just 17 years of age in front of an audience of 10000. He later found Australian chart-toppers Noiseworks and Electric Hippies.

‘I was born with a gift’.

Steve was on a stable diet of alcohol and pot for a decade, travelling the world, drinking and scoring wherever he wanted. But his true first love was heroin.

Four multi-platinum award-winning albums and various ARIA Aware Nominations later, Steve is now clean for 25 years. Listen to Steve recount ‘the miracle’ in his recovery journey. He places a significant emphasis on the love and support he received from the community of Narcotics Anonymous.

Discover the creative portfolio of Steve Balbi at https://stevebalbi.com/ and gain insights into his inspirational journey by following his Instagram page @stevebalbi

Ep96. Shana Epps, alcoholism to ‘Controlled Chaos’ Recovery Coaching

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +1000

Shana’s attempt at sobriety spanned over two decades. She went to AA meetings, did the 12-step program, attended treatment centres… But ‘No matter what I did, I just couldn’t get it.’

Shana was so good at hiding her drinking habits that even her best friends didn’t know. She recalls the vicious cycles of detoxing, abstinence and relapses. Find out how Shana found her way out and discovered herself today. Amongst all the ‘controlled chaos’, her crazy, fun and spontaneous ADHD self, she still manages to ‘get it together’, not just as a Recovery Coach but as a mother and a strong woman in recovery.

Follow Shana on her Instagram @controlledchaoscoaching for more sobriety-related content!

Ep95. Braiden Tonks, drug dealing, addiction, homelessness and jail before finding recovery

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +1000

Braiden’s addiction journey stemmed from his family’s generational struggles with alcoholism and domestic violence. He vividly recalls the destructive encounter with ice, leading to drug dealing and resulting in his incarceration. He describes the period of homelessness as the ‘saddest part of his life’.

Today, approaching a commendable two years of recovery, Braiden runs his own podcast/video production show and is a proud father and a devoted husband. He keeps it simple, prioritising his family.

“My end goals are to live a long and healthy, loving life with my beautiful family.”

Support Braiden’s YouTube Channel at
https://www.youtube.com/@tonksymediaproductions9339
Instagram @tonksymediapodcast

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep94. Kate Taylor, loving life of ‘walking_the_straight_line’

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +1000

20th December 2021, Kate picked up the phone and recorded a heartfelt message to herself. She recorded her ‘drunk self’ begging her ‘sober self’ to stop drinking. And her sober self heeded this desperate plea.

‘I drank for 360 days a year for 20 years of my life.’

Kate started drinking at the early age of 14. Growing up in a Great Gatsby style home, surrounded by renowned authors, daily parties and the constant sight of adults having wine glasses in their hands, Kate continued what she thought was the norm. Society and culture told her it was ok. Her upbringing told her it was ok.

Our Kate today is the passionate advocate pushing the message that ‘alcohol is a poison’. She talks about the profound transformation she achieved following the decision to quit. Embracing her current roles as a professional writer and the host of The Sober Effect podcast, Kate is proud to showcase a life brimming with joy sans the influence of alcohol.

Follow Kate on her Instagram @walking_the_straight_line

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep93. Ron Isherwood - My experience, strength and hope

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +1000

I have a thinking problem long before I had a drinking problem. I was a blackout drinker.

I have an ‘allergy’ to drugs and alcohol.

But today, I care about other people and I freely share what I have.

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep92. Dr. Brooke Scheller, How To Eat To Change How You Drink

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 08:00:00 +1000

New York-based Dr. Brooke Scheller is a doctor of nutrition. With 15 years of experience in the field, Dr. Scheller uses her knowledge from a science standpoint to explain the connection between nutrition and alcoholism, utilising nutrition to support changing your relationship with alcohol and healing your body from past alcohol damage.

Dr. Scheller had a drinking problem since her teenage years. Now at two and a half years sober, she has successfully released her highly anticipated book: ‘How To Eat To Change How You Drink - a revolutionary guide to leverage food and nutrition to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, develop mindfulness, and promote a healthier relationship with alcohol.’

Follow Dr. Scheller on her Instagram page @drbrookescheller and order her book here:

https://www.functionalsobriety.com/network

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep91. Kim Bellas, Sober Is The New Cool

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 08:00:00 +1000

This is not just a story of a woman getting sober, but rather the inspiring journey of a devoted mother who made the decision to quit drinking for the sake of her son. Allow me to introduce Kim Bellas, an extraordinary individual who demonstrated that alcohol was not a prerequisite for having a good time.

Kim's youngest son, Matthew, faced the challenges of full epilepsy, rendering alcohol off-limits for him. Witnessing his feelings of exclusion when socializing with friends, Kim made the courageous choice to abstain from drinking. What began as a three-month personal challenge has now transformed into an impressive eleven-year journey of sobriety.

Through her unwavering dedication, Kim has not only become an impressive role model for her children but has also trademarked the phrase 'Sober Is The New Cool.' Her overwhelmingly positive energy radiates, leaving a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

Follow Kim on her Instagram for more inspirational content on sobriety and mental health @sober.is.the.new.cool

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep90. Kohdi Rayne, un-label ‘the addict’ to find your true self

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Wise beyond his 38 years of age, Kohdi Rayne is currently digitally working with 1700 people through his online programs, spreading awareness on addiction recovery via various platforms with over 700K followers.

Kohdi’s drinking lasted for over 24 years, starting from the age of 8. At the peak of his alcoholism, he consumed nearly 2 and a half bottles of vodka a day to stay alive, suffering convulsions if he went without a drink.

In 2017, Kohdi faced a 'near-death' experience and was given less than a week to live due to Esophageal Varices (the veins in his throat burst, filling his stomach with blood), liver failure, and heart failure. It took him 18 months to recover and learn to walk again. Six years later, Kohdi proudly stands as the founder of Beyond Sober. He is dedicated to helping people save themselves, teaching programs based on his own experiences with an understanding and empathetic approach.

www.SoberNotSober.com
Instagram and Tiktok @kohdi.rayne

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:

www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep89. Tim Bradshaw, addiction recovery is an extreme sport

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Tim worked in the music business for over 20 years. It wasn’t until the breakdown of his marriage that he wanted to do something different, something he really loved. He found his true passion in photography.

It took a lot of time to repair the damage from his challenging addiction days. Today, Tim is a highly sought-after photographer and is critically acclaimed in his field. Tim describes the incredible gifts he gained from recovery, emphasising that “Recovery is the only thing you can’t take from me”.

https://www.timbradshawphotography.com/

Instagram: @timbradshaw.visuals

If you'd like to connect with me or have recommendations for my show, please use the links below:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
Thank you for your support. One day at a time.

Ep88. Soberdave, victory over 40 years of alcoholism

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Soberdave's journey is a testament to his strength and resilience, as he overcame a 40-year reliance on alcohol. Despite receiving comments about his drinking problem, Dave initially took offence and turned to solitary drinking to avoid judgment. He experienced numerous rock bottoms and faced various health issues such as high blood pressure, weight gain, acid reflux, and depression. Dave attempted Alcoholics Anonymous and sought solace in ‘God’ but found no success. However, everything changed when a close friend proposed a three-month sobriety challenge, which Dave accepted. This experience led him to discover a new approach to sobriety, understanding that the path taken matters less than the destination.

Dave dedicated years to training as a therapist, specializing in grey area drinking with Jolene Park. Now, he is a multifaceted motivational speaker, best-selling author, grey area drinking coach, and the host of the popular podcast ‘One For The Road’. Through his teachings, Dave emphasizes filling the void with healthier options and working on self-esteem and self-worth. For more insights into Dave's successful life and to access his coaching and support network, follow him on Instagram @soberdave.

https://www.instagram.com/soberdave/
https://www.davidwilsoncoaching.com/

If you'd like to connect with me, please see links below:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep87. Leks ‘celebrated’ every time he got a couple of months up, now celebrating one year clean

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +1000

‘I just couldn’t get it right.’

Having known him since birth, Leks grew up in a tumultuous and dysfunctional home environment alongside my good friend, his father, who was battling a raging heroin addiction. By the age of 11, he sought refuge in the wrong crowd, leading to his experimentation with drugs. Driven by financial pursuits, regardless of the legitimacy of the business deal, he picked up an ice habit at 14, and ultimately landed in jail.

Yet, amidst the struggles, Leks found his support system. As his father embraced recovery, he brought Leks to Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Through incredible effort, Leks recently celebrated a significant milestone - marking one year clean on October 15th. He stays active in NA meetings, remains committed to his recovery program, and prioritises his mental and physical well-being. Today, he channels his experiences into his passion for rap music, recently releasing his debut soundtrack, 'Take One.'

I invite you to offer your support on his remarkable effort and commitment to recovery. Check out Leks on iTunes, Spotify and YouTube channels: ‘Leks’

Instagram: @leksrichyy
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFA6vJnHasneE5cIqvMRow

If you'd like to connect with me, please see links below:
www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep86. Dr. Evelyn Higgins, the connection between genetics and addiction

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +1000

In today’s episode, we are honoured to feature Dr. Evelyn Higgins, the Chief Executive Officer and inventor behind the patent-pending panel at Wired For Addiction. Dr. Higgins is an international expert in the epidemiology of addiction, having dedicated nearly two decades to the research of the science of addiction recovery.

Started out 35 years ago in pain management, she observed that patients were transitioning from pain medication dependency to addiction, as prescriptions and higher doses were dispensed effortlessly.

Dr. Higgins, who was married to an alcoholic with multiple addictions, had a variety of experiences both on a personal level and throughout her medical career. Leveraging cutting-edge technology that only became available in 2015, her research has unveiled a groundbreaking revelation that substance use disorders and mental health conditions can now be identified and measured in our DNA. This discovery is a game-changer and opens up countless possibilities for innovative approaches to the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.

Connect with Dr.Higgins on Instagram @doctorevelynhiggins for uplifting and motivational content, and @wiredbiohealth for more information on her impactful research.

If you'd like to connect with me, please see links below:
https://www.instagram.com/thetruthabout_addiction/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep85. Mo Hassoun, manifesting self-discovery from Lebanon to America

Sat, 18 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Stepping back into the world of Lebanon in the 1980s, Mo confronted haunting recollections of warzone, political tumult, safety concerns and abandonment. Mo suffered from emotional neglect and a sense of rejection throughout his childhood, due to his hardworking parents having to leave him to seek employment abroad. Consequently, it brought forward a lot of anger and behavioural issues. He harboured animosity with other kids who had parents. He even stabbed a kid at school who hit his brother.

Mo poured his emotional instability into outlets such as boxing, rigorous training and regrettably, married women. The element of abandonment was exacerbated with each relationship breakup, driving him to turn to substance abuse. Upon meeting his now wife, Mo found solace in that he finally found someone who genuinely loved and cared about him.

Mo’s initial approach to counselling was misguided. He knew that he needed help, but his ego was overpowering ‘I wouldn’t allow anyone to help me, I would help myself.’ So he decided to commit to the field of counselling. He wanted to save himself.

Fast forward to 2012, Mo graduated with a Master Of Addiction Counselor credential and became the Clinical Coordinator for The Department Of Correctional Facility Housing before transitioning to a position in a detox facility. He has since then opened up his own private practice Premier Counseling.

Follow his Instagram @mo.thecounselor for more insight into Mo’s journey and inspirational life coaching content.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep84. Angie, transformation of the chameleon and chronic relapser

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Growing up in Rockhampton, Angie’s parents arrived in Australia on a boat in the late 1950s. Angie was always the ‘naughty kid’ who frequently found herself in the principal’s office facing suspension, while her excellling sisters were Dux of school. Negative attention is still better than none. She was often labelled as ‘the Devil’s Child’.

Angie and her sisters confronted racism dominantly during their school years, which left her self-conscious and resentful of her background. ‘I didn’t accept the Wog side of me.’ She didn’t want to speak her native language, didn’t want to be near her sisters at school. She distanced herself from her family. Angie’s shame surrounding her identity and origins led her down a troubling path.

Angie described going through the natural progression of substance abuse, finding solace in heroin which it provided her with a sense of wholesome, completeness, warmth and comfort - all the perfect illusions. Angie didn’t stop at stealing, shoplifting, prostitution, credit card and cheque fraud, she even robbed her father.

When Angie found Narcotics Anonymous, she found her tribe, the connection she had always sought. It wasn’t an easy journey. Relapses were real, and her depression was flying high. With multiple relapses on the record, after 22 and a half years, she sadly picked up heroin again. “Having a habit in your 50s is not pretty.”

Returning to the embrace of Narcotics Anonymous, Angie embarked on a new path in life. She established her own cleaning business and teaches yoga. She is now helping others with drug and alcohol addiction while pursuing her diploma in counselling.

She had always been a chameleon throughout her life. Today, Angie is on a journey of self-discovery and learning to get comfortable with who she is. One day at a time.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep83. Michael Haynes, Drug and Sex Addiction, and finding spirituality

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Michael gave us a compelling insight into his arduous battles with multiple sex and drug addictions, from the young age of 15 leaving home to the darker side of the world, becoming a drug dealer and his attempts to change his belief system.

Michael had a love affair with Meth. It reached a point where he didn’t do it for enjoyment anymore - ‘I shot Meth to die’.

Michael emphasised his embedded beliefs from the ‘dark side’, which was where he stayed hidden for decades of being an addict. Yet he discovered the way out through finding Cocaine Anonymous and newfound spirituality.

Read more about his story and how he navigated his way to transform those deeply held beliefs and behavioural patterns to the remarkable Michael today.

‘Break it down with Michael. This Junkie’s Path To Being A Spiritual Warrior’

https://www.booktopia.com.au/break-it-down-with-michael-michael-haynes/book/9781952281570.html

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/break-it-down-with-michael--this-junkies-path-to-becoming-a-spiritual-warrior/37123108/#edition=65089513&idiq=58404347

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep82. Jamie Tall, proud woman of long-term recovery, breaking free from strip clubs, prostitution and drugs

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Jamie grew up in an alcoholic household with a very violent father. She struggled to form connections and trust in others due to the turbulent environment she was in.

Jamie found drugs during high school when she found a group of ‘friends’ who accepted her for her. Then her using progressed to harder drugs while attending college; exacerbated by sleepless nights, rave parties, and workplace theft.

Jamie found herself entangled in the world of strip clubs, prostitution and escort services. She even went to jail after a prostitution tint in 2006. However, her ultimate rock bottom was in 2009, when she couldn’t break free from pain medication and had to sleep with a doctor for prescriptions. That was how she supported her drug habits for a long time. Jamie described her ‘divine intervention’, or ‘rescue mission from god’, when she got arrested and entered a sober living program. Jamie’s life began to undergo a transformation. Within the 18 months of embracing sobriety, Jamie was making 6 figures income working for a massage therapy company. She became a Certified Peer Specialist for addictive disease and took a role at DIVAS Who Win Freedom Centre, helping other women who had been through prostitution and trafficking. In addition to her professional achievements, Jamie was able to mend her relationship with her mother and children, accumulated some savings and moved into her own townhouse… There were many fruitful outcomes from finding sobriety, and her journey demonstrates the infinite positive bi-products of recovery.

Instagram @jamietalluto

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep81. Skinny Vinny, homeless addict to Jackass dream came true

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +1000

“Sobriety is about having fun”

Vinny describes his early journey as ‘normal teenage school life’: smoking weed, drinking, partying…, until he graduated to the harder stuff: Percocets, Oxycontin, heroin, cocaine… Vinny’s obsession with heroin intensified when he found himself abandoning everything else so he could spend all his time, money and energy on heroin.

Transitioning from a life of a homeless addict to now rubbing shoulders with prominent names in Hollywood, Vinny stressed the importance of finding purpose and cultivating gratitude, which allowed him to maintain sobriety and a sense of happiness and contentment. As a child, he watched Jackass and dreamt of being famous, travelling the world and making dumb videos with friends. Ultimately, his dreams came to a halt as the addition consumed his life.

In and out of treatment centres, he finally found his true calling with Alcoholics Anonymous. It worked for him. Once Vinny let go of his will, admitted that he didn’t know what was best for him and followed directions from others, sobriety and success smoothly followed.

Find Vinny on Instagram at @skinnyvinny for the most incredible and hilarious content, the remarkable stunts and how he is having so much fun ‘doing it sober’. He is actively involved in the production of @wildride podcast alongside Steve-O, and dedicated time to another sketch comedy project known as “8=D”, which he cheekily described as ‘a giant dick joke’.

https://www.skinnyvinnytv.com/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep80. Acclaimed author Hannah Sward on past striping and Meth

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +1000

These are the words from her book cover ‘Strip: A Memoir” by Hannah Sward

“Hannah Sward was abandoned by her mother and lived with her poet father on an island with no stores or cars. Kidnapped and molested by a stranger at age six, she grew up to be a stripper and a prostitute with a taste for crystal meth—which seemed to be a sure-fire way to lose weight—with stops along the way for silent gurus, sugar daddies, and drinking in the CVS bathroom before therapy sessions.”

Hannah remembers stealing a chocolate bar at 6 years old at a corner store. Then she stole all the way up to when she came into the program - “33 years of stealing and shame” in her own words.

Hannah first started using meth with her sister when they were stripping together. Her sister didn’t take to it, on the other hand, it was a long run for Hannah. It was cunning, tenacious and powerful. It had her.

Fast forward to present day, Hannah is now 13 years into her remarkable journey of sobriety, and a critically acclaimed author of Strip: A Memoir. She also serves on the board of Right to Write Press, a nonprofit that supports emerging writers who are incarcerated.

For those seeking to follow her inspiring journey, gain insight into her literary works, and stay informed about upcoming book releases and events, connect with @hannahswardauthor on Instagram or her webpage:
https://www.hannahsward.com/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep79. Andy Pho, self-mastery mindset practice with a sober mind

Sat, 14 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +1000

‘I believe in having people rise to their potential as an artist’.

Andy is an incredible tattoo artist with the most infectious smile and unwavering dedication to his art. His tattooing journey began in his early days growing up in the city of Brooklyn. When he finally discovered his true calling in tattooing, his passion only became stronger with time.

Andy disclosed the habit of smoking at 16 years of age as his coping mechanism following the loss of his father. He recounted his experiences with alcohol, cannabis and mushrooms in the years after. As his skills and passion for tattoos flourished, there was also a lessened need for substance consumption. Then one day Andy decided that it wasn’t for him anymore. “What am I doing this for? I can work through my stuff without it.” It was the moment of clarity.

This episode delves deeply into the tattoo industry, where Andy and I discuss tattoos in pop culture, and the artists’ responsibility and integrity. Andy highly values his work ethic and moral compass as a tattoo artist to leave a meaningful experience for his clients. He takes into account not only their physical and past emotional pain, but also the sacred energy exchange that transpires during the tattooing process.

Follow Andy on his platform @andypho and @Upsidetattoo for more insightful videos on self-love, motivation, life’s purpose, and of course, the artistry of tattooing!

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep78. Lesley Z, from alcoholism and heavy drugs to getting to the top of the fashion industry

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +1000

“I’m an alcoholic. I’m also addicted to anything that will take me out of my own feelings…”- Lesley

Lesley is now 42 years sober. She struggled with a profound sense of emptiness as a little girl, finding solace only while sitting under the white light in her living room. She drank herself to oblivion at the age of 13, then the substance abuse progressed rapidly to heavy drugs, whatever it took to ‘fill up’. She had all sorts of addiction: drink, food, sex, money, clothes, among others. It was never enough.

Following a 6 months rehabilitation, Lesley started to attend AA meetings regularly, where she experienced a sense of true love and support. Emotionally recounting her story, Lesley reminisces about the pivotal opportunity she received to gain employment at a high-end luxury retailer, Saks Fifth Avenue. Becoming the company’s top sales representative marked a remarkable achievement in her professional life and personal milestones.

While Lesley has a deep affection for her career, her identity remains deeply rooted in the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Lesley has over 22000 audiences following her daily life on Instagram, where she motivates others to stay sober and stay happy through her engaging posts and distinctive fashion sense.

Instagram: @soberfashionista

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep77. Nick Midgley’s self-love to sobriety and establishing Hope In Health

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Nick, Founder and Program Director at Hope In Health, has successfully maintained sobriety for over three years. After 22 years of struggle with heroin and meth, his achievement in recovery, self-care and professional accomplishment, are testament to his transformation. It started off as a 13-year-old boy doing intravenous heroin, then progressively, the drugs took control of his life.

A former professional boxer, Nick is now a proud owner of a treatment centre in Northern NSW, dedicated to providing round-the-clock support for individuals seeking to establish a solid foundation and life skills devoid of substance use.

Nick underscores the importance of adopting a self-loving program as an integral part of his recovery. He now has the best relationship with his children, flourishing business ventures, and continuous improvement in quality of life. All because of his commitment to recovery.

For further information on Nick’s holistic approach to rehabilitation and addiction recovery, find him at www.hopeinhealth.com.au

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep76. Daniel Hearn, from hard knocks life to ‘Hard Knox Talks’, the success story

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +1000

February 12 2017, the day Daniel walked into a detox centre and never looked back. Daniel’s father was already in recovery when he was born, his mother worked in the addiction field for 40-plus years, so Daniel didn’t grow up surrounded by addiction. He just wanted to know what alcohol tasted like as a child, so at 13 years of age, he got himself a 6 pack of Budweiser and got blacked out drunk.

When Daniel moved to the big city where substances were abundantly available, his life spiralled into a progressively darker trajectory. Daniel recounts the adversity he endured during his tumultuous days of substance use, resulting in the loss of his job, the downfall of his business and relationships, and worst of all, his three-year-old son being taken away.

“It got really dark.’

With unwavering support from his mother, Daniel went straight to the rooms of N.A. after his detoxification treatment. Daniel’s success story will inspire many as he shares his narrative of reuniting with his son, mending his fractured relationship and the establishment of Hard Knox Talks.

Hard Knox Talks is a remarkably successful show where Daniel’s mission is to raise awareness about substance use disorders and mental illness. You can find it on Youtube and all Podcast channels.

@Hardknoxtalks
https://linktr.ee/hardknoxtalks

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep75. Joel Papa, shooting at the police during drug-induced psychosis

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +1000

In today’s episode, Joel from Victoria tells us about the destruction drugs brought onto him, how they transformed him into a different person and the bewildering actions during his drug-induced psychosis.

Growing up in a good family, Joel found himself gravitating towards older companions when his parents split up at the age of 13. He started to experiment with drugs like marijuana and speed. The introduction to ice at 14 years old led to the escalation of criminal involvement. In and out of detention centres as a young boy, Joel ended up in prisons for an array of charges including theft, aggravated burglary, and notably, random shooting at the police under the influence of ice.

Today, Joel has nearly four years of sobriety under his belt. He now cherishes life in its simplicity, holding down a steady job and nurturing the ultimate goal of steering young people away from the dark path he once followed.

“Crime doesn’t pay and drugs will kill you.”

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep74. Brad Mcleod, Sober Motivation Podcaster shares his own journey to sobriety

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Many would know Brad through the Sober Motivation/Sober is Cool community. Brad is always readily supporting people in their recovery journey through various platforms that he established since embarking on his own path to recovery in 2010.

In this episode, Brad takes a seat on the opposite end of the table to recount his personal narrative encompassing his encounters with mental health challenges, and the interventions he underwent from a young age. Brad went through episodes of substance use and excessive alcohol consumption, which eventually resulted in jail time.

At present, Brad serves as the driving force behind the Sober Motivation Podcast, where he shares people’s sobriety stories to inspire other people in drawing their own path to sobriety.

Instagram @brad_mcleod, @yoursoberbuddy
Facebook SOBER IS COOL

https://linktr.ee/Sobermotivation

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep73. Chee, the scientist who nods off on meth during lab work

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Born to an English mother and a Chinese Malaysian father, Chee always felt like the odd one out during her early childhood. Her teenage years were marred by both physical and emotional abuse by her parents, leading her to seek solace in substances like alcohol and marijuana, which she started using at the age of 14.

Chee bravely opens up about her struggles with addiction, including sex, love, prescription drugs, and methamphetamine. Despite these challenges, Chee managed to achieve a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. However, maintaining her professional responsibilities as a scientist proved difficult, as her addiction frequently interfered with her work, leading to lapses during lab experiments.

As a consequence of her addiction, Chee had recurrent encounters with the criminal justice system, experiencing periods of incarceration. It was during one of these periods that she attended her first Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting. Initially attending with the intention of securing a favourable letter for the court, Chee unexpectedly discovered a lifeline that saved her from the clutches of active addiction.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep72. Jimmy Bindon, the guy who sold me my first shot of heroin

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Today’s episode is a personal narrative of Jimmy and I. In 1974, Jimmy sold me my first shot of heroin. It was a life-changing experience, but if it wasn’t Jimmy, It would have been someone else. I was just a junkie looking for a quick shot.

Jimmy and I reflected on our pasts, the strides we have made in our life journeys, and the accomplishments we have achieved today. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for both of us. Nevertheless, through perseverance and determination, we both came out of the tunnels with our success stories.

Welcome Jimmy, my first dealer.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep71. Jack Ahearn, breaking ice addiction at 17 and running 100km in 24 hours to raise money for people in need

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Residing in Bali, Jack Ahearn, 25 years old, has abstained from substance use since May 2016 when he was just 17 years old. Jack exhibits unwavering dedication to his passion for sports, leveraging it to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. Through his non-profit organisation, he has undertaken extensive runs covering hundreds of kilometres, raising funds to provide sustenance to disadvantaged individuals. Simultaneously, he strives to educate and raise awareness about mental health and drug addiction within the Indonesian community.

Jack stands as an exemplar of clean and sober living, defying the notion that age is a barrier to achieving sobriety. He has discovered profound purpose, genuine passion, and personal fulfilment by assisting others through his love for running. To stay updated on his endeavours, you can follow him on Instagram @jackahearn_ and extend your support to his organisation @shuffleandstrides.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep70. Shaun Taylor, listening to recovery podcasts and home detox from ice

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Inspired by Ron's podcast, Shaun underwent a transformative experience that led him to commit to a life of abstinence. Shaun candidly shares the arduous journey of detoxifying himself at home, reflecting on how this process has profoundly altered his outlook on life. His newfound sobriety has enabled him to embrace the role of a devoted and proud father to his children, emphasizing the importance of being present in their lives.

During our conversation, being a couple of days away from two months clean, Shaun sheds light on the power of determination, resilience, and the potential for positive change if you put in the effort. Shaun's story serves as an inspiring testament to overcoming addiction and embracing a purposeful life centred around the well-being of his children and giving back to society.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep69. Author Claire Hatwell, alcoholism and ‘My Not So Secret Recovery’

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Claire has been sober since 8th September 2016. In the past, she struggled with excessive drinking, often experiencing blackouts. Consuming three bottles of wine nightly, she held the misconception that alcoholism was confined to daytime drinking rather than nocturnal habits. To conceal her drinking problems, she went to great lengths, such as hiding her recycling bin and disposing of wine bottles discreetly at the dump.

Fast forward to the present, Claire has undergone a remarkable transformation and now thrives as a contented mother of four. She takes immense pride in her dedication to promoting a sober lifestyle and has become an accomplished author, with three published books on the subject of recovery. Furthermore, she is a sober coach, providing guidance and support to others seeking to lead an alcohol-free life.

@soberme_claire
https://linktr.ee/SoberMe

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep68. Randal Lyons, The Sober Shaman - Spiritual Practices for Addiction Recovery

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Randal spent his childhood in New York City. When he moved to LA in his early twenties, that was when the drugs hit high gear.

Randal shares his journey in finding spirituality and the disillusion of identity - who am I? Through learning the traditional Chinese teachings, Randal found the connection, love and ‘the gift’ he was searching for.

“We have to go through these trials and tribulations to learn who we are.”

Randal now lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with his wife and two affectionate Siamese cats. You will find one sitting lovingly on his lap, enjoying the long cuddle the entire time of the podcast.

As a practitioner of Oriental Medicine, Randal collaborates with many hospitals and world-class addiction treatment facilities. He also runs his own private practices: The Alchemist Recovery Program, and the Sober Shaman - Spiritual Practices for Addiction Recovery. Randal just celebrated 29 years clean and sober in July this year.

www.randallyons.com
Instagram @alchemistrecovery

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep67. Sober Junkie, the tenacious motivator and multifaceted musician

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +1000

A proud Indigenous American man, Sober Junkie, a brilliant musician and social media influencer with a strong following, has been passionately spreading inspiration and motivation about recovery, positivity and sober living.

‘These young guys need to hear from us dinosaurs.’

SJ opens up about his family’s generational addiction and his first encounter with addiction through painkillers, then the subsequent substance abuse, particularly heroin. Through the rooms of A.A., he found his music producer and sponsor, leading him towards recovery and a new purpose in life.

Today, Sober Junkie uses his platform to inspire and support others, dedicating his time to writing his book and creating music that carries a powerful message of hope and strength in challenging times.

Instagram @thesoberjunkieofficial

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep66. Andrew Hamilton, from magic mushroom supplier to laughter dispenser

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Andrew has found his purpose in life: to make people laugh. From a young man who discovered magic mushrooms in Thailand, Andrew had managed to become a large-scale supplier of mushrooms in Sydney, and later on, acid, MDMA, cocaine and ketamine. He was the one-stop shop for all kinds of party drugs.

When his house got raided in 2021, it forced him to sober up during his prison sentence. The drugs weren’t there to mask his emotions. “I felt like shit’” He had to think of alternative ways to seek happiness, without the drugs. He found comedy.

Andrew has stayed clean since the day he was raided. His addiction now is to make strangers laugh - it gives him a purpose and a buzz the same way cocaine made him feel. He has finally found the channel to apply his addictive personality, which put him on the positive path like today: the comedy addict.

Follow Andrew on Instagram @andrewhamiltoncomedy for some good humour therapy.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep65. Dan Brown, adrenaline missile on waves and wild espresso mix wholesaler on land

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Daniel Brown, AKA Mullet Lord, knew that he was an alcoholic. ‘I believe I was born with this illness.’ Next month, July 2023, will mark his 9 years sober. Dan talks about the ups and downs of recovery.

When the family moved to the beach at 2 years of age, Dan developed a perpetual love for the ocean. He was inseparable from the water and had a dream of being a pro surfer. At his 16 birthday, Dan found alcohol. His alcoholism progressed when he could go out clubbing at 18. From 19-24, his life declined rapidly with many dear death experiences during active addiction. He gave up his surfing dream.

Dan recounts his stories of going to rehab, the mental health breakdowns, being introduced to Alcoholic Anonymous and many hiccups during early recovery days.

When you’re next in Newcastle, be sure to visit Lords Coffee @lords.coffee for an amazing brew, where you’ll meet Dan and his wife Nicola. They have been delivering smiles together for over 5 years now, in store and online. Check out their webpage www.lordscoffee.com.au

@mullet_lord

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep64. Todd Innis, positive wellbeing and the ‘growth’ mindset

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Todd grew up in Newcastle footies town, where everyone’s dreams and life revolved around the sport. When things got tough, when things were down, Todd turned to footies. His addiction didn’t start until late teenage years after he started to associate with the wrong crowd. Losing his rugby league dream and facing legal troubles, Todd spiralled deeper into his addiction, causing strain on his financial and family life.

Todd talks about his dream and his lightbulb moment, the 21 days challenge to kick himself off old habits, and his determination to stay clean and live clean. Todd is now the CEO and Director of Love Ya Mind Australia, where he mentors individuals and businesses with a ‘growth’ mindset to live their best selves.

https://loveyamind.com.au/
Instagram: @loveyamindaustralia

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep63. Kerrie Atherton, ‘Stories of HOPE’ and the ‘victor’ mentality

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 08:00:00 +1000

“I lived in a victim mentality for so many years that today, I have a victor mentality.”

Kerrie Atherton, Founder of ‘EMPOWER Life Solutions’ and Stories of HOPE’, dedicates her life to helping people and sharing stories of HOPE. Kerrie is 42 years in recovery. Getting clean at an early age of 18, it wasn’t an easy journey, but one that was absolutely rewarding. Kerrie’s childhood was traumatic, dealing with long running alcoholism in the family. Kerrie talked about sexual abuse, being in depression at the age of 13, domestic violence, suicide planning, and the fact that she carried the guilt of being raped into her 50s, feeling completely worthless.

Kerrie has worked in many projects to help prevent suicide and hopelessness, to bring hope to people in their darkest times. She is a Mental Health First Aid trainer and Trauma and Addictions Recovery Counsellor. She has now published three books to inspire readers with incredible stories of overcoming adversity, to tell them that they are not alone, and that there are others who have walked the same path.

https://storiesofhope.com.au/
https://empowerlifesolutions.com.au/
Instagram @kezziea and @stories_of_hope_aus

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep62. Nathan Paddison, surviving 9 stab wounds and the ensuing spiritual awakening

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Growing up in Sydney West, Nathan was surrounded by drugs and criminals. At a young age, he idolised and longed for the lifestyle where everyone else had all the ‘good stuff’. Nathan got into drugs and gangs by the age of 15. He found that while using, he didn’t care about anyone or anything. He would get extremely violent and get involved in many fights. Nathan ultimately spent 12 years in total in maximum security prisons, where at one point, he was stabbed 9 times and survived the ordeal.

Nathan fell in love with painting during his incarceration. He finally found what arts could do for him, emotionally and spiritually. He could understand himself and could freely express himself in positive lights, in contrast to how drugs affected him. Nathan is now delivering his empowering artworks to collectors all around the world.

Check out his gallery at https://nathanpaddison.com/
Instagram @nathanpaddisonart

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep61. Sonya Johnson, the journey to finding a purpose in past pain and traumas

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Sonya, in her young world, had the perfect life until her father left when she was 8 years old. Sonya’s mother was a functioning alcoholic. Sadly, her mother got involved with another heavy alcoholic, although Sonya was happy to find love from a ‘father’ that she had been craving for. Her step father gave her everything she asked for, including cigarettes and ecstasy. She finally understood that he was doing so in order to groom her.

Sonya recounts her story of experiencing traumas as a teenager, being sexually abused by her step-father, getting pregnant, having an abortion and the baby’s father passed away due to an overdose. Sonya was trying to fill up the void by having male attention, so she moved on quickly between relationships. When she finally found her drug of choice, cocaine, things rapidly took a turn for the worse.

Sonya had a story to tell and to inspire. Listen to how she went through detoxing and her desperate fight to have her baby boys back in her life. Now Sonya uses her lived experience to help other women who are going through the same thing she did, to help them unify with their children.

‘All of our pain has a purpose’.

Instagram @sonyajohnson0719
YouTube @hopeshotrecovery

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep60. Benjamin Lerner, sobriety and the recovery journey through lyrical rap

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +1000

Benjamin Lerner is a Vermont-based Composer, Writer, Radio Host, and Recovery Advocate. With music and words run in the family, Benjamin is a classical piano prodigy, with an outstanding flow of lyrical rap.

‘I came from privileged.’ - Benjamin. He was a smart kid, aced his papers easily and knew what he wanted in life. Until the alcohol caught up. With heavy alcoholism, drugs use, dropping out of schools and multiple car crashes under the influence, Benjamin had been to multiple rehabs and was introduced to meetings. He believes that if his mum wasn’t in recovery, he wouldn’t be where he is now.

Benjamin narrates his journey in addiction and sobriety through his empowering words and music. Check out his album, CLEAN - the ultimate hip-hop meets classical, and radio program, CLEAN Jams, which focus on rap, hip-hop, and recovery. Working an average of 80 hours a week on his radio show, magazines, and social networks, Benjamin always sets time aside to have deep discussions with people about their mental health and recovery. He is, all in all, just a superb human being.

Instagram @benjamin.lerner
https://benjaminlerner.com/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep59. Caroline Beidler, 13 years in addiction recovery, author and recovery advocate

Sat, 27 May 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Caroline has a great message in her book Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in The Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery. Not an ordinary story of a woman finding recovery, Caroline has gone through many significant traumas in life. She found alcohol and drugs and fell in love with the new ways of ‘escapism’. When Caroline first attended meetings, she felt connected with other people’s stories and a sense of belonging.

Caroline started her recovery journey at 28 years of age, she is now 41, married, with a partner who is a scientist and beautiful twin babies. With 20 years in leadership within social work and ministry, Caroline has won and dedicated her time in many addiction recovery programs across the globe. Join her storytelling platform Bright Story Shine, and follows her journey on Instagram @carolinebeidler_official

https://www.carolinebeidler.com/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep58. Prisons as Leonard’s training ground, addiction recovery is now what he teaches

Sat, 20 May 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Leonard left school in year 7. He couldn’t read or write at that stage. He was getting in and out of prison as a teenager and picked up his first drugs in between those sentences. As the addiction got serious, his crime got serious too. Leonard had been in A, D and H Division at Pentridge, Bendigo, Ballarat, Dhurringile and various other Correctional Centres, but the worst prison for him is ‘the prison of the mind’.

His recovery journey began when Leonard was first introduced to meetings in 1989. Leonard went through multiple relapses, and in the final stint of his arrest for supplying drugs, Leonard got bail to a private rehab, where he stayed clean and recently just celebrated 17 years clean and sober.

Leonard is now the Founder and CEO of Vicdor Living Centre, a not-for-profit organisation that provides support for people in their recovery journey of substance abuse.

http://www.leonardottone.com/vlc

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep57. Johnny Lewis, the man with the golden heart and the mind of a boxing genius

Sat, 13 May 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Johnny Lewis is well known as Australia’s greatest fight trainer, who has trained six World Boxing Champions. To me, he is a good old family friend that I have known forever since my childhood days. ‘I’m not a toughie, I’m a sook.’ - Johnny Lewis

John grew up in Erskineville, with the Erskineville Oval being his proud backyard. John never has a bad thing to say about anything. His intention is always to help, and that’s what he’s been doing his whole life, being a good friend, good trainer, good neighbour, great humanitarian and just a good human being as a whole. John thinks the Indigenous People are the best race on earth and always shows his love for them.

Today at 78 years young, he is still training fighters with a passion and a champion mindset.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep56. Rhys takes his tattoo addiction to next level, where Little Tokyo The Temple of Art was born

Sat, 06 May 2023 08:00:00 +1000

On today’s episode, I had a really good chat with my friend and tattooist, Rhys Gordon, whom I have known for nearly 30 years. We discussed tattoos, our addiction in tattoos and our ‘beginnings’ before tattoos became the ‘normal’ form of self expression.

I had a chance to extensively narrate my story of the journey to getting my bodysuit done. Tattoos actually opened up doors for me to meet many good people, people that have my complete respect and kept as friends in my heart.

We discussed the different eras of tattoos, the tradition and modern tattoists, and the big names in the industry: Paul Braniff, Filip Leu, Ron Ackers, Mike Malone, Ed Hardy, Jack Rudy, Greg James, Freddy Corbin, Kari Barba…

On another note, do yourself a favour, visit Little Tokyo in Sydney. Here, you will find the best tattoo studio in the world, and Rhys is the man - the only person that I have let tattoo myself and my family in the past 20 years.

@littletokyo @rhysgordon

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep55. Lucky Rich, the most tattooed man, with his tattoos as representation of his commitment to recovery

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Lucky Diamond Rich is well known as the most tattooed person on earth. This street artist, performer and Guinness World Records holder is one of the most recognisable person you ever come across.

Lucky, an Indigenous Australian man, grew up around domestic violence. When a community circus group went to his school in West End, Brisbane to teach basic circus skills, he took to it like a duck to water. Lucky’s escapism was through arts and circus performing.
Lucky never discovered substances until the legal age of 18, when he found alcohol to be ‘the best thing ever’. His self esteem came from being accepted by people, when he performed, when people told him what he wanted to hear. He was a people pleaser. Lucky traveled around the world performing and partying hard for a long time, which gradually led him down to the path of destruction.

In this episode, Lucky narrates his life story from his childhood, to the discovery of his passion in circus, drugs and tattoos, and finally the gift of recovery. Lucky is 6 years clean and sober.

Instagram @theofficialluckyrich

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
@thetruthabout_addiction

Disclaimer: Photo of Lucky was taken from Guinness World Records webpage

Ep54. Barrister Mary Keaney, the passionate human rights advocate

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Mary remembers her father as the most dedicated, passionate doctor and a loving father. When her father went to AA to stop the drinking, Mary decided that she would do the same, stop drinking and partying as well. In her early 20s, Mary dreamt of being a lawyer, so here she is today, an absolutely beautiful, intelligent, thriving strong woman who is a highly respected barrister. She is also a devoted mental health and human rights advocate.

Mary talks about her childhood, her family, about working on herself, finding spirituality and her healing journey, and most of all, being your authentic self.

Youtube @marykeaney
Instagram @likejimisaid

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
@thetruthabout_addiction

Ep53. Danny, under the influence of heroin, fell asleep on the job driving the fire truck

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +1000

‘Everybody in the fire brigade knew I was a junkie’. Dan Resnick disclosed his early days as a fire fighter who was always nodding off on heroin. From the age of 15, Dan was smoking pot everyday, then gradually acid and heroin were introduced into his life. Heroin was his love, and so ‘that started off his journey as a junkie’.

Dan shares some funny stories on his multiple detox attempts, doctor shopping for prescription drugs, and the one time when he was beguiled into being the voluntarily unpaid/unsuspected international drug mule.

Dan is 35 years clean today.

Ep52. Former Black Power gang leader Phil Paikea helps men to live a violence free life

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Former Black Power president Phil Paikea was born in a little country town, Helensville, when ‘respect was paramount’. His parents were hard working, they didn’t even have a Tv, life was hard, and there were a lot of domestic violence. Phil ran away from home at 16 years old and was introduced to alcohol, drugs and gang life.

Phil now works to help other men living a violence free life. He is the Lead Facilitator of Safe Man Safe Family, and plays a vital role in It’s Not Ok campaigne and White Ribbon ride, promoting healthy masculinity and challenging stereotypical gender roles. He is ‘still very much in love’ with his beautiful wife Rowena after 44 years of marriage. Together they have fostered 243 children in the last 20 years.

Phil’s redemption story is raw and powerful.

Www.safemansafefamily.org.nz

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep51. Michelle, 44 years clean, heroin addiction and international drug smuggling

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +1000

I met Michelle in 1982. Michelle was one of the founding members of recovery in Australia. She got clean in February 1979, after the love of her life, heroin, gave up on her. She first started using heroin at 12 years of age. At 14 years old, she left school. By the age of 15, young, bold and fearless, Michelle left Australia heading to South East Asia, where the best heroin was, because she wanted to just live in an opium den and use everyday for the rest of her life. That was her heaven.

Michelle articulately narrates her very colourful life, brimming with laughter, honesty and momentous events.

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep50. Recording artist Logan Bruce defeated his addiction with his prized guitar

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Logan had a perfect childhood. He excelled at baseball, though was really shy. When Logan first experienced his first drink, he felt like it took away the insecurity. Alcohol became the solution to his social life. As his alcoholism exasperated, Logan lost his baseball and college scholarships.

Logan wrote his very first song during his stay at a treatment centre, and performed it for the first time in front of the other recovering addicts. His rock bottom moment was when he was sitting outside a pawn shop contemplating selling his last valued possession, his guitar. But he couldn’t do it. He got up, walked away and checked into a treatment centre the next day.

Logan is now 6 years clean and sober.
@loganbrucemusic

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep49. Richard Smith, Founder of Hader Clinics, 37 years clean and sober

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Richard has always made good use of his entrepreneurial skills since his younger years. Together with his brother, they built a chain of successful car care centres that were later sold on to become Ultratune. Following 17 years of active addiction, Richard has stayed substance free from November 1985 He has gone through AA, NA and Al-anon. ‘First 90 days I did 210 meetings. Next 2 years, I did 2 meetings a day.’

Richard established the first Hader Clinic in 1997, branching out to Queensland and overseas, which is now known as the most respected private rehabilitation centres in Australia.

http://www.richardsmith.com.au/

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep48. Darcy Cogdale, the fitness and routine addict

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Darcy experienced bullying throughout school and struggled with self image. The only kids that didn’t judge him were the ones that were up to no good, so he hung out with the wrong crowd. As a young man, Darcy was doing coke everyday and eventually was selling to keep his habits. During his time in Lotus Glen Correctional Centre for drugs and assault charges, Darcy started to focus on fitness. It helped him keep up a structured routine, keep busy, fit, healthy and provided mental clarity. When he got out, Darcy kept thriving in the fitness industry. He is now an extremely passionate PT, transforming people’s life and mindset. Check him out on Instagram @drc.fit.pt

www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep.47 Shane Cuthbert, entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Shane is a passionate motivational speaker and advocate for mental health, human rights and youth. Shane uses his lived experience to help people get through their life, with regular contributions to social innovation projects and volunteer in many causes and fundraising events. Shane also wrote a wide range of books, donating one hundred perfect of all proceeds to charity.

Shane shares his past struggles in his early years, life as a drummer, the addiction, prison times and sexual abuse in prison.

Today Shane is completing a double law and psychological degree in order to focus on helping more people. Follow his journey at @shanecuthbertoffical

http://www.shanecuthbert.com/
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au
@thetruthabout_addiction

Ep.46 Anthony, 14 years success in recovery and Awakened Lifestyles coaching business

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Anthony, together with his partner Eve, founded Awakened Lifestyles to help people find their sense of purpose, their inner peace and balance in life, in order to lead a happy and successful life.

Anthony struggled through his teenage years with drugs addiction, and later on, obesity, while battling a constant feeling of ‘not enough’. Anthony has coached thousands of people in nutrition & mindset and now leads his own company, Awakened Lifestyles, to help High Achievers find mental peace and inner fulfilment without giving up external success.

Anthony now stands 14 years clean and sober, we hope that Anthony’s story can inspire some of you too.

@anthonyinnerwork
www.awakenedlifestyles.com.au
www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Ep.45 Karen Casey, a pioneer for women recovery, 46 years of sobriety

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Karen Casey, a best-selling author. Her first book, ‘Each Day A New Beginning’ sold over 4 million copies and is dedicated to helping women suffering with addictions.

At 13 years of age, Karen got a glass of whiskey and a coke, where she found the longing comfort that she couldn’t find within her family.

Karen talked about her first marriage with another alcoholic, the ‘spiritual intervention’ when she was about to commit suicide, the turning point when she first walked into an Al Anons meeting. Karen is so funny, so honest and raw in her story telling.

Now 46 years clean, Karen hasn’t stopped writing and hasn’t stopped helping others in their own recovery journey.

Ep.44 Danny, Encapsulator of hope and dreams

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +1000

Danny Shannon, Founder of Encapsulator, created the business as a mean for individuals to record and track their dreams, their hope, their progress through life, to emphasise self awareness and observe their own transformations.

When Danny picked up heroin at 16 years of age, he never missed a day for the next 17 years. Danny is now 13 years clean. He has a great message about recovery, about not giving up, and the power of positivity.

Ep.43 Dan, Walkabout Warriors, healing from helping others heal

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +1000

Daniel, Founder of Walkabout Warriors, has been proudly mentoring youth since 2017 using his own experience and passion in fitness and art therapy. Dan believes that art is emotional, and that emotions are not to be suppressed. He is teaching kids to deal with their emotions, understanding purpose to connect to themselves and their culture.

Dan came from a background of childhood trauma, sexual abuse and drug uses. A proud man of Aboriginal heritage from the ‘Kamilaroi’ tribe and strong mental health advocate, Dan shares his story on his own inspirational healing journey.

Check out Dan’s wonderful work at www.walkaboutwarriors.com

Ep.42 Joe Williams, alcohol abuse during successful sporting career and sobriety today

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +1000

Joe Williams is well known as an elite sportsman who played rugby league and was a professional boxer. He is even a better human being.

The Joe we talk to in this episode is a proud Wiradjuri/Wolgalu, First Nationals Aboriginal man, who supports the community in their mental wellbeing. Joe discusses the effect of substance abuse in his past and his journey to sobriety. Joe is 17 years sober.

Follow Joe’s inspirational works on Instagram: @joewilliams_tew

Ep.41 Georgina 26 years clean with a heart of gold

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +1000

Georgina got clean in the room of Narcotics Anonymous. All her knowledge on recovery comes from the 12 steps program. Growing up, there were a lot of trauma, violence and alcohol around.

When Georgina’s father passed away at the age of 9, her mother couldn’t cope. Georgina took over the household, became a little adult and ran the house. As soon as her mother got together with her stepfather, he started to groom her, and the sexual abuse began at age 11, continuing on for another 8 years. She found a way to escape through substances, with the following years ensued by addiction, bad relationships and at times, heavy domestic violence.

Georgina is now 26 years clean. After all she has been through, she is an incredible mother and a good friend with a heart of gold.

Ep.40 Dan’s motto ‘Not one, not ever’

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +1000

Dan has done more in the past 3 years of being clean, than the previous 22 years of using.
Dan was already addicted to heroin by the time he left high school. His drug addiction escalated tremendously after his brother’s passing. Dan overdosed 13 times, and each time, went straight to using from getting discharged in hospital. He didn’t care. He lost all hope. He just wanted to die.
After 7 attempts of rehab, Dan got clean and stayed clean. He is now married, living in the Sunshine Coast, competed in his first body building competition, put together the first NA men camp on the Sunny Coast. He manages to do things that he couldn’t do while using. Most of all, he is a happy man.

Ep.39 Robert, 42 years clean since the age of 18

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 12:00:00 +1000

42 years free from all drugs, Robert has stayed clean since 18 years of age. His drug use started since he was a baby, when his mum used to put a quarter of a Valium into his milk bottle so he could stay asleep for a long time. Both Dad and Grandad were alcoholics, he came from a family with a history of alcohol and drug abuse. He never learnt to have a proper relationship with anybody as a young man, he only learnt to take what you could get.

Robert talks about his turning points and the ‘suggested things’ that he, or anyone, must do, in order to stay on the path of recovery.

Ep.38 Allan never gave up in his addiction recovery

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 07:00:00 +1000

Allan grew up in a rough neighbourhood in Melbourne. He hated school and used to have a drink before school to ‘take the edge off’. For him it started with the drinks, and the disease of addiction progressed over his teenage years to drugs: pot, speed, acid, mushroom, heroin, and finally prescription drugs.

Allan tells his story of getting clean, the multiple relapses, the second surrender (spiritual awakening), and now at 23 years clean, a proud father and husband who has many wise words and experiences. Today Allan helps other people in recovery and reaps the rewards.

Ep.37 Jye is now a winner, recovering from gambling addiction

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +1000

Jye had been gambling hard for 16 years. Today, 34 years of age, he is 171 days clean from all substances and gambling, doing an amazing job as a father and a human being.

Growing up in housing commission as a young child, Jye was surrounded by drugs and bad habits, so he was driven to work hard ‘to get out of there’. He was an angry kid at school, got through many fights as a teenager and a young man, and partied hard for a long time. At 18, he discovered gambling. That got hold of him quickly and relentlessly. At one point, he lost 300K within 6 months, lost his self worth and his family.

Jye’s story is one that of dazzling inspiration and earnest determination.

Ep.36 Jesse Randall, Sailing In Space band and helping his brother through addiction

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Growing up watching his older brother Dylan play for bands in clubs, Jesse was envious and wanted to do music too, so he picked up the piano at 12 years of age, learnt to play and started off a tremendous passion in music. Jesse later on joined his brother Dylan forming their band Sailing In Space, producing out of this world music. Jesse talks about their band, the devotion and hardship they experienced, and supporting his brother Dylan getting through his addiction.

Their latest song ’Breather’ is a reminder to come back to the most simple motions of life, to breathe, to let the stress and anxiety go, and be back to yourself.

Ep.35 Claudia, drugs, modelling career and seeking help

Sat, 03 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Claudia shares her story of a young child who ‘didn’t belong in the world’. Food and exercise were her first addiction before she found the substances. Claudia experienced sexual trauma at 8 years old, and by 12, had her first drink. From heavy drinking, constant bullies in high school, quick progression to party drugs, then prescription drugs, she finally put her hand up for help.

5 and a half months clean today, Claudia is back on her feet strong, perceptive and vigilant on her recovery.

Ep34. Hollie, drugs, stripping, sex work and getting clean

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +1000

Hollie grew up in a ‘rough space’. She always felt like she was alone throughout her childhood and adult life. Hanging out with the wrong crowd, surviving toxic relationships, a lot of bad things happened when she was under the influence, as she was desperately trying to numb herself with drugs.

Hollie is now 16 months clean and striving to be a DV counsellor.

Ep.33 Robyn King, musician to heroin addiction

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +1000

Robyn has a total of 31 years clean time with multiple relapses. When I met her, she was a beautiful, talented young lady ,always with a guitar by her side.

By 18 years of age, Robyn was a ‘hard core’ heroin user. Her life was focused on providing for the habit.

Today, Robyn is 6 years and 2 weeks clean. She released an album called ‘First’ on SoundCloud, and is working on another album. Listen to her story on her past struggles, on the many detoxes and rehabilitation, and the sad loss of her eldest daughter.

Ep.32 Mark W, broken child to 14 years in recovery

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Growing up in Frankston Victoria in a ‘broken home’, Mark thought he was the poison that ruined the good things in life. He didn’t know how to talk about it as a kid, so started to look for things outside of himself to change the way he felt. Mark found it in crime. As Mark got older, he couldn’t stop looking for the feel-goods. It progressed with alcohol, drugs, violence, women etc…

Mark stayed clean since his very first meeting in Narcotics Anonymous in 2008. He is now 14 years in recovery.

Ep.31 Mikaela struggled to get clean since 17, now 10 months clean

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +1000

Mikaela grew up in Melbourne in an area where ‘it was common to start drinking at an early age’. As a 12 year old, Mikaela experienced uncontrollable drinking and mostly struggled in school. She was frustrated, angry, lost and unmanageable. She barely finished year 9.

Mikaela first went to rehab at the age of 17 and was in and out of Narcotics Anonymous the last 10 years, though never worked the program during that time. She even lost her job as a nurse for using while at work. Now at 10 months clean, Mikaela dreams of being able to help people in addiction recovery and mental health.

Ep.30 Donna on her recovery journey and having a son who is also a recovering addict

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +1000

Donna started using as a young child, and for a very long time she thought it was normal from a social aspect. In her late teenage years, Donna started to notice that her using was getting heavy, she was always the last to leave, the one to always turn up with drugs and never wanted it to end.

There were many breakdowns in her relationships with others and she felt her self esteem was slipping away. Donna got married, though sadly used throughout her pregnancy, and during the first 9 years of her son’s life. She attended various facilities to get clean, but it never lasted long.

Donna is now 4 years clean. Her son is also proudly 2 years clean. Listen to Donna tell her story as a mother and an ex-addict.

Ep.29 Glen’s search for addiction recovery

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Glen grew up in Melbourne in a ‘fairly’ normal family environment. He was introduced to drugs as early as 12 years old, then he started using heroin and was in and out of prison over the next 10 years.

In 2004, Glen ended up in rehab, but he was lost without support and a program to work on. Within a couple of months, he was back in the habit and back to jail. While he was in jail, Glen’s sister began her recovery journey and became clean; she used to come and ‘carried the message’ during her visits. Glen witnessed what his sister had after getting clean; she was healthy and happy, and he wanted what she had. That was ‘the beginning of the end’ for him.

Glen is now 9 and a half years clean.

Ep 28. My favourite daughter, Haley (Just kidding)

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 19:00:00 +1000

From her own words, Hales and her twin sister were ‘created during active addiction by dysfunctional addicts’. Hales’ mother and I met in rehab, where she was born and spent her first couple of early years of life. Hales knew about drugs and addiction more than any other kids at her age, growing up surrounded by recovering addicts, attended NA meetings on a regular basis and felt that as a little child, was ‘comfortable’ being where she was, amongst the chaos.

Coming up to 15 years clean, listen to Haley tell the story of her turning points, and how she came to be where she is today, a proud mother, a remarkable head nurse at a private rehab clinic, getting married next year and leading an absolutely amazing life.

Ep.27 Dylan, Sailing In Space band and battle with addiction

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +1000

Dylan, from the band Sailing In Space at Sunshine Coast, Qld.

When Dylan’s father passed away at 9 years of age, he did not cope. He lived in made up fantasies to deal with reality and acted out on his addictive tendency. He struggled with self worth and lacked motivation to bring himself and his music out there.

On the day of doing our podcast, Dylan was 29 days clean. Thing were changing rapidly right after he started on his recovery journey, in the most positive lights. Dylan loves his only brother dearly. Together they have done over 100 shows and produced out of this world music.

@sailinginspaceofficial

Ep.26 Chris Sellers, Sobriety and Art

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +1000

Chris’ artworks are unique, provoking and powerful, with a focus on existentialism. The purpose is to articulate feelings through visual, so when he felt something, he put it on canvas. As he was building his works, he shifted to more unconventional themes such as substance abuse, male depression state of mind…

Chris started drinking at the age of 15 and found that “alcohol was the answer to all problems”. He relied heavily on alcohol as the solution to anything he felt lacking at the time. He couldn’t see life without alcohol.

During his second DIY, he was sent to jail, where he had nothing but to focus on his ability to draw. He had a reputation of being a really good artist then, doing drawings for other inmates.

Chris attended therapy sessions and realised that he had to learn to be sober for the rest of his life. ‘I had this illness, I had this disease’ - Chris.

In our video version of this chat, Chris shown us and offered detailed meanings on his artworks. You can watch this through our Youtube channel.

Follow @chris_sellers_art
https://www.chrissellersart.com/

Ep.25 Eleanor, stripping, drugs and getting clean

Sat, 24 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +1000

Eleanor believes that she was suffering from the disease of addiction before she even started using drugs. She hated the fact that her parents were alcoholics, so when she turned 18 ,she didn’t drink. She went to university, got a good job, got on with life like a ‘normal’ kid, but still felt depressed, alone, and “like it’s just never enough”.

Started drinking at the age of 20, she also started stripping. Eleanor was introduced to drugs then, and within a couple of months, she knew she was an addict. She couldn’t stop. She was always struggling with life, and had multiple suicide attempts.

Eleanor’s Mum supported her to go to rehab, and she attended her first NA meeting, where she realised that there are other people who also had the same problem, whom could talk about their addiction so openly and honestly. She felt accepted. She wasn’t so alone then.

Eleanor is now coming up to 1 year clean. She is proud, happy and ready to take on the world.

Ep.24 Beats from The Get Down Podcast, 10 years drugs free and 109 days sober from alcohol

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 14:00:00 +1000

109 days sober from alcohol on the day of recording, this is the first time Beats shares his story of addiction on a public platform, as he believes in passing on the message to help people.

Beats talks about family, experiencing drugs in school, being a functioning ‘junkie’, going to university and his light bulb moment. Beats is now a happy, wonderful family man, with an immense passion to help others through his disability and youth support work, while organising fund-raising events for men with alcohol problem.

@The_Get_Down_Podcast_Au

Ep. 23 Brett, proud Indigenous man carrying the message of recovery

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Brett, a proud Wakka Wakka man from the majestic Bunya Mountains, South Burnett region. When Brett first went to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, he was the only Indigenous there. That was Friday night, 1/1/1999.

Now over 23 years clean, Brett still attends at least 2 meetings a week to share his story and his gains, to make sure other recovering addicts understand and practice ‘the message’.

Ep.22 JJ from dysfunctional upbringing to recovery coach

Sat, 10 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +1000

JJ grew up in a dysfunctional home, and from that dysfunctional family, he learnt to survive life. Most of his memories are from traumatic events. He had been through foster homes and various institutions.

Wise, knowledgeable and inspirational, JJ is now a recovery coach helping people through their addiction and recovery journey.

Ep.21 John Killick, The Pen is mightier than the Gun

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +1000

John Killick made international headlines in 1999 when he escaped from Sydney’s Silverwater Jail by a helicopter. Our podcast today focuses on the John Killick today, the Author, the human being, the guy that mentors children and gives back to people in and out of prison.

John talks about the failing system, the traditions, past heavy gambling addiction, to supporting current and ex-prisoners, and of course his favourite bread and butter pudding.

Ep.20 Jess, proudly ADHD, fierce advocate for addiction and mental health

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Jess Kennedy, 2 years clean, a tenacious, passionate advocate for addiction recovery and mental health from Melbourne.
Jess was a black-out drunk started from the young age of 10 and progressively went through the hard use of both street and prescription drugs over the next 20 plus years. She was diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar.
Jess is now a lived experience peer worker, who works in a drop in clinic that supports people through their addiction, recovery and mental health. #rethinkaddiction

Ep.19 Russell Manser - the story of The Voice of A Survivor

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 16:00:00 +1000

“I used to see bank robbers and criminals coming home from jails, and they were treated like war heroes.. They were the sort of blokes I looked up to.”

Russell grew up in Western Sydney and spent a total of 23 years in various jails in NSW, NT and QLD. Russell is a survivor of institutional child sexual abuse. He carried the heavy secret for 30 years before finding the courage to talk about his experiences, to speak to other prisoners and support the people that had similar abuses. While he was in prison, he had a dream, a vision, and here he is today, the Founder of The Voice of A Survivor. Listen to Russell share his story, how he started on his recovery journey and helping other victims in they process of healing.
www.thevoiceofasurvivor.com

Ep.18 TiktokGarry Hope Dealer Not Dope Dealer

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +1000

'I'm a hope dealer, not a dope dealer.' - Gary, who served multiple sentences for drug charges, shares his recovery and redemption story to help youth staying off the path he walked earlier in life. With over 50K followers on TikTok, known as TiktokGarry, he is sharing his story on a daily basis, passing on the message and is inspiring many to stay drugs and crime free. ‘I’m always a criminal, but I just don’t do crimes anymore. I use the same energy towards my current work.’

Ep.17 Dean King talks about the road to addiction recovery, redemption and King Hit book.

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 16:00:00 +1000

Dean King, author of the highly acclaimed book King Hit, was born in Balmain, Sydney to alcoholic parents. In and out of boys’ homes and at the age of 14, Dean was put in a maximum security prison charged for murder.
In this chat, Dean talks about his moment of ‘spiritual awakening’, and how addiction recovery has brought so much changes, so much positive influences to his life and the people around him.
‘If I was going to go down this road of recovery, I was going to have a quality of life. I was going to make things work, I was going to make things happen exactly how I made it happen looking for heroin, exactly how I made it happen when I wanted to have fun, when I was crazy…’ - Dean.
His exhilarating story is funny, yet exceptionally raw, honest and inspiring.
Check out www.kinghitbook.com

Ep.16 Addiction and facing your fears

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 20:00:00 +1000

The fears you have to face when you first realise that you have a problem with the disease of addiction. For me, it was the fear of the unknowns. Fear of going to a detox center, fear of judgement, fear of having to tell people that I am an addict, fear of loss…

Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. If you could do it on your own, you could have done it by now. So please, reach out.

Ep.15 Jeffrey Morgan, gratitude and positive thinking

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Jeffrey Morgan, mental health and wellbeing coach. Jeffrey grew up in the notoriously disadvantaged suburb of Redfern NSW, where crime rates and poor mental health were high.

Jeffrey left home at the age of 12, overcame many adversities in the early days including losing his parents, brother and sister.

Listen to Jeffrey underline the importance of gratitude and positive thinking, ‘tap into being grateful for what you have, rather than what you don’t have.’ His story, wisdom and strong messages are exceptional.

Follow Jeffrey at www.jeffreymorgan.com.au

Ep.14 Mario my spiritual advisor

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Meet Mario, my spiritual advisor for the last 36 and a half years. Mario has always been there for me, through many of life obstacles, through my divorce, jail time and when I was in the middle of losing everything. He provided tremendous source of guidance and strength, and all in all, simply a very loyal friend.

Ep.13 Jenna on her passion for yoga practice, love and mental health struggles.

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Jenna comes from Manchester, UK, in a family of both mum and dad being heavy drinkers. One day she had a burning desire to leave, so she booked a one way ticket to Australia, where she discovered Yoga practice and started on her spiritual journey of inner peace and self discovery.

Jenna’s message is strong. ‘Learn to cope, or fall victim to life’s struggles’. She chose the former. Jenna sets her mission as to help other people get through life’s struggles, through her own life experience, down to earth yoga training/teaching and holistic health coaching.

Overcoming the feeling of loneliness, the tremendous move by herself to Australia, losing both Mum and Grandma, there were many obstacles that could not repress her learning experience. Jenna now runs a prodigiously successful business of facilitating private yoga practices and retreats, and recently proposed an online yoga learning program for prisoners in Australia.

Follow Jenna on her incredible journey at www.jennabrown.com

Ep.12 Broc the Aboriginal man who rewrote his story

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Broc Martin has an incredible story to tell. Story of redemption, story of recovery and story of being a good human being. An Aboriginal man descendant from the Punthamara Mithika people (now Southwest Queensland), Broc was disconnected from his culture as a young boy through the disease of addiction. He went through the criminal justice system early, and was looking up to the wrong people in the system. Then he met Ron. The seeds were planted.

Broc now works in Pormpuraaw as an alcohol and drug counsellor and well-being coach, helping men to heal trauma guided by ancestral wisdom, drawing upon his own experiences in overcoming life’s challenges. Forever a student of life and truth seeker, Broc loves sharing what he has learnt and discovered for himself with others.

Listen to Broc’s great messages.

Ep.11 Lara on her violent childhood and early exposure to drugs, no filter

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +1000

Warning: Distressing contents regarding sexual and emotional abuse

Lara grew up in a family of Catholics. From the frequent beatings from her volatile father to the severe canings by the nuns at school as a young girl, Lara experienced fear and terror throughout her early childhood. She started smoking at 9 years of age, was sent to youth centres at 12 and was in prison by 18.
Listen to her very candid, honest story of ‘The crazy junkie Lara’ to now, having a Diploma in Community Welfare, the Lara that’s giving back and helping others.

“Whatever your story is, there’s someone in the world that has it ten times worse.” - Lara

Ep.10 Wayne's story on heroin addiction and the turning points in his life

Sat, 30 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Growing up with a violent father, Wayne went through a childhood of fear, rebellion and crime. He wasn’t interested in school, desperately wanted to fit in, so he used drugs at a very young age. Over the years, Wayne and I have supported each other through our lowest points. I remember detoxing on his floor after a relapse 36 and a half years ago, while his eldest daughter was being born.

Today, 38 years clean, he works in drugs and alcohol to help people with substance abuse. He is a loving father to four beautiful daughters.

Ep.9 Recovery journey of Mark after 26 years in active addiction

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 11:00:00 +1000

Mark was in active addiction for 26 years, using anything he could get his hands on. After multiple relapses, losing his wife and beautiful children, today he is clean and sober for 11 years 3 months. Mark works in a private rehabilitation centre helping people in all walks of life breaking negative habits. As a single father, Mark looked after his children when they moved in with him the same year he got clean. He is an amazing father and human being. Thank you Mark, you are an inspiration.

Ep.8 Jack Tout tells his story of getting clean at 17 years of age

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +1000

Jack, 17 years old and 55 days clean on the day of recording. Jack had years of drugs use before, in his own words, got sick of being 'zombified'. He is now a happy young man who is grateful for his loving and supportive family. Jack's back!

Ep.7 David Obeda from The Felon Show tells us his story and vision

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +1000

David tells us story of life before, during and after prison, and the remarkable vision he has for his current work @the_felon_show. David is now a man of God. He believes in rehabilitation and redemption by forming a movement through his stories at The Felon Show. "Never ever let the world talks you out of your vision" - David.

Ep.6 Lyle discusses the importance of continuing to treat the addiction after getting clean.

Sat, 09 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +1000

Lyle talks about how broken he was during his using days and finding a will to get clean. "The pain of using was so great, that getting clean was going to be easier."
It was important to get clean, but then you have to continue to treat the addiction. Addiction is a thinking problem. If it was just a 'drug' problem, once you stop using it, wouldn't it be just fine? NO, you have to keep treating it, the way you think. When you stop using, that's when the game begins.

Ep5. Edan McGovern's story as a child with a parent in active addiction

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +1000

Edan shares her story growing up with a father who was in active addiction most of his life. Edan knew that he was 'painstakingly in love with being her dad', though he could not get away from his addiction. He is no longer here, "The thing that happens when you have, especially an addict parent is, you grieve them a long time before they go." - Edan.

Ep4. Doug ex bank robber and recovering heroin addict

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +1000

From a life of crime, Doug ex bank robber and recovering heroin addict, shares his story of redemption and recovery. "My worst days in recovery are much better than my best days using" - Doug.

Ep3. Mick Tout speaks as a parent of a recovering addict

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +1000

Mick shares his story on the devastating effect having his teenage son using, how it affected everyone in the family. Speaking as a parent, he shares his heartache, distress and frustration when his son was using, and now, being a recovering addict, the moments of joy and relief of having his son back.

Ep2. Rick Grossman Australian Rock Icon talks about overcoming heroin addiction

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +1000

Rick Grossman talks about his recovery from heroin addiction days. As the bass guitarist for the iconic bands Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus, he tells us the story of hiding heroin in cassette players while on tours and his past struggle to stay drug free. Rick since then performed with other Australian bands: Matt Finish, Ghostwriters, Persian Rugs, The Kelly Gang and Men at Work, and has been inducted in ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2006 and 2007. He is a wonderful husband, lecturer, counsellor. He is passionate on helping others in their recovery from addiction, and supporting aspiring songwriters to fulfill their dreams. Rick is a personal friend and an absolute gentleman.

Ep1. Ron Isherwood - My story

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +1000

From the notorious painters and dockers upbringing, the juvenile arrests, introduction to drugs and alcohol, and finally redemption. Here is the story of Ron.

Introducing The Truth About Addiction

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 20:00:00 +1000

Introduction from the Founder