Hooked

I didn't just listen to Hooked. I lived it. From the very first episode, I found myself hearing pieces of my own story in Andy's. What began for me as a legitimate prescription for opioids after a fall down the stairs became a journey I never could have imagined. A journey filled with secrecy, shame, fear, and years of trying to convince everyone around me, and myself, that I was okay. Like many people struggling with addiction, I became a master at hiding it. I kept working, kept showing up, kept pretending everything was under control while my life was quietly unraveling behind the scenes. Eventually, I could no longer hide it, and I entered treatment. What I didn't know then was that recovery would not be a straight line. When I stopped using opioids, I convinced myself I could drink. That decision nearly destroyed me. Alcohol became even more devastating than the opioids. Then came methamphetamine. Then gambling. I spent years trapped on a roller coaster of addiction, chasing one thing to escape another. I lost more than I can count. I lost trust, relationships, self-respect, and eventually became a felon. My children watched me become someone they no longer recognized. Listening to Andy's story brought all of those memories rushing back. What makes Hooked so powerful is its honesty. It doesn't romanticize addiction, and it doesn't oversimplify recovery. It tells the truth about how quickly life can change, how far addiction can take you, and how difficult it can be to find your way back. But it also offers something equally important: hope. Today, I am almost seven years clean and sober. If someone had told me during my darkest days that I would someday experience real peace, purpose, and joy, I never would have believed them. Yet here I am. And I can honestly say that the feeling of waking up sober, free, and grateful is a greater high than anything opioids, alcohol, meth, or gambling ever gave me. Hooked is more than a podcast. It's a story of addiction, consequences, resilience, and redemption. Whether you're struggling yourself, love someone who is, or simply want to understand what addiction really looks like, this podcast is a must-listen. Five stars isn't enough. This podcast broke my heart, reminded me where I've been, and celebrated the miracle of recovery all at the same time. I also want to add that, like Andy, I am prescribed Suboxone. It has been a lifesaving part of my recovery journey and has helped me build the stable, fulfilling life I have today. Recovery is not one-size-fits-all, and there should be no stigma attached to using a medication that helps people reclaim their lives. I'm proud to say that with its help, along with a lot of hard work and support, I am approaching seven years clean and sober. That is a gift I never thought I would have. ❤️

Great listen! What a way to show the spiral down from a simple prescription. And he’s right, the fat cats are still sitting fat, it’s horrifying

Interesting story and effective journalism, but unfortunately Josh was not a compelling narrator whatsoever.

I would really like to get into this story, but the commentary outside of the interviews,m and the flow of the podcast sounds like AI slop. It’s an interesting story, but I just can’t get through the AI structure of it.