Recoverycast: Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Stories

Recovery.com | Addiction, Sobriety, and Mental Health Support
  • 5.0 (12)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Explore powerful, real-life mental health and addiction recovery stories in authentic, engaging conversations. Each episode spotlights relatable journeys shared by influential voices—from struggles and setbacks to moments of resilience, hope, and healing. This podcast is a safe, supportive space where vulnerability is celebrated, connections flourish, and listeners find reassurance that lasting recovery and mental wellness are truly possible. Tune in for inspiring narratives, practical guidance, and a compassionate sober community to accompany you on your personal path to healing.

  1. 1D AGO

    Patrick Custer | Alcoholism, Delirium Tremens & Facing a Brain Tumor

    What do you do when the very thing you have feared since you were three years old actually happens—and you have to face it while five years sober? In this episode of RecoveryCast, Brittany Barnard talks with recovery advocate and media personality Patrick Custer about his intense journey through alcohol addiction and a life-altering medical crisis. Patrick opens up about a childhood shaped by hypervigilance and a "fear of God" that led to chronic anxiety. He describes how his first drink didn't feel like euphoria, but like finally reaching a "baseline" of peace. The conversation dives deep into the physical toll of alcoholism, including the terrifying experience of Delirium Tremens (DTs), which Patrick describes as "electrocution of the brain." From being dropped from a prestigious nursing program to a high-stakes family intervention involving a warrant for his arrest, Patrick shares the moments that led to his radical acceptance. Most importantly, he explains how he navigated a brain tumor diagnosis in sobriety by "leaning in" to connection rather than isolating.  Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ If Patrick’s story of resilience and finding joy beyond "not being sad" inspired you, please subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that hope is always available.  ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Becoming a Conduit for Hope 02:31 – The First Drink: Reaching "Baseline" 06:45 – Religious Trauma & Chronic Hypervigilance 11:38 – The Horror of DTs & Brain Electrocution 14:33 – "It Isolates Me From Me": Losing Identity 16:28 – The Unraveling: Dropped from Nursing School 19:04 – The Wrong Way: A Family Intervention 22:30 – Arrest Warrants & Radical Acceptance 27:12 – Facing the Nightmare: A Brain Tumor in Sobriety 38:15 – Why Leaning In Is Always Better ❓ Questions the Video Answers: How does alcohol act as a "baseline" for chronic anxiety? What does "electrocution of the brain" feel like during alcohol withdrawal? How can a hypervigilant childhood lead to later substance abuse? What are the consequences of being a "functional" alcoholic in nursing school? How do you handle a family intervention when you are in denial? What is the "forever concept" and why is it overwhelming? How does addiction cause you to "stop developing identity"? What is the impact of "fear of God" versus a spiritual life of your own? How can you stay sober while taking narcotics for a medical emergency? Why do people with addiction often feel "behind" in life? What does it mean to be a "bad apple" in a treatment program? How does a brain tumor affect motor function and speech? Is isolation always the "lesser result" in recovery? How can curiosity replace the shame of not knowing the answers? Why is "not being sad" different from having true joy? #AddictionRecovery #BrainTumorSurvivor #AnxietyAwareness

    42 min

  2. MAR 12

    Tiffany Jenkins | 20 Felony Charges, Pill Addiction, & Healing Through Humor

    Tiffany Jenkins, the New York Times bestselling author and voice behind "Juggling the Jenkins," joins Recoverycast to share her raw journey from facing 20 felony charges to 13 years of sobriety. Tiffany opens up about her childhood struggles with undiagnosed OCD and how a single sip of alcohol in high school led to a decade-long spiral into alcohol, weed, and eventually a devastating opiate addiction. She reveals the harrowing details of staging a burglary in her own home to fund her habit and the rock-bottom suicide attempt in a jail cell that eventually led to her transformation. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ This episode explores the complex intersection of mental health and addiction, covering Tiffany's experience with postpartum depression, agoraphobia, and her recent return to intensive outpatient therapy to maintain her healing. Tiffany discusses the "invisible" life of a high-functioning addict—including dating a police officer while hiding her drug use—and the life-saving connection she found through her father’s own sobriety. Her story is a powerful testament to radical honesty, the 12-step program, and the belief that the opposite of addiction is connection. Subscribe for more stories of hope and healing, and leave a comment sharing your own recovery journey. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Staging a Burglary: The Desperation of Addiction 00:33 – From Bestselling Author to 20 Felony Charges 01:45 – The "Good Kid" and Undiagnosed OCD 04:03 – The First Sip: When Everything Changed 11:11 – Grief, Rock Bottom, and the First Rehab Attempt 13:38 – Dating a Cop While Hiding an Opiate Addiction 23:17 – The Interrogation Room and Suicide Attempt 32:25 – A Christmas Miracle: Recovery as a Family 37:00 – OCD, Postpartum Depression, and Agoraphobia 44:45 – 13 Years Sober: Why Connection is the Cure ❓ Questions the Video Answers: How does undiagnosed OCD contribute to childhood anxiety? What are the signs of high-functioning opiate addiction? How can someone hide drug addiction from a police officer? What does it feel like to detox in a jail cell? Can humor be used as a primary tool for recovery? What is "radical honesty" in the context of sobriety? How does a parent’s sobriety impact a child’s recovery? Is it possible to recover after facing 20 felony charges? What is the difference between "wanting" rehab and "doing" it for others? How do 12-step meetings help with long-term sobriety? What is the link between postpartum depression and addiction relapse? How do you handle agoraphobia in recovery? Why is connection considered the opposite of addiction? What are the benefits of intensive outpatient therapy (IOP)? How do you maintain gratitude after 13 years of sobriety? #TiffanyJenkins #SobrietyStories #AddictionRecovery

    51 min

  3. MAR 4

    Jaimie Alexander | Bourbon Addiction, Near-Death Awakening, & Spiritual Recovery

    From Marvel’s Lady Sif to a hospital bed fighting for her life, actress Jaimie Alexander shares the raw truth about her battle with bourbon and burnout. Jaimie, the celebrated lead of Blindspot, opens up about the "lone wolf" mentality that nearly cost her everything. Despite a thriving career, she used alcohol to medicate social anxiety and the extreme physical toll of performing her own high-octane stunts. She recounts the terrifying moment her appendix ruptured, leading to sepsis and a profound spiritual encounter that finally broke the "death grip" of addiction. Jaimie details her "white light" experience in a Manhattan ER and the voice that gave her a choice: stay and never drink again, or go. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Now over seven years sober, Jaimie discusses overcoming childhood trauma and abuse, the importance of community over isolation, and how she maintains her mental health today through Stoicism and gratitude. Her story is a powerful reminder that hitting rock bottom can be the foundation for an authentic, joyful life. Subscribe for more stories of hope and healing. Share this with someone who needs to hear that they are enough. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Texas Roots & Accidental Acting Career 06:14 – Landing Thor & Humbling Career Lessons 11:36 – Bourbon as "Medication" for Anxiety 15:47 – The Physical Toll of Blindspot & Stunts 18:28 – Rules of Addiction & The "B" Bourbons 20:20 – Childhood Trauma & The "Tough Girl" Shield 29:01 – The Near-Death Sepsis Crisis 34:54 – A Spiritual Encounter: "Never Drink Again" 41:18 – Finding Community Over Isolation 57:30 – Daily Stoicism & The Power of Gratitude ❓ Questions the Video Answers: 1. How did Jaimie Alexander transition from high school wrestling to Marvel stardom? 2. Why do high-functioning actors use alcohol to manage social anxiety? 3. What were the specific "rules" Jaimie used to hide her bourbon use? 4. How does childhood trauma impact adult addiction and "toughness"? 5. What is the actual physical cost of performing stunts on a TV series? 6. What does a "white light" spiritual awakening feel like in a medical crisis? 7. How did a ruptured appendix lead to Jaimie's sobriety? 8. What is the "We Are Enough" mental health campaign? 9. How can Stoicism and daily gratitude lists aid in addiction recovery? 10. Why is asking for help a gift to the person you are asking? #JaimieAlexander #SobrietyStories #AddictionRecovery

    1h 9m

  4. FEB 25

    Sam Miller | From Tarp Living to Nationally Touring Recovery Comedian

    "It was not about getting high, it was about not being sober." In this raw and deeply moving episode of Recoverycast, nationally touring comedian and recovery advocate Sam Miller joins Brittany Bernard to share his incredible journey from the streets of Olympia to the comedy stage. Sam opens up about the intersection of ADHD and addiction, the profound impact of childhood trauma, and the cycle of methamphetamine, alcohol, and benzodiazepine use that led to years of homelessness and incarceration. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Sam describes the "mental load" of growing up with a father who was both violent and loving, and how the loss of his parent at age 12 shifted his fear from one man to the entire world. From huffing gas as a child to sleeping in barns and jail cells, Sam provides a window into the reality of meth recovery and the "survival mode" of unhoused life. He discusses the pivotal moment under a tarp when he finally chose help over death, leading to over 15 years of 12-step recovery, therapy for PTSD, and a successful career in stand-up comedy. This is a story of breaking cycles, finding "52% happiness," and the power of being "okay with being okay." If you or someone you love is struggling, Sam’s story proves that no matter how far you’ve gone, there is a path back. Subscribe to Recoverycast for more authentic stories of healing, and share this episode to help someone feel seen today. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Meet Sam Miller: Comedian & Advocate 01:41 – Childhood Trauma and a Father’s Legacy 04:09 – Navigating ADHD and the School System 07:23 – Grief, Guilt, and Losing a Parent at 12 13:37 – The Spiral: Early Use and Huffing Gas 18:31 – "I Was Running Away From Sobriety" 22:35 – Homelessness and Survival in Olympia 31:17 – The Tarp: The Day Everything Changed 33:36 – Stabilization, 12-Step, and Therapy 51:01 – How Comedy Entered the Recovery Story ❓ Questions the Video Answers: How does childhood trauma contribute to substance abuse?What is the link between ADHD and impulsive addiction?How can someone recover from long-term methamphetamine use?What does "running away from sobriety" mean in addiction?How do 12-step groups help with long-term stabilization?Can therapy help process PTSD from an abusive upbringing?What is the reality of living unhoused while struggling with addiction?How does a parent's addiction affect a child's mental health?What are the dangers of huffing gas and dust-off?How can comedy be used as a therapeutic tool in recovery?How do you break a generational cycle of abuse?What are the first steps to take when deciding to get sober?#MethRecovery #ADHDandAddiction #SobrietyStories

    1h 3m

  5. FEB 18

    Devan Rajkumar | Cocaine, Alcohol, & Ego Deflation in the Culinary World

    How does a celebrity chef dominate the culinary world while hiding a life-threatening cocaine and alcohol addiction? In this episode of Recoverycast, we are joined by Devan Rajkumar, popularly known as Chef Dev, who reveals the "unimaginable" double life he led for years. From national TV appearances and Times Square billboards to late-night after-parties and debilitating chest pains, Devan’s journey is a raw look at the high cost of high-functioning addiction.  Devan discusses how early habits formed at age 13 evolved into a progressive disease fueled by the "work hard, play hard" culture of the service industry. He shares the deep-seated roots of his struggle, including generational trauma and the tragic loss of his brother to suicide, which sent him spiraling deeper into substances to numb the grief.  Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Learn more about Chef Dev: https://www.chefdev.ca/ The turning point came when the "lie routine" finally collapsed after a terrifying overdose scare following a trip to Turks and Caicos. Now over four years sober, Devan explains how ego deflation and the 12-step program allowed him to trade his masks for authenticity. He also opens up about the immense challenge of quitting a 28-year nicotine addiction and why he now lives a purpose-driven life fueled by "Mad Love."  Subscribe to hear more stories of hope and recovery, and join us as we explore the path from addiction to advocacy. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction01:20 – Culinary Roots & Guyanese Heritage 04:33 – The "Lie Routine" & Early Substance Use 07:29 – High-Pressure Kitchens & After-Party Culture 15:49 – Processing Grief: Losing a Brother to Suicide 18:40 – Hiding Addiction Behind Celebrity Fame 30:48 – The Overdose Scare in Turks and Caicos 40:55 – Ego Deflation & Finding Humility in 12-Steps 52:53 – Physical Fitness & Auditing Your Inner Circle 58:18 – Living with Mad Love & Mental Health Advocacy ❓ Questions the Podcast Answers: How can someone hide a serious cocaine addiction while being a public figure? What are the signs of high-functioning addiction in the culinary industry? How do childhood trauma and lack of parental validation contribute to substance abuse? What is the "lie routine" used by those struggling with addiction? How can you navigate grief after losing a sibling to suicide without numbing the pain? What is "ego deflation" in the context of 12-step recovery? Why is the service industry particularly dangerous for people prone to addiction? How do you quit smoking after 28 years while already in recovery for other substances? What does it mean to "love people from a distance" during sobriety? How can physical fitness like squash or gym routines help maintain sobriety? What is the significance of the 12-step program for long-term recovery? How can practicing empathy toward parents help resolve childhood resentments? What is the "Mad Love" philosophy in Chef Dev’s recovery? How does a recovery sponsor provide a "coach for life"? What are effective ways to handle holiday triggers and the availability of alcohol?#SobrietyStories #AddictionRecovery #ChefDev

    1h 5m

  6. FEB 11

    Grace Adams | High-Functioning Alcoholism, Ballet & NYC Sober Living

    Grace Adams seemed to have it all: a prestigious advertising job, a New York City apartment, and a background as a classical ballet dancer. But behind the "perfect" Type-A exterior, Grace was trapped in a cycle of secret binge drinking and 48-hour blackouts. In this vulnerable episode of Recoverycast, Grace opens up about the "emotional bottom" that brought her to her knees on her apartment floor and the courageous phone call to her mother that changed everything. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ We dive deep into the unique pressures of the performing arts world, the "show pony" mentality that fueled her perfectionism, and how alcohol became a way to quiet her intense anxiety. Grace shares her journey through Ashley Addiction Treatment and the instrumental role that Release Recovery’s sober living played in teaching her how to actually live a vibrant, sober life. Now a recovery advocate, Grace discusses how she uses social media to provide the representation she never saw—showing young women that sobriety isn't just about stopping a substance; it's about starting "Life Part Two." If you are a high-functioning individual struggling with isolation or feel like a "fraud" in your own life, this story is a powerful reminder that there is another way to live. Subscribe to Recoverycast for more stories of hope and transformation. Comment below to share your own journey or ask Grace a question! ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – The "Aha Moment" with Peach Schnapps  01:18 – Childhood Pressure & The First Panic Attack  05:35 – The Competitive World of Classical Ballet  06:35 – High School: "Crazy Grace" & Secret Drinking  10:18 – College Binge Drinking & Sorority Culture  13:30 – Spilling Wine & Family Interventions  17:00 – NYC: 48-Hour Blackouts & The Emotional Bottom  25:23 – Entering Treatment & Facing the "Fraud" Narrative  34:00 – The Power of Sober Living & Community  44:06 – Advocacy: Helping Young Women Find Hope ❓ Questions the Video Answers: What does high-functioning alcoholism look like in young women? How does competitive ballet impact mental health and addiction? What is an "emotional bottom" in recovery? How do I tell my parents I can’t stop drinking? What is the difference between detox and learning to live sober? Can you be a "perfectionist" and an alcoholic? How does sober living help with long-term recovery? How do I maintain friendships with "normal" drinkers after rehab? What are the signs of a 12-step program working? How can social media advocacy help in the healing process? What is the "fraud syndrome" in early sobriety? How do I handle holiday triggers in early recovery? Is it possible to have fun in New York City while sober? How do I know if my drinking is "bad enough" for treatment? What are the benefits of a young adult-specific recovery program? #SoberStories #AlcoholRecovery #MentalHealth

    52 min

  7. FEB 4

    Carl Radke | Alcohol & Cocaine Addiction, Sibling Loss, & 12-Step Recovery

    Carl Radke from Bravo’s Summer House shares his raw journey through high-functioning cocaine and alcohol addiction. In this vulnerable episode, Carl opens up about growing up in Pittsburgh where alcohol was the family fabric and how his brother’s struggle with heroin addiction created a life of fear. He details the $2,000-a-weekend cocaine habit he hid behind his reality TV persona and the rock-bottom moment in January 2021 that finally forced him to choose life. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Carl dives deep into the non-linear road of recovery, from the intense pressure of filming while grieving his brother’s overdose to the "hard love" of a New York City AA sponsor. He discusses his memoir, Cake Eater, and his mission to provide alcohol-free spaces through Soft Bar and Cafe. This conversation is a masterclass in turning public shame into private healing and collective inspiration. Whether you are navigating loss or seeking a more intentional way to live, Carl’s story offers a roadmap for redemption and daily discipline. Subscribe to Recoverycast for more stories of hope and healing. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – The True Cost of a $2,000 Weekend  02:29 – Pittsburgh Roots: Alcohol as the Family Fabric  11:12 – Mental Health: Patterns of Depression and Anxiety  13:37 – The Shadow of Sibling Heroin Addiction  18:54 – The High-Functioning Trap: Cocaine vs. Heroin  26:16 – The Call: Losing a Brother to Overdose  31:11 – Filming Through Grief: Real Life on Camera  35:20 – Rock Bottom: The Breaking Point in January 2021  38:52 – Hard Love: AA and the 12-Step Solution  49:50 – Daily Discipline: Making the Bed and 5 Years Sober  ❓ Questions the Video Answers How did Carl Radke’s childhood normalize alcohol use? What are the signs of high-functioning cocaine addiction? How do you process grief when a sibling dies from an overdose? What was the financial impact of Carl's substance abuse? How does reality TV fame complicate the recovery process? Why did Carl Radke join AA and what was his sponsor like? What is the mission of Soft Bar and Cafe in Brooklyn? How can simple routines like making your bed support sobriety? What is Carl's perspective on the disease of addiction now? How did Carl Radke handle public shame regarding his brother? What are the best daily practices for maintaining sobriety? How does Carl Radke define "raw dogging" a marathon? #CarlRadke #SummerHouse #AddictionRecovery

    53 min

  8. JAN 28

    Mistena & Shannon | Meth Recovery, Domestic Abuse & Generational Healing

    Shannon Hughes and her daughter, Mistena Renteria-Elliott, share a raw and harrowing journey through the depths of methamphetamine addiction, domestic abuse, and the long road to generational healing. Shannon opens up about using substances to cope with severe anxiety while trapped in a manipulative and abusive relationship with a stepfather who controlled every aspect of their lives. Mistena reflects on a childhood defined by survival mode, moving constantly, and the trauma of watching her mother disappear into addiction and homelessness. The turning point came during a high-stakes crisis involving a psych ward hold and a last-chance family trip to the Florida coast. They discuss the complexities of meth recovery, the reality of childhood trauma, and how medication like Zoloft and supportive school counselors eventually saved Mistena's life. Now over a year sober, Shannon and Mistena are navigating the messy, beautiful process of getting to know each other again as mother and daughter. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ This episode is a testament to the fact that you can heal, no matter how broken the relationship seems. Whether you are struggling with substance use disorders or are a loved one setting boundaries, this conversation offers a roadmap from defeat to hope. Subscribe to Recoverycast for more authentic stories of sobriety and mental health transformation. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Identifying the Struggle: Methamphetamine and Family Impact 03:31 – The Intersection of Anxiety, Abuse, and Early Addiction 06:05 – Domestic Violence and the Cycle of Manipulation 11:01 – CPS Failures and Navigating Childhood Trauma 14:48 – Coping Mechanisms: Music and School as a Safe Haven 20:13 – Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health Medication and Support 26:27 – Rock Bottom: Homelessness and the Arkansas Psych Ward 30:28 – The Last Chance: A Life-Saving Trip to the Ocean 38:47 – What We Get Wrong About Loving an Addict 45:18 – Rebuilding the Mother-Daughter Bond in Recovery 50:12 – Advice for Families Losing Hope ❓ Questions the Video Answers: How does methamphetamine addiction affect the mother-daughter bond? What are the signs of emotional and domestic abuse in an addicted household? How can children cope with the trauma of a parent's addiction? What happens during a mandatory 72-hour psych ward hold for addiction? Can the ocean or nature assist in the early stages of detox and healing? How do you set boundaries with a parent struggling with homelessness? Is Zoloft effective for treating trauma-related anxiety in teenagers? Why do people stay in abusive relationships while struggling with substances? How can school counselors help students living in high-risk environments? What are the chances of long-term recovery after meth addiction? How do you rebuild trust after ten years of toxic communication? Why is "survival mode" a common experience for families in addiction? #MethRecovery #GenerationalHealing #SobrietyStories

    52 min
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5
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About

Explore powerful, real-life mental health and addiction recovery stories in authentic, engaging conversations. Each episode spotlights relatable journeys shared by influential voices—from struggles and setbacks to moments of resilience, hope, and healing. This podcast is a safe, supportive space where vulnerability is celebrated, connections flourish, and listeners find reassurance that lasting recovery and mental wellness are truly possible. Tune in for inspiring narratives, practical guidance, and a compassionate sober community to accompany you on your personal path to healing.

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