Hello there, fearfully and wonderfully made humans. In this powerful episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana S. Rice sits down with Andrew Drasen, author of A Vision of Hope, to explore the reality of addiction, recovery, incarceration, trauma, relapse, identity, and second chances. Andrew shares his lived experience with substance use, overdose, jail, prison, repeated treatment attempts, and the long, difficult road toward healing. This is not a polished highlight reel. It is a real conversation about how addiction can hijack the mind, body, and nervous system, why shame keeps people stuck, and why recovery is about far more than just stopping a behavior. Together, Diana and Andrew unpack what people often misunderstand about addiction, how early pain and emotional struggles can shape later substance use, why community and accountability matter, and what it really takes to rebuild a life with purpose after hitting rock bottom. They also discuss gaps in treatment, the difference between punishment and rehabilitation, the role of identity in lasting recovery, and why hope is often the very first step toward change. Whether you are struggling with addiction, love someone who is, work in mental health, serve in ministry, care about justice reform, or simply feel stuck in a painful cycle, this conversation offers honesty, compassion, and hope. What We Cover in This Episode what addiction feels like from the inside why addiction is not simply a willpower problem the connection between trauma, shame, nervous system dysregulation, and substance use Andrew's progression from marijuana and alcohol to Xanax, Adderall, opioids, and heroin what repeated treatment and incarceration taught him why identity is a missing piece in many recovery conversations how writing became part of his healing process the story behind A Vision of Hope and his recovery curriculum why Andrew believes group work and closed-cohort support can be so powerful what needs to change in systems of treatment, reentry, and rehabilitation why hope, purpose, and community matter in healing Why This Episode Matters People are actively searching for answers to questions like: How does addiction start? Why do people relapse? Can someone rebuild life after prison or overdose? What actually helps addiction recovery last? How do families support a loved one without losing themselves? What is the difference between punishment and rehabilitation? Is there hope after years of addiction? This episode speaks directly to those questions with both lived experience and compassionate reflection. Key Takeaways Addiction is all-consuming. Andrew describes addiction as something that can take over the thought process, hijack the nervous system, and become as urgent as basic survival. Compassion matters. He reminds us that people struggling with addiction are not just making random bad choices. Many are hurting deeply, trying to cope, and often feel trapped inside patterns they do not know how to break. Recovery is not just behavior change. One of the biggest themes in this conversation is that recovery is not only about saying no to a substance. It is also about learning who you are becoming and why that life is worth protecting. Identity matters. Andrew shares that one of the missing pieces for him was adopting a new identity and filling the void that addiction once occupied with meaning, purpose, and connection. Hope is the prerequisite to change. If someone cannot imagine a different future, they are far less likely to fight for one. Community matters. Healing often happens in safe, honest, connected spaces where people are seen, challenged, encouraged, and supported. About Andrew Drasen Andrew Drasen is the author of A Vision of Hope, a memoir trilogy rooted in lived experience with addiction, incarceration, and intentional living. His work focuses on resilience, accountability, and community rebuilding through narrative and reflective practice. He is the creator of: A Vision of Hope: A Story of Redemption and Purpose A Vision of Hope: Reflections A Vision of Hope: The Workbook Andrew speaks on the intersection of personal transformation, systemic experience, recovery, and purposeful growth. His goal is to help individuals, communities, and systems better understand what real change can look like. Connect with Andrew Drasen Website: https://avisionofhopebook.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/drewwithad LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/andrewdrasen Instagram: https://instagram.com/andrewdrasen X: https://x.com/andrewdrasen Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58297825.Andrew_Drasen Resources Mentioned A Vision of Hope trilogy by Andrew Drasen A Vision of Hope: A Story of Redemption and Purpose A Vision of Hope: Reflections A Vision of Hope: The Workbook Find mental health or substance use treatment SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov is a confidential, anonymous treatment locator for mental health and substance use services in the United States. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 for immediate support during a mental health, emotional, or substance use crisis. SAMHSA states that 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors by call, text, and chat. Naloxone / Narcan Naloxone is a medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. NIDA explains that it works by attaching to opioid receptors and reversing the effects of an overdose. Why treatment during incarceration matters An NIH-supported 2025 study found that providing medication treatment for opioid use disorder in jail was associated with lower overdose risk, lower death risk, and lower reincarceration after release. Support for loved ones Andrew mentions the importance of support for family members too, including groups like Al-Anon. For broader behavioral health help, SAMHSA also offers national support and treatment resources. Andrew Drasen Quotes "Addiction is all-consuming." "It hijacks your body, mind, and soul." "No one wants to be addicted." "At the end, like, I didn't get high anymore, it just made me feel okay." "If you're relying on any kind of substance or anything external for you to feel okay inside, it's temporary." "Change is possible. You just have to believe it." "That's, like, the prerequisite to change, in my opinion. If you don't have hope that your circumstance can improve, you're not gonna put the effort forth to change the circumstance." "We need to stop punishing drug users, because it's a public health issue." "Our policy should keep people alive long enough to get help." "I don't even identify as an addict anymore." Diana S. Rice Quotes "Addiction is not just about substances. It's about pain. It's about patterns. It's about the brain, the body, trauma, and survival." "Healing is not just about stopping a behavior. It's about rebuilding identity, learning accountability, and finding purpose again." "We're meant to be in community." "Do not give up on yourself." "Understand that you have a purpose, and there's forgiveness." Who This Episode Is For This episode is for: people struggling with addiction people in recovery loved ones trying to understand addiction therapists and mental health professionals pastors, coaches, and ministry leaders reentry and justice reform advocates anyone trying to break unhealthy cycles and build a better life Support the Show If this episode encouraged you, please share it with someone who needs hope today, leave a review, and support The Holistic Counselor Podcast by checking out Diana's resources, offerings, and merch through https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical care, psychiatric care, addiction treatment, or legal advice. If you or someone you love is in immediate crisis, call or text 988 right now for 24/7 crisis support. If you suspect an opioid overdose, call emergency services immediately and administer naloxone if available.
