Rock Bottom With Ryan

rockbottomwithryan
  • 4.3 (9)
  • Mental Health

After 18 years of drinking, countless blackouts, arrests, and hospital stays, I finally hit my bottom—and started to climb. This podcast is about what it really looks like to get sober. No sugarcoating. No step-by-step manual. Just honest conversations about addiction, recovery, relapse, and everything in between. If you’ve struggled, if someone you love is struggling, or if you just want to understand the chaos behind the bottle—this is for you. Let’s talk about what happens after rock bottom.

  1. 2d ago

    Get Sober or Die Trying - Lorne

    From Cocaine to Crack Rock Bottom: Lorne’s Recovery Story (Rock Bottom with Ryan)Ryan interviews Lorne, a Montreal DJ and longtime cocaine user who transitioned to crack for four years and got sober on December 8, 2022. Lorne describes a normal upbringing, early experimentation with hash and psychedelics, and a pivotal first line of cocaine at a party that led to decades of escalating use. As addiction progressed, he faced mounting financial ruin, constant job changes, evictions, arrests for fraud and theft, and dangerous situations, while continuing to use even during court appearances. A brief attempt at IOP in 2016 ended in relapse. Lorne credits a message and ultimatum from his son as the turning point, then found support through podcasts and online recovery communities, SMART Recovery, and AA, emphasizing meetings, service, boundaries, and rebuilding his relationship with his son.00:00 Basement Party Flashback00:49 Recovery Meetings Mindset01:15 Show Intro and Guest Welcome02:10 Sober Date and Background02:58 Childhood and Family Life04:37 Personality Before Addiction05:32 First High and Teen Experimenting08:27 First Coke Line Turning Point12:06 From Partying to Daily Use14:33 Dealing and Funding the Habit18:28 Consequences Crime and Court23:20 IOP Attempt and Quick Relapse25:30 Parents Find Out Son Born26:59 Addiction Escalates Fast28:07 First Hit of Crack30:00 Work Life Collapses31:47 Evictions and Seizures34:35 COVID Isolation and Despair35:24 Son's Ultimatum38:55 Finding Online Recovery42:10 Community and Service45:12 Rebuilding Relationships48:54 Closing Reflections

  2. 5d ago

    The Dry Side - Nicole

    Nicole’s Rock Bottom: Air Force Retirement, Isolation, and Finding Recovery Through Rehab, AA & The Dry SideIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Nicole—recently retired after 21 years in the Air Force and living in Texas—shares how alcohol gradually became a problem after years of high functioning and social drinking. She describes an introverted childhood in a military family, early drinking at 14, and a slow progression that escalated with unstructured time, isolation, and later COVID lockdowns in Belgium, where her drinking became round-the-clock with withdrawals and daily blackouts. Back in the U.S., her husband began noticing changes as she consumed up to a fifth and a half of whiskey a day. After months of daily blackout drinking, she sought detox on Nov. 13, 2025, completed five days of detox and a 60-day rehab, used therapy modalities including EMDR, joined AA, rebuilt family trust, and started The Dry Side podcast to share recovery insights and community.00:00 When Drinking Turned Dark01:01 Rehab Wins Back Trust01:23 Show Intro and Sponsor02:27 Meet Nicole and Sober Date03:55 Childhood in a Military Family06:04 Introversion and Self-Doubt09:06 Sports, High School, First Drink10:45 College ROTC and Early Drinking13:18 Air Force Culture and First Blackout16:41 Hiding It and Keeping Up Appearances20:16 2018 Shift to Drinking Alone22:41 Belgium Lockdown and All-Day Drinking24:33 Withdrawals and the Daily Cycle26:49 Fitness Decline and Family Suspicions30:44 How Much Was I Drinking31:26 Reconnecting with Future Husband33:30 Back in the States It Shows33:56 Husband Sees the Signs34:58 Last Day Drinking Decision36:01 Detox to Sixty Day Rehab37:08 Clear Mind No Cravings38:29 Finding the Root Trauma40:48 Relational Wounds Unpacked43:27 Shot Out of Rehab44:41 Rebuilding Life at Home49:04 Starting The Dry Side51:09 Community Keeps Me Sober54:45 Daily Routine and AA59:47 Whats Next Service Goals01:02:59 Advice One Day at Time01:05:53 Nine Months and Farewell

  3. Sep 24

    Life On Life's Terms - Recovery Jon

    Recovery Jon: Oxy, Heroin & Alcohol Addiction, Arrests, Rock Bottom, and Rebuilding a Life on Life’s TermsJon shares how a seemingly stable childhood in Connecticut shifted after multiple traumatic near-death experiences and mounting anxiety and anger, leading to heavy drinking, then rapid addiction to OxyContin, heroin (snorting), and later alcohol and cocaine, alongside seven arrests and years of functioning at a high-level job while using. He describes escalating health decline, friends dying amid suspected fentanyl, a retaliatory shooting near his home, and finally entering rehab after admitting he wouldn’t live much longer, followed by relapse and later recommitting to recovery through AA, therapy, and service. Jon explains early sobriety struggles, a “spiritual bank account” mindset, and how helping others during COVID and overdose losses led him to public recovery content, writing Life on Life’s Terms (a #1 new release), treatment-center work, and ongoing goals including sober houses, fitness-focused support, and building a family life.00:00 Spiraling Into Chaos00:58 Pandemic And Loss01:19 Show Intro And Sponsor02:24 Meet John And Sober Date04:09 Growing Up Baseball Dreams06:37 Teen Trauma And PTSD08:52 Anger Takes Over00:03 Oxy First Hook12:11 Why Opiates Felt Perfect14:46 Arrests And Consequences16:54 Double Life At Work19:17 Withdrawals And Money Drain21:14 Fentanyl Era Wake Up22:48 Shooting Sparks Rehab23:34 Rehab Mind Games Relapse24:32 Arrest and Collapse24:53 Worst Day Using25:58 Treatment and Surrender28:34 Early Sobriety Boredom29:28 Spiritual Bank Account30:42 Rebuilding a Career31:49 Posting to Save Lives33:44 Brother Loss and Book34:51 Yankee Stadium Amends37:29 Content That Gives Hope39:59 Staying Sober Through Grief42:44 Life Skills and Goals46:07 Advice and Closing

  4. Sep 21

    Sober at 21 - John Campbell

    From Xanax Blackouts to 18 Years Sober: John Campbell’s Rock Bottom & Recovery JourneyIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, John Campbell shares his story of getting sober at 21 after escalating drug and alcohol use, arrests, and stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his family while working at a bank. Raised in Dallas with early behavior issues and ADHD, John gravitated to the wrong crowd, was sent to an all-boys boarding school where substance abuse intensified, then spiraled further in college with cocaine, heavy drinking, and Xanax blackouts. After a family confrontation, he entered rehab in Utah, began embracing AA and spirituality, and continued into a tough young-adult sober living program in Baton Rouge where he found purpose and committed to lifelong sobriety. John later built a career in counseling and founded Campbell Recovery Services, offering therapy, coaching, interventions, and support for addictions including gambling, sex, and technology.00:00 Cocaine And Xanax Spiral01:29 Show Intro And Sponsor02:25 Meet Jon Campbell04:33 Early Life In Dallas07:16 High School And First Cigarettes11:28 Boarding School Chaos14:19 Back Home Senior Year Reset15:40 Austin Freedom And Cocaine18:11 Arrests And Moving Back21:14 Pharmacy Pills And Bank Scheme24:29 Easter Low Point Intervention26:37 Rehab Wake Up Call30:02 Sober Living New Life Skills32:58 Recovery Breakthrough Moments34:33 Amends And Full Circle35:55 Finding Purpose In Counseling37:37 Building Campbell Recovery39:37 Overnight Shift Lessons41:37 What Clients Teach Therapists44:47 Treating Trauma Not Symptoms48:01 Modern Addictions Beyond Substances51:01 Wraparound Care Under One Roof53:43 Mic Drop Recovery Questions55:09 Future Plans Therapeutic Intensives57:34 Hope Legacy And Rock Bottom59:42 Advice Quotes And How To Reach John01:02:16 Sneaker Finale And Sign Off

  5. Sep 17

    Becoming Her - Paige Calentino

    Paige Calentino: From Party Girl to Sober Coach | Rock Bottom with RyanIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Ryan interviews Paige Calentino, who shares her sobriety date (December 26, 2022), her alcohol and drug use history (martinis, tequila, cocaine, MDMA), and how binge drinking began at 15 and escalated through college at SMU and into corporate consulting’s “work hard, play hard” culture. Paige recounts a major college incident where she fell from a second-story balcony while blacked out and later learned she’d been roofied, yet continued drinking due to social anxiety and shame. In her 20s, burnout and a toxic relationship culminated in a breakup and move to San Diego, where she drank through COVID before becoming sober curious, taking breaks, and ultimately quitting after a three-month trial. Paige explains her coaching approach—identity, somatic work, mindset, and manifestation—why “sober is boring” is a myth, and how she built her Becoming Her program to help high achievers change their relationship with alcohol.00:00 Chasing College Party Life01:01 Manifesting Coaching Mindset01:32 Podcast Intro and Sponsor02:36 Meet Paige and Sober Stats04:07 Picture Perfect Childhood Pressure05:13 Teen Binge Drinking Begins08:17 College Greek Life Escalation12:07 Bahamas Balcony Fall Wakeup16:44 Denial and Redefining Problem Drinking19:13 Corporate Burnout and Toxic Relationship24:33 Cheating Discovery and Fresh Start27:54 COVID Drinking and Sober Curious Steps29:51 Three Month Turning Point30:33 Work Culture and COVID31:34 Deciding to Keep Going33:05 Life Changes and Glow Up36:35 Moderation Versus Sobriety39:51 Building a Sober Brand40:20 Becoming Her Origin Story43:50 Why High Achievers Binge46:32 Alcohol Marketing Everywhere51:21 Coaching Framework Explained57:08 Sober Curious Myths58:47 Unexpected Gifts and Advice01:02:40 Closing and Where to Find Her

  6. Sep 14

    Forward Only - David Watson

    From White-Collar Crime to Redemption: David Watson on Prison, Purpose & Going Forward Only | Rock Bottom with RyanOn Rock Bottom with Ryan, guest David Watson from Fort Worth, Texas shares how a stable childhood with his grandparents shifted after his grandfather’s cancer diagnosis, leading to running away and escalating theft and fraud. He describes early schemes, meeting his first wife and committing credit card fraud in the Bahamas, and how the thrill became addictive as his crimes grew over years. Federal investigators ultimately built a case, and David was sentenced in 2019 to 115 months, serving seven years and change, during which his grandmother died and he hit a turning point, taking classes and planning a new life. After release to a halfway house and home confinement, he wrote his book Forward Only in six months and is developing a film adaptation, focusing on change, family, and moving forward. Author of Forward Only00:00 Everyday Hustle Tricks00:57 Rewrite the Ending01:34 Rock Bottom Intro02:38 Meet David and His Book04:10 Childhood and Grandparents06:51 First Runaway at 1308:09 McDonalds Cash Grab09:16 Walmart Returns Scheme11:45 Hot Checks and Bonnie Clyde14:01 Bahamas Credit Card Scam16:06 Caught and Prison Conditions19:22 Federal Case and 115 Months20:32 Missing His Sons Childhood21:50 Mindset Shift in Prison22:06 Grief and Solitary22:52 Turning Point and Self Work23:27 Planning a New Life24:00 Release and Halfway House25:44 Writing the Book Fast26:57 Redemption Message28:52 Hardest Chapters to Write31:37 Hope for Addicts34:06 Hustle Mindset Rewired36:12 Building the Movie38:04 Staying Grounded40:15 Redefining Success40:59 Closing Advice and Quote43:48 Book and Film Updates

  7. Sep 10

    195: Adam's Second Chances

    From Polysubstance Addiction to Counselor: Adam’s Recovery Story | Rock Bottom with RyanIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, guest Adam shares how early feelings of isolation, learning issues, and clashing with his parents led to a long search for escape that escalated from alcohol to marijuana, benzos, opiates, and other substances. He describes struggles in high school and college, depression and suicidal thoughts, and a spiritual rock bottom that culminated in fleeing a pharmacy job when police arrived and entering treatment in 2007, followed by sober living and daily meetings. Adam reflects on amends with his mom, the importance of vigilance in sobriety, and how recovery reshaped his values, relationships, and career. Now married and sober since June 1, 2007, he works in detox and runs Linwood Counseling Services, including support for artists navigating substance-heavy music scenes, and discusses future goals like specializing in OCD and clinician burnout.00:00 Amends and Vigilance01:11 DJs Seeking Sobriety01:35 Show Intro and Sponsor02:41 Meet Adam and Sober Date04:20 Childhood Feeling Alone06:05 Family Clashes and Amends10:33 First Drinks and Fitting In13:22 Anything to Escape15:11 School Life and Bullying17:11 College Spiral and Isolation20:11 Florida Pharmacy Bottom21:28 Withdrawal and Detox Reality23:12 Treatment and Early Recovery25:21 Staying Sober Mindset26:41 Post Treatment Years Ahead27:07 Anger to Connection27:52 Choosing a Fellowship29:40 Finding a Career Path32:30 Detox Work and Goals34:53 Artists and Recovery37:32 Staying Sober in Nightlife39:28 Daily Recovery Habits40:05 Marriage and Addictive Thinking41:52 Future Goals and Success43:21 Relapse Prevention Mindset45:58 Closing Advice and Resources

  8. Sep 7

    194: Real Talk Session 3 - Love, Boundaries, and Rock Bottom: When Helping Starts Hurting (With Amber)

    Boundaries vs Ultimatums: Enabling, Rock Bottom, and Real Recovery | Rock Bottom with Ryan (ft. Amber)Ryan and guest Amber discuss the difference between boundaries and ultimatums, emphasizing self-respect, accountability, and how recovery helped them stop people-pleasing and codependency. They explore enabling in addiction and relationships, including how rescuing someone can delay consequences and “steal their first step,” and why learning to say no can protect both parties. The conversation covers loving people from a distance, communicating needs instead of ghosting, and holding firm standards—even with family—while leaving the door open for healthy dialogue. They share personal rock bottom experiences involving alcohol-induced seizures and denial, and discuss how comparing trauma or addiction can lead to minimization. They also stress that time sober does not equal recovery, advocating ongoing work, community, and integrity.00:00 Boundaries vs Ultimatums01:13 Recovery Beyond Sobriety01:36 Show Intro and Sponsor03:11 Enabling and Saying No06:36 Healthy Boundaries in Relationships09:44 Loving From a Distance13:13 Intuition and Mental Health Limits17:33 Family Boundaries and Vulnerability22:36 Rock Bottom and Rescue Cycles27:13 Hospital Wake Up Call28:53 Seizures And Still Drinking30:11 Excuses And Denial Spiral31:52 Comparing Rock Bottoms33:26 Not That Kind Of Addict36:41 Integrity Over Sobriety Time39:58 Dry Drunk Warning Signs44:48 Copy The Right People46:07 Boundaries And Accountability48:59 Community And Closing Thoughts

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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

After 18 years of drinking, countless blackouts, arrests, and hospital stays, I finally hit my bottom—and started to climb. This podcast is about what it really looks like to get sober. No sugarcoating. No step-by-step manual. Just honest conversations about addiction, recovery, relapse, and everything in between. If you’ve struggled, if someone you love is struggling, or if you just want to understand the chaos behind the bottle—this is for you. Let’s talk about what happens after rock bottom.

Information

  • Creator
    rockbottomwithryan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    195
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © rockbottomwithryan
  • Show Website
    Rock Bottom With Ryan

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