Recovery Catalyst - Substance and Behavioral Addictions Unpacked

Catherine York | Sobriety & Recovery Host
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Recovery Catalyst Podcast. I’m Cat York and as a woman in recovery, I created this show for anyone navigating the ups and downs of sobriety without the dry, textbook lectures. Whether you are sober curious, finding your footing in early recovery, working through traditional programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, or exploring an alcohol-free lifestyle, you have a home here. We talk openly about mental health, the heavy weight of trauma and the complexities of dual diagnosis. Our mission is to foster honest conversations around addiction, recovery and emotional healing. If you are looking for an authentic community that truly understands the challenges of substance abuse and building a meaningful life after addiction, you have found your place. This show answers questions such as: 1.) How do I process and heal from the heavy weight of trauma without turning back to substances? 2.) What does daily life look like when transitioning to an alcohol-free lifestyle? 3.)Do I have to use traditional programs like AA or are there other ways to recover? 4.) How can I find my footing and stay motivated during the early days of sobriety? 5.)How do I build a fulfilling life after giving up my main coping mechanism 6.)Where can I find a community of people who truly understand what substance abuse feels like? 7) How do I untangle my addiction from my underlying mental health struggles? 8.) Who am I sober and how do I learn to tolerate my own thoughts without substance abuse? 9.) How do I handle the loneliness or social awkwardness when navigating a heavily drinking world? To follow, support, or apply to be a guest, visit: https://www.podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

  1. 3d ago

    How To Heal After A Toxic Relationship with Heather Melville

    Have you ever caught yourself asking, “Was it really that bad, or am I overreacting?” That question is often the first sign that gaslighting has taken its toll. In this episode, I’m joined by relationship coach Heather Melville, founder of Healthy Relationships, to discuss the messy, non-linear reality of healing after leaving an emotionally or physically abusive relationship. We break down what “toxic” truly looks like—from the exhaustion of walking on eggshells to the quiet erosion of your own reality. Heather shares insights on navigating the shame and isolation that often follow a breakup, and we discuss practical, body-based tools for reclaiming your self-worth—including solo travel, creative outlets, and the power of movement—to help your nervous system shift out of survival mode. Whether you’re in the thick of it or further along in your recovery, this conversation is a reminder that you don’t need to be “fully healed” to move forward. We challenge the myths of recovery and explore what it really means to build safe, respectful, and resilient connections. What’s one sign of healthy love you want in your life now? To learn more about Heather and her coaching services please visit: www.healthyrelationships.info/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

  2. 4d ago

    Official Trailer

    We’re building a recovery podcast that skips the dry lectures and speaks to real sobriety, from sober curious to early recovery to long term healing. We name the hard parts like trauma, mental health, and dual diagnosis while focusing on how to build a meaningful life after addiction.  • A clear welcome for sober curious listeners and people in early sobriety  • Why we prioritize honest conversation over textbook advice  • Mental health and trauma as core parts of addiction recovery  • D diagnosis and untangling substance use from underlying struggles  • Questions we explore like daily life alcohol-free and staying motivated  • Navigating loneliness and social awkwardness in a drinking culture  • Considering AA and other paths to recovery support  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

  3. Sep 5

    Creative Reset: Burnout Recovery with Lexi Reid

    Burnout doesn't always announce itself with a crash; for many high-achieving professionals, it’s a slow-burn reality characterized by constant stress and emotional exhaustion. In this episode of the Recovery Catalyst Podcast, we explore practical mental health and healing tools for navigating career-driven burnout through the lens of Lexi Reed’s "Creative Reset" approach. We discuss how nervous system regulation and micro-creative breaks can interrupt the stress loop, offering a path to sustainable recovery that doesn't require "real art" or hours of free time. In this episode, we cover: How to identify the subtle signs of "slow-burn" burnout before it reaches a breaking point.The science of shifting your nervous system into a parasympathetic "rest and digest" state using simple sensory tools.Addressing the unique burnout drivers in STEM and high-expectation careers, including invisible labor, people-pleasing, and the constant need to outperform.Practical ways to set boundaries that protect your time and support long-term emotional recovery.About Our Guest Lexi Reed is a trained research scientist and working artist who developed her "Creative Reset" approach after navigating intense professional burnout during the pandemic. She now helps women in high-pressure careers use quick drawing prompts, mindfulness, and reflection to surface their needs and build healthier, more sustainable boundaries.  Website: lexireidstudio.com/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

  4. Aug 28

    Better Communication Can Protect Kids During Divorce

    Shannon Darrow is a divorce coach and mediator, and the host of In Between Them — a podcast featuring honest conversations with adults about what their parents' divorce shaped, broke, and built in them as children. Her desire is to bring to light all of the impacts children suffer from their parent's divorce so parents can become aware and do better In this episode we discuss: • Shannon’s path from law school to corporate life to divorce coaching and mediation • Why adult children can recall small divorce moments with lasting pain • The unintended ways kids become the victims of parental conflict • Why talking about divorce like the weather minimizes grief and loss • The “kids are resilient” idea as a way adults avoid accountability • Divorce grief compared to death and why it can reopen for years • When mediation helps most and why post-judgment mediation can work • Money triggers, court escalations, and how kids get pulled in • Small actions that help children feel safe and considered • Why badmouthing the other parent breaks trust with the child • How divorce history shows up later in adult relationships and marriage • Regulating ourselves so our kids are not living inside our stress You can tune into Shannon Darrow's podcast and learn more about her professional services through the following link onward-mc.com/ Shannon can also be found on Instagram @Inbetweenthempod     Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

  5. Aug 21

    Trauma Surgeon’s Guide to Burnout & Mental Health with Dr. Daniel Eiferman

    What happens after the operating room doors close? For most, it’s not the heroic scene depicted on screen—it’s the weight of high-stakes decisions and the pressure to remain unshakeable. In this episode, Cat York sits down with trauma surgeon, educator, and author Dr. Daniel Eiferman to discuss the hidden emotional reality of surgery. Drawing from his book, Cut Open: A Surgeon’s Stories of Resilience, Loss, and Growth, Daniel shares an honest look at the profession and provides actionable strategies for navigating the mental health challenges common in healthcare. In this episode, we cover: Building Psychological Safety:How to build trust quickly in high-stakes healthcare teams by being the first to drop your guard.Physician Burnout Recovery:Understanding "pervasiveness"—how to prevent one bad day from poisoning your entire outlook.Interrupting Negative Spirals:Practical tools for managing loss aversion, including peer support and compassionate self-talk.Resilience vs. Post-Traumatic Growth:Moving beyond "getting back to normal" to becoming wiser and more grounded through the challenges you’ve lived.Resources: Connect with Dr. Eiferman and explore his free resources for healthcare professionals at integritysurgery.org/ If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share it with a someone who needs to hear this, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find the resources they need.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

  6. Aug 15

    Grief Without Shame

    We sit with the raw truth of losing someone to addiction and the extra burden of shame that families carry in silence. Katie Rizzo shares how she uses poetry and community to keep Nicholas’ story alive while pushing back on stigma and broken systems.  • Nicholas’ anxiety, addiction, and the five to six year family battle  • Shame around overdose death and why secrecy protects the problem  • Al‑Anon as a tool for families and the idea of being a loving witness  • ICU withdrawal, relapse realities, and what happens after 30 to 60 days  • Prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, and incentives that shape care  • The Trimesters of Grief and why poetry can hold what prose cannot  • Kratom risks, gas station drug access, and why “legal” is not safe  • Words for grieving parents and for people using drugs who feel beyond help  To learn more about Katie Rizzo and to Pre-Order Trimesters of Grief  Please visit katierizzo.com Find all our socials, resources, and latest updates in one place: linktr.ee/RecoveryCatalystPodcast Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

    Grief Without Shame

  7. Aug 6

    How To Stay Sober By Building A Life You Want

    We talk with Dr. Larry Smith about how addiction can start young, hide behind achievement, and keep us trapped through an inner voice that promises relief while stealing our lives. We also lay out the daily practices that keep him sober for 26 years and why purpose and connection matter more than chasing the absence of cravings. • His first experience with alcohol at age 11 and the sudden shift from euphoria to shame. • How prescription drugs and weekend drinking evolved into substance abuse.  • The “resume versus reality” gap and how addiction fuels loneliness in relationships. • Gratitude as a trainable skill that changes mindset under stress.  • “Recovery is not the absence of craving but the presence of purpose” and what purpose looks like now. • Why self-worth collapses in addiction and how people rebuild through small actions and amends. • The role of medication assisted treatment and why it should support, not replace, human connection. • The warning behind his novel 2084 and the risk of reducing recovery to what is measurable. To learn more about Dr. Larry Smiths recovery and published works please visit: https://www.drlarrysmithauthor.com/ To connect with show please visit https://linktr.ee/RecoveryCatalystPodcast Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

  8. Jul 31

    Using the Law to Fight Addiction with Attorney Mark Astor

    We talk with attorney Mark Astor about what families can do when addiction or severe mental illness hijacks a loved one’s decision-making and the stakes keep rising. We break down how civil legal tools can create safety, accountability, and time for treatment without turning crisis into punishment. • Mark’s path from prosecutor to behavioural health crisis intervention work • Why families feel trapped between jail and doing nothing • How the Marchman Act and Baker Act differ in purpose and outcomes • Emergency temporary guardianship and what control can look like • The ethical line between protection and autonomy • Why high-potency marijuana can fuel psychosis and complicate recovery • What evidence courts require and why hearsay can sink a case • How we think about addiction, treatment fit, enforcement, and the “honeymoon phase” • Concerns about fraud in the treatment industry when new funding appears • Why free education through books and short videos can change outcomes To connect with Mark and his team or schedule a free consultation please visit  https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ or call (561)419-6095 To connect with show please visit https://linktr.ee/RecoveryCatalystPodcast Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

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Trailer

5
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About

Welcome to Recovery Catalyst Podcast. I’m Cat York and as a woman in recovery, I created this show for anyone navigating the ups and downs of sobriety without the dry, textbook lectures. Whether you are sober curious, finding your footing in early recovery, working through traditional programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, or exploring an alcohol-free lifestyle, you have a home here. We talk openly about mental health, the heavy weight of trauma and the complexities of dual diagnosis. Our mission is to foster honest conversations around addiction, recovery and emotional healing. If you are looking for an authentic community that truly understands the challenges of substance abuse and building a meaningful life after addiction, you have found your place. This show answers questions such as: 1.) How do I process and heal from the heavy weight of trauma without turning back to substances? 2.) What does daily life look like when transitioning to an alcohol-free lifestyle? 3.)Do I have to use traditional programs like AA or are there other ways to recover? 4.) How can I find my footing and stay motivated during the early days of sobriety? 5.)How do I build a fulfilling life after giving up my main coping mechanism 6.)Where can I find a community of people who truly understand what substance abuse feels like? 7) How do I untangle my addiction from my underlying mental health struggles? 8.) Who am I sober and how do I learn to tolerate my own thoughts without substance abuse? 9.) How do I handle the loneliness or social awkwardness when navigating a heavily drinking world? To follow, support, or apply to be a guest, visit: https://www.podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

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