Recovery Matters! Podcast

Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
  • 4.9 (18)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast from one of the nation's original Recovery Community Organizations - CCAR. CCAR envisions a world where the power, hope, and healing of Recovery from addiction is thoroughly understood and embraced. We invite guests from all areas of the Recovery Movement to explore the concept of recovery with us, share their stories, and have real discussions that move us toward that world which we envision.

  1. 4D AGO

    My Mother Handed Me Heroin, My Father Showed Me the Needle

    Tyler shares his raw and emotional journey, detailing a chaotic childhood where addiction was the family norm. He recounts the shocking progression of his own drug use, the moment his mother introduced him to heroin, and how his father was the first person to put a needle in his arm. After years of the "jail, rehab, rehab, jail" cycle, hear how the loss of his 'perfect' life and a moment of desperation led him to a permanent path of recovery. Now sober and working at the very treatment center that saved him, Tyler discusses finding his identity, the power of fellowship, and how he navigated the grief of losing both parents while staying clean.   [00:00] Podcast Introduction and Tyler's Clean Date (October 1st, 2023)  [00:00:45] The Host's Initial Doubt: "He's not gonna make it"  [00:02:29] Finding God and a "Physically New Person"  [00:03:30] Growing Up in a Vicious Cycle of Family Addiction My Mother Gave Me My First Perk; Sniffing Heroin Together  [00:07:28] "My Father Was the First Person to Put a Needle in My Arm" [00:07:47] Playing the Shitty Cards: Winning with the Disease of Addiction  [00:09:26] The 10-Year Cycle: Jail, Rehab, Rehab, Jail  [00:11:37] The Gift of Desperation: Leaving the "White Picket Fence"  [00:14:13] The Genetic Factor of Opiate Addiction [00:15:55] Identity Crisis: Who Am I Without Drugs?  [00:17:59] Life in Recovery & The Power of Fellowship (NA/AA)  [00:20:18] Faking the Funk: Why Half-Stepping the Work Fails [00:30:52] Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes  [00:31:35] Grieving in Sobriety: Losing Both Parents  [00:34:33] Final Thought: It's Easier to Keep Your Seat Than to Get It Back  [00:36:06] Conclusion and Gratitude ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

    38 min

  2. NOV 4

    From the Streets to Barnes & Noble: How Addiction Led to Recovery and Purpose

    From shining shoes at the Connecticut State Capitol to surviving gang violence, addiction, and multiple prison sentences—Luis Flores has lived through it all. In this gripping episode of Recovery Matters, Luis opens up about his descent into Hartford’s drug trade, the pain of losing friends, and the night five guns were pointed at him—and didn’t go off. But his story doesn’t end in tragedy. After years trapped in addiction and incarceration, Luis found faith, redemption, and purpose through writing. Today, he’s the author of Don’t Judge Me, a raw memoir soon to be adapted into a movie. His transformation is proof that no matter how far you’ve fallen, recovery—and even greatness—is still possible. ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

    13 min

  3. OCT 21

    The Gas Station Drug That Hooked Me: My Kratom Addiction Story

    At 21 years old, Lucas has never had a legal drink—yet he’s already survived alcohol addiction, Kratom dependence, and the brutal withdrawals that followed. His story begins in a chaotic household where nightly drinking and fighting were the norm. By 19, Lucas was mixing alcohol with pills, throwing up blood, and blacking out behind the wheel. That night at home became his rock bottom—and the start of change. But when he stopped drinking, Kratom slid in to fill the void. Sold right next to the energy drinks at gas stations, it seemed harmless—“all natural.” In reality, it’s a partial opioid agonist that hooks into the brain’s mu receptors. Lucas thought it was helping him stay functional—until he couldn’t go a day without it.  Lucas shares what recovery looks like when you do it on your own, the painful truth about “functional” addiction, and how community ultimately helped him heal. If you or someone you love is experimenting with Kratom, this episode is a wake-up call.   00:00–Meet Lucas (21 )& early sobriety dates 00:00:53–Rock-bottom night at mom’s house 00:02:40–Vomiting blood, drunk driving, half-handle a day 00:04:06–From quitting alcohol to “dabbling” in kratom 00:05:00–What kratom is; 7-OH & partial opioid agonist 00:08:20–Gas-station access, concentrates, no ID check 00:11:16–The “functional” phase (school/work on kratom) 00:12:44–Extracts arms race:“Feel Free,” kava mix, escalation 00:16:03–Physical dependence & morning withdrawals 00:21:13–Choosing to quit & what helped (and what didn’t) 00:24:58–Early-recovery anxiety & doing it alone vs.support 00:29:15–Finding community (AA/RCO) as a young person 00:31:42–Day-one advice:“It gets better one day at a time”   ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

    33 min

  4. OCT 14

    I Woke Up on an Old Wooden Floor—and Finally Faced My Addiction

    For years, musician Matthew Check drank to hide pain, pressure, and perfectionism—until one brutal morning on an old wooden floor made him face the truth. In this Recovery Matters episode, Matthew opens up about the spiral of blackout drinking, the shame that followed, and the quiet relief of his first AA meeting. He shares how he rebuilt his life through connection, spirituality, and creative expression—and why August 14, 2014 marks the day he truly began living in recovery. His story proves that recovery isn’t the end of fun—it’s the start of freedom. Purchase Matthew's new book here: https://a.co/d/ePFvVgD   00:00 Intro – Matthew Check’s Early Years   02:15 College Drinking & Blackouts   05:40 The Morning That Changed Everything   08:10 Finding Sobriety on August 14, 2014   11:05 Early AA Meetings & Emotional Healing   15:20 Music, Spirituality & Recovery   19:45 Final Reflections & Hope for Others ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

    21 min

  5. OCT 7

    Resetting My Sobriety Date Was the Hardest Thing I’ve Done

    TJ sits down with Meghan Blanchette, a woman whose journey through addiction, relapse, and self-discovery offers a powerful look at what long-term recovery truly means. Meghan shares how her first sobriety date in 2015 marked the beginning of a new chapter—but a prescribed medication after surgery tested her honesty and recovery principles. She chose to reset her sobriety date, a humbling act that redefined her integrity and commitment to healing. Her story opens an important conversation about prescribed medication, relapse, and the moral choices that often accompany recovery. Growing up as an only child who moved frequently, Meghan reflects on how instability and self-blame laid early groundwork for addiction. Introduced to alcohol in middle school and later to opiates through a prescription, her dependency quickly escalated. By her twenties, Meghan was battling homelessness, withdrawal, and despair—until a moment of clarity walking along a busy road pushed her to seek help. Calling her mother and entering detox through Connecticut’s 2-1-1 system became the turning point. Meghan went from living in a tent to completing multiple recovery programs—detox, 90-day treatment, halfway housing, and eventually independent living—each step teaching her life skills, self-respect, and community connection. Today, Meghan thrives as a speaker, coach, and the chairwoman of the board at InterCommunity, the very organization that once helped her rebuild her life. Through her platform FiercelyMeghan.com, she empowers others with lessons in emotional intelligence, self-worth, and recovery principles that apply far beyond addiction. ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

    30 min

  6. SEP 30

    Wild Ride To Sobriety: A Transformation from Drunken Oblivion to Profound Clarity

    Host TJ sits down with author Ian Fee, who shares his raw and unfiltered journey through addiction, family struggles, and the path to lasting recovery. From taking his first sip of alcohol at just one year old, to believing booze was his “superpower,” Ian’s story is filled with both chaos and redemption. He opens up about how alcohol shaped his childhood, his career, and his relationships—including two failed marriages and painful letters from his children describing life with a “party dad.” Ian also recounts his turning point in rehab, where he realized that true change had to start with himself. Now eight years sober, Ian talks about rebuilding his life through gratitude, community, and daily habits. He shares practical advice for those in early recovery, the importance of your “circle,” and how he transformed his pain into purpose by writing his book Wild Ride to Sobriety. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking hope, resilience, and proof that it’s never too late to change. Ian's book Wild Ride To Sobriety: A Transformation from Drunken Oblivion to Profound Clarity can be purchased on Amazon: https://a.co/d/due58IO  00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 00:34 – Growing up in an alcohol-centered home 02:00 – Childhood party life & first jobs serving drinks 03:40 – College years: booze as a “superpower” 05:00 – Alcohol and career success in the hotel industry 05:43 – Marriage, kids, and the cost of addiction 07:14 – Stacking “rock bottoms” and going to rehab 08:30 – Turning point: realizing change starts with self 09:19 – Emotional impact: letters from his children 11:06 – Life after rehab & the power of community 13:39 – Learning to feel emotions & forgive himself 15:29 – Writing Wild Ride to Sobriety 17:11 – Building transformation through daily habits 18:26 – The practice of gratitude 19:16 – Advice for the first 24 hours of recovery 20:44 – The importance of your circle & relationships 21:09 – Book launch & where to find it 22:26 – Setting small, achievable goals in recovery 23:18 – Closing thoughts & inspiration ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

    24 min

  7. SEP 23

    Rehab at 13, Homeless at 18, Sober Today

    In this episode of Recovery Matters, TJ sits down with Matt, a young person in recovery who now works as a Young People and Family Services Coordinator with CCAR. Matt opens up about his journey, beginning with his first treatment at just 13 years old. Despite having parents in recovery, he struggled deeply with drugs, arrests, and time in the juvenile justice system.   He shares the progression of his addiction—weed and pills leading to heroin, crack, and near-fatal lows including homelessness, suicidal thoughts, and severe health complications. A turning point came when he entered detox and long-term treatment programs, where structure and community support helped him rebuild his life.   Matt also talks about relapse, rebuilding quickly, and how building a strong network of sober friends became crucial to his recovery. His story highlights both the tragedy of losing friends to overdose and the joy of discovering a fulfilling sober life—travel, motorcycles, relationships, and most importantly, fatherhood. Becoming a dad gave Matt a new sense of purpose, grounding his recovery in love and responsibility.     00:00 – Introductions 00:36 – First Treatment at 13 05:00 – Escalating Addiction 07:00 – First Arrests & Juvenile Justice 08:00 – Hitting Rock Bottom at 18 10:00 – Sober House & Overdose Scare 13:00 – Relapse After Heartbreak 15:00 – Waterbury & Heavy Addiction 17:30 – Final Turning Point 19:00 – Structured Recovery & Torrington Move 22:00 – Slip & Quick Return to Recovery 23:00 – Building a New Life 25:00 – Meeting His Fiancée & Becoming a Father 29:00 – Parenthood in Recovery 34:00 – Advice for Newcomers ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

    36 min

  8. SEP 16

    3 Deaths. 1 Miracle. A Recovery Story You Need to Hear

    Victor Reynolds shares his powerful recovery journey on the Recovery Matters Podcast. Raised in an environment of violence and addiction, he was taught to be heartless from a young age. By nine, he was on the streets, caught up in crime, substances, and chaos. Years of dust, drinking, robberies, and prison time left him broken, but also searching for meaning. His turning point came when he faced federal charges and later battled congestive heart failure while incarcerated. After multiple near-death experiences and what he describes as a divine encounter with an “angel,” Victor embraced faith and recovery. Today, he lives with humility, gratitude, and a mission to help others who are still struggling. His story is one of transformation, hope, and the belief in second chances. 00:00 – Introduction: TJ & Victor 00:21 – Growing up without emotions 00:44 – Father’s influence & gangster lifestyle 01:18 – Early street life & family struggles 02:17 – First substances: dust & drinking 02:43 – Crime, stickups, and first arrest 03:30 – Denial of addiction problems 04:00 – Prison life & getting high inside 05:00 – Feeling invincible on substances 06:05 – Father’s Day with his sons – breaking moment 07:21 – Facing federal charges & prison time 08:10 – Congestive heart failure diagnosis 09:49 – Near-death experiences & survival 13:11 – Belief in God’s protection & a new heart 15:02 – The mysterious Dr. Kennedy encounter 18:25 – Faith, recovery, and humility 19:00 – Advice for people in their first 24 hours of recovery ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

    20 min
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4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

A podcast from one of the nation's original Recovery Community Organizations - CCAR. CCAR envisions a world where the power, hope, and healing of Recovery from addiction is thoroughly understood and embraced. We invite guests from all areas of the Recovery Movement to explore the concept of recovery with us, share their stories, and have real discussions that move us toward that world which we envision.

Information

  • Creator
    Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    201
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 - Recovery Matters Podcast - Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery
  • Show Website
    Recovery Matters! Podcast

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