Critical care nurse practitioner Brandi Mac shares the harrowing journey of her daughter’s IV Fentanyl addiction and the moment Brandi shaved her head to release years of trauma.

In this vulnerable episode of Recoverycast, Brandi Mac discusses the reality of navigating nine treatment centers in four years and the "rehab industry" failures that left her family feeling hopeless. As a medical professional, Brandi reflects on her own stigmatized views of addiction prior to it hitting her home, and how she eventually found peace by abandoning "tough love" to lead with empathy. We dive deep into the science and success of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), specifically the life-changing impact of the Sublocade injection, and how Brandi’s daughter found long-term recovery after the family shifted their focus from the addiction back to the person.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

This conversation serves as a guide for families struggling with substance use, offering trauma-informed insights on reentry plans, setting boundaries that you can live with, and the importance of ethical oversight in treatment facilities. Brandi's story is a powerful reminder that as long as there is breath, there is hope.

Subscribe for more authentic stories of healing, and share this episode with anyone who needs to hear that recovery is possible.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & The Breaking Point
01:12 – A Medical Professional’s Stigma
03:57 – The First Signs of Addiction
05:00 – IV Fentanyl & The Treatment Cycle
07:30 – Early Exposure: From Percocet to Meth
11:15 – The Failure of the Rehab Industry
13:55 – Why Reentry Plans Matter Most
16:00 – The Trap of "Tough Love"
20:48 – Shaving Her Head: Releasing the Trauma
24:54 – Choosing "What You Can Live With"
28:34 – Small Talk & Reconnecting in Active Use
33:44 – Setting Healthy Boundaries Without Cruelty
35:33 – The Truth About MAT & Sublocade
40:46 – Writing the Book on Chaos & Healing
45:09 – Red Flags in Treatment Centers

❓ Questions the Video Answers:
1. How can parents support a child struggling with Fentanyl addiction?
2. What are the signs of burnout in medical professionals treating substance use?
3. Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) just trading one drug for another?
4. What is "ambiguous grief" in the context of family addiction?
5. Why do traditional 30-day treatment programs often fail for opioids?
6. How do I set boundaries without using "tough love" tactics?
7. What is the Sublocade injection, and how does it help with recovery?
8. How can I reconnect and have "small talk" with a loved one in active use?
9. What are the major red flags to look for when choosing a rehab facility?
10. How does the concept of "doing what you can live with" help family healing?
11. Can a family find peace while their loved one is still using?
12. What is the role of compassion and empathy in clinical nursing care?
13. Why is discharge planning and reentry support crucial for sobriety?
14. What are the ethical issues surrounding free flights to treatment centers?
15. How does hair hold trauma during a breaking point?

#FentanylRecovery #MAT #AddictionSupport

At six years old, Bobby Kazz was already asking his mom how to lose weight; by college he was trapped in a cycle of starvation, binge eating and guilt. This episode of Recoverycast shines a light on male eating disorders—a story we rarely hear. Bobby Kazz explains how teasing at his sixth‑birthday pool party and growing up in a thin family planted seeds of insecurity. In high school he decided to “just run and see what happens” and began skipping meals, lying to his parents about eating, and running miles every day until his body felt worse and worse. Compliments about his weight loss fed the disorder and he kept pushing himself even when it hurt.

College marked a turn: after getting an Apple Watch he started walking 30–40,000 steps a day and spending all his free time in the gym to “earn” food. This over‑exercise soon led to binge eating, fueled by loneliness and boredom, and he hit rock bottom in spring 2022. Despite sharing his struggles on TikTok, Bobby Kazz never sought formal treatment; instead, he relied on family support and developed his own tools, like breathwork, eating slowly and reminding himself that relapses are part of recovery. A pivotal moment came when a CrossFit coach told him to eat after a workout—he realized food wasn’t the enemy. Now he trains for marathons, eats to fuel his body and uses his platform to destigmatize male body image issues.

Whether you struggle with binge eating disorder recovery, male body image insecurities, social media and male body image, or you’re looking for eating disorder recovery motivation, Bobby Kazz’s story shows that healing is possible. Tune in to learn how he broke the restrict‑binge cycle, managed triggers and built a healthy relationship with food and movement. Subscribe, drop a comment about your own journey and share this episode—there’s strength in knowing you’re not alone.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Men’s Eating Disorder Stigma
02:00 – Childhood Weight & Early Body Dysmorphia
05:50 – High‑School Restriction & Compliments
10:28 – College: Over‑Exercising & Binge Eating
16:30 – Sharing His Story & Social Media Pressure
20:34 – Rock Bottom: Triggers & Relapses
29:00 – Marathon Training & Redefining Health
35:00 – Coping Strategies & Advice for Recovery
43:00 – Final Thoughts, Hope & Call to Action

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

How can a man recognize the signs of an eating disorder?

What makes male eating disorders so stigmatized?

How did childhood teasing and family dynamics affect Bobby Kazz’s body image?

Why did restrictive dieting and over‑exercising feel “normal” to him?

How did compliments about weight loss reinforce unhealthy behaviors?

In what ways did social media and an Apple Watch fuel his binge eating disorder?

What triggers contributed to his worst binge episodes?

How did breathwork, eating slowly and “the blink method” help Bobby Kazz cope with cravings?

Why didn’t he seek formal treatment, and how did he create his own recovery toolkit?

What role did a CrossFit coach’s advice to “eat a lot” play in changing his mindset?

How did training for a marathon teach him to fuel his body properly?

What does he tell his younger self about body image and self‑worth?

How can friends and family support someone recovering from binge eating disorder?

Why are relapses part of the recovery process, and how should you respond?

How can people overcome shame and seek help for eating disorders?

#eatingdisorderrecovery #mensmentalhealth #bodydysmorphia

Struggling with Dry January or thinking of cutting back on alcohol? In this bonus Recoverycast episode, guest host Riley Whelan fields the 14 most‑asked questions about Dry January and sober curiosity. She explains how a social media challenge became a powerful way to explore your relationship with alcohol. Whether you’ve never gone a week without drinking or you’re just curious about sobriety, Riley shares practical tips for starting one day at a time, coping with emotional and physical withdrawals, and understanding the true benefits of a 30‑day alcohol detox.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

You’ll learn why accountability is crucial, how to deal with cravings and boredom, and whether you should avoid parties or simply switch to mocktails with supportive friends. Riley talks openly about the discomfort of early sobriety—from mood swings to loneliness—and offers healthier ways to reward yourself than grabbing a bottle. She also discusses navigating relationships when your partner isn’t on board, building confidence without “liquid courage,” and finding sober‑curious communities online or in your city. If Dry January reveals deeper concerns, Riley explains when to seek professional help and how to connect with 12‑step programs or treatment centers. Tune in for a compassionate, candid Q&A that makes sobriety feel less intimidating and more empowering.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Dry January Q&A With Riley Whelan
00:21 – What Is Dry January & Why Do People Do It?
01:03 – How Do I Start Dry January If I’ve Never Gone a Week Without Drinking?
02:09 – How Long Does It Take to Feel Better After Stopping Alcohol?
03:12 – Should I Tell People I’m Doing Dry January or Keep It Private?
03:55 – How Do I Deal With Alcohol Cravings, Stress & Boredom?
05:07 – Should I Avoid Parties or Bars During Dry January?
06:24 – How Do I Stay Motivated When Everyone Around Me Is Drinking?
07:49 – What If My Partner Doesn’t Want to Do Dry January?
09:09 – How Can I Feel Confident Without Alcohol?
10:32 – Is It Normal to Feel Lonely, Sad or Restless Without Drinking?
11:48 – How Do I Reward Myself Without Alcohol?
13:06 – Where Can I Meet Sober or Sober-Curious People?
14:57 – What If Dry January Makes Me Realize I Need Help?
16:31 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Support

#DryJanuary #SoberCurious #QuitDrinking