In this eye-opening episode 7 of "Roads to Recovery," host Jim Russell sits down with Vaya, a clinical director from New Directions, to share her story of substance use disorder, loss, and hard-won transformation. For the first time publicly, Vaya recounts a lifelong battle with substance use, beginning in childhood amidst a family history of substance use disorder and instability. Listeners are taken on a raw journey through the depths of alcoholism, brushes with the law, and the profound impact substance use disorder had not only on her own life but also on her relationships with family and friends.

She reveals her cycles of pain and desperation, including struggles with mental health and a suicide attempt, and the pivotal moments that sparked her commitment to change, including the birth of her daughter and the realization that her actions affect far more than just herself. The episode explores the difficult process of rebuilding trust, seeking treatment, and finding stability through community, faith, and a dedication to helping others in recovery.

If you or a loved one needs support, reach out to a local mental health provider and know that a different life is within reach. Tune in for an episode that is as inspiring as it is real, offering empathy, encouragement, and the assurance that it’s never too late to choose a new direction for yourself and your loved ones.

In this 6th episode of "Roads to Recovery," host Jim Russell sits down with Rueben, who shares a raw and deeply personal account of his journey through substance use disorder. The episode delves beneath the surface of substance use, exploring how trying to fit in, portray a certain image, and cope with underlying emotional struggles which led Rueben down a path of self-destruction.

Rueben's feelings of isolation, emotional disregulation, and undiagnosed attention deficit disorder early in life steered him towards risky behaviors and a social circle that reinforced his desire to belong. Rueben recounts the thrill and false sense of importance that came with acting out, leading to his first arrest at 13 and a cycle of escalating substance abuse and legal troubles.

Addiction for Rueben became more than just a chemical dependency, it became a means of masking pain, seeking community, and escaping from self-doubt. Rueben describes the impact of substance use on his relationships, including losing his marriage, alienating his children, and facing financial ruin. He candidly addresses the codependency issues that complicated his recovery and how hitting rock bottom, including a near-fatal car accident and suicidal ideation, became a turning point.

The conversation underscores the importance of dual diagnosis treatment and community support. Rueben explains how programs like Narcotics Anonymous and Codependents Anonymous, along with professional help, have been instrumental in his ongoing healing. He emphasizes that recovery is an ongoing process of learning, making amends, and building healthier connections.

The episode reminds listeners that recovery is possible, support is available, and no one has to walk the road to recovery alone.

In this intense episode of "Roads to Recovery," host Jim Russell sits down with Deborah to explore her deeply moving and transformative journey through substance use disorder, adversity, and ultimately, hope. The episode opens with Jim's reflection on how family situations can both contribute to substance use and provide the turning point for change, a theme that resonates throughout Deborah's story.

Deborah recounts her childhood living with a father battling schizophrenia and the resulting instability and trauma that followed. She candidly shares how a lack of supervision and family support led her into substance use at an early age, setting her on a path of substance use disorder and unhealthy relationships that lasted decades. Facing abuse, brushes with the law, and life-threatening situations, Deborah's narrative is both harrowing and deeply human.

A turning point arrives with her involvement in treatment programs, a brush with legal consequences, and an encounter that forces her to confront the real costs of addiction. Yet, the journey is not linear—Deborah describes relapses and the struggle to maintain sobriety even as her circumstances change.

The heart of her story emerges when she adopts a child born exposed to meth and facing uncertain odds. This act of love becomes a catalyst for Deborah's ultimate transformation, motivating her to stay sober and work tirelessly to provide a better life for her new daughter. Despite immense challenges, ranging from health issues to natural disasters, Deborah's resilience shines as she rebuilds her life, pursues education, and becomes a counselor, helping others navigate their own roads to recovery.

This episode is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of community, hope, and second chances. Remember that help is available, and recovery is always possible.