10 POWERFUL Stories of Addiction (& Recovery) | Rich Roll Podcast 

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I remember watching this all night when I couldn't get a day clean and wishing I could recover so bad. Now I have 76 days and I'm on my way. Don't give up

Last year when I commented here I was only three months sober, today I am 20 months clean and I am very proud to say that, so brothers and sisters keep on trying you can do it!

If you are watching this, just know you are loved

My brother just died of a drug OD. He laid dead for 2 days and was too decomposed to have a funeral......so he was cremated. He was a normal middle class, hard working family man. He had a wife and 2 kids who he ADORED! He drank a few beers a night and on weekends sometimes we would have picnics with neighbors and we drank. I knew over the yrs if he was on a Christmas break or a few days off that he would do a pain pill here and there. That wasnt uncommon these days. I NEVER EVER saw him as the type to get addicted! He was the strong smart one who was the familys rock and my BEST FRIEND. I started seeing changes....he wasnt quite the brother i knew. Then one day out of the blue he decides hes leaving his wife. I told him that divorce happens and ill support him.....but i said be sure to be there for your children. They will need extra love and support through this. As such a great dad...i figured he would do everything right and be there for the kids. He then tells me hes in love and has been seeing another woman for a yr. At that point i told him affairs happen......just help the kids if they need it. So he gives me his new girlfriends name and i look her up on FB. I ABOUT WENT THROUGH THE ROOF! By reading comments on her pics i found out that shes a longtime HEROIN addict. She is white with 6 black children that she lost custody of. I confronted my brother about it right away and he assured me that shes clean and not to worry. I knew my brother was super smart......he had an engineer mind that he inherited from his engineer grandfather. So i put my trust in his word.....but now i had my eye on him. He ended up moving away from his kids and had little contact with them and almost NEVER contacted any of his family again. We were so very close and now he shut me out. He never called my dad again. He texted me and my mom maybe 3 times a yr. I then knew they were on drugs. They ended up getting arrested a few times and while on probation they fled. They moved to an extremely rural town in KY. We had gotten word that they were in deep with needles and meth......and dealing. My brother was in KY for a little over a year........now hes ASHES in an urn on his childrens shelf. He died 3 weeks ago of a fentanyl OD. My brother is now just ashes. Im really struggling in the denial/shock stage of the grieving process. Because of how smart he was i figured he would get sick of that life and we would get him help. My mother and i were planning to try and find him this summer but he died first. We thought we could force him into coming with us and stop all this druggie lifestyle. I know thats ridiculous thinking because the addiction is too powerful and it takes alot of work in recovery......but i was praying that the shock of us finding him and his gf would at least make him think and know we are here for him. So here i am watching videos like these to try and get a glimpse of what his life these last 3 yrs was....and how did he feel mental and emotionally? What do they go through? We hadnt seen him in 3 yrs and the few texts we got showed a much different personality than we knew. He would say things that almost made us feel he had mental issues on top of the drugs......but now i know it WAS just the drugs. This epidemic took my best friend...my brother.....a husband and a GREAT father. Plz pray for my family and me. We are in a nightmare of grief and all the "what ifs" 😪😥😪🙏😥😪

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

I stop drinking ,cold turkey ,relaps 3times but finely got sober and stayed that way day by day

I started taking cocaine since my teenage, spent my whole life fighting cocaine addiction. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. This is something that really need to be use globally to help people with similar health challenges.

Man. Addiction is one of the worse things a person can go through. Even though my addiction was not as severe as the ones in the videos, they still hurt man. I’m now 8 months sober, but still gotta remind myself that it’s such a blessing to be sober in such a cruel world. God bless those who are also in the process of recovery.

2 minutes in and I'm in tears. Scheduled to go in to rehab next week after 14 years of struggling; the last 4 being the worst. Countless podcasts and lectures on addiction and the painful awareness of it hasn't helped me quit. Utterly humiliating, demoralizing, and feeling shameful. But at the same time a great sense of relief because I know I'm finally on the right path and realizing it's always going to be a battle but this is the best start I've ever raised my hand to. Thanks, Rich, and best of luck to everyone out there struggling with the same.

Congratulations Rich, I was an alcoholic up until July of 2006. I remember having my very last drink On July 19th 2006. I finished the ice cold drink on a hot Phoenix day. I decided that that was the last one because there was so much more to my life. I took up ultra running and removed alcohol from my life. Now it is February 7th 2022 and I will be running my 66th ultra marathon. I am happily married to my wife, Cynthia and I love my Elementary School Music Teaching Career.

In going to rehab centre tomorrow, in been on heroin for 9 years now, see you all in 4 months, good luck to all in recovery.... From Mizoram India

I remember watching this video a homeless man in New York a year ago. Seeing this brought tears to my eyes as how much better my life is now and this video is still here. Never give up in life. No condition is permanent

After 19 years am sober for only 3 months, I have no cravings nor triggers but still I have to keep on watching show like these since we don't have help here in the remote part of North Eastern India and I am afraid of my future. Thank you once again for the show.

When you get sober from any addiction it is absolutely vital to fill that now empty cup with the wonderful things life now has to offer you. Embrace and enjoy your freedom.

Mental illnesses and trauma can destroy much! Much love to everyone..who is fighting ❤️✨

I am 40 days clean. The longest ive ever been clean since I became an addict. I havent stayed sober consecutively in about 6 years. I could use a prayer and any suggestions/info that you think I need. I need to keep going but I'm fighting MAJOR depression from guilt and sorrow due to my addiction... 😭💔💯

After having periods of sobriety I relapsed badly when my partner died during COVID. 3 years on Ive lost my parents and a close friend. I’ve been blaming my relapse of grief and bereavement but my reality is that I’m just an alcoholic. I hope I had my last drink yesterday, the withdrawal is dreadful but I’m going to try 90 in 90 and also reach out to others my AA friends and not self isolate which equates to self destruction. I pray for all in addiction. This was brilliant Rich and guests thank you.

8 yrs Sobriety for me in June 2022. 🙏My daughter was having a baby.❤ Fantastic for you!🙏💯

Alcohol is POISON for our minds, our internal organs, our family relationships ... I don't say I am an alcoholic because I am NOT a sickness. Rather, I say "I AM SOBER" and FEEL BETTER EVERYDAY WITHOUT THE HANGOVERS!!! All the best everyone, may God Bless and Guide you!!!

17 years sober by the Grace of God!

I used to think I could quit doing drugs, and drinking alcohol by myself, 25 years later I finally am going to give it my all, and quit for good. With the help of God and cam h i'm going to a in patient treatment program. FINALLY

We keep drinking yeah from childhood trauma and number of other things but another main reason is that we don't love ourselves enough to stop hurting ourselves. Learn to love yourself more and more each day and you'll start realize how much you truly VALUE yourself. MAY THE GREAT SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL ALWAYS Sobriety date 1/26/2012

Anyone going through rehab- ur already a hero for trying!!! U can do it!! Hang on!

I shared this with my daughter who is an addict, and pray she will listen! 🙏 Thank you

Shout out to those in recovery and those yet to find recovery, either way, love you all. Good luck in your journey, whether in AA, NA or CA etc.

I loved watching this… I never struggled with addiction, I was a social drinker who was forcing herself to drink due to peer pressure… I never liked or enjoy drinking and having just a couple of drinks would make me feel like shit for days….I was thankful for my pregnancy and the lockdowns as I didn’t « have » to drink…. But this year I have decided to change and stand up to my friends I am now sober and so happy…. Many aren’t supportive but I’m strong enough to resist! I don’t owe anything to anyone…

I’m an alcoholic, my family were alcoholics, I don’t want to give it up because I love it but I also hate it and wish I could give it up. 20 days clean, hopefully I get to 100 days for the first time since 2009.

After being diagnosed an alcoholic as a college freshman at the age of 18 in 2005, I continued to chronically abuse alcohol for 14 years until I got sober in 2019 at the age of 32. As you might imagine, the road to the bottom was downright hellish but also absolutely necessary. 921 days ago I asked for help. 921 days later, I'm still sober. Thanks, Rich, for your vulnerability and your ability to find like-minded people to share their experience, strength and hope. Addiction is a monster, but it can be conquered with the proper action and support. Big Ups 🤙🏼

Tell your head to shut up. Perfect advice. Tried that the other night bf going to sleep. It worked and next day felt it was still working. When it creeps up to start thinking, I recognize I'm doing it and stop.

I pray that all the families have peace in their lifes and just think of all the beautiful memories.

This piece deserves a Nobel prize or something.

Thanks, Rich! A good reminder of how much I am grateful for my 33 years clean!

It's always so frustrating when you're trying to quit and your "friends" poke fun at it or say silly comments like "you're not going to stop!" Or "it's just one drink you can have a drink" thinking a true addict can just have one is so far from reality

Omg .. when Cho said “ I want to lose” … thst fckn hit my soul …. Growing up knowing my sister was murdered at the age of 23 and brother was murdered 4 years later at the age of 23 … I grew up with this inside language that “I am going to die at 23” ,,,. I’ve been an addict of every form my whole life … went in and out of sobriety since first trying at 17 until I finally got sober this last time at 25 .. I have 7 years one day at a time since 5-15-2016 … n am alive and free by the grave if a loving God… and still very much battle all the dopamine chasing

What an engaging 'deep-dive into recovery' conversation. The miracle is that it's a Saturday morning with no hangover or being strung out, but listening and making notes and filling my heart and my mind with what works.

I've watched this once a day for the last 11 days....just listening is what keeps me going on my positive trajectory ❤ ❤ ❤ ..eternally grateful for these words 🙏

*"I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine." - Neil Armstrong*

4 months clean, still dealing with legal issues from getting arrested last year but I am doing better every day.

My last day using heroin, (which ended up being my DOC,) was June 1, 2017. My life has gotten so much better since working on my recovery/sobriety. I still suffer with anxiety and occasional depression but that's life. I'm beyond grateful for my new way of living. I pray for anyone still sick n suffering, pls go and get help. It's never too late to change your life around!

Currently struggling with addiction, finding it hard to reach out. Losing my job, crashed my car, girlfriend left me 😒

This is such an important video. I’m in a cycle of addiction even though I overcame my Vicodin, xanax and alcohol addiction. I’ve been on Kratom, smoking weed here and there and cigarettes. It’s been almost 3 years since I hit rock bottom. This was a really important episode that helped me revisit the past and current issue I’m having. I’m not outta the clear yet. I’m just maintaining, which isn’t recovery. It’s maintaining. SO THANK YOU ALL ❤ I can’t sum up in a few sentences just how grateful I am for coming across this amazing piece!

My boyfriend of 5 yrs is in rehab now. I told him I need him sober. I just know how amazing he is that he can do it💪🏻. I can't marry him until he seeks help. This time will give me time to forgive all the lies and hurt feelings. I'm praying he will come out a new man but still love me. ✝️ Congratulations on your sobriety. 👏🏻

7 months off meth, 7 days no alchohol. 2022 is guna be 100% clean/sober. No more u healthy coping mechanisms. If I just keep going only good things can come of it! I go to NA once a week.

I was addicted to pain pills and Adderall at the same time for 4 and a half years, quit cold turkey November 12 2020, only because I ran out of money, It was rough, I couldn't get out of bed for a couple of weeks, it's still a struggle, but my incentive to quit was that these drug dealers were getting rich off me,

I’m not an addict but I’m a distructive drunk, it’s kinda ironic bc I don’t have anything “wrong” in my life and my mom doesn’t even know that I drink, and how awful I have gotten. I’m only 17 and I tell myself I’m just having fun and it’s part of life, but I keep making really bad mistakes every-time I drink and feel so much guilt, I’m trying to cut down on my drinking. wish me luck bc I’m going on vacation to Mexico in 6 days(which is where my alcohol abuse started)

As a 48yo all rounder functioning addict that's been playing with fire all my life this video has certainly opened my eyes to an inescapable truth, I am an insult to all those struggling, and those who have lost the struggle, against addiction. I walk through each day thinking I'm some sort of gift to humanity because I have some sort of edge on addiction, like I'm allowed to toy with it so I can show people there is a path out of it through Christ Jesus the Lord & Saviour. I am a blemish to the name of Jesus, I am a liar, I am a thief, I am a idolator, full of pride & deceit. I think that somehow I'm above accountability, that I've got some special right to f**k up as often as I please without recompense. Thank you for sharing real stories of real people who have made it through real struggles because of real circumstances, that life is not a joke, and that there are people out there that need real help, and resources are low meaning lazy addicts like myself need to pull their finger out, get & keep sober, for Christ's name's sake and for the sake of those trapped in darkness. I'm sorry for not towing the line. Thank you for sharing and making it to the end of my pity party. God bless & keep you who are on the narrow way doing the hard miles for those you love, and those that love you 🙏🙏🙏

In treatment now giving it my all. I need the change been to long coming I want soberity more then anything

This episode is a gift Rich! Thank you so much! Ending with Mishka saying he takes you with him wherever he goes is exactly how I live my AA life now with a sprinkling of zoom and live meetings. The pandemic is my excuse. At 9.6 years sober I use the tools given to me in AA and I would not have A life without surrendering to the accountability the was hammered into me through the 12 steps. Monday I interview for a full time job that I hope will combine service and a paycheck with the Salvation Army. Time takes time! I am so glad I found your podcast this year! Blessings to you and your tribe!xx

My parents were both alcoholics and drug addicts. Both narcissistic and emotionally absent. Even to this day at 49 years old I still struggle with the fact that my parents never cared. I try to make peace with the fact that they did not have the ability to see outside of themselves and it’s not my fault. I tried to get closer to my dad bye taking opiates together and drinking and then only made it very worse! My mother is extremely narcissistic yet for some reason I still feel the pool of codependency and trying to get her to acknowledge me/love me. I think my addictive nature came first with my relationship to these narcissist parents. Thank you for letting me share love you all very much thank you

I'm hurting right now. Realizing that I have a problem, I dranked a lot this weekend. I can't sleep, my body hurts, I have a lot of cramps all over. Spent a lot of money. I am embarrassed, I am hurting. I feel so alone. "You're not a bad person". Damm that hurts. It's day 1.

I’ve been sober for 56 days and have had no cravings (alcohol). But that’s scary to me. Knowing that cravings will come. But making videos and just being active have helped me tremendously with the hardest thing I faced, which was boredom

Psilocybin saved my life. I was addicted to heroin for 15 years and after Psilocybin treatment I will be 3 years clean in September. I have zero cravings. This is something that truly needs to be more broadly used in addiction treatment

Such an intelligent, comprehensive examination of what addiction is, why it is and how facing up to it is a noble thing to do. Thanks Rich - really appreciate you.

Celebrated 7 years 5-10-2022, by the grace of God and 12 Steps one day at a time ♥️

Thank you Rich. Ive been waiting for an addiction episode and this surpasses my desires. You are a legend and someone I aspire to be like one day 🌈

It is wonderful to see such quality of content in YT. Thanks Rich and all your guests. I believe many people out there are in real need of these words.

Excellent, Rich. Thank you. All of us in recovery are in this together.

Thank you for this Rich! I love these compilation episodes, you've done so many amazing podcasts, it makes so much sense to revisit them and reuse these valuable parts.

Thank you Rich. 40+ years in recovery. Learning more here. Love to chat sometime.

Two concepts helped me greatly in this video. All addiction is a form of gambling And Stability doesn’t create discipline, Discipline creates stability.

I'm going to rehab soon. I have been an addict since I was 13 with weed and now at 28 I been on crack cocaine for 3 years which started sniffing 6 years ago. It has been a battle my whole life. I have now met the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with and we hope I come back as a new person. I tried so many times but always failed but most importantly I never gave up trying. Sometimes we need some support. Stop being ignorant and just accept that is nothing wrong with asking for help. I never judge anyone, we all see the world different and I wish the best for everyone out there in the world whatever your addiction is. I wish success peace and love

This is literally one of the best things I've watched in like ten years. I can't believe how fantastic this is... And it's also super meaningful and important. You are amazing. Simply amazing.

Personally I've turned to binge consumption due to feelings of near constant isolation. As a poor person in 21st century America, this has always been my normal. Still looking for my thing and community to get involved with.

Gabor Mate has the very best way of understanding and expressing addiction! His viewpoint has I'm sure saved many! I appreciate him so much for opening my eyes and heart because I had felt that addiction was a relief from the problem rather than being the problem! With this, so many more people can climb out of the cycle

I've been addicted for 13 years. I'm really looking for a fresh start. These videos help me tremendously. My hope is a deeper understanding of the brain will enable the ability to change. Good luck everyone.

What a lovely gift for us all on this Thanksgiving Day (US). In deep appreciation for all of you, and for you, Rich. 🙏🧡🙏

I'm about to start watching this 4 days before I am due to depart to detox and rehab.... Wish me luck....

Thank you Rich. To all those struggling out there - we always have the choice to do the next right thing.

I am working on 2 years of sobriety, I lost my dad to sorosis 2 years ago. It was a hard look in the mirror but I dedicate my freedom from alcohol to my dad. I love you and miss you everyday. God works in mysterious ways bc I now work with other addicts and alcoholics.

Wow! Thank you so much Rich! I just discovered your podcast tonight, and I was completely blown away! Thank you for sharing and my goodness I needed to hear this. You’re a wonderful speaker and you speak the truth! I’m on the road to recovery and will be watching many of your other episodes from here on out. I just subscribed. I’m an alcoholic and I’m finally on the road to recovery. Your podcasts/videos are going to help me continue my journey. Thank you for doing what you do. Much appreciated, sir.

10 X better than a University Course on addiction and way cheaper. Thanks Rich!

Amazing podcast. Soon 10 years into my recovery, I am aspiring to develope my self to become the Norwegian version of you. Thanks man 🙏❤

Oh my god that was so incredibly moving how Mishka carries are you and your friendship with him like that…I’m not an addict but my brother was, and that made me cry.❤️

I loved what Amy Dresner said. "Don't wait till you feel like you're ready"

My husband continues the struggle but continues to makes progress.

Learning the Big Book doesn't cut it I was fortunate at 16 years sober, when I knew in my heart, it was just a matter of time. Before I would drink, Power delivered me Daily Steps in a very simple profound way. I am still here 45 years sober no longer scratching my head wondering what to do

Find things you absolutely truly love and get so busy with these things that you don’t have time to drink. 10 months off alcohol and weed, down to .5mg of Ativan a day from 3mg a day, let go of a lot of BS social obligations, just turned 36 wish I’d have done all of this 22 years ago but thank god at least the alcohol is done. Alcoholism is pure hell. I wouldn’t put my worst enemies through the torture I put myself through for over 20 years. I hope you find what you love and find some version of existential purpose. I hope you latch on to those healthy things and know you can allow everything negative to just melt off you and out of your life.

Absolutely beautiful, thank You!!! From a addict in active recovery with no cravings by staying busy, committed to taking my meds, and encouraged. My only regret is the lost of wasting valuable and quality time with my family and self. The ugly is still my challenge, thank you for your Priceless Time.

I used alcohol and drugs for 12 years i have one year and 3 weeks sober now it truly works if you work it.

Thankyou for giving inspiration concerning addiction and recovery. I am 4 months clean and getting better day by day.

This whole series is epic. Great stuff. with 27 years sober and clean I can appreciate all of these great perspectives.

Thank you for your service Rich. It is greatly appreciated.

Finally a podcast worth my precious time. Thank you so much !

Thank you! You truly made your painful experience make sense by helping others heal.

Thank you and I am grateful for you and what you do. I am happy to say today I am 26 years without alcohol!! Thanks to AA and people like you sharing their experience, strength and hope.

Thank you this episode as a gift and a tool I will be sharing it with my partner she has struggled with addiction off and since he was 19 it's now 54 and has just been diagnosed with a form of cancer she has to get himself well in order to fight what's coming next and not just for a period of time but for life I will be sending him this episode

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Thanks for bringing together so many wise minds Rich. Watching this reminded me of how fascinating this topic is for me. That was a nice thing to be reminded of ♥️👍🏻👍🏻

I've been an addict with opiads my drug of choice for 15 years it's pure hell .. it's the one thing that even a selfish addicted mind wouldn't wish upon even there worst enemies

The best explanation on the net I have ever heard/read on how addiction develops. I easily understood. Wow! So powerful.

Thank you for sharing your story and supporting others to evolve.

Wow this was really powerful! I liked what Amy Dresner said- if you never just get through that feeling of "you want to use" you never know that you actually can, because that feeling does pass whether you use or not." I needed to hear that today. Thank you!

Great video! I'm in recovery and work in recovery as well. Such a good and important video, Thank you for sharing! ❤️

How wonderful your show is!!!!!! Much LOVE and appreciation from EAST TENNESSEE 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕.

This compilation of discussions is so powerful. It can and will help so many people either experiencing addiction or knowing someone experiencing addiction. Knowledge = power. Rich Roll, thank you for this video. 💚

This came at just the right time for me. Thank you 💕

Great podcast. I'm am alcoholic 2 years in Recovery, but 9 years in AA. For me the crux of it, is surrending that im powerless, finding a Power (higher power) then is the spiritual solution. By living in the 12 steps I'm well and healthy in recovery. Thank you.

As many have said here, thank you for these people and their stories. Mishka Shubaly's reference to "time machine in a bottle" went straight through me. I will carry that (and Mishka) with me and will watch your previous podcasts with him. I am so grateful to you, Rich, for the many windows and roads that you've opened to all of us.

Great advice and stories. Thank you Rich!

Hello Richard! It was very helpful everyday I now aware of my addictive personality thank to shows like your and others, so I like to encourage you to keep making them, thanks brother man. 💪🏻