Addiction: Brandon Novak 

Brandon, I'm a social worker who works with literally everything out there. For my addict clients, I always tell them about you, Steveo, and Jessica Kent. I send them this video in hopes it helps them along their path. Thank you for everything you do.

I am almost 8 years sober as I write this!!! Anytime I start to feel like im loosing hope I resort back to this video. I'm proud of you Brandon! Thanks for helping others like us 🧡🖤

You brother just "sold" me. Gonna do it. Your honesty is golden. My insides came alive listening to you. Molested, been on the corner like you, I loved getting high. Been to the top, and been low bottom. Recently went thru treatment. Back to the scene of the crime in SF. Where I first bottomed out. Somehow I am year sober. Already I've seen people die from this disease I went to treatment with. Good talented people. I used to " know it all" and now I'm praying to get stupid. This disease will kill your ass if your a millionaire or on welfare or in the suburbs. Don't matter. Thanks for helping me get another day.

I watch this video multiple times a week

This deserves so many more views then it has.

Hi Brandon. I am in recovery from opiates and alcohol and you have been a big inspiration for me. Thank you

I am here because of Bam. This is the truth. I am also an recovering addict. Still on Xanax. Thank you so much. Btw, my cousin was also a skateboard and dirt bike racer. He has a similar story. Thank you again. U are saving people.

Where you might have viewed some of your flaws as weakness, the fact that you overcame those obstacles along the way makes me see you as someone with the greatest of strength.

Thank you for leading by example I'm 7 months 12 days sober today You're an inspiration

Coming back here 2 years clean off fentanyl. I remember laying in my tub running a hot shower just listening to this while withdrawing. This story did so much for me when I was on the brink of self destruction. Thank you for this video Novak. Saw you on Steve Os podcast and I was instantly reminded how far ive come. 👍

I remember you from viva la bam days. I'm now struggling, 31 days in recovery , came across this video. And wow did I need to see this. Could relate so much. I'm tired of jails & rehabs. Thank you for making this video!

I watched this the other day on another channel.. This is 10x's longer video than any of the 1000's of youtube videos I've ever watched.. Novak I text you at 3am one night ready to die.. you answered (atleast the person who text back said it was you) , I told you little about me and what was going on told you I was ready to die I was so buried in drugs and booze.. id rather be dead than quit.. You said well let's get you some treatment lined up I basically made excuses and you told me well not in exact words but you'll die then.. and that was the end of our convo.. the next day I went to AA and the first meeting I attended I told a caring old man I can't imagine my life with out drugs and alcohol and he told me Imagine being dead then.. it was surreal to me the same message was told to me only 12hrs apart by him and you.. I can't thank you enough for just those 2 or 3 quick text we sent that night I was drunk at the end of a couple day bender and just done like so many times before but what you said clicked..I Will now have 75 days sober here in about 10 minutes and I owe it to you no one knows your the reason I did it but no one can believe it I'm doing this good.. the night I quit I had been up for days and ran out of my booze and everywhere was closed mind you I had just bought a 30 pack earlier in the evening.. It's mind boggling to me now.. But anyways thanks for saving my life.. Alcohol Cunning, Baffling, powerful take it one day at a time and keep coming back to the meetings it works if you make it work.. sincerely Thanks

All i could do was cry when i saw this! They say one day u will hear your story this is it!😭 i have chills and im shaking! I am so proud of u brandon! I have 14 years clean and i just balled my eyes out hearing ur story! God bless u and keep remembering where we came from and where we're at today!❤

I saw this before on ShaneReinert's channel and wrote this comment, hoping you would see it: "What the fuck. This touched me, deeply. Glad I got his book, a few chapters in by now and I never ever read books. Wish I could have the honor of meeting this man someday. I'm not religious, but I feel Brandon lived his life they way he did to be able to spread his experience and knowledge to the world so he can help save people's lifes. Best wishes to you Novak from Stockholm, Sweden." It's not really my style to write these type of comments, but I really felt like it this time. Cheers buddy.

So powerful!!! This touched me and i pray it changed me. I don't even trust hope because when I fail, having hoped makes it harder.

This video was the spark that helped me to eventually get sober and heal the damage I’ve done to myself and others. Thank you.

I was introduced to this video a few weeks back in the treatment centre I’m currently at. I try to watch this once a week cause I enjoy hearing your story, some of the things you have done are things I have done in my life. Thank you for making this video. And congrats on being in long term sobriety

You've always been such a good talker/story teller. From back in the radio bam days to now. As a listener I don't get distracted at all. Stoked that your doing this as a career mate. Keep being awesome.

I’ve watched this video 20 times in the past 3 days. I’m a struggling alcoholic. I want help but when I went to the hospital they were super rude and treated me like I just want benzos but I just wanted help. I love you all! I hope I can make it through.

Never watch videos this long on RU-vid, but it was addicting in itself to keep watching and listening. What an amazing story and congratulations. Used to work in Baltimore city and went everywhere east side and west side and know exactly where Patterson was and everywhere you talked about, fucking crazy seeing addicts on the corner. Easily the best addiction story ever that deserves the attention of everyone to watch all the way through. I honestly could have listened to another 2 hours of your awesome, descriptive stories of how drugs and alcohol create allusions in your brain no matter how much money or personal possessions or "success" you or anyone else have had.

This video was awsome. If it means anything I am so proud to see you sober and healthy, Novak. Sobriety really is beautiful when you wake up and see it. You deserve the amazing life tou have.. Love from Indiana.

I work in the recovery field and show your story to my clients on the regular. Much of what you say resonates with them on a very deep level. Thank you for sharing your story with such openness. You’re helping others realize that recovery IS possible as long as you’re willing to close your mouth and open your mind.

This is impressive. And it shows, if he can manage to give his life a complete u-turn, everyone can, as long as you really want it and never give up.

Powerful Brandon Novak!

I just finished your book! Loved it, read it straight through.. couldn’t put it down. Unbelievable testimony of your life in full blown addiction, the fact that you are still alive is amazing! God is using you to help so many people., Thank you for your transparency and sharing your story. My twin is in active addiction, It’s incredibly hard to love an addict. It some how makes it easier to understand hearing your story and the fact that being an addict is the only disease that makes you delusional that you know what you are doing when you clearly aren’t to everyone else.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to your story over the years… you are an impeccable story teller! You make it so much easier for people to grasp what addiction is truly like and how it is a disease that has you believing certain lies to your very core. It’s evil, and we can become utter slaves to it. It’s amazing to see how far you’ve come Novak, much respect ✊🏼 👏🏼🤩

Such a great and inspirational video. I'm glad and very proud of you for getting sober. Being an addict sucks for sure. Videos like this helps lots of people for sure. Update I'm now 2 years and 7 months sober from alcohol and what got me sober was a stay in the hospital in autumn/winter of 2020 and I had very bad side pains and I had my spleen removed. I'm now fully recovered and these days I just drink coffee, smoke cannabis and drink a few caffeinated beverages here and there and that's it. Thanks Brandon Novak for being inspirational and keep up the great work on helping others.

this saved my life listening to this when things get complicated, and I think about relapsing 🖤 - thanks Brandon

Big fan been following you and bam margera and the whole jackass crew for a long time. Around a year and a half ago I was around 800 pounds and near death didn't have respect for myself and was just wating to die but I got off my ass and got to work hasn't been easy been some dark days but I'm happy to say that as of today I'm at 414 pounds and still going strong I'm always looking for great stories and you have a great one I know you don't know me but I'm proud of you man keep on keeping on anything in life worth having is worth fighting for I belive in you bud

God bless you Brandon. Helped me greatly with this one, you don’t even know. And thanks to all of you for watching this and getting it in my feed. ✌️&❤

Dear Brandon, thank you for sharing your story. Sobriety is difficult enough on its own. Putting this out there to help others is incredibly brave. Like you, I came from a good family. But alcohol doesn't care who your parents are, how successful you are, how lovely your home is. Please, know that you are helping. God bless you and yours.

So proud of you Brandon! We've never met, but I am also a brother in recovery, have almost fifteen years of recovery behind me now. I love that you have surrounded yourself with sobriety in work and in personal life keep it up bro! You got this! You should start daily vlogs for your RU-vid channel, I am sure people would dig it.

I saw this before also on another channel. Brandon I just finished the reissue of dreamseller this morning. Its crazy that years later you finally have your end. I'm currently on a taper in detox at my clinic. Your book has put into words soo many thoughts, emotions and behaviors that I have and relate too. These realizations I haven't been able to acknowledge or realize since your book. Thank you, Thank you for helping me heal, through your words and struggle. I hope to meet one day! ✌️💚

Brandon, I came across this video 2 years ago and it was the catalyst that made me seek treatment for the first time after years of using heroin and losing all hope that I could ever get clean. You gave me hope I had lost a long time ago, now I’ve relapsed multiple times but I got 25 days clean today.. thank you so much

I wish I could of shown this to my father before it was to late. Addiction is a serious fucking thing man. Novak your a hero to me man

Yes man, thanks for this video . been clean from my drugs of choice 3+ months now...i really do not want to go back to that pointless circle anymore, hurting my loved ones and myself. so much wasted time and all those years running after some short high... your story is inspirational Man and il keep going as long as i earthly can

Your humanity and candor are remarkable. I wish you continued success on your quest.

I show this after I show my shelter kid's "JACKASS THE MOVIE" It's so raw, relatable and truthful...it leaves mouths open and minds ready for change. I thank you for you!!!

I have everything thats finally came ...i hear your heart...which has been shattered splinted n crushed yet stitched back after sobriety and find my love my happiness my self....lost it all again ... Im a bit in tune with spiritual things...so to say....i found my being in my goddess of light ...cause i dwell in a disease my darkness...i found a light i sought.....my mom means the world tooo...thank you bro...for the honesty n hurt..would love a response been there...i gave it all away...nice to talk to you brandon HAPPY NEW YEAR

Thank you brother!!! Truly from the bottom of my heart!!! 💯💪🙏

I’m in Ca here in the Uk and I can honestly say that was the most incredible speak I’ve ever heard in all the shares . I actually made me understand my illness a lot lot better! I’m 31 now and I’ve got absolutely nothing

Powerful story! Thanks for sharing Brandon! ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!!!! One moment at a time! Keep it simple! ONE LOVE!!!!!!!! PEACE

Hi Brandon, I’ve watched you since I was a teen in the late 90s. Congratulations on your sobriety and being happy. So glad to see that you’re spreading the love all over as well as helping those in need. My question I have for you is about my brother. He became addicted to pills and eventually got fired from his job and so much more. He became someone the family didn’t know anymore. He lived with our grandmother for 2 years sneaking this other girl in while they did heroin together, and they eventually took off with my grandmas car. He eventually got caught and lives on the streets in the Bay Area. He was contacting me for awhile and even asked if I’d help pay for rehab, then stopped all communication. He’s addicted to heroin and won’t accept my calls or respond to my texts. My cousin was close with him and he won’t talk to him. What do I do? I’m just afraid one day he’ll die in Oakland. I love my brother, but I’m scared he’s going to die. Any advice I’d really appreciate it. Thanks for everything and I enjoy watching your videos.

I'm here with almost 5 years clean and sober. You're exactly right about it having to be the first and foremost ideal that you uphold. I'm so glad to see that you have kept your promise to yourself if no other.

Thank you, Brandon. What a powerful, beautiful and poignant testimony. I relapsed after 6 amazing years where I was gifted with iceberg hiking in Alaska, hiking the jungles of Bali, and watching my daughter perform in the Macy's Day Parade. I got complacent in my recovery and relapsed. I went to the depths of hell and like you, the street curb looked like a skyscraper. I was released this week from inpatient treatment and I am sitting here in my new home, a sober living house. I'm doing what I did not do the last time because I know I would not survive another relapse. Thank you for sharing your story- you are gifted with a much larger stage than many others and are able to reach the masses. Please continue what you're doing because the world needs all the experience, hope and strength it can get while we are enflamed in the grips of addiction. If you ever come to Sarasota Florida, please come share your story at a local NA meeting and meet me for a cup of coffee. God Bless, I'm grateful for you today. 💕

Thank you for this, Novak.

Thank you for such a Candid detailed story, i was captivated and want to rewatch it over and over, your Mother is a Saint, a miracle youre ok and helping us, i am going through this with a child

You making this video has made me go to a ca meeting today. It’s 6.21 am here in the uk and I have just finished a binge (cocaine and alcohol). Tomorrow (later when I wake) I am going to contact my sponsor I got last night and I am going to do this. Your video has made me feel like I CAN do this. Thank you for sharing your story. You are an inspiration. I will come back to this video and this comment here and there and update how I’m doing. I will work the steps and I will be watching this video when I feel like I’m going to relapse and when I need to be brought back to earth. Thank you Brandon. Thank you ❤️

Dude, Great message...keep your boisterous past and potential future in check. I'm OOOOG, you are speaking to plenty of kids, that do not have to go nor have the means or skills to do what you have done and are pursuing. You go bro,..keep the balance and enjoy your life, you haven't really had a chance to be a kid yourself. Growing up takes time, a journey if you may, Blessings on finding exploring your journey and endeavors . From peeps in N.Y.H.C......too many casualties.

thank you novak

You are the coolest one out of the bunch!! The way you are now that is! Man your a different person. Stay straight 😃😃 you look strong 💪

Thankyou for sharing your truth Brandon.

Hi Bandon. I just want to thank you for this. I watched this for the first time 3 days into sobriety. It's now been 13 months and my life has done a complete 180. Ive listened to your story many times and I occasionally summon your words at meetings. Thank you. Josh.

Amazing story Brandon...keep up the great work!

Wow, really touched by this.

excellent speech brandon. makes a huge difference you are making in peoples lives. hope ur havin a good one man.

I’m so proud of you dude! I remember seeing you in tv and you looked awful. But look at you now. Congrats bro. This is awesome

I look up to you man, your an inspiration. Love from Ireland bro

I got out of my IOP earlier today (got out of detox nov 14th), and this was suggested. Best listen in a long time, I was crying on my commute home. I really appreciate you sharing your story.

Thank you for this Novak this was a great video!

Brandon novak truly powerful story you have, top to bottom in the blink of an eye, with nothing but destruction in the wake. But ends up on top of the world, proof addicts do recover and go on to do amazing things, truly inspirational

Very powerful words brother I’m 5 years clean from heroin and meth fentanyl as well any opiates I loved this one hits home, this is the second time I’ve watched this before thank you Brandon

You have helped me in my recovery thank you

You are doing great. Keep up the good work.

Well done man keep it up and continue to inspire others

I went to inpatient for mental health and addiction, in Oklahoma City (checked myself in). They played this video for me and I will never forget it!!! This man’s story was so relatable. Drugs didn’t ruin my life; I ruined my life. I rewatch this video to help me gain perspective sometimes. Thank you for sharing your story. I’ve been clean from ALL DRUGS for 2+ years now, thanks to your story, Brandon Novak 🥹thank you!

I come back to this all the time❤💜💙

This is amazing thank you Brandon

Yoo Novak I really needed this bro....well said brotha ,well fucking spoken ,truly inspirational !!!

dude, thank you for your strength, hope & experience bro, so much 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

I love this

Thank you Brandon

Brandon I grow up on your shit I did become a dope fiend and likenyou my father was a Marchant marine became a sea captain thwn professor and due to my dumb choices due to trauma and becrazy I throw everything down the drain . I've got 4 years off everything managed a sober house fell back off and got more time . Pretty much what I wanna say is watching the old you and seeing you now running a sober house helping people is a massive inspiration. Your awesome bro

good watch keep it up bud

1 million plus views on supportive channel on RU-vid, amazing message brother. I thank God for you! Defected just like you

Thank you Brandon you gave me hope because I've been struggling with addiction for years

I am sober benzos/minor opioids for 8 months now. I always come back to this talk to remind myself where I am going if I don't have my sobritity as number one, two, and three.

Thank you

BRANDON I THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU 💙

Third time I’m watching this... awesome testimony..

This is such a stark difference from how you were on the Howard Stern show. So clear and wise now. I have trouble getting to meetings and I've tried to watch NA speakers on here but it's hard to find one that holds my attention. This is actually my second time watching this one! Good stuff

Love this story of truth from him. I wish everybody would be Brave enough to listen.

Thank you.

Recovery seems to be a trial and error process. You got to keep trying at it to see what sticks and works for you. Do NOT give up guys. ♡

Brandon thank you this touches me while i struggle too

Thanks man. I watched at least 100 videos looking for something that might help and yours is the best .

This really helps me honestly. Just being able to listen an relate an kinda not be alone during all this is nice

Keep it up Novak

This ... will make a difference 👌🏽

thamkyou, ive started writing my book through this

I love and respect how much you've grown and matured as a man

Amazing story

Great change

Hearing anything between me and my next bag or bottle must go hit hard..

I seem to keep idling somewhere in between just stopping being “weak” and put it behind me to letting myself feel it out and recognizing it’s not always supposed to be easy. I do look up to these men and their journeys to sobriety. Viva la bam on dvd brings me back. I am not sure if my post is wanted here, but I wish nothing but love to you all.

Stay strong my man

I listen to this as I sleep to keep my mind in the same spot it was when I was coming down watching this trying to erase my drug use. I broke the cycle and thanks to this video and a lot of work, I fucking made it. 😊

Blessed😭🖤🙏🏻

Dude im an addict that has been through enough of the hurt and pain of addiction, I have been through Drugcourt for a year and a half and Rehab for six months and I can tell you this... It wont work if you don't put God in your life. period... Im not preaching at you brother, I care about you and bam because ive been watching you guys for years and love you guys. Im just reaching out telling you good job for putting your story to use on here for people to watch, because they need to know we don't just choose to do things bad to ourselves, sometimes we do need help. thanks for the video brother, loved it. P.S. I hope Bam is doing better also...

We all love you Brandon : )