Sober Nation FM

Focus! with David Essel

Best-selling author and life coach David Essel knows a thing or two about addiction.

He can trace the roots of his addiction to about eight years old when he began to use food to cope with his feelings.

David then recalls having his first beer at twelve in an effort to fit in with some older guys.

"It was magical. All of my cares and worries in the world were gone."

For years, he would continue to use substances to treat his anxiety and chronic depression.

This eventually led to David preparing to take his own life.

Thankfully, he decided to reach out for help.

He's now been in recovery for over 30 years.

His mission is to positively affect millions of people every day, in every area of life, regardless of their current circumstances.

You can find all of his books including, "Focus!: Slay Your Goals" on Amazon.

Learn more about David's counseling and coaching by visiting DavidEssel.com

The Sinclair Method with Claudia Christian

Claudia Christian has been in the film and television business as an actress for over 35 years.

She has starred in over 50 films and thousands of hours of television.

Sci-fi fans around the world know her best from her starring role on Babylon 5. 

For years Claudia struggled with drinking.

She tried many treatment methods, but nothing worked, and she couldn't seem to stay sober for more than a few months.

That was until she discovered The Sinclair Method(TSM).

Unlike traditional treatments that require complete abstinence from alcohol, the Sinclair Method allows you to continue drinking alcohol at the beginning of treatment.

In fact, success depends on the continued consumption of alcohol in combination with the prescription medication Naltrexone.

When you take Naltrexone before drinking, it blocks endorphins, the naturally occurring opiates in the brain, from being released when alcohol is consumed.

When the endorphins are blocked, there is no “buzz” or rewarding experience, and the alcohol doesn’t make you feel the pleasure that drives you to drink excessively.

The idea is that over time, your brain learns not to associate alcohol with pleasure, resulting in reduced cravings for alcohol.

TSM is recognized as a form of Medicated Assisted Treatment(MAT).

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) involves the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.

Although the initial purpose is to curb alcohol use, many people do eventually completely abstain from drinking.

Today, Claudia is the most recognized advocate for The Sinclair Method.

She says, "This is not a magic pill, there is still other work that must be done as part of the TSM treatment."

You can learn more about TSM and how to work with Claudia by visiting YourSinclaireMethod.com

Funky Brain with Dennis Berry

Coach and Author Dennis Berry recalls being full of fear and insecurity from a very young age.

When he took his first drink at fifteen, he felt an immediate weight come off of his shoulders.

"I didn't have to feel anything anymore."

Over the next fifteen years, Dennis's addiction would progress until his life completely unraveled.

One day, after being confronted by his girlfriend, Dennis was finally able to admit that he couldn't stop drinking and using.

Two days later, he entered a rehabilitation center.

Today Dennis is 18 years sober.

He's a Life Mastery Coach whose mission is to help others achieve inner peace and success in every area of their lives.

Coming Clean with Peter O. Estevez

Peter's relationship with drugs started at a fairly young age.

He recalls sitting in his mom's closet drinking a six-pack of beer when he was about 12 years old.

Although Peter grew up in poverty as one of thirteen children, he found great success in real estate and became a millionaire by the time he was 25.

"But just as easily as I accomplished success, I always found a way of sabotaging it, primarily through alcohol."

Peter had the money, a big house, and nice cars, but his drinking prevented him from finding true happiness.

After a few embarrassing moments in front of his business partners and some encouragement from his therapist, he started attending Alcoholics Anonymous.

Today Peter has over 20 years of sobriety.

He is the author of " From Lies to Riches - 13 Steps to a Healthy Life" and hosts The Coming Clean Podcast.

The Art of Tough Transitions with George Kalantzis

Like many people who have struggled with addiction, George started to experiment with alcohol and drugs in his early teens.

During his senior year of high school, he watched as his friends got accepted to college, but he didn't have any plans for his future.

That all changed when he woke up hungover one morning with a Marine enlistment card in his pocket.

George's life would completely change during his time in the service.

He would soon get deployed to Iraq, where he experienced several traumatic events, including watching his best friend get killed.

"Rather than face those feelings, I turned toward addiction."

His drinking began to increase again, and it wasn't long until he was facing legal repercussions. 

The years of trying to ignore the pain experienced eventually erupted into contemplating suicide. 

As he sat in his car with a gun to his head, George reached out for help.

He entered therapy and began to seek the guidance of mentors who have helped him to work through his trauma and start living a happy, substance-free life.

Today George is almost 2 years sober.

He's a writer and coach that helps people navigate the toughest days of their lives through his program called the Art of Tough Transitions.

You can learn more by visiting TheArtofToughTransitions.com

My Dirty Little Secrets with Tony Mandarich

Former offensive lineman Tony Mandarich is proof that recovery works.

Selected second in the 1989 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, Tony had stellar expectations set for him.

At 6' 5" and 330 pounds, he was a big guy and admittedly had the ego to match.

Although alcohol and drugs weren't initially an issue for Tony, he had been using steroids regularly for years.

"It can certainly be argued, that for me, steroids were a gateway drug."

Not long into his seven-year stint in Green Bay, Tony started abusing pain pills.

His progressive drug use and drinking had a severe impact on his performance, and he was eventually let go by the team.

In March of 1995, Tony entered treatment and started attending a 12 Step program.

After cleaning his life up, he returned to the NFL for three years to play with the Indianapolis Colts for three more seasons.

Today he's now been sober for over 26 years.

His book,  "My Dirty Little Secrets — Steroids, Alcohol & God," details his story in the hopes of helping others that have struggled with addiction.

You can learn more about Tony at TonyMandarich.com, and you can find his book on Amazon.

Quitting to Win with Crystal Waltman

As a young woman, Crystal was a high-achieving athlete with a competitive drive.

At only fourteen, she was already playing varsity volleyball which created a lot of pressure, expectations, and social anxiety.

Around the same time, she discovered drinking, which seemed like an easy way to escape these pressures.

When she went to college, her drinking progressed, and the cycle continued.

"It was all about playing hard, studying hard, winning, and then blacking out again."

Later on in life, after becoming a mom, Crystal fell into what we often hear described today as "Mommy wine culture."

She tried to manage her drinking as best as possible, but she just couldn't stop on her own.

After asking her neighbor how she was able to stop drinking, she was taken to her first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

Her sobriety date is March 22, 2015. 

Today Crystal is a coach, public speaker, and author who truly believes in recovering out loud.

You can find her book, "Quitting to Win" on Amazon.

Nobody Cares Except You with Kosha Dillz

Rapper Kosha Dillz can trace the roots of his addiction to when he was about twelve years old.

Although there were substances like alcohol present, he also felt like his time as a wrestler and years of yoyo dieting were part of the problem.

During high school, his substance abuse started to progress and the consequences became more severe, including multiple arrests.

Kosha got introduced to recovery during his first stint in jail, but he wasn't ready to get sober.

He said he tried several of the textbook "fixes" that we hear about in recovery including, starting new relationships and going back to school, but none of that solved his problem.

Kosha also tried several forms of moderating his substance use, but that didn't work either.

Eventually, after yet another arrest, he was forced to seek help through what he describes as a "divine intervention."

He avoided a multiple-year prison sentence by moving into a sober home where he was allowed to focus on his recovery.

Today Kosha is over 16 years sober.

His latest album, "Nobody Cares Except You," explores the idea of service and forgiveness to himself for not "being where he is supposed to be."

You can check out Kosha Dillz music on all major streaming platforms.

Sober Heart with Greg Johnson

Greg learned about addiction at an early age.

His father was a Vietnam veteran who started drinking and using drugs to cope with the events he witnessed during the war.

For years, Greg noticed his father's frequent erratic behavior, but he didn't understand what was happening.

Everything became clear when Greg was in college, and he received a call that his father had overdosed.

Then, only two months later, he would find out that his uncle committed suicide after a drinking spree.

"I had this fear that I would end up like them, that I would go down that same path."

Greg did what he knew best to handle that fear - drink and use drugs.

After multiple arrests, treatment programs, and a moment of clarity, Greg was ready to admit defeat.

He started attending Alcoholics Anonymous as well as another program that would enable him to continue to grow spiritually.

Today Greg is more than 15 years sober.

He's a Sober Mentor and Licensed Spiritual Practitioner who helps people find long-term sobriety and start living their best lives.

You can learn more about Greg and his work by visiting SoberHeart.org

Pregame with Maggie King

As a young girl, Maggie planned on avoiding alcohol and drugs due to the negative effects it had on a few close family members.

That plan changed as she started to struggle more with her sexuality and the pressure she felt to succeed in school.

"Knowing that I was gay and knowing that I would have to fit in and have a boyfriend, I decided I would drink to try and make things easier."

From the very beginning, her drinking was excessive, and she would frequently blackout.

Maggie's addiction progressed into taking pain pills after experiencing a field hockey injury in college.

Eventually, things came to a head as she started to have flashbacks from a past sexual assault that she had tried so hard to forget.

She started drinking and using all day to block out the emotional pain that surrounded her trauma.

It wasn't long until Maggie found herself on the roof of her college's counseling building, prepared to take her own life.

As she stood on the ledge, ready to jump, she felt a tap on the shoulder, but no one was there.

Maggie knew she had to ask for help immediately.

Thankfully, she found the professional assistance that she needed and started to attend Alcoholics Anonymous.

Today Maggie has been sober for more than 3 years.

She's also the author of "Pregame: Alcohol, Addiction & Recovery through the Eyes of a College Student."

A Happier Hour with Rebecca Weller

Author and health coach Rebecca Weller says she had always been a binge drinker.

In her younger years, she used alcohol as a "social lubricant" to feel less shy and more outgoing.

As Rebecca got older, she realized that her excessive drinking had become a habit that wasn't at all in line with her goals and otherwise healthy lifestyle.

Eventually, she started researching how to stop drinking, and she came across some very encouraging sober blogs.

"I felt immediate recognition as they talked about things like not having an off switch, blackouts, and feeling so ashamed of things they did."

She initially decided to commit to three months without alcohol as somewhat of an experiment.

Today Rebecca has almost 7 years sober.

She's a speaker, health coach and has written multiple books including, "A Happier Hour." 

You can learn more about Rebecca at SexySobriety.com.au and find her books on Amazon.

Alcohol Explained with William Porter

Author William Porter's relationship with alcohol began around fourteen years old, which didn't feel very odd for a young man growing up in the UK.

It wasn't long before he found himself binging and drinking to get as drunk as possible.

"Over the years, the amount I was drinking continued to go up as my tolerance increased."

Fast forward several years, William had served a tour of duty in Iraq, gotten married, and had children.

Upon return from the service, William found that adjusting to civilian life was extremely difficult, and his progressive alcoholism wasn't making matters any better.

Eventually, he was faced with an ultimatum.

Either get sober or lose his wife, children, and everything he cared for most.

After a couple of years sober, William realized that he had learned a considerable amount about how to get sober and what alcohol does to our minds and bodies.

It was at that point that he decided to write his first book, "Alcohol Explained."

One purpose of the book is to break down the truth about so many of the myths surrounding why people drink alcohol.

For example, although some drinkers might feel that alcohol alleviates anxiety, it's actually proven to make anxiety much worse due to the affect it has on our nervous system.

Today William has over 7 years sober and he continues to help those struggling with alcoholism through his writing.

You can find Alcohol Explained on Amazon or by visiting AlcoholExplained.com.

The Sober Bodybuilder with Brad Jensen

Brad recalls taking his first drink around 13 years old.

The insecurity and awkwardness he felt as a chubby kid quickly faded as soon as the alcohol kicked in.

As he got older, he developed a passion for fitness but realized that drinking would hamper his ability to build a great physique, so he turned to pain pills.

When the pills were no longer available, his addiction progressed yet again, and this time Brad turned to heroin.

For years he went in and out of jails, treatment centers, and 12 Step programs.

"I didn't think I could get sober, but the seed was planted, and I started to think if these guys can do it, maybe I can too."

After being arrested for driving a stolen car, Brad entered the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, got a sponsor, and started working the steps.

Today Brad has over 8 years of sobriety, is the CEO of Key Nutrition, and has a massive online following.

You can connect with Brad on Instagram @TheSoberBodybuilder and learn more about Key Nutrition at KeyNutrition.com

Sober as F*** with Sarah Ordo

Author Sarah Ordo says she was "your typical party girl" starting from the time she was about fourteen years old.

For years her entire life was centered around drinking, which also was frequently accompanied by blackouts.

Even after a near-fatal overdose, Sarah struggled to leave her old life behind.

"I left like my life was in a tug of war because I wasn't ready to let go of who I used to be yet."

That all changed when she entered therapy and started working through the past traumas she believes led her to escape through substances.

Sobriety led Sarah to create a series of Youtube videos where she shared her progress for the world to watch and eventually to writing her first book, "Sober as F***." 

Today she's over 5 years sober and continues to share her experience through her writing, podcast, events, and coaching.

You can learn more about Sarah and find her books at SarahOrdo.com

Self Recovery with Dr. Daniel Hochman

Dr. Hochman is an award-winning psychiatrist and physician who specializes in the field of addiction.

Although not in recovery himself, he recalls seeing family and friends impacted by the pain and damage that addiction can cause.

"To me, addiction captures a lot of what of what it means to be on this journey of life, where we have constant temptations to shortcut happiness."

Through his online addiction program Self Recovery, and as a consultant for addiction treatment facilities, Daniel helps patients find sobriety using a clinical and science-based approach.

Self Recovery was designed to meet real-life challenges like hectic schedules, family needs, tight budgets, and fear of judgment.

This on-demand treatment enables patients to conveniently explore and address the root cause of addiction, which is generally categorized as emotional pain or stress.

Dr. Hochman has helped thousands of people suffering from addiction learn how to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

You can learn more about Dr. Hochman and the Self Recovery program by visiting SelfRecovery.org

Mary Fran Bontempo is an award-winning author and 2-time TEDx speaker who teaches audiences how to uncover their brilliance and resilience 15 minutes at a time.

Although not in recovery herself, she watched for years as her son David struggled with addiction for years.

She saw the early warning signs, but like many parents, she justified what was happening.

In retrospect, Mary has come to understand how hard it can be to see situations like this for what they really are. 

"The two closest companions in crisis are distraction and denial."

You deny the family member's addiction, and then you distract yourself with excuses.

After being admitted to two in-patient treatment centers, David was finally able to get sober.

Mary made it her mission to help the family members of addicts through her writing and speaking engagements.

Her most notable books are Brilliantly Resilient and The 15 Minute Master.

The 15 Minute Master offers a process to help families navigate the challenges of addiction through mindfulness and a series of simple questions.

You can learn more about Mary and her books by visiting MaryFranBontempo.com

The Normal Album with Will Wood

Singer and songwriter Will Wood can trace the roots of his addiction back to his teenage years.

Like many teenagers, he used alcohol as a way to escape reality and cope with stress.

As Will's substance abuse progressed, he eventually hit rock bottom and felt like the only thing he had to live for was his music.

"If I'm going to fu*king die, then I might as well give this music thing a try."

Joined by his band The Tapeworms, Will recorded his first album and has since built an intense and large cult following.

Today he is dedicated to inspiring others, giving back, and raising money for mental health research.

Pregnant in Prison with Jessica Kent

Jessica's childhood was a constant struggle.

She was bullied, suffered from multiple mental health disorders, and came from a home filled with addiction.

Jessica recalls taking her first drink at only twelve years old and the instant relief she felt.

"Alcohol made me happy, confident, and comfortable in my own skin."

From then on, it was a fast and steady progression to pain pills, and eventually heroin. 

To support her addiction and avoid the poverty that so many around her were experiencing, Jessica started selling drugs.

This decision eventually landed her in prison.

What she didn't know when she got locked up is that she was pregnant.

Nine months later, she would give birth to her daughter while shackled to a hospital bed.

After serving her sentence, Jessica got a bachelor's degree and started making videos about her journey.

Today Jessica is over 9 years sober, her YouTube channel has over 300,000 subscribers, and she's doing her part to change the conversation surrounding prison reform.

Life Transformation Coaching with Omar Pinto

Omar looks back on his childhood as a very emotional time.

He recalls feeling angry, frustrated, sad, disappointed, and like he was fighting simply to survive daily life.

That changed when he took his first drink at sixteen.

"It was like the world just stopped and got quiet."

Omar found what he thought was a solution in alcohol and drugs, but little did he know he would continue to struggle through life for the next fifteen years.

Eventually, he hit bottom and reached out for help.

Today he has over 15 years sober.

He uses his skills as an Addiction Recovery Specialist and Life Transformation Coach to help people get out of their own way and start living their best lives.

He also hosts The SHAIR Podcast, one of the top recovery podcasts on iTunes.

Reclaiming The Brain with Eric Gremminger

For years Eric felt shame and regret because of the poor decisions he made in active addiction.

He would wake up day after day, saying to himself, "I can't believe I did that" and then continue to repeat the same behavior.

Although he knew he was struggling, it was hard for him to see that his substance abuse was his biggest problem.

He tried living in different cities all over the country, went to rehab, and eventually ended up in prison after multiple DWI charges.

Finally, Eric hit his bottom, and he reached out for help.

Today he's an author, life coach, and has over 10 years of sobriety.

You can learn more about Eric, his life coaching, and grab a copy of his book, "Reclaiming The Brain" by visiting ERPHealth.com

Unraveled(Part 2) with Tom Boldt

Tom's relationship with drugs started at a fairly young age.

It all began when he had trouble sleeping before his first day of school.

Thinking it would help, his parents gave him some anxiety medication.

"I felt amazing, all of my fears went away, and I thought my solution was in pill form."

As time went on, his addiction progressed to the point of daily use.

Tom began to lose friends, relationships, and all of the things he cared about most.

Finally, he became so miserable that he had to get help.

Thankfully his mom Laura was in recovery, and Tom knew that she would be able to help him get sober.

Tom and Laura recently co-authored "Unraveled: A Mother and Son Story of Addiction and Redemption."

Unraveled(Part 1) with Laura Cook Boldt


Laura grew up in an alcoholic family with a mother in recovery.

She always promised herself that she wouldn't become an alcoholic, but that was a promise she couldn't keep.

It started to become more apparent that she might be drinking excessively later in life after building a career and starting a family. 

"I think I knew deep down I was an alcoholic, but I was too afraid to address those fears."

Laura recalls moments where she would look herself in the mirror and tell herself that she wouldn't drink too much, but inevitably she would continue to drink to excess.

She finally realized how severe her problem had become after waking up to a totaled car in her driveway, but not remembering that she was the one who had been driving.

This nearly fatal accident prompted Laura to reach out to some family friends in recovery for help.

After several years of sobriety, she decided to co-author a book with her son Tom about their journeys into recovery.

Be sure to tune into Part 2 of this episode with Laura's son Tom to hear things from his perspective.

The Comeback with Quincy Carter

Quincy can never forget the feeling of drinking 40's and smoking his first joint with some friends at 16 years old.

Out of high school, his athleticism afforded him options.

He initially planned on playing football at Georgia Tech but instead chose to play minor-league baseball after the Chicago Cubs selected him as the 52nd overall pick in the MLB draft.

Quincy struggled in the minors and turned to drugs and alcohol to help cope with his depression and feelings of being homesick.

He then decided to return to football and signed to play with the Georgia Bulldogs.

After a stellar performance at Georgia, Quincy entered the NFL Draft and got selected by the Dallas Cowboys.

He impressed the coach so much that he became the first rookie quarterback selected in the second round to start a week one game in NFL history.

Carter had his breakout season in 2003 when he led the team to the playoffs, but was then cut from the team a year later after failing a drug test.

It was the start of a destructive spiral that has lasted for years.

He bounced around and played three seasons for three different indoor football teams.

During that time, he got arrested multiple times for possession and DWI.

After multiple attempts at recovery, Quincy entered treatment and moved to Austin where he connected with former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson.

Henderson, who has been sober for more than 36 years, directed Quincy to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Today Quincy has almost 18 months of sobriety.

He runs the QC17 Quarterback School, which helps young men become elite quarterbacks, and continues to make his recovery a top priority.

From Crisis to Clean with June Shannon

June, better known as Mama June, is best known for her appearances on Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Mama June: From Not to Hot.

One moment she was living in small-town Georgia, and the next, she was sharing every detail about her family life with the world.

What viewers didn't know is that June had been struggling with substance abuse for years.

She justified her habit with being able to work more, earn more money, and garner more success from her TV show.

Her secret was soon revealed when she got arrested in 2019 for possession of crack cocaine.

Eventually, June was ready to get help, and she entered treatment in January of 2020.

Since then, she has made her recovery a top priority.

June has hopes of being able to give back by working at a treatment facility and possibly opening a sober living home.

Retired Party Girl with Tori Felder

Like many people in their mid-twenties, Tori didn't see much harm in binge drinking because that's what everyone was doing.

It wasn't until her therapist suggested taking a break from drinking that she even considered getting sober.

After about 30 days, she recalls writing an extensive list of all the ways her life had improved.

Although she didn't stay sober, that experience opened the door to a life free of alcohol.

Upon deciding to stop drinking for good, she discovered a ton of other women on social media that were sober and enjoying life without alcohol.

"They were young and still having fun, but they didn't drink."

Her newfound sobriety and friendships with other women on the same path inspired her to start The Retired Party Girl.

RPG is a community for women who might be questioning their relationship with alcohol, are ready to get sober for good, or want to focus on well-being and fun without drinking.

Good Luck with Everything with Michael Strassner

Actor and writer Michael Strassner vividly remembers his first drink.

At twelve years old, he downed five shots of vodka and was rushed to the hospital to have his stomach pumped.

The main thing he remembers from that experience was the relief that those drinks brought him.

"It felt like all that pain I was experiencing was numb now."

As time passed, Michael developed a passion for acting.

He started to see some success, landing roles on shows like Modern Family, Parks and Rec, and Black-ish, but his alcoholism was becoming dangerously progressive.

After multiple auditions for Saturday Night Live failed to pan out, Michael reached his tipping point.

His alcohol intake increased, he began to isolate himself, and eventually tried to commit suicide.

Thankfully he survived and was given the opportunity to get the help he needed.

Today Michael is almost 3 years sober.

My Sober Compass with Arielle Dymant

Arielle is the CEO of My Sober Compass and a highly sought after recovery coach.

She recalls her addiction starting, not with substances but in the form of an eating disorder in her early teenage years.

At eighteen, she had her first sip of alcohol.

"It was this magical moment that cemented for me that alcohol was going to be a big part of my life."

Over the next few years, Arielle did her best to try and balance her progressing alcoholism with her work.

On the surface, life looked good, but on the inside, she felt as if she was slowly rotting away.

Things took a dark turn after coming off a bender and realizing she had written a suicide letter on her phone.

It was at that moment that a friend happened to reach out to ask if everything was okay.

Arielle wasn't okay, she needed help, and soon after, she entered treatment.

Today Arielle is over 5 years sober.

Her mission is to help people struggling with addiction learn powerful recovery strategies to break free from harmful behaviors and live a purpose-filled life in recovery.

Days of Our Lives with Billy Flynn

Actor and Days of Our Lives star Billy Flynn vividly recalls taking his first drink with some friends at fourteen years old.

Even after his mom called the police on him for being drunk, he thought to himself, "this feels cool."

In his teenage years, Billy started to experience all of the consequences that come with more severe drug use - rehabs, probation, juvenile detention centers - the list goes on.

At one point, he was able to pull his life together long enough to attend college and get a decent job, but he soon found his way back to abusing substances.

During a moment of clarity, Billy realized that drugs and alcohol were holding him back from all of the things he wanted to accomplish, especially his dream of becoming an actor, so he decided to take a break from drinking and using.

Again, life got better, and he landed a role on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives," but after losing his grandmother, he turned back to his addiction.

Things got much darker this time.

Billy got kicked off Days of Our Lives, his marriage was hanging on by a thread, and he was seriously considering taking his own life.

He decided to enter treatment again, but this time it was different, he was ready to get sober.

After leaving rehab, Billy immediately got a sponsor and started working a 12 Step Program.

Today Billy is more than 2 years sober, happily married, and has rejoined the Days of Our Lives cast.

You can connect with Billy on Instagram @inlikebillyflynn.

Reaction Recovery with Jeff Simone

Jeff is a Clinical Pharmacist, Advanced Nutritional Supplements Adviser, and the founder of Reaction Recovery.

As an active addict, pursuing a career in pharmacology made perfect sense.

"I was good at math, and I was addicted to Oxycontin."

After 15 years of struggling to find sobriety and living on the streets, Jeff had hit bottom.

He was soon reintroduced to a 12 Step program and now has almost 4 years sober.

A vital part of the Reaction Recovery treatment plan is what Jeff has termed The 12 Daily Rules for Recovery.

1.  Connect with a local Fellowship.

2. Wake up at the same time every morning.

3. Set aside 15 minutes of morning quiet time.

4. Eat breakfast.

5. Establish a supplement regimen.

6. Exercise every day.

7. Be engaged in a good book.

8. Be selective about what information you consume.

9. Stop making things worse before you make them better.

10. Clean your room.

11. Floss every night.

12. Keep going no matter what.

According to Jeff, these rules are not a theory.

People in recovery do well approaching their sobriety in 24-hr segments with a practical list of items to "check off" each day.

High Achiever with Tiffany Jenkins

After ten years of constant drug use, Tiffany didn't think she had a future.

Her addiction began during her senior year of high school, and after only three months of drug use, she dropped out.

"That's when I stopped doing the drugs because they were fun and started doing them so I didn't feel like I was dying."

Years later, Tiffany was given the opportunity to enter treatment but decided to celebrate her graduation by drinking.

It wasn't long after that she ended up in jail for theft.

As part of her sentencing, she was given another chance to enter rehab, and she took it.

Today Tiffany has been sober for almost 8 years.

She's the author of the best-selling book, "High Achiever," has been featured on shows like The Today Show and The Doctors, and is well known for her YouTube show, "Juggling the Jenkins."

Overcoming Adversity with Amanda Marino

Amanda got introduced to recovery at a very young age. Like many addicts, Amanda feels that her addiction stems in large part from childhood abuse and trauma.

"Right away, I started reaching for things outside of myself to make me feel better." From fourteen to twenty-six, she was in and out of rehabs and detention centers.

After finding her aunt deceased from substance abuse-related causes, she decided to enter treatment one more time. This time she was ready to fight for her sobriety.

Today Amanda is a recovery coach, certified interventionist, and has been sober for more than 13 years.

She says that one of the main misconceptions about interventions is that people are being dragged to treatment when in reality, interventions are peaceful and loving events. You can learn more about Amanda's recovery coaching and intervention services at NextLevelRecoveryAssociates.com

Clean Cause with Wes Hurt

Wes, the founder of the Austin-based beverage company Clean Cause, says it took over twenty years for him to start taking recovery seriously.

He feels his story is typical of many people who have struggled with addiction, in that it started as experimenting, but evolved into an escape and obsession.

"I was doing anything I could not to feel."

In one of his early 12 Step meetings, Wes realized that he needed to devote his life to helping others in their recovery journeys.

He knew how much rehab and sober living houses cost, and he also knew how to create and market a product that people wanted to buy.

The mission became clear: Sell something that helps people get into treatment and sober living, and thus Clean Cause was born.

Clean Cause, the sparkling yerbe mate beverage brand, now donates 50% of its profits to those in need of recovery services.

To date, they have donated $600,000 in scholarships, with at least another $500,000 to be distributed in the coming year.

Today Wes is more than 6 years sober.

He continues to grow in his recovery and expand the movement that has helped so many find their own path.

How I Cope with Zack Cohen

Lead singer of The Redrum Society, Zack Cohen, can trace the roots of his addiction back to when he started drinking at only eight years old.

This would be a foreshadowing of the regular drug use that would continue to progress later in life. 

After moving to Califonia in his twenties, chasing the next high became his top priority.

"I could never recapture that glory of when I was eight."

Zack's music career came to a halt after a drug-fueled music video shoot left people in the industry wanting nothing to do with him.

Luckily, this moment also opened the door for him to seek help and enter treatment.

He got sober in 2016 and started working a 12 Step program.

Recovery has since allowed him to re-launch his music career and release multiple chart-topping hits.

The Ultimate Mom Challenge with Celeste Yvonne

Celeste learned about the destructiveness of alcoholism at an early age.

Her father, although loving, was a "high functioning" alcoholic who suffered from a stroke in his early fifties.

Celeste couldn't understand how someone could choose drinking over their family, but she would soon find out.

"I decided I was going to be smarter. I was never going to let it get to that point with alcohol."

After a panic attack landed her in the emergency room, she decided to change the course of her life and become a better mom by getting sober.

As a writer, Celeste started sharing openly about her experience in early recovery and the downfalls of "mommy wine culture," which have gained national attention.

She founded the Ultimate Mom Challenge to help other moms find themselves and see that they don't need alcohol to deal with the daily stresses of motherhood.

Today Celeste is more than 2 years sober, and she's currently writing a book about her journey in recovery.

Dopey with Dopey Dave

Dave's addiction may not have started until his 20's, but what started out as occasionally smoking weed quickly turned to using heroin, pills, and other drugs daily.

After hitting bottom and entering a treatment center, he met Chris, who he would eventually start the Dopey Podcast with.

The original premise of the show was that they would share their craziest war stories - there wouldn't be anything recovery related.

"We just wanted to be funny and extreme, but we knew as soon as we did the first episode we needed to say we were sober so that our listeners didn't think we were glorifying drug use and getting high after the show."

Dopey soon gained a huge following of addicts from around the world.

What Dave didn't know is that Chris had started getting high again.

Chris tragically died from an overdose in the summer of 2018.

In the wake of Chris's death, Dave expanded the recovery based message of Dopey.

The show's audience continues to grow and has featured some incredible stories from celebrity guests.

Today Dave is over 5 years sober.

His focus in life is his recovery, family, and Dopey.

A Sober Girl's Guide with Jessica Jeboult

As a club DJ, Jessica was living what most people might think is the dream life.

She got paid to travel the world and party, but she felt like her life lacked purpose, and her growing substance abuse issue wasn't helping.

After 10 years of failing to get sober, the consequences started to grow in the form of gripping anxiety and depression.

"The nudges were turning into shoves."

While preparing to depart for a big gig at a luxury resort, she started to think about all of the things she wanted to do and how much she would enjoy herself.

In that moment of planning, Jessica had the realization that alcohol didn't fit anywhere into this plan.

It was then that she made a decision to get and stay sober.

Jessica started sharing about her experiences early in sobriety, which ultimately lead to the creation of "A Sober Girls Guide"

blog and podcast.

Today Jessica has found purpose by helping women in recovery through her motivational speaking and coaching programs.

Addicted to Art with Scott Jeffries


Scott recalls taking his first drink at a friend's bar mitzvah when he was 13.

Although he was an All-American swimmer, by the time he when in 10th grade, his drinking had become much more frequent.

Scott was able to maintain his success as an athlete, college student, and while attending law school even as his substance abuse progressed.

"I was managing an unmanageable life for a long time."

Scott built a successful career as an attorney and then eventually tore it all down when his drug use graduated to crack cocaine and heroin.

After going through multiple treatment programs, Scott landed in a sober house in Florida, got involved in a recovery community, and started taking the suggestions that were given to him.

Scott continued to make time for painting, which he had always enjoyed.

His career as an artist blew up after entering a few pieces of artwork in a local show.

Today Scott is 13 years sober and he's a full-time artist.

He's also on the board of a non-profit called the No More Starving Artists Foundation which helps artists be sustainable personally and professionally by providing opportunities and services.

Recovery is The New Black with Michelle Smith

As a wife and working mother of two, Michelle struggled for years with alcohol abuse.

She thought drinking wine while volunteering at her kid's school was maybe just "overdoing it" a little.

In reality, she was drinking to escape the stresses of life.

"I wasn't out barhopping and having fun, I was drinking in my closet alone."

After multiple visits to the hospital, in-patient rehabs, and run-ins with Child Protective Services, Michelle surrendered to the fact that she couldn't control her drinking.

Michelle started attending a 12-Step program where she found the value in connecting with other women who understood her and didn't judge her past.

Today Michelle is 3 years sober.

She founded Recovery is The New Black, where she counsels and coaches moms on how to find an alternative to a culture that tells us that alcohol is an accessory to motherhood.

Lotsaholic with Adam Jablin

Adam was the type of guy that worked hard and played hard.

On one hand, he ran the family business and hit the gym before sunrise, but on the other, his days were filled with constant drug and alcohol abuse.

The substances silenced the endless negative self-talk that bombarded him daily.

Adam says that one day his solution stopped working.

"I could get wasted and still hear those thoughts."

After a family intervention, Adam reluctantly entered treatment.

He went in thinking that everyone would quickly see he wasn't the problem, his family was.

It wasn't long before Adam was confronted with the fact that he was an addict that desperately needed help.

After leaving rehab Adam got involved in a 12 Step program and made his recovery a top priority.

Today Adam is 14 years sober.

He recently published his book, "Lotsaholic: From A Sick To Sober Superman," which chronicles his journey in recovery.

Adam is also the creator of the Hero Project, a coaching program that helps individuals become the heroes of their own life.

Clean and Sober Love with Joaquin Barreda

Looking back, Joaquin recalls being plagued with anxiety and insecurities at a very early age.

He believes this helped push him to take his first drink at 7 years old and then experimenting with marijuana and cocaine at 13.

At 24, Joaquin was brought to his first 12 Step meeting.

He heard the similarities between his life and what others were sharing, took the suggestions that were given to him, and stayed sober for 3 years.

But Joaquin said he let other things take priority over his recovery.

"I stopped doing all the things that you're supposed to be doing."

After going to treatment and getting sober again, he remembers seeing a commercial on TV for a dating app and wondering why there wasn't anything similar for people in recovery.

A few years later, the Clean And Sober Love(CASL) app was launched.

The app provides a safe place for people in recovery to meet without having to have the sometimes awkward first date conversation about being sober.

Today Joaquin is 8 years sober, and he's also the head of Business Development for Mastermind Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

You can find the CASL app in your phone's app store.

The Guy with The Beard with Hick Cheramie

Hick believes his addiction started at 5 years old when he was prescribed liquid codeine for a routine medical procedure.

When the medicine ran out, he threw a tantrum until his mother called the doctor to get more.

Even at such a young age, Hick recognized the relief and comfort that substances provided.

A few years later he would have his first drink and things would only progress from that moment on.

One morning, as he sat drinking vodka in his garage, Hick had what he describes as the loneliest moment in his entire life.

The pain was so great that he finally said the three words that he had avoided for years, "I need help."

After going to treatment Hick got involved in a 12 Step program and his life and mindset started to completely change.

"We have the choice every morning to play the victim or be our own hero, and today I choose to be my own hero."

Early on in sobriety, Hick decided to grow his beard out as a form of self-care.

Little did he know that his beard would open the door to the next chapter in his life, acting.

Today Hick is over 6 years sober and has appeared in several major films and TV shows.

Shape of a Woman with Jen Elizabeth

If you were to ask Jen when her addiction started, she would say it began the day she was born.

Her childhood was unsafe and unstable due to her parent's addiction and mental health issues.

To make matters worse, her family joined a religious cult, where they lived for several years.

Jen turned to substances at a very young age as a way to escape the pain of sexual abuse.

"My entire addiction was a manifestation of trauma."

The seed of recovery was planted through multiple drug court sentences and it finally started to grow while Jen was serving time in prison.

Her sobriety date is May 1st of 2011.

Today Jen is a recovery advocate and author who helps others find hope and overcome guilt, shame, addiction, and trauma.

Recovery Today with Rob Hannley

Rob was introduced to addiction well before taking his first drink.

His father had issues with gambling, his sister was a heroin addict, and his brother also struggled with substance abuse.

Rob says he experienced many of the consequences addicts do before finding sobriety, but that things never got very dark.

As a successful businessman and entrepreneur, it became clear that alcohol no longer served him and he got sober in the spring of 1994.

In 2012 Rob started a free online publication called Recovery Today Magazine.

The magazine has featured the recovery stories of well-known celebrities such as Russell Brand, Darryl Strawberry, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Rob says he found a lot of purpose in working on the magazine and shedding light on stories that bring hope to those who need it.

"When you can help somebody save their life it resonates really deeply."

Finding Recovery through Yoga with Cole Chance

Cole spent years running from her addiction.

She would relocate and change her surroundings, but no matter where she went the substances followed.

After 6 treatment centers, several hospital visits, and an overdose, the seed of recovery was planted with one casual conversation.

She was told, "You can either be high or happy, but not both."

Cole decided to give sobriety one more shot and moved into a sober home.

It wasn't long until she rediscovered yoga and made it a vital part of her recovery plan.

Cole points out several ways that yoga can benefit people in recovery, including becoming more aware of our bodies, our breathing, and how we speak to ourselves.

Today Cole is over 6 years sober and travels around the world teaching yoga as well as carrying her message of recovery.

Sans Bar with Chris Marshall

Chris's drinking career didn't last long because of how excessive it was from the very start.

After getting sober in 2007 and working in the treatment industry, Chris founded Sans Bar, a non-alcoholic bar where people can gather, socialize, and grow as a community whether they are in recovery or not.

Sans Bar grew from an idea and small gathering of friends into a permanent location in Austin, TX that has gained national recognition in the media and recovery community.

When Chris was asked what could be expected from walking into Sans Bar on a Friday night he said, "The first thing you'll get is a greeting from behind the bar, the second thing you'll notice is that the music is never too loud because we believe that the real product we're serving is connection, and before we even talk about money you'll get a drink in your hand."

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Sans Bar has shifted its focus to fun and interactive online events called "Sans Bar Where You Are."

The events include celebrity guest speakers, live music, and mocktail making classes.