Addicted to Recovery

• Paul Hannaford - Part 1

  In this gripping first part of a two-part conversation, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down with Paul Hannaford, whose story takes listeners from an ordinary East London childhood into the chaotic and heartbreaking world of addiction, crime, and survival.Paul speaks with raw honesty about his early life growing up in East Ham as the eldest of four boys, his deep love for his father, and the devastating impact of losing him to alcoholism and family breakdown. That loss became the seed of a lifetime of pain and searching — first through friendships with older boys, then through alcohol and cannabis, and later through crime. By just thirteen, Paul was experimenting with LSD and experiencing terrifying hallucinations that landed him in hospital. Within a year, he was in a young offenders’ institution, where violence and humiliation at the hands of guards left him with a lifelong mistrust of authority.As he grew older, Paul’s need for belonging drew him deeper into gang life. Violence, robbery, and the constant lure of danger became normal. By his late teens, he was drinking heavily, mixing with hardened criminals, and learning how to manipulate and survive on the streets. Then, at twenty-one, came the moment that changed everything: his first taste of heroin. What began as curiosity quickly became dependency. Within months, Paul went from an immaculately dressed young man in London nightclubs to a shadow of himself — homeless, desperate, and enslaved by addiction.Over the years that followed, Paul’s life spiraled through prison cells, overdoses, and the brutal reality of life as a heroin and crack cocaine addict. He became one of the most prolific thieves in the country, stealing millions of pounds’ worth of goods to feed his habit. His body began to fail him — abscesses, infected veins, and open wounds that would never fully heal. Yet through it all, he continued chasing the same illusion of peace that had hooked him in that first hit.Part One ends at the darkest point of Paul’s story — near death, spiritually broken, and completely lost. But it’s here that the seeds of change begin to take root, leading into the powerful redemption and recovery that unfold in Part Two.Raw, emotional, and unflinchingly honest, this episode is a journey through trauma, addiction, and survival — a story that reminds us how far a person can fall, and how incredible it is when they find the strength to rise again.

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• Recovery: An Inside Job

  In this powerful episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Chris and Max sit down with psychotherapist and fellow recovering addict Nick for an honest and deeply relatable conversation about addiction, emotional regulation, and the ongoing work of recovery. Nick shares how daily mindfulness, breathwork, and shifting focus from self-centeredness to service have transformed his life, while the trio discuss how intense emotions, reactive behaviors, and childhood coping mechanisms shape the recovery journey. They explore vulnerability as an act of courage, the importance of honesty in healing, and the role of parenting in teaching emotional balance. Nick also introduces his new venture, The Recovery Cartel, a recovery-themed merchandise brand created to inspire and support the recovery community. Full of practical insights, raw stories, and heartfelt reflection, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking connection, growth, and hope on the path to lasting recovery.🛍️ Explore The Recovery Cartel – A lifestyle brand celebrating life in recovery through clothing, prints, accessories, and more. New designs drop every week, created by people in recovery for the recovery community. 🌐 Website: www.therecoverycartel.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @therecoverycartel 📱 TikTok: @therecoverycartel

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• “I Was Done”: Louise’s Road to Recovery

  In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down with Louise, one of their patrons and a fellow recovering addict, to share a raw and inspiring story of transformation, resilience, and hope.Louise opens up about her turbulent past, marked by childhood trauma, addiction, abusive relationships, and time spent in prison. From stealing as a young girl and seeking validation through destructive behaviors, to falling into substance abuse by age 13 and entering a relationship with a much older man, Louise’s early life was chaotic and painful. Her addiction spiraled from alcohol and cocaine use to crack cocaine, street prostitution, and repeated prison sentences.Despite multiple failed attempts at rehab and fleeting periods of sobriety, Louise’s turning point came after a rapid methadone detox in prison and a placement at a 12-step treatment center. There, hearing another woman share a story that mirrored her own changed everything — sparking the desire to recover and breaking the obsession to use.Louise’s recovery journey hasn’t been easy. She speaks candidly about working the 12 steps, confronting deep-rooted trauma (including sexual abuse by her father), and making amends. She highlights the transformative power of service work — from H&I shares in prisons to sponsoring newcomers — and the importance of community and connection in staying clean.Now over two years and five months clean, Louise is rebuilding her life. She’s completed courses in bookkeeping and accounting, moved to Leicester to be with her supportive partner, and is planning a future full of possibility — including driving lessons and a holiday to Paris. She’s also courageously participating in legal action against a perpetrator to help prevent further harm to others.Louise’s story is a testament to the power of recovery, perseverance, and the life-changing impact of one addict helping another. As Max puts it, “If you can do it, anyone can.”

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• How Free Do You Want to Be?

  In this episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas dive into the theme of freedom in recovery. Fresh from celebrating his 40th birthday in New York, Max shares the profound sense of freedom he felt — being comfortable in his own skin, no longer bound by old habits, secrecy, or shame.The conversation explores:The difference between simply attending meetings and actively working the 12 steps.Why recovery is more than abstinence — it’s about transformation, honesty, and service.Personal stories of past birthdays clouded by addiction versus the joy and authenticity of living clean today.The mental health struggles men face, especially around silence, shame, and suicide — and the importance of talking openly.How milestones like turning 40 highlight the need for reflection, health, and building a future with purpose.With honesty and vulnerability, Christopher and Max remind us that true freedom comes not just from putting down substances, but from doing the deeper work to live fully, without secrets, and in connection with others.

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• Freedom Found: Alex’s Story

  In this raw and deeply moving episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down with Alex, a fellow recovering addict, to explore his incredible journey from addiction, violence, and prison to love, stability, and a new life in recovery.Alex opens up about growing up in a loving family but feeling different from an early age — plagued by anxiety, intense emotions, and a constant sense of not fitting in. As a teenager, alcohol and drugs quickly became his escape. Drawn to the thrill and sense of belonging in football culture, Alex found himself swept up in a lifestyle of pubs, violence, and chaos. What started as weekend drinking spiraled into daily substance use, destructive relationships, and eventually, serious legal trouble.After a series of arrests, Alex served over two years in prison. While behind bars, he discovered meditation and fitness as temporary anchors, but the deep-rooted issues of addiction remained unresolved. Upon his release, Alex initially tried to rebuild his life, but without a recovery plan, he quickly fell back into old patterns of drinking and using. His turning point came after a devastating arrest outside a prison while visiting a friend — a moment that deeply impacted his fiancée, Leandra, and forced Alex to confront the truth about his addiction.With Leandra’s support, Alex took his first brave steps toward recovery through therapy and a structured program called Aspirations. Eventually, he found fellowship meetings, where he slowly began to open up, connect with others, and take suggestions. It wasn’t easy — early recovery brought anger, resistance, and multiple relapses — but Alex kept coming back.Now, at 18 months clean, Alex shares how service work, accountability, and a new community of friends have transformed his life. From crashing cars and toxic relationships to proposing to the love of his life after a recovery meeting, Alex’s story is a testament to the power of change, resilience, and hope.This episode dives deep into what it really means to let go, rebuild, and find freedom from addiction. Whether you’re on your own recovery journey or supporting someone who is, Alex’s experience will inspire and remind you that no matter how dark it gets, a new life is always possible.

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