Addicted to Recovery

• The Step One Scar: Dan’s Story

  In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Chris and Max sit down with their friend Dan, who shares a raw and unflinching account of his journey through addiction and recovery.Dan reflects on a difficult childhood marked by emotional discomfort, parental separation, and a persistent feeling of being on the outside looking in. Even from a young age, he felt fear, rejection, and a lack of belonging.Introduced to ecstasy at just 12 years old while in care, Dan describes the initial relief it brought him — the silence of fear and anxiety — and how this instant escape became his "medication" of choice.He candidly recounts being bounced through children’s homes, a secure unit, and juvenile prisons, gradually adopting a hardened persona that masked his internal pain. The story paints a sobering picture of how institutional settings shaped his identity.Dan talks openly about committing robberies, bullying, manipulating loved ones, and living with overwhelming guilt and shame. One particularly harrowing moment includes self-inflicted injuries to deceive his family for drug money — a stark illustration of addiction’s depths.A moment of clarity comes during a stint in solitary confinement, where Dan breaks down emotionally and begins to accept that he needs help. This turning point, sparked by the echo of a support group’s moment of silence, sets him on the path to recovery.Dan’s journey through rehab, Narcotics Anonymous, and therapy helped him begin rebuilding his life. He shares what it’s like to come out of prison and into recovery, experiencing community, kindness, and eventually giving back through service.Despite periods of clean time — even working in addiction services — Dan experienced multiple relapses, underscoring how fragile recovery can be without consistent effort. He reflects honestly on the mistakes that led him back to using and the lessons those experiences taught him.Now five months clean at the time of recording, Dan emphasises the importance of staying connected, attending meetings, and practising the principles of recovery daily. His story is one of perseverance, self-awareness, and hope.🔔 Special Announcement: Chris and Max also introduce their new Patreon channel, offering bonus content, video episodes, live chats, and shout-outs for supporters. It’s a call to the community to help sustain the podcast and deepen the connection.📍 Join us at: Patreon.com/AddictedToRecoveryPodcast

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• 1,000 Days Clean: Kaitlin’s Journey to Recovery

  In this powerful and candid episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas are joined by Kaitlin, a mother and recovering addict, who shares her deeply personal journey to sobriety as she marks an incredible milestone: 1,000 days clean.Kaitlin reflects on a childhood marked by instability, emotional neglect, and early signs of addictive behaviours such as escapism and secretive eating. As a teenager, she turned to alcohol and cannabis to self-soothe, which quickly led to heavier drug use and a progressive addiction that continued into adulthood. Despite becoming a mother, her dependency deepened, culminating in physical and emotional breakdowns, paranoia, and brushes with death. At one stage, she was even told she might never walk again.Her turning point came in the form of a spiritual epiphany — a moment of clarity that led her to seek support through a 12-step fellowship. Kaitlin speaks openly about the initial difficulties of recovery, particularly detaching from cannabis, which she describes as her hardest substance to quit. She also reflects on the grief she experienced in letting go of her old lifestyle and the fear of losing her children, which had long kept her from seeking help.Now 1,000 days sober, Kaitlin has found a sense of peace, stability, and renewed purpose. She is passionate about helping others, especially mothers who may be silently struggling with addiction. Through her social media channel, Sober as a Mother Focused, she shares honest insights, experiences, and support to challenge stigma and offer hope.This episode is a moving reminder of the strength it takes to get clean, the importance of community and honesty in recovery, and the life-changing rewards of staying the course.

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• Sarah Jane Clark: Addicted to Food

  In this episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas speak with Sarah Jane Clark, who shares her powerful story of overcoming food addiction.Sarah explains how ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive, using combinations of sugar, fat and salt to override the body's natural signals. She draws parallels between food addiction and drug or alcohol dependency—highlighting the shame, secrecy and emotional pain that often drives compulsive behaviours.As a teenager, Sarah was caught in the cycle of dieting and bingeing, influenced by damaging messages from the diet industry. By 25, she weighed nearly 22 stone and was warned by her GP that she might not live to 40. That moment pushed her to make a change, starting with a walk in the dark to avoid being seen.Rather than extreme diets, Sarah focused on sustainable habits—swapping sugary drinks for water, cooking at home, and walking daily. These small steps eventually led to a 12-stone weight loss, improved mental clarity and the return of her overall health.Crucially, Sarah began working on her emotional wellbeing. Through books like You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, she learned to confront her past, build self-worth, and introduce healthy boundaries. She now helps others through her support group, Step by Step with Sarah Jane, offering guidance rooted in lived experience.The hosts explore shared themes of addiction, stigma, and recovery. They discuss the limitations of NHS support and how social media and marketing create confusion around food and health. Sarah recommends practical tools like the Yucca app and the book Ultra-Processed People by Dr Chris van Tulleken to help people make more informed choices.Sarah’s message is clear: change is possible with consistency, compassion and community. Her story is not just about weight loss, but healing—physically, mentally and emotionally.

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• Nick: From Abstinence to Recovery

  In this episode, Nick from Brighton shares his compelling journey through addiction, denial, and eventual recovery. Raised in a supportive yet emotionally reserved family, Nick describes how early struggles with insecurity and a need for approval led to escalating substance use, beginning with alcohol and cannabis and progressing to cocaine and daily use.Working in high-pressure construction roles, Nick’s substance use intensified. Despite multiple attempts to moderate or stop, it was not until a pivotal moment of self-realisation that he chose to seek change. He discusses the limitations of mere abstinence and the significant impact of engaging with a structured recovery program.Nick outlines the transformative role of community, consistency, and spiritual growth in sustaining long-term recovery. He credits service, step work, and regular meetings as key elements of his progress and now dedicates time to helping others.This episode provides a candid account of the realities of addiction and offers clear insight into the practical steps and mindset required for lasting recovery.

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• Addict. Prisoner. Pastor – Sid's Story

  In this powerful and heartfelt episode, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas welcome guest Sid, a recovering addict and now a pastor, to share his incredible journey from chaos to redemption. Sid opens up about a loving but challenging childhood, early defiance, school struggles, and the lure of attention-seeking behaviors that led him into a life of crime, addiction, and repeated incarceration.Sid’s story is marked by profound experiences — including the trauma of alopecia at a young age, years lost to heroin addiction, and time spent in both youth and adult prisons. He speaks openly about the insanity and devastation caused by his drug use, relationships that suffered, and the deep shame he carried.However, the turning point came when Sid had a spiritual awakening while serving time. Introduced to faith through a prison chaplain, Sid began to reconnect with the values his parents instilled in him. He shares how this encounter sparked a transformation, eventually leading him to Bible college, a new life with his wife, and a calling to become a pastor.The conversation also touches on the addictive design of modern life — from smartphones to fast food — and the importance of long-term gratification, self-awareness, and community in recovery. Sid’s testimony illustrates that while the road is long and messy, real change is possible with honesty, connection, and spiritual grounding.A moving reminder that recovery isn’t linear — but it is worth it.

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  1:25:49

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