Angel, who is celebrating six months of sobriety from Fentanyl, opens up about his path to recovery, the struggles he faced, and the life-changing moments that led him to sobriety. He shares insights into the challenges of overcoming addiction, the pivotal moments that influenced his decision to seek help, and the transformation his life has undergone since becoming sober. The conversation highlights the importance of support systems, the various pathways to recovery, and the fulfillment that comes from being present and active in one's own life.

00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds

00:27 Angel's Early Recovery Journey

00:48 Exploring the Sober Community

02:15 Life in Recovery

05:18 Angel's Addiction History

07:24 Struggles with Fentanyl

11:28 Attempts to Get Clean

12:24 Manipulating the System

14:02 Probation and Deception

15:45 Hitting Rock Bottom

18:01 The Turning Point

19:58 Entering Detox

22:22 Path to Recovery

24:20 Life After Addiction

26:18 Advice for Newcomers

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Serena Saunders, founder of Pawsitive Recovery, shares her heartfelt journey from a challenging childhood marked by her mother's schizophrenia and substance use, leading to her own struggles with drugs and alcohol starting at age 12. After years of ups and downs, Serena found recovery four years ago and turned her life around by creating Pawsitive Recovery. This unique program helps people in addiction and mental health treatment by providing foster care for their pets. Serena also talks about the importance of animal companionship in recovery and the services Pawsitive Recovery offers, including workshops and partnerships with local shelters. Learn how her dog Oscar inspired this life-saving initiative.

00:00 Introduction to Serena Saunders and Pawsitive Recovery

00:16 Serena's Childhood and Family Struggles

04:33 Early Substance Use and Teenage Years

05:58 Realizing the Need for Help

07:01 Journey to Sobriety and Recovery

11:22 Founding Pawsitive Recovery

14:25 Expanding Positive Recovery Nationwide

15:23 The Impact of Animals in Recovery

21:48 How to Get Involved and Final Thoughts

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Ben Kaye shares his powerful story of recovery after years caught in the world of chemsex—a term used to describe using drugs like crystal meth, GBL, and mephedrone to enhance sex, lower inhibitions, and feel more connected during sexual encounters, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. What started as weekend partying turned into daily drug use and emotional isolation. Ben opens up about how trauma, loneliness, and the search for love led him to addiction, including injecting meth to feel a sense of control and connection. In this honest and eye-opening conversation, Ben explains how chemsex became his way of coping, and how treatment, community, and time helped him rebuild his life. Now a therapist, he helps others find healing too.

00:00 – Intro: Meet Ben Kaye
01:05 – An idyllic childhood shattered at 15
02:21 – First experiences with substances
04:00 – Moving to London, coming out, and the party scene
05:30 – Why the party lifestyle became so appealing
07:00 – Functioning addict or barely functioning?
08:22 – When weekend use turned into daily meth use
09:27 – Injecting crystal meth: how it started
10:45 – What is Chemsex? Breaking it down
12:00 – The rise of Chemsex culture and hookup apps
13:10 – Why young people are at risk
14:24 – Looking for love, not just drugs
15:30 – What intimacy looks like without drugs
16:50 – How Ben got help and started recovery
18:28 – The mental health impact of heavy drug use
20:00 – Starting over through treatment and support
21:50 – Learning to enjoy life sober
23:00 – Becoming a therapist and helping others
25:00 – Advice for anyone starting recovery

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📲 Connect with Ben: https://benkayetherapy.com | @justbenkaye
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----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

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🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok

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