Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick are back for another deep dive into the realities of addiction and recovery. Today, we’re tackling Suboxone—one of the most debated drugs in the recovery world.

Some say it’s a lifesaver, giving people a real shot at staying off opioids. Others argue it’s just swapping one addiction for another, with its own set of side effects and risks. So what’s the truth? Does Suboxone truly help, or is it the disease in disguise?

We’ll break it all down—the claims that Suboxone gets you high, the medical community’s stance, and the real-life impact it has on people in recovery. Plus, we’ll hear from Brandon Dreiman, a former Indianapolis firefighter and recovering addict, who brings his own experience to the table.

This is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Let’s get into it.

Medical & Addiction Recovery Resources

• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) – www.samhsa.gov

  • Information on medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including Suboxone, plus a treatment locator.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – www.drugabuse.gov

  • Research-based information on Suboxone, opioid addiction, and recovery options.

• Mayo Clinic – www.mayoclinic.org

  • Medical perspective on Suboxone, including potential side effects and how it works.

Additional Resources

• Al-Anon – Al-Anon.org
• AA Meetings – aa.rgroup.org/meetings
• NA Meetings – virtual-na.org
• Suicide Prevention Hotline – (800) 273-8255

Follow & Support the Show

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Not all recovery houses are the same. Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick break down the difference between standard recovery homes and Oxford Houses—one’s a structured group home with rules, and the other is self-run by the people living there. They dig into whether these places help or if they sound good on paper. Spoiler: When done right, they can change lives.

Oxford Houses stand out because they’re run by the people in them, with no outside management calling the shots. On the other hand, regular recovery homes often have staff overseeing everything. Matt and Ryan get real about the good and bad and what works for people trying to stay clean. If you’ve ever wondered whether these places are a lifeline or a letdown, this episode has the answers.

To find Oxford House locations nationwide, visit their house directory at https://oxfordhouse.org/house-directory. This resource allows you to search for houses by state and city and offers contact information and vacancy details.

Oxford House maintains individual state websites for state-specific information, including local resources and contacts. You can access these through their state website page at https://www.oxfordhouse.org/state-websites.

If you're in Indiana, the Oxford House Indiana website details local houses, application processes, and support resources. Visit https://www.oxfordhousein.org for more information.

For real-time vacancy updates, OxfordVacancies.com offers information on available beds across various Oxford Houses.

National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR): NARR sets national quality standards for recovery residences and offers a directory of certified homes through its state affiliates. Visit their website at https://narronline.org to find links to state-specific organizations that can assist in locating certified recovery homes in your area.

Resources

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick are back after a two-month break, and they’ve got a lot to say about why sometimes you just need to step back. The holidays weren’t exactly smooth sailing—there were challenges, surprises, and plenty of lessons along the way.

Ryan spent time in Buffalo, catching up with an old friend and making sure to hit meetings to stay on track. Matt had a wild experience giving someone a ride home, which turned into a lesson on boundaries and recovery.

They break down the ups and downs, how they stayed sober through it all, and why making recovery the priority helps keep everything else in balance.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways:

Over the River and Through the Woods – Ryan shares his trip to Buffalo, reconnecting with an old friend and attending meetings to stay grounded.

Recognizing Holiday Triggers – How the holidays can impact emotions and thinking in recovery.

Staying Connected to Sobriety – Ryan emphasizes the importance of meetings and support systems.

No Holiday Relapses! – Matt shares his holiday experience, including an unexpected and bizarre encounter after giving someone a ride home.

Handling Stress Without Relapsing – How Matt and Ryan stayed sober despite holiday chaos.

Focus on What’s Important – Recovery must come first, no matter what’s happening around you.

Learning from Unusual Situations – Matt’s story of a shouting match, unexpected requests, and choosing the right response.

Remind Yourself What Comes First (Your Sobriety) – Ryan reflects on staying resolute in recovery, even when the desire to use creeps in.

The Power of Meetings – How attending a familiar meeting helped Matt reset.

Resources

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.