EP:172 When Alcohol Becomes the Enemy: A Heart Attack Changed Everything
Manage episode 503551690 series 3492902
Jason shares his 30-year battle with alcoholism, recent heart attack, and journey to recovery for the sake of his teenage son.
• Growing up in NYC during the stop-and-frisk era created a cycle of arrests, job loss, and hopelessness
• Early exposure to alcohol through working in bars as a teenager normalized drinking culture
• Alcohol caused severe physical damage including eight throat procedures due to esophageal burns
• After years of trying to get sober for others, a heart attack following a brief relapse became a turning point
• Recovery strategies include regular support group meetings, staying busy with work, and surrounding himself with understanding people
• Alcohol's prevalence in everyday settings (movies, bowling alleys) creates constant challenges for maintaining sobriety
• Childhood trauma often underlies addiction patterns and requires addressing for lasting recovery
If you're struggling with addiction, Jason encourages you to seek detox help, build a support team, and remember that relapse doesn't equal failure. "You just got to learn from your mistake... if you're alive it's a blessing that day."
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Chapters
1. Introduction to Double A Club (00:00:00)
2. Meet Jason: 30 Years of Alcoholism (00:00:53)
3. New York Trauma and Stop-and-Frisk (00:03:05)
4. Early Exposure to Alcohol Culture (00:08:14)
5. Heart Attack: A Wake-up Call (00:12:24)
6. Family Motivation for Recovery (00:17:02)
7. Physical Toll and Health Consequences (00:25:30)
8. Recovery Strategies and Support Systems (00:31:39)
9. Final Thoughts on Breaking Addiction Cycles (00:38:28)
10. Episode Closing (00:42:10)
8 episodes