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Podathon For Recovery: Karen’s Road to Recovery
Manage episode 505327002 series 2968201
Karen, a self-described “not-the-typical addict,” shares how a neck injury and prescribed opioids spiraled into secrecy, debt, and withdrawal—until she chose help, called her doctor, and walked into her first NA meeting. She explains how control, trauma, sponsors, and step work shaped 21 years pill-free, the detour into alcohol, and the moment she finally said out loud, “I’m an alcoholic.” It’s a candid, practical blueprint for anyone wondering what recovery programs actually do—and why they save lives.
Sponsored by Rage Against Addiction
Guest Bio:
Karen is a longtime friend of the show and a recovery advocate. A former stay-at-home mom who became a Reiki Master and intuitive counselor, she’s 21 years pill-free, active in 12-step recovery, and helps clients release stored trauma to heal and move forward.
Main Topics:
· Podathon for Recovery: 12 Days of Hope benefiting Rage Against Addiction
· “Not the typical addict”: prescriptions, stigma, and secrecy
· 9/11, the D.C. sniper, anxiety, and the illusion of control
· Doctor-shopping, online pill mills, and financial fallout
· The turning point: calling the doctor to flag her chart, grief after surrender
· First NA meeting, feeling “at home,” and what sponsors actually do
· Step work vs. therapy; NA vs. AA and “higher power” (not one-size-fits-all)
· Relapse with alcohol, daughter’s ultimatum, and returning to meetings
· Resentments, gratitude lists, and practical tools that keep people clean
· Trauma stored in the body; Reiki/energy work and emotional healing
Resources mentioned:
· Donate to Rage Against Addiction
· Narcotics Anonymous (NA) & Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
· “The Body Keeps the Score” (book reference)
· National Recovery Month (context)
Rage Against AddictionRage Against Addiction is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting addicts and their famili
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Chapters
1. Intro: 12 Days of Hope; support Rage Against Addiction (00:00:00)
2. Meet Karen; “not the typical addict” (00:01:48)
3. Injury, opioids, and the first red flags (00:03:14)
4. 9/11 & D.C. sniper: anxiety and control (00:06:36)
5. Doctor-shopping; online scripts; mounting debt (00:08:19)
6. Chasing the UPS truck; hiding at home; “absentee mom” (00:10:33)
7. “Sick and tired of being sick and tired”: asking for help (00:14:31)
8. Evaluation; relief at outpatient; first 12-step advice (00:17:57)
9. Calling the doctor to mark “no opioids”; unexpected (00:23:26)
10. First NA meeting: judgment falls away; feeling at home (00:23:56)
11. What sponsors do (beyond “working steps”) (00:31:46)
12. “All paths” recovery; meeting people where they are (00:36:31)
13. The wine detour: from one glass to a bottle a night (00:38:07)
14. Daughter’s ultimatum; back to meetings; new home group (00:39:55)
15. NA vs. AA; steps, writing, and “higher power” (00:42:59)
16. Step work details; inventories; why writing matters (00:45:15)
17. Resentments vs. gratitude; practical daily tools (00:47:39)
18. Control as a trigger; recent lessons in honesty (00:49:43)
19. Finally saying “I’m an alcoholic”—what changed (00:50:46)
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