In this powerful episode of Feral But Sober, we sit down with Kenneth—a recovery advocate whose story stretches across decades of addiction, incarceration, heartbreak, and ultimately, transformation. Kenneth opens up about getting into drugs and alcohol at an early age, spending much of his life cycling through jails, prisons, and treatment centers without ever finding a path that truly fit. He shares the moment everything collapsed after a relapse—losing his clean time, his stability, and his connection to the people he loved.
But rock bottom wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.
Kenneth describes waking up one day with the realization that something had to change. He began searching online for others who felt alienated by traditional recovery spaces—and that’s when he discovered marijuana maintenance. It was a turning point that helped him rebuild his life on his own terms.
We dive deep into the emotional layers of his story: losing custody of his children, meeting his girlfriend—a truck driver from Oklahoma—who drove all the way to Ohio to pick him up and take him on a cross-country journey. On that trip, she made the decision to get clean herself, asking Kenneth to throw away her drug kit. Together, they’ve built a quiet, productive life rooted in mutual support and healing.
Kenneth also shares how he’s begun reconnecting with his community—shaking hands with the mayor of his small town, pitching ideas to expand treatment options, and advocating for more inclusive recovery pathways. He talks about rebuilding relationships, confronting his past involvement in gang life, and navigating the trauma of a childhood shaped by addiction, neglect, and survival. Raised in a home where his mother and two stepfathers drank, partied, and used drugs, Kenneth and his eleven siblings were left to fend for themselves.
This episode is a raw, unfiltered look at what recovery can look like outside the lines. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and the radical act of choosing a different future—even when the odds are stacked against you.

Kenny talked about his short story he has written sharing more about his story here is the link: file:///C:/Users/leann/OneDrive/Desktop/The%20flip%20side%20of%20the%20coin%20by%20the%20dopeless%20fiend/book%20ashes%20to%20advocate-kennythoma.pdf

Kenny also offered support to anyone who may be struggling here is the link to his profile: https://www.facebook.com/kennysinrecovery