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In this deeply honest episode, Jacobo Rengifo Cavestany, Relapse Prevention Therapist at The Balance, shares his personal journey through addiction, grief, and recovery. He speaks about the shame of hiding his struggles, the impact of losing his sister, and the spiral into depression that followed.
Jacobo opens up about what it really means to hit rock bottom—manipulation, relapse, and suicidal thoughts—while also reflecting on the moments that helped him begin to heal: therapy, trust, and learning to face emotions rather than escape them.
Today, as a practitioner, Jacobo transforms his lived experience into guidance for others. He explains why empathy, honesty, and individualized recovery are at the heart of his work, and what long-term healing really looks like: imperfect, non-linear, but deeply human.
🔗 Tune in for an unfiltered conversation about addiction, loss, and recovery—and the strength it takes to start again.
About Jacobo: Having walked the path of addiction and recovery himself, Jacobo brings a unique blend of lived experience and therapeutic expertise to his work. He understands the complexity of relapse, the weight of shame, and the courage it takes to heal. Through empathy and authenticity, he helps others find their own way forward.
00:00:00 – Early Addiction & Shame
00:00:53 – Introduction & Episode Overview
00:02:06 – Hiding Addiction & Family Discovery
00:04:52 – Gambling, Confession & Sister’s Suicide
00:06:07 – Grief, Depression & Emotional Collapse
00:08:35 – Tools for Coping with Depression
00:09:13 – First Addictions, Emotional Avoidance & Early Exposure
00:10:50 – Childhood, Genetics & Environment
00:12:05 – Behavioral vs. Substance Addiction
00:14:04 – Losing Control & Emotional Numbing
00:19:15 – Stealing, Manipulation & Rock Bottom
00:22:58 – Substance Use & Suicidal Thoughts
00:24:00 – Bullying, Isolation & Social Challenges
00:25:38 – Rehab, Resistance & Starting Recovery
00:28:43 – Time, Motivation & Individualized Recovery
00:32:43 – Addiction as the Only Light Left
00:34:04 – Relapse, Guilt & Learning Through Failure
00:38:13 – Trust, Therapy & Emotional Healing
00:41:05 – Emotional Education, Honesty & Technology’s Impact
00:44:11 – Storytelling, Empathy & Sister’s Memory
00:51:58 – Processing Loss & Unanswered Questions
00:53:22 – From Patient to Practitioner: Why He Now Helps Others
00:57:13 – Therapy Models & Building Trust with Clients
01:08:17 – Preparing for Life After Rehab
01:13:42 – Substituting Addictions & What Recovery Really Means
01:25:32 – Long-Term Recovery & Final Advice
For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/
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