In this mental health & addiction recovery story, Fausto Castellanos shares his harrowing battle with meth, ecstasy, alcohol, and the trauma behind his substance use. From psych ward holds to becoming “The Hope Dealer,” Fausto opens up about his journey through epilepsy, suicidal thoughts, and eventual recovery.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Fausto: http://www.hopedealer.org/, https://www.instagram.com/hopedealerfausto, https://www.youtube.com/@NotYourAverageCounselor, https://www.facebook.com/faustocastellanoss/

00:00 The Hope Dealer: Fausto's Introduction

02:22 Early Struggles: Anxiety and Seeking Validation

04:29 Childhood Trauma: The Impact of Abuse

09:10 Teenage Turmoil: Drugs and Desperation

13:20 The Party Persona: Escaping Through Substance Abuse

21:44 Rock Bottom: Overdoses and Suicidal Thoughts

29:55 A Glimmer of Hope: Seeking Help and Finding Purpose

31:48 The Pink Cloud Experience

33:02 Sharing My Story on Social Media

34:12 Tools for Maintaining Sobriety

35:00 The Power of Forgiveness

38:43 EMDR Therapy Explained

42:31 Navigating Sobriety Challenges

48:05 The Hope Dealers Movement

56:11 Finding Peace in Asia

57:58 The Importance of Lived Experience in Therapy

01:02:19 Final Thoughts and Social Media