Dopey: On the Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction

Listen without ads at www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastToday on Dopey!  We promote Dopeywood 2026 tickets (April 12 at Comedy Store LA with Marc Maron, Bobby Lee, Margaret Cho, Darrell Hammond, Sam Miller, Allie Makovsky, Zach Noe Towers.Tickets For Dopeywood 2026: https://www.showclix.com/event/dopeywood-2026Also if you want free Narcan/fentanyl test strips write us at dopeypodcast@gmail.com  We Read glowing Spotify feedback on the "Yellow Balloon" episode (jam band recovery groups like Much Obliged), including shoutouts to Benji, hippie Earl's gratitude lists/Secret Santa, and defends five-days-a-week Dopey. Shares Dana's email/story: Philly trank/xylazine struggles, listening while using (sad/lonely but less alone), hilarious failed gas station robberies with an oxy coworker (no masks/weapons, polite denials, eventual $300 haul for pills/McDonald's). Then dives into a marathon convo with Bob Forrest (Don't Die podcast, Celebrity Rehab, Thelonious Monster): Bob's anti-device/oligarch rant (Elon Musk/Jeff Bezos/curated feeds as modern Matrix, Bob Marley money quote, fight fake reality, turn off phones, go outside), social media dividing people (Gaza/Pizzagate/Epstein conspiracies as distractions from economic rape), drug market shifts (meth in fentanyl to preserve customers post-Narcan, cocaine resurgence over crazy-making meth, Kratom ubiquity as "non-addictive" supplement denial), modern addicts numbing vs. old-school enhancement, generational hopelessness (kids glued to iPads, no humor/alive feeling), AA tough love vs. today's softness, economic insecurity fearlessness in recovery, personal racism persistence, unity/civility over war, and life's joy in helping addicts. Ends with Mike Martt/Nick Thorpe's "Good So Bad" cover!SEO Search Terms: Suggested Title: Today on Dopey! Wednesday Dose: Bob Forrest Rants Oligarchs/Social Media Matrix, Fentanyl Meth Shifts, Unity Over Division + Nora's Sweet Sober Dad Moment (Valentine's 2026) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

FIREY FULL EP www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastToday on Dopey! Dave and new co-host Doug Brown kick off a banked Tuesday Patreon episode from Sayville (prepping for Florida trip, five-days-of-Dopey debate: 30 fans love it, 1 says it's too much). Dave reflects on negativity bias (2 bad comments haunt more than 98 good ones), aging roasts ("you're so old" from Ingrid Casares), sugar/carb break progress, processed food blame for modern misery (WWII San Diego streets clip), John Joseph shoutout (Chrome Ags, upcoming book, Ken Rideout hookup). Mostly mailbag: Minnesota Matt's epic Peru travel relapse tale (23yo, 30 days sober → heavy drinking on flight → cheap pure Peruvian coke from pool-hall connect, $10/gram clean lines, numb throat euphoria, dilemma on 3 leftover grams before La Paz flight to Bolivia, drug-dog risks, coke-fueled threesome tease — cliffhanger for Patreon). Matt now 8 months sober, praises Dopey tipping point, family rebuild, Chris/Todd tribute. Ends with "Good So Bad" playout and toodles for Chris. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADD FREE @ www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastToday on Total Dopey Replay! We are replaying the classic 2016 Episode 13: "Tales from the Plug" — raw early Dopey with Dave and Chris swapping dealer horror stories, rip-offs, close calls, and dumb shit. ). Listener voicemails shine: James Dehart's wild crack-reverse-overdose tale (eye-reset magic), and Haley Shell's epic Mississippi meth-tweak chaos (self-Cheddar-Bob gunshot, swallowing shards in cop car, dirty towel compress, jail sweat puddle). Ends with Dave's song snippet and plugs for emails, Spotify comments, Patreon, Wednesday Zooms, stickers, and more Dopeycon/YouTube love.All that and MORE! on this brand new 10 year old Dopey Episode! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LISTEN WITHOUT ADS: www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on Dopey! We have the great Kevin Jack McEnroe, son of John McEnroe and (world class heroin addict-in recovery) Tatum ONeil! We start with emails and voicemails and spotify comments - Dustin on his Kratom Replapse and Leroy's crazy finding and flushing heroin on acid! Then we get to the meat of the show with Kevin McEnroe: Kevin McEnroe grew up in a house where everyone already knew his last name. In this unguarded conversation with David Manheim, Kevin talks about being the son of two famous parents while managing fear, secrecy, and responsibility far beyond his years. He describes protecting his mother through her addiction, learning early how to split public image from private truth, and eventually becoming the very thing he swore he wouldn’t: a full-blown addict.From opiates and alcohol to liver failure, pancreatitis, and waking up in a hospital bed at 33, Kevin walks us through from denial to collapse. He opens up about selling his first novel while secretly drinking, faking composure, and the humiliation of being known but not respected — recognized as “McEnroe’s kid,” but unsure who he was as an individual.This is a conversation about inherited chaos, codependency, ego, shame, and what happens when you finally stop trying to outrun your story. It’s about service. About humility. About the strange relief of admitting you don’t know what to do.Kevin is sober now. He teaches tennis and he writes every day. He’s building a life that feels like his own.ALL THAT AND MORE!!!!!! on this week's brand new episode of that good old Dopey Show!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis Week on Dopey's Greatest Hits! We go back in time to our first episode with Marc Maron at the Ludlow Hotel. Born from a chance street encounter after a big cancellation.  Interspersed are listener voicemails (classic DC crack misadventure), Spotify comments, a sober dental encouragement email, Dopey Wood 2026 hype, and a heartfelt banjo cover of Dave’s song. The Maron talk covers deli obsession, early drug fears, cocaine psychosis, heroin flirtations, recovery persistence, podcast origin, and soulful interviewing—ending with gratitude for Maron’s role in Dopey’s survival and credibility.All that and MORE MORE MORE on the brand new yet many years old episode of that good old Dopey Show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Dopey!Dave dives headfirst into the surprisingly powerful world of Yellow Balloon groups — sober support tables that have become lifelines for recovering addicts and alcoholics at jam-band shows. The episode blends personal stories, history, and community vibes with guests Benji Rosenzweig (Storied Podcast, One Show at a Time) and Jen Dawson (Alia Health Group, hardcore Fellowship member). We hear the origin of Wharf Rats (Grateful Dead sober scene), how Fellowship (Phish-focused) branched off, and how dozens of similar groups now exist for bands like Goose, Billy Strings, Umphrey’s McGee, Tyler Childers, and more. Dave shares his own outsider curiosity as someone who used shows purely as open-air drug markets, while Benji and Jen describe how the yellow balloon became a beacon in chaotic concert environments. It’s part recovery fellowship, part parking-lot hang, part set-break gratitude circle, and — for many — the place where real connection replaced isolation.ALL THAT AND MORE ON THE BRAND NEW HIPPY CENTRIC EPISODE OF DOPEY!“Yellow Balloons Saved My Concert Life” – How Sober Hippies Built Secret Recovery Tables at Phish, Dead & Billy ShowsFrom Drug-Seeking to Hug-Seeking: The Insane Story of Yellow Balloon Groups“You’re With Family Now”: The Grateful Dead Sober Scene That Spread to Every Jam BandChasing the Yellow Balloon: How Fellowship & Wharf Rats Keep Addicts Sober at ShowsSober Raging at Dicks: The Secret Society of Jam-Band Recovery Tables Exposed  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LISTEN TO THE WHOLE SHOW ON PATREON!www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast Episode Summary (for show notes / description)Dave kicks off another chaotic Dopey Tuesday teaser with special guest 'Douglas Brown'! Rival voicemails from the ever-competitive "Heart Attack Doug," and why politics shouldn't wreck recovery friendships or meetings. Fentanyl death drops (blamed on Trump or natural arc?)Family holiday stress (yelling at kids, car fails)The Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime (cinematic flex for Latin expansion vs. stadium spectacle fail), and outrage over Spanish lyrics. Listener comments roast tough times and acronym chaos, plus Dave belts out a raw acoustic tune about bad desires and shadows. Classic Dopey mix of dumb shit banter, recovery reflections, and teases for the full Patreon episode—drugs, addiction, holiday madness with Ray and Alan. Sign up at patreon.com/dopeypodcast for the uncut version. And a bit more on that good old raytreon show!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen without Ads at www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on TOTAL DOPEY REPLAY!  The core replay is the full original Dopey Episode 11 (from ~2016), where Dave and Chris banter about AA vs. NA meetings, stereotypes in fellowships, early recovery quirks, listener feedback, random tangents (Damn Daniel viral video, gym routines, therapy at cafes), and Chris's wild story: Relapsing with a girl named Ashley in a Westin hotel (funded by his dad), getting punched in the nose during drunk play, trashing the room with blood on the ceiling, destroying it further, getting confronted by hotel security/police, losing his upcoming night auditor job at the same hotel, and dodging charges by paying for damages. The episode mixes raw addiction tales (heroin, crack, booze, trauma), humor, self-deprecation, early podcast growing pains, and light recovery talk.PLUS super impactful email about grief, and a crazy voicemail about benzos! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Show without Ads on Patreon:www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on Dopey!  We get  a flood of enthusiastic Spotify comments about a previous Jed Payne episode! We hear a listener voicemail on getting a pickline and reads an email from a listener in Michigan who rebuilt their life after heavy meth/heroin use.  The main interview is with Amanda Crossley (from the Sober Girls group chat), who shares a raw, detailed story of her descent into opioid addiction: stealing massive amounts from her pharmacy job, transitioning to IV heroin in Camden NJ, robbing houses as a getaway driver, sugar-daddy arrangements with much older men, family chaos with her two addicted sisters, and ultimately writing to Dr. Phil herself at 23. The 2014 Dr. Phil episode (filmed while high) led to treatment, and she's been sober since early 2015 (now ~11 years). We close with our NEVER RELEASED 1999 EP from our band The Ulti Scrub Hustle: If I'm Not Home(I'm out Walkin Around), Girl of Mine and (I wanna be) Good So Bad. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen without Ads at www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on the replay we remember supreme Dopey Legend, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night! Chuck was a world class drug addict in the height of sex, drugs, and rock and roll debauchery in the 1960's and 1970's! He smashed his face whilst on seconals and his legendary penis exploded from too much sex with loving fans! Most importantly Chuck was a beautiful soul who helped scores of people to get better and to enjoy their lives! Rest in Peace Chuck Negron and Thank you!Also Rest in Peace to Chris who is on the show too. PLUS emails, voicemails and more on a super fun and legendary trip down memory lane! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode without Ads is at: www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on Dopey Wednesday! We hear a great alcoholic voicemail - go over some great emails and comments about weening and spirituality - then we are joined by Recovery Unplugged's Jason Cabello who tells us how he met his wife in rehab and tons of other nuggets on this fantastic new Wednesday show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Full show with Aurora's seriously dopey dad at: www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast This week on the Tuesday show we read Spotify shit - Patreon shit - read an amazing story full of disgusting hippy shit and so much much much more.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen with no ads PLUS Dave comments on old episode only on Patreon!www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastDopey TOTAL Replay,! Dave hosts from his dad's apartment!  Reflecting on Chris - INSANE DUI VOICEMAIL. DOPEY Explanation for jumping walls from Dehart. The total replay features classic Dopey Episode 9 (originally Feb 2016): Chris recounts getting mugged in Baltimore after missing a bus from an Orioles game, breaking bones in a chaotic night of college drinking, blackouts, a girlfriend flying to the wrong city, and dorm-room puke-flood disasters. ALL THAT AND MORE MORE MORE on this weeks brand new super old replay episode!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen without inserted ads at www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on DOPEY! We get super Dopey all the way through this insane super long  - super raw episode! First we congratualte Tom B on 6 years! Then we hear the Anders Spotify comments! Then we get into the lisener dopey! Josh’s terrifying Christmas Eve meth boofing disaster and Minnesota Matt’s  first crack experience. Then we go down the crazy rabbit hole of relapse and redemption with old friend of the show and OG DOPE, Jed Payne from Church and Other Drugs as he tells his FULL RELAPSE STORY! From super fucked up situation after situation to recovery and healing the fam!All that and more on a super king size episode of that good old fucked up dopey show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen without ads at www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on  Dopey's Greatest Hits (originally Dopey Episode 27: "Detox, Withdrawal"), where  we rememberTodd (who died from a fentanyl overdose in 2018). We play Rocker-T's  "One More" from the 1998 album Nicer By The Hour, read listener comments/emails (including a wild intervention story from "Alex" involving his mom overdosing during his own intervention). Then we play Dopey classic epidoe 27!  Where me, Chris and graphic design Ryan are about to do an episode when out of the blue Todd calls in, freshly busted while trying to get 'weed'.We talk  a bunch of shit about community service, arrests, weed, drugs and dumb shit. Then  Ryan attempts to coachTodd toward AA/yoga/abstinence, and tells him 'not to die' in a tragicly terrifyingly sad moment. All that and more on this weeks replay of probably my favorite episode of that good old dopey show.Send in your thoughts to dopeypodcast@gmail.com  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen without ads at:www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis Week on The Wednesday Dose of Dopey!Dave kicks off this Wednesday Dose solo from his dad's house, riffing on nostalgic broke-addict snacks (Little Debbie oatmeal pies as cheap highs) and weird fridge finds, before diving into fan Spotify comments praising last week's emotional Erin Khar episode. He shares wild Miles Davis coke-paranoia excerpts from the autobiography (Ferrari abandonment, trash-room hiding, dealer tricks), and recommending Kind of Blue and In a Silent Way as sick sick records!Then we welcome Sandra Vergara (Selling Sunset star, Sofia Vergara's cousin/sister-figure). Sandra opens up about a traumatic Colombian childhood: brother's murder at age 9, raised by an aunt after her bio-mom's brain damage left her mentally stuck at 12, feeling like a "burden," early glue-sniffing experiment, near-fatal ruptured appendix/septic shock at 16, and constant walking-on-eggshells survival via art, empathy, and never taking abuse personally.In LA from 18, she dabbled in makeup/acting (Fright Night), when she began drinking heavy. Blackouts, self-harm (throwing herself through glass), and suicide ideation. followed. First rehab in Medellín (befriended staff for special treatment → false security). Post-rehab: mushrooms sparked a "psychedelic love" fling, ayahuasca faced childhood trauma head-on, but led to half-assed AA and relapses.COVID alone-time in NYC brought painting growth, but cat Stewie's death (worse than losing family) plunged her into deep  depression. Enter ketamine: started therapeutic (Mindbloom) but escalated to daily K-holes with Oculus VR for near-death/grief escapes, addictive Journey Circle weekends (MDMA/ayahuasca/mushrooms group catharsis without integration), erratic calls to mom, club blackouts, and cousin finding her passed out. Family intervention (Sophia pays, nephew packs her) lands her in trauma-focused Breathe Life rehab.She firmly rejects "California sober" as a trap—psychedelics delayed real surrender for her; true addicts can't substitute one mind-alter for another. Full AA commitment (no more a la carte) + Kabbalah (post-breakup desperation) changed everything: tikkun (soul correction via tough life choices), turning reactive impulses (anger/gossip) into proactive restriction, daily study/meditation for frequency shifts. Ties Kabbalah to quantum physics (observer effect = perception shapes reality, entanglement = we're all connected, certainty in the unknown = surrender).Sandra discusses Selling Sunset challenges (producer manipulation, ego, glamour vs. spiritual presence) and her new neuroscience/IFS/Kabbalah coaching for holistic recovery (mind stories, body regulation, spirit alignment). All that and much more on the brand new episode of that good old dopey show!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To hear the whole thing go to:www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis Week on the Teaser! John 'Sugar Bear' Bukaty is back! We talk abunch of shit about drugs, addiction, woowooo stiff and more! Including: Madonna Kabbalah, spiritual intention 2026, share vs hoard, Patreon exclusive, recovery humor, sugar relapse story, 80s pop culture nostalgia, FMK game, Debbie Harry, Gwen Stefani, synesthesia art, Dopey Nation, toodles for Chris, harm reduction, sobriety stories, New Orleans artist, Jay Shetty Madonna podcast, Kabbalah wisdom, creative recovery, benzo struggles, Spotify comments Dopey, Dopeycon 2026... ANd thats just the teaser - the real dopey is on patreon:)! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen without ads on www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on the total replay - Chris tells the depths of his SMI - maybe the first time we discussed SMI - and Chris' reluctance to accepting the SMI mantle. This is what he wrote 10 years ago: 'Chris intentionally flips out in the psych ward to get put into a 5 point restraint... and receive an injection of Ativan and Haldol. Also, he is treated by Bob Forrest and Dr. Drew.' First though Chris makes fun of my fish tank. We had such a good time. I cooked brusell sprouts and so much more! such a good time! We miss and love you Chris!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Super sweet talk with Anders Beck! Say it with an 'ah-nders' not 'and-ers'. Anders tells us his whole musical/drug/alcohol story! Nothing left out - including the crazy intervention and playing with phil lesh! May he rest in peace! PLUS sick email from Montana in prison! (thanks Nicole!) An amazing dildo filled voicemail from Daniel G! A nice mention from Steve from New Hampshire and so much more more more!PLUS Ander's beautiful song 'Born Again' performed by Greensky Bluegrass, Anders' bonus dobro playing, Damon's 'Dopey World' and Jake from West Virginia's classic version of 'Good So Bad'ALL THAT and more, more, more on this brand new episode of that good old Dopey Show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

listen without ads at www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on Dopey's Greatest Hits!This replay episode features host David Manheim reflecting on personal chaos, gratitude amid frustration, powerful listener emails/stories (including a harrowing crack/coke seizure tale from Minnesota Matt), and a full classic interview with his partner Linda. They share their raw, unfiltered relationship story—from meeting via mutual friend Todd, early partying (coke, Ativan, drinking), pregnancy amid hidden heroin relapse, family destruction during active addiction, separation, supervised visitations, Dave's bottoming out, eventual sobriety, reconciliation, and rebuilding a family with two kids. Interspersed with intros, emails, Spotify comments, voicemails, and musical interludes (Firecracker rap, song snippets), it captures Dopey's signature mix of dark humor, brutal honesty, recovery insights, and "dumb shit" war stories.The episode opens with Dave navigating recent frustrations—dealing with a guest pulling an episode due to cold feet, sponsor issues, and everyday life stressors—while emphasizing core recovery principles like acceptance, gratitude, and service over resentment. He reflects on childhood influences like Popeye's "I am what I am" mantra as a metaphor for self-acceptance in sobriety, and teases upcoming substantive guests while reading heartfelt (and critical) listener feedback. The heart of the show is the replay of a classic episode featuring Dave and Linda's candid conversation, detailing the highs and lows of their relationship: from initial attraction and drug-fueled early days, through the pregnancy discovery and Dave's escalating heroin use (including nodding out during birthing classes and missing key moments post-birth), to the devastating confrontation when Linda discovered the paraphernalia and the subsequent separation.The story doesn't shy away from the pain—Linda's isolation during a complicated delivery, Dave's rock-bottom spiral involving heavy daily use, arrests, and black eyes during supervised visits with their daughter Nora—but it ultimately lands on hope and redemption. Dave credits their daughter as a major motivator for sobriety, and the couple discusses the hard work of rebuilding trust, family life, and even welcoming a second child. Reflections on the losses of close friends Todd and Chris add emotional weight, underscoring how addiction's toll extends beyond the individual. All that and More, more, more on this weeks new new new episode of dopey!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.