Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

Andrew’s story is a raw, unfiltered look at what severe alcoholism actually looks like behind the scenes. From growing up with crippling anxiety and a heart condition, to discovering alcohol at 18 and immediately losing control, Andrew spiraled into years of relapse, hospitalizations, psych wards, self-harm, legal consequences, and 13 rehab attempts — all before the age of 27. He drank every morning, worked remote jobs while intoxicated, ran from police during a wellness check involving helicopters and K-9 units, and endured life-threatening alcohol withdrawals that landed him in ambulances and ERs multiple times in a single night. In this episode, Andrew breaks down: Why willpower and discipline never worked for him How anxiety, fear, and control fueled his addiction What alcohol withdrawal really feels like Why alcohol and benzos are among the most dangerous withdrawals How understanding addiction as a disease changed everything The exact moment he surrendered and finally stayed sober Today, Andrew is over 2.5 years sober, living with purpose, helping others, and proving that even when everything looks lost, recovery is still possible. This episode is for: Anyone struggling with alcohol or addiction Loved ones trying to understand the disease People who keep relapsing and feel hopeless Anyone who believes they’ve “tried everything” If this story helps even one person, it’s worth telling. #Alcoholism #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryIsPossible #MentalHealthAwareness #AlcoholRecovery #LifeInRecovery #RelapseRecovery #PsychWardSurvivor #AddictionIsADisease #NearDeathExperience #SobrietyStories #TraumaHealing #AnxietyRecovery #SubstanceAbuseRecovery #RecoveryPodcast #RiseAbovePodcast #SoberLife #SoberCommunity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neva Coleman shares her raw and deeply honest journey through high-functioning alcoholism, trauma, perfectionism, and getting sober at a young age — long before her life “looked” like it was falling apart. In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Neva opens up about growing up in New Jersey, losing her father in the 9/11 attacks, excelling academically and socially, and how alcohol slowly became her coping mechanism. What started as “normal college drinking” at Tulane University escalated into blackouts, extreme anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and a terrifying 3-day Mardi Gras bender that led her to call the suicide hotline. Despite near-death moments, being roofied, severe withdrawals, and repeated attempts to moderate, Neva continued drinking — a reality many people in active addiction know all too well. This conversation dives into the truth about alcohol use disorder, why “high-functioning” doesn’t mean healthy, and how denial can keep someone stuck for years. Neva also talks candidly about: Getting sober in her early 20s Why she didn’t identify as an alcoholic at first Trying moderation and why it failed Anxiety, perfectionism, and people-pleasing The loneliness of early sobriety Finding community through AA and therapy Healing her relationship with her mother Using social media to break stigma and help others This episode is for anyone who: Thinks their drinking isn’t “bad enough” Is successful on the outside but struggling inside Is afraid sobriety means life will be boring Is sober-curious, newly sober, or struggling in silence If this conversation resonates with you, you are not alone — and help is available. Neva's Tiktok & IG: soberpartygirlll 🎧 New episodes of Rise Above every week. 📩 If this episode helped you, consider sharing it with someone who needs it. #RiseAbovePodcast #SobrietyJourney #HighFunctioningAlcoholic #AlcoholismRecovery #YoungSobriety #MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionRecovery #AARecovery #WomenInRecovery #SoberLife #SoberCommunity #RecoveryIsPossible #AlcoholUseDisorder #TraumaHealing #AnxietyRecovery #LifeAfterAlcohol #SoberCurious #BreakingTheStigma #HealingJourney #OneDayAtATime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this raw and deeply emotional episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Caylene shares the full truth of her battle with alcoholism — a battle that nearly cost her life. What began as “normal” wine drinking slowly escalated into daily dependence, hiding alcohol around her home, drinking before work, and waking up shaking until her first sip. During COVID, her addiction spiraled until her family staged an intervention that saved her life. Soon after, doctors diagnosed Caylene with end-stage liver disease and cirrhosis. She experienced severe alcohol withdrawal, hallucinations, massive fluid buildup that made her look pregnant for over a year, repeated hospitalizations, invasive medical procedures, and was placed on the liver transplant list. Over the course of two years sober, Caylene endured: Liver failure and cirrhosis Weekly and twice-weekly fluid drainage procedures Withdrawal without rehab Life-threatening hospitalizations Emergency surgery removing part of her intestines A TIPS procedure that ultimately saved her life Today, Caylene is over two years sober, medically stable, and using her story to help others who feel trapped in addiction. This episode is a reminder that alcoholism doesn’t always look chaotic — until it suddenly is. And that it’s never too late to ask for help. If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode may save a life. #RiseAbove #AlcoholismRecovery #LiverFailure #CirrhosisRecovery #SobrietyJourney #AddictionRecovery #AlcoholAwareness #RecoveryIsPossible #EndStageLiverDisease #SoberLife #HealingStories #MentalHealthMatters #WomensRecovery #OneDayAtATime #HopeAfterAddiction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony had everything on the outside — money, sales success, status, and opportunity — but inside he was spiraling fast. In this episode of Rise Above, Tony opens up about his descent into gambling addiction, Adderall abuse, cocaine use, and a terrifying 5-day stimulant binge that nearly cost him his life. What began as discipline and ambition turned into obsession, hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts. Tony shares: How gambling became his first addiction at just 16 Making over $100,000 playing poker and losing it all How Adderall fueled sales success — then completely rewired his brain Snorting prescription stimulants just to feel normal A 5-day binge that led to hallucinations, psychosis, and thoughts of jumping Losing trust, money, relationships, and self-identity Why quitting Adderall was harder than quitting drugs How faith, discipline, and small daily wins rebuilt his life Finding peace, purpose, and sobriety after surrendering everything Today, Tony is over a year and a half sober, a present husband and father, financially stable, debt-free, grounded in faith, and finally at peace. This is a raw conversation about addiction that doesn’t get talked about enough — prescription drugs, performance addiction, and the dangerous lie of “success at any cost.” If you’re struggling, questioning your choices, or feeling trapped in a cycle you can’t escape — this episode is for you. #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #AdderallAddiction #GamblingAddiction #PrescriptionDrugAbuse #RecoveryJourney #FaithAndRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #FromAddictionToRecovery #SoberLife #SpiritualAwakening #RedemptionStory #RecoveryIsPossible #ChristianTestimony #LifeAfterAddiction #BreakingAddiction #SalesBurnout #HighFunctioningAddict Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millicent Huser is a conscious leadership practitioner, trauma-informed mentor, and recovery professional with over 22 years of sobriety and more than two decades working in mental health, addiction treatment, and organizational leadership. In this episode of Rise Above, Millicent explains why putting down alcohol was only the beginning of her journey. Years into sobriety, unresolved trauma, insecurity, and emotional patterns resurfaced — forcing her to confront the deeper inner work required to stay sober, grounded, and fulfilled long-term. Millicent shares how her work today focuses on emotional sobriety, trauma healing, habit transformation, and conscious leadership, helping individuals and organizations create environments where people can grow without burnout, shame, or control. Drawing from her experience working with treatment centers, executive teams, and leaders, she breaks down how workplace culture, identity, and unhealed wounds can quietly undermine recovery — even decades later. This conversation goes beyond addiction and speaks to anyone who has done “the right things” but still feels lost, disconnected, or unfulfilled. Millicent’s upcoming book, Answering the Call, offers a blueprint for conscious leadership and living with purpose — in recovery, work, and life. #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #22YearsSober #RecoveryJourney #SecondAwakening #EmotionalSobriety #ConsciousLeadership #HealingTrauma #PurposeDrivenLife #MentalHealth #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalTransformation #RecoveryIsPossible #BreakingCycles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning is one of the most intense, raw, and powerful stories we’ve ever shared. Jana began using painkillers at 14 years old, progressed to shooting heroin daily, and by 18 was homeless, blacklisted by drug dealers, and clinically dead after an overdose so severe she left her body. In this interview, Jana shares: Growing up in chaos and trauma Dating dangerous drug dealers as a teenager Shooting heroin, meth, and crack A near-death experience where she watched herself turn blue Being told she had to return to her body Surviving homelessness, addiction, and overwhelming survivor’s guilt Getting sober at 19 years old Using methadone and Suboxone when few believed in medication-assisted recovery Rebuilding her nervous system, faith, and identity Losing her younger brother to suicide And building a life today filled with purpose, discipline, love, and freedom Jana now has 14 years sober and lives a life rooted in honesty, movement, faith, and service. This is not just a story about addiction— It’s a story about why people use, how trauma lives in the body, and what it really takes to stay sober. If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode could save a life. #RiseAbove #HeroinAddiction #RecoveryStory #AddictionRecovery #NearDeathExperience #SobrietyJourney #OpiateEpidemic #MentalHealth #TraumaHealing #MethadoneRecovery #SuboxoneRecovery #HomelessToHope #SoberLife #HealingJourney #SecondChances Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Larkin’s story is one of the most powerful comeback stories you’ll hear. In this episode of Rise Above, Adam opens up about his journey from a middle-class upbringing in New York to years of addiction, drug dealing, near-death trauma, and survivor’s guilt after a horrific car accident that took his best friend’s life. What followed was nearly two decades of opioid dependence — OxyContin, methadone, Suboxone, benzos — all prescribed, all destructive. Adam takes us deep into the realities of long-term addiction, pharmaceutical dependency, and how relapse can happen even after years of sobriety. But this is a story about coming back. Adam shares how he finally found freedom, rebuilt his life from the ground up at age 37, and turned his pain into purpose. Today, he’s sober, engaged, running a successful clothing brand (GET Apparel – “Get In The Trough”), hosting global recovery events across multiple continents, working in the recovery field, and helping others find a way out. This conversation dives into: Early addiction and the first drink Survivor’s guilt and trauma Prescription opioids and long-term Suboxone use Relapse after years of sobriety — and how he made it back Faith, structure, accountability, and purpose Building a business and a life in recovery Why it’s never too late to start over If you’re struggling, thinking about getting sober, or afraid you’ve gone too far — this episode is for you. Everyone loves a comeback story. This is a real one. GET Apparel: getapparel.com Podcast: Get Up Podcast with Adam Larkin Socials: @GI_Apparel | Adam Larkin 🔗 Follow Adam Larkin #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RecoveryStory #RelapseAndRecovery #OpiateAddiction #SuboxoneRecovery #FormerAddict #ComebackStory #SecondChances #MentalHealth #RecoveryIsPossible #SoberLife #AddictionAwareness #FaithAndRecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Garet McLendon spent years trapped in a cycle of addiction, violence, and incarceration — selling meth, surviving prison riots, and losing everything that mattered most, including his relationship with his daughter. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Garet opens up about: Growing up surrounded by abuse, instability, and addiction Dropping out of school and running the streets Selling meth and cycling in and out of jail and prison Witnessing extreme violence, riots, and survival inside the system The moment he finally surrendered and chose sobriety Rebuilding life from nothing at 33 years old Learning how to be a present, trustworthy father after years of absence Why discipline, structure, and inner work saved his life Now approaching 13 years clean and sober, Garet lives a life rooted in gratitude, discipline, and service — proving that no matter how far gone you think you are, it’s never too late to start over. This episode is for anyone struggling with addiction, incarceration, shame, or feeling “too far behind” to change. If this story helped you, consider sharing it with someone who needs hope. #AddictionRecovery #PrisonToPurpose #SoberLiving #RecoveryStory #LifeAfterPrison #FormerAddict #SobrietyJourney #MethAddiction #SecondChances #RedemptionStory #MentalHealthMatters #Fatherhood #TraumaRecovery #RiseAbove #Incarceration #RebuildingLife #HopeAfterAddiction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lex Jacoby’s story is one of strength, resilience, and quiet courage. In this episode of Rise Above, Lex shares her journey from serving eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps to navigating divorce, single motherhood, and the isolating transition back into civilian life — all without a safety net. This conversation goes far beyond labels. Lex opens up about rebuilding her identity, learning how to stand on her own, and finding confidence and freedom by being unapologetically herself. Whether you’re a veteran, a single parent, or someone going through a major life transition, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to hit rock bottom to have a powerful Rise Above story. #RiseAbove #SingleMomLife #MarineVeteran #WomenWhoRise #LifeAfterTheMilitary #DivorceRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #StrongWomen #VeteranStories #RebuildingLife #HealingJourney #PersonalGrowth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Avery Schlereth never planned on getting sober — until alcohol stopped numbing her anxiety and started running her life. In this New Year, New Me episode of Rise Above, Avery shares what sobriety really looks like beyond the first year. Not just quitting drinking, but learning how to live, heal, and evolve as a sober woman — one year at a time. Year one was about survival. Getting sober in 2024 meant sitting with anxiety she had spent years trying to silence, learning how to exist without alcohol, and discovering a completely new way to move through the world. Year two was where the real work began. Avery focused inward — getting comfortable with herself, addressing old wounds, rebuilding self-trust, and learning who she was without alcohol, chaos, or external validation. Now heading into year three, Avery is operating on all cylinders. She’s applying everything she’s learned, revamping her business, and fully stepping into a new version of herself — grounded, confident, and intentional. In this conversation, Avery opens up about drinking two bottles of wine a night, blacking out, hiding alcohol from loved ones, and why moderation never worked for her. She also shares the moment she realized she was living below her potential, how therapy and AA helped her rebuild from the inside out, and why sobriety didn’t take her life away — it gave her one back. Today marks Avery’s two-year sober anniversary, and her story is a reminder that New Year, New Me isn’t a slogan — it’s a process of growth, honesty, and commitment. If you’re entering a new year feeling anxious, stuck, or tired of telling yourself “I’ll start tomorrow,” this episode is for you. I host a free Rise Above recovery meeting every Monday night. Email: Kevin@RiseAbovePod.com 🎧 Subscribe for real stories about mental health, sobriety, growth, and resilience. #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholRecovery #AnxietyAndAlcohol #SoberLiving #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryIsPossible #TwoYearsSober #WomenInRecovery #AlcoholFreeLife #SoberPodcast #RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionRecovery #HealingJourney #SelfWorth #LifeAfterAlcohol #SoberCommunity #AnxietyRecovery #HealthAndWellness #RealRecovery #SobrietyStories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen had what looked like a perfect childhood — loving parents, athletics, stability. But at 16, alcohol flipped a switch she didn’t know existed. From blackouts every single time she drank, to toxic relationships, infidelity, sudden death, hospitalizations, and a terrifying medical wake-up call that nearly cost her life — Kristen’s alcoholism spiraled fast and quietly. She drank alone. She drank to numb. She drank to survive. Until alcohol turned on her body — landing her in the hospital with abnormal scans, organ damage warnings, and thoughts she never thought she’d have. This is a brutally honest conversation about: Blackout drinking from the very first drink Alcoholism hiding behind “normal life” Betrayal, trauma, and repeated loss Near liver failure and hospital intervention Being forced into treatment — and why it finally worked Finding purpose, accountability, and real recovery Today, Kristen is 4.5+ years sober, married, trusted again by her family, and living proof that even when recovery starts for someone else — it can still save your life. If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode may be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed. #AlcoholismRecovery #BlackoutDrinking #SobrietyJourney #AddictionRecovery #RiseAbovePodcast #RecoveryIsPossible #AlcoholFreeLife #WomenInRecovery #SoberLiving #TraumaAndHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryStories #RockBottom #SoberCommunity #OneDayAtATime #AddictionAwareness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support recovery in style with SBR Cartel — 10% of every purchase helps struggling addicts and alcoholics find hope. Get 15% off with code RISEABOVE at sbrcartel.com Meet Jackie, a mother of four who survived childhood sexual abuse, chaotic parenting, violent relationships, addiction, and ultimately prison — where she endured an officer’s misconduct that later resulted in a $3.3 million settlement.But her story isn’t about money.It’s about resilience.In this episode, Jackie walks us through:• Growing up with abuse, neglect, and unsafe environments• Losing her son during active addiction• Developing a brutal opioid addiction• Snorting heroin instead of shooting it to “feel in control”• The hotel arrest that led to prison• The abuse she endured behind bars• Fighting a six-year legal battle• Getting clean, rebuilding her life, and becoming a mother again• Winning a $3.3M settlement — and not letting it destroy her• What relapse taught her after years sober• How she stays clean todayHer transformation is unbelievable — from losing her children, her freedom, and her identity… to creating a new life rooted in honesty, boundaries, faith, and recovery.If you’ve survived trauma, struggled with addiction, or felt like you couldn’t come back from a mistake — Jacqui’s story will move you deeply.🙏 Rise Above Recovery Meeting — Every MondayEmail Kevin@RiseAbovePod.com for the Zoom link.🔥 Join the Rise Above Sober CommunityConnect with people who truly get it inside the OpenRecovery app. #trauma #addictionrecovery #prisonstories #survivor #riseabove #opioidepidemic #addictionawareness #childhoodtrauma #recoveryjourney #healingjourney #overdoseawareness #soberlife #sobriety #abusesurvivor #mentalhealthmatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support recovery in style with SBR Cartel — 10% of every purchase helps struggling addicts and alcoholics find hope. Get 15% off with code RISEABOVE at sbrcartel.com Ronnie’s story is one of the most powerful recovery journeys you will ever hear. In this episode of Rise Above, Ronnie opens up about his unbelievable transformation — from being a professional soccer star drafted #1 in the country, battling alcohol addiction, Valium dependence, cocaine, compulsive gambling, and lying, to becoming a man with 35 years sober and 31 years free from gambling. Ronnie shares: How a Valium prescription at 14 years old led to 20 years of addiction What it was like gambling while playing professional soccer Losing everything — including trust, money, family, and self-respect The $25,000 he stole from his own brother The brutal reality of detox, rehab, and psych wards How the 12 Steps, God, and service saved his life Making amends to the man who raised his children after addiction Building a successful business after recovery Teaching young people how to truly work the steps What it really takes to stay sober one day at a time This episode is for anyone struggling with addiction, gambling, anxiety, lies, ego, shame, or relapse — and for anyone who needs proof that it’s never too late to change your life. #35YearsSober #GamblingAddiction #RecoveryPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RiseAbove #SobrietyJourney #FromAddictionToRecovery #12StepProgram #ValiumAddiction #CocaineAddiction #CompulsiveGambling #Alcoholism #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryIsPossible #SoberLife #GamblersAnonymous #AARecovery #FaithInRecovery #OneDayAtATime #LifeAfterAddiction #RedemptionStory #KevinLanning #RiseAbovePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support recovery in style with SBR Cartel — 10% of every purchase helps struggling addicts and alcoholics find hope. Get 15% off with code RISEABOVE at sbrcartel.com Annie shares one of the most powerful family-side addiction stories ever told on Rise Above. From growing up in a home filled with alcoholism, violence, and silence… to becoming a young mother… to watching her son become addicted to opioids after a football injury — this is the side of addiction rarely spoken about. Annie opens up about: Growing up in a chaotic alcoholic household Her son being prescribed opioids at 17 after a broken jaw Years of chasing, enabling, fear, and emotional collapse Her son’s journey to treatment and now over 10 years sober Hitting her own emotional rock bottom Recovery for family members through meetings, boundaries, and self-work Learning how to stop living in fear and start living in peace Today, Annie works in peer support, helps families in crisis, and is the author of Unhooked and Unbroken, two powerful books about family recovery and surviving addiction. This episode is for: Parents of addicted children Spouses and family members in chaos Anyone affected by addiction who thinks the only problem is the addict Because recovery isn’t just for the person using — it’s for everyone. #AddictionRecovery #OpioidCrisis #ParentsOfAddicts #FamilyRecovery #Codependency #OxyContin #RecoveryIsPossible #RiseAbovePodcast #Alcoholism #DrugAddiction #SoberCommunity #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthPodcast #RecoverySupport #Intervention #Boundaries #12Steps #EmotionalRecovery #HopeAfterAddiction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support recovery in style with SBR Cartel — 10% of every purchase helps struggling addicts and alcoholics find hope. Get 15% off with code RISEABOVE at sbrcartel.com In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Dr. Jason Rudolph — a psychologist with 28 years of sobriety — opens up about his daily cocaine addiction, massive consequences, failed attempts at school, gambling, lying, shame, and the moment he finally surrendered. Jason shares how he went from doing cocaine every day for two years, destroying relationships, losing opportunities, and spiraling into secrecy — to becoming a respected psychologist who has helped thousands of addicts recover. We walk through: ✔️ His childhood and early signs of addiction ✔️ Daily cocaine use, escalating to talk of smoking crack ✔️ Consequences he could no longer outrun ✔️ The God moment in a bar that changed everything ✔️ His surrender and journey through Hazelden, sober living, and rebuilding ✔️ Becoming Dr. Jason Rudolph — and helping others find the voice he once ignored ✔️ Mentorship, humility, boundaries, and why consequences save lives Whether you’re new to recovery, long-term sober, or trying to help a loved one, this conversation will hit home. Jason’s humility, clarity, and brutal honesty make this one of the most powerful episodes of Rise Above. Follow Dr. Jason Rudolph: IG: @drjasonrudolph Website: DrJasonRudolph.com If this episode helps you — please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today. You never have to recover alone. #addiction #recovery #sober #sobriety #cocaineaddiction #rehab #12step #mentalhealth #psychologist #inspiration #risenabove #kevinlanning #addictionrecovery #drugaddiction #soberlife #sobercommunity #overcomingaddiction #recoveryispossible #miracleofsobriety #intervention #hope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Rise Above, Kevin sits down with Spencer Chamberlain, the legendary frontman of Underoath, for one of the rawest and most vulnerable interviews he’s ever done. Spencer opens up about: Joining Underoath at 23 The early days playing in front of 10 people Breaking away from the Christian-rock label His secret addiction to pills, cocaine, and the nightlife How fame, pressure, and identity spirals nearly destroyed him Navigating the collapse of the band in 2013 His journey to self-worth, therapy, recovery, and rebuilding his life Finding real love, becoming a father, and finally learning to love himself The moment he knew he had to completely change his life This episode is filled with redemption, honesty, and powerful insight into the world behind the music industry’s curtain. Whether you're a fan of Underoath, rock music, or stories of recovery—this interview will hit you hard. If this conversation helps you, please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. To join Kevin’s Monday night Rise Above Recovery Meeting, email: kevin@riseabovepod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply emotional episode, Heidi shares the story she’s never fully told—growing up in an ultra-strict宗 Lutheran community comparable to Amish rules, where makeup, music, and even friendships outside the church were forbidden. After being married at 18 and becoming a mother of six, her life spiraled into emotional abuse, fear, and eventually alcoholism. But nothing prepared her for the darkest chapter: watching her teenage daughter fall into heroin addiction, spiraling into the streets, jail, and repeated overdoses. At just 18 years old, Heidi’s daughter tragically passed away from fentanyl. Heidi opens up about: • Escaping a controlling church community • An abusive marriage and losing custody of her children • Her battle with alcohol and multiple rehab attempts • Becoming homeless before rebuilding her life • Her daughter’s addiction, juvenile incarceration, and fentanyl use • The devastating day she received the phone call no parent should ever get • How she found sobriety, purpose, and healing after unthinkable loss If you are a parent of a child struggling with addiction, or you’re battling addiction yourself, this episode is for you. Heidi’s story shows that even through the darkest pain, there is still hope. 🙏 If this episode impacts you, please subscribe and share to help someone who needs it. 📧 For my Monday night Rise Above Recovery Meeting link, email: Kevin@RiseAbovePod.com #AddictionStory #FentanylCrisis #Motherhood #RecoveryJourney #RiseAbovePodcast #Sobriety #OverdoseAwareness #TraumaHealing #AddictionRecovery #SurvivorStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russell’s story is one of the darkest descents ever shared on Rise Above — and one of the most inspiring comebacks.After years trapped in chronic pain, opiate prescriptions, crippling anxiety, and undiagnosed Bipolar II, Russell’s world fell apart:• his marriage crumbled• his career collapsed• his father was dying• he couldn’t sleep for months• he spiraled into heavy drinking + painkillers• and eventually… he planned his own suicideWhat followed is shocking:Russell was admitted twice to a psychiatric hospital, diagnosed bipolar, and eventually underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) — the same “shock therapy” most people fear.But instead of ending his life…He rebuilt it from scratch.Today Russell is sober, mentally stable, and runs a successful pressure-washing business with his two sons — the very people he almost left behind.This interview is raw, emotional, and brutally honest. If you’re struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, or feel like you’re at the end… Russell’s story will show you that there is ALWAYS a way out.🙏 If you need recovery support:Email me to join our weekly Rise Above Recovery Meeting📧 Kevin@RiseAbovePod.com👇 Drop a comment if Russell’s honesty helped you today.#RiseAbove#AddictionRecovery#MentalHealthMatters#BipolarDisorder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Ryan shares one of the most shocking alcoholism survival stories we’ve ever heard on this show. From growing up depressed and anxious in Seattle… to binge drinking through college frat life… to running a business while hiding a cocaine addiction… Ryan’s battle with alcoholism escalated until he was drinking 12–20 drinks a day, suffering seizures, and hitting a 0.40 BAC during a police wellness check. But the moment that nearly killed him — and ultimately saved him — was when he collapsed down a flight of concrete stairs, woke up with his teeth knocked out, his face unrecognizable, and a corneal infection so severe doctors considered removing his eye. On top of this, Ryan opens up about the devastating loss of his sister to a fentanyl overdose, the trauma he carried since childhood, and the lies he told himself for years. Today, Ryan is over a year sober, rebuilding his life, helping others, and sharing the tools that finally kept him sober after countless attempts. This is one of the most raw, honest, and emotionally powerful episodes yet. If this story helps you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and COMMENT below. Your support pushes this message of hope further. #alcoholism #soberstory #addictionrecovery #riseabovepodcast #rockbottom #soberlife #fentanylepidemic #traumahealing #alcoholaddiction #sobrietyjourney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allen Lund’s story is one of the wildest and most heartbreaking transformation journeys ever shared on Rise Above. Born into chaos in Broward County, Allen grew up around addiction, violence, poverty, and dysfunction. By middle school he was on Xanax, smoking weed just to face the day, and eventually spiraled into a full-blown opioid and crack addiction that led to living two years under a bridge, watching people die around him, and surviving multiple fentanyl overdoses — including one where he woke up 6 hours later and should’ve been dead. After jail time, relapses, homelessness, and countless failed attempts to detox, Allen clawed his way into recovery. Today he’s coming up on one year sober, a devoted father, a partner, and a man with purpose. This episode is raw, graphic, emotional, and brutally honest — but it proves one thing: No matter how far you fall… you can rise again. #AddictionRecovery #FentanylCrisis #RiseAbovePodcast #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryStory #DrugAddiction #HomelessToHope #OverdoseSurvivor #RehabStories #SoberLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices