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The Truth About Addiction
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The Truth About Addiction

Author: Ron Isherwood

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My name is Ron Isherwood, a recovering addict. Born into the infamous underworld of criminal Painters and Dockers in Melbourne. At 37 years clean, I embarked on my own journey of recovery 42 years ago. The last thing that I could give up was my addiction to crime. 


Today, I am the founder of ‘The Truth About Addiction’, a compelling podcast that delves into the depths of mental health, addiction, and the path to recovery. I will share my own journey and unveil the raw and powerful stories of individuals from all walks of life; from current addicts to those on the road of recovery and the families affected. Every tale is genuine and unfiltered.


Addiction doesn't discriminate, but neither does hope. If one person resonates with one’s story, if one person can find hope and empowerment from one’s story, it’s a win. 


If you have a specific topic in mind or want to share your own story, don't hesitate to reach out. This is your invitation to enjoy our extraordinary chats, where hope prevails, and recovery is not just a dream but an awe-inspiring reality.


www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au

Instagram @thetruthabout_addiction

119 Episodes
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Meet Daniela, a distinguished lawyer at the prestigious Whitehall & Associates. She is more than just a lawyer, having worked with individuals facing trauma, mental health issues, homelessness and other challenging circumstances. In this episode, Daniela and Ron explore the connections between trauma, addiction and mental health. They also discuss the resources Whitehall and Associates provide to support their clients throughout the claim process and post-settlement. The victim...
Anna faced the challenge of overcoming a gambling addiction that threatened both her personal and professional life. To take control, she voluntarily excluded herself from gambling venues through a self-barring scheme.In this episode, Ron and Anna delve into the highly profitable gambling industry.“It’s a predatory industry with a predatory product.”Anna recounts her path to recovery, from attending Pokey’s Anonymous meetings to confronting other struggles, including food addiction. Today, sh...
“There is always some sort of hope in the room somewhere. You just have to look.”Jackie has consistently explored different modalities and therapies to find effective solutions for her personal well-being. Her journey led her to become a certified Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner and counsellor, where she discovered not only emotional stabilities for herself but also the profound therapeutic value of supporting others on their paths of healing. Today, Jackie is the founder ...
With a self-explanatory Instagram handler @madmikebeingmad, the former Barnsley, Salford and Southport player, Mike Phenix has earned an influx of followers for his genuine takes on life, mental health and addiction recovery.In this episode, Mike candidly shares his heartfelt story right from the beginning including personal tragedies starting at a young age and the highs and lows in his football career. His journey is a powerful narrative of resilience, with significant struggles between med...
As a Certified Transformative Coach, Jason emphasises the importance of a holistic approach to healing, integrating somatic investigation, and recognising the interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit. Jason was highly medicated in a psychiatric institution by the age of 10. As a child, he used food as a coping mechanism, which later escalated to heroin addiction during his teenage years. “I spent 12 years in 12-Step Meeting calling myself an addict, but I don’t believe that’s tru...
Writer/ Director Gary Smith has been very open about his struggles with alcoholism and his sobriety journey. Through his personal narrative of recovery, relapse, and filmmaking, Gary demonstrates that recovery is attainable and that there are multiple paths to achieving it.Gary got sober on July 11 of last year. His latest feature film, SkyFly, which was recently released, mirrors his own story. The lead character shares Gary's passion for skydiving and motorcycles, and a similar battle in ad...
Holly overcame her drug addiction during her incarceration. Arrested in Thailand on drug-related charges, she was sentenced to 31 years and served 7 years in the infamous ‘Bangkok Hilton’ Women’s Prison. Holly’s experience in a Thai prison was a profound and harrowing ordeal, unimaginable to most.‘I was fortunate enough to get back and take advantage of the prison system.’In this episode, Holly shares her journey, discussing her past, her drug addiction, and her transformative experiences. To...
Scotty is the founder of Experience Strength, a platform dedicated to sharing his journey and insights to combat the stigma associated with addiction. His sole intention is to inspire and empower others through his personal experiences, resilience, and strength.Nine months ago, Scotty was in very ‘dark places’. Today, he is not only a business owner but also an executive at a highly successful organisation. In his role, he coaches and mentors a talented team of young women in the AFL.Scotty's...
Growing up as a bubbly, life-loving person, Ash lost the power of ‘choice’ when her relationship with alcohol intensified. In this episode, we discuss the importance of having a sober community. If you find it hard to find connections, if you think you are alone, if you think you don’t have the ability to make better choices… this episode is for you.Discover how Ash stayed sober after coming out of rehab and the city plunged into the first Covid lockdown, how Ash then transformed herself...
Adam’s nine years of sobriety have shaped him into the empathetic recovery coach he is today. He has never put as much time and energy into something so rewarding in his whole life. The joy, excitement and sense of purpose he derives from his work are unparalleled. Adam’s transformation began with his commitment to the 12-step program, which he describes as the one thing that provided him invaluable ‘resources, abilities, integrity, love, charisma, accountabilities and so much more.’&nbs...
Kristen tried alcohol for the first time at 14 years old, she did not like it. When she tried again at 16 years of age, she fell in love. Then she found weed, cocaine, ecstasy and mushroom… the addiction escalated quickly.Kristen highlighted the sad reality of being dependent on alcohol and drugs, where she experienced being raped, robbed, drugged, head-on crash, DUI… but nothing mattered. She didn’t care if she lived or died. Today Kristen is the Founder and Host of Remember Your Why Po...
‘We live and we die, but what we do in between that time that really matters’.Music became a pivotal aspect of his life amidst a series of adversity and trauma. Following the tragic loss of his father to suicide at the young age of 15, he found himself unable to cope, leading him to seek solace in substances to ‘block the tears’.Verbalize’s recovery journey started when he encountered Dr. Joe Dispenza’s book, which inspired him to rewire his thoughts and catalysed the healing process from wit...
Jonathan's book, "Life on Life's Terms," swiftly ascended to the bestseller ranks on Amazon following its release last December. This literary work not only chronicles Jonathan's personal journey through profound adversity but also provides a comprehensive explanation of the transformative impact of the 12-step program of Narcotics Anonymous in liberating him from the grips of opioid addiction.Confronting the tragic loss of his beloved brother to suicide, Jonathan had to forge a path toward a...
“All I care about is giving back and to put a smile on somebody’s face.”Ryan Phillips gained notoriety as one of Canada's most prominent marijuana smugglers, earning him the title ”King of Weed." He shared his experiences on Locked Up Abroad with a wide audience on National Geographic.In his candid accounts, Ryan revealed that criminal activity was somewhat of a family tradition, with even his grandmother having ties to the Russian mafia. With such influences, it's perhaps no surprise that Ry...
Char’s first encounter with addiction manifested in the form of an eating disorder. Food binging served as her means of escape.‘From a very young age, I felt a lot of discomfort with this world.’At 21, amidst her burgeoning modelling career, Char ventured into cocaine experimentation. As her pursuits in modelling and singing ceased, she started to work in strip club, which also enabled her access to drugs and alcohol without any judgement.With the passing of her mother, her father and most re...
Jake’s story wasn’t the ‘classic’ idea of addiction. He started using drugs at the young age of 14 and stopped when he was almost 20 years old. The decision came after the realisation that while using, he couldn’t find the clarity to make decisions and trust those decisions. Fast forward to a decade later, Jake is a Motivational Speaker, Coach, and Mountain Guide who has helped thousands of people around the world transform unwanted patterns and addictions into new, healthy habits.Jake ...
During the Covid lockdown, Catie had an unexpected transformation in her life. As sobriety gradually became a part of her daily routine, she began to discover a newfound sense of connection with others.Catie's struggles with substance abuse began at a young age, as she started drinking at 13 and using cocaine by the age of 15. To cope with her troubles, she was prescribed antidepressant drugs, which she openly acknowledges have caused her much damage.However, Catie has found solace in her jou...
“People-pleasing was an addiction, just as much as the bottle was for me.” With a massive following of 400K on Instagram, 230K on TikTok, and 130K on Facebook, Nick is undoubtedly making a significant impact.Nick's life was once dedicated to pleasing others at the expense of his own happiness, leading him to rely on alcohol at his lowest point. However, he has since conquered his battle with alcoholism and transformed into a proponent of prioritizing self-care and seeking internal valida...
Warning: Discussion of Sexual Abuse Mel is a resilient survivor and passionate advocate for sexual abuse survivors. During her employment at Long Bay Prison and at Downing Center Court, Mel witnessed horrific and extensive details of sexual abuse cases. Mel’s upbringing was marred by generational domestic violence and traumatic experiences. She endured her first instance of sexual abuse at the tender age of 4, followed by similar incidents at 8 and 15 years old. These traumatic even...
Mitch’s journey began in the grips of alcohol obsession during his childhood, evolving into a tumultuous battle with weed and cocaine addiction. His story took a transformative turn, leading him to emerge as Mitch Motivates—a beacon of hope and support for those grappling with similar struggles.At just 19, Mitch bravely entered rehab, marking the inception of his remarkable path to recovery. Now, 15 years sober, he stands tall as the esteemed COO at Neinstein Plastic Surgery and the visionary...
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