Escaping Rock Bottom

In this episode of Escaping Rock Bottom, we sit down with the owner of Pinnacle Peak Recovery to talk about one of the largest fentanyl busts in history. It happened in one of the wealthiest zip codes: Scottsdale, Arizona. We talk about the impact this bust will have on saving lives. We also talk about harm reduction and safe injection sites. Some people push back against it saying it's dangerous. But, we talk about how harm reduction saves lives. 

In this episode of Escaping Rock Bottom we talk with Bryan from Calvary Healing Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Bryan is not only a recovering addict, but Bryan got sober at Calvary Healing Center and now he works there. He says the program saved his life, and now he's able to carry the message to others looking for a new life of sobriety. He also talks about the modalities they offer and what you should be looking for in a treatment center.

Tyler Tisdale is the owner & founder of Pinnacle Peak Recovery in Arizona. He knows what it's like to suffer trauma. He witnessed addiction in his own family. He swore he'd never get caught up in drugs. But, he eventually became everything he once despised. He stole from his friends to fuel his addiction. He stole cash. He ended up in former Sheriff Joe Arpaio's famed pink underwear at the 4th Avenue Jail in Phoenix. Now, with more than a decade sober, Tyler owns and operates Pinnacle Peak Recovery in Scottsdale. It's a premiere treatment center with an incredible staff to help addicts heal. 

Dylan is THE example that being sober is not only cool, but it's a life worth living. He was a fentanyl addict. Dope Sick. He was so desperate he stole from his daughters piggy bank just to get a fix. Now, Dylan is not only sober, but his life is incredible. His marriage is the strongest it's ever been. He gets to be the best dad for his daughter, and he's kicking ass at real estate in Arizona. Dylan heard my story on the radio (Holmberg's Morning Sickness) two years ago and says that was one of his "ah ha" moments. He's become my brother in recovery and I'm so grateful he's sober because this guy WILL save lives by simply living his life clean. 

We need to understand that abusing prescription pain pills is the reason why we have the heroin epidemic in this country. If you ask any heroin addict how did it all begin, they will almost certainly tell you it started with a prescription to pain pills, and when the pills were gone they sought out a cheaper drug: heroin. Sead is a former heroin addict who shares his story of recovery. Not only is he sober, but he's an executive at Cornerstone Healing Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Matt Miller was a stellar athlete who played baseball. A hiking adventure turned into a life or death situation that changed Matt's life. He lost his fingers and toes. He thought he lost everything and had nothing to live for. His life spiraled into the dark world of meth addiction. Now, he's not only sober, but he's helping others find their purpose in life. It's a truly inspiring story. 

Adam Jablin is one of the best motivators in the recovery world. He's a certified recovery & life coach inspiring hundreds of thousands of people across the country. He's also the best-selling author of "Lotsaholic" where he shows you how overcome obstacles – no matter how large and to live a life rich in beauty, meaning, and purpose. 

Wes Geer, former guitarist for KORN & Hed PE, talks about living life sober. When he got clean, he wanted to find his purpose. He created Rock To Recovery where they use music to help people get sober. He also just started a new band, HU3M3N. It shows that you can still rock out while living a sober life.

Leah is the example to never give up on yourself no matter how many times you stumble. The reality is that most recovered addicts have relapsed. Many 12 step programs like to preach that "relapse doesn't have to be part of your story", but the reality is that it is most peoples' story. Why is there shame around relapse? Why do we "look down" on those who continue to relapse? Leah gives a powerful testimony for those who've been knocked down and are afraid to ask for help. 

Jeremy has a story like I've never heard before. He went to treatment at age 13. He didn't stay sober at that age, but the seed was planted early on, that there was a better way to live. He eventually got into hardcore drugs as a young adult. That led him to live on the streets. Now, Jeremy is sober and works in the treatment industry at Community Bridges in Phoenix, where he helps addicts get clean. 

Keith is a former Sergeant with the Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. He and his partner were chasing after a violent suspect. The suspect fired 5 rounds hitting and killing Keith's partner. Keith suffered PTSD after that shooting and it led him down a destructive path with alcohol. He has chosen a life of sobriety and wrote a book called "From Sorrow to Amazing Grace". He talks about what his life looks like today, now that he's given up the booze. 

Bobby is THE example that the road to recovery doesn't haven't to be perfect. It doesn't always look pretty. It doesn't have to. Bobby tried to get sober 17 times before it finally clicked for him. He never gave up even though some people in his life began to doubt him. His story is powerful and every person who has relapsed or those who have lost hope should listen to this podcast. He is an example that we can all rebuild our lives no matter what. 

Wow. One of the most powerful podcasts I have ever recorded. Marcus was an angry young man. As a young boy who grew up without a biological father, his life went down a dark path. He became homeless hooked on drugs. He eventually landed in Phoenix to sling drugs. Now, years sober, he's the Chief Operating Officer of a Valley recovery center, Cornerstone Healing Center in Scottsdale, AZ. Lots of wisdom shared on this pod! 

Wow. One of the most powerful stories I've told thus far. Megan is *the* example that no matter how far down the scale we fall, there is always hope for a better life. Born into this world with two addictive parents: Mom hooked on meth, Dad in prison. Megan followed in their footsteps. Pills led to heroin. Her partner took his own life. She was pregnant. Homeless. Sleeping in motels on the side of the freeway. Now, she's not only sober, she helps other addicts get clean by working at an incredible treatment program in Arizona, Calvary Healing Center. She gets it. And, now, she's giving others reason to hope.

A powerful testimony about hitting rock bottom and rebuilding a new life. Daren was born into this world to a heroin addicted mother. He spent his first 3 months of life in the hospital, on oxygen, already suffering withdrawals. He eventually became a cocaine and heroin addict as an adult. Homeless - living in motels and trailers - his near death experience finally got him to get clean. Daren is now part of the leadership team at Community Bridges where their motto is never turning someone away even if they have no money. 

Losing a child to suicide has to be the worst thing any parent could ever suffer. It happened to Roy. His daughter suffered mental illness and tragically took her own life. The reality is this: the CDC says 1 in 4 young adults contemplates suicide. That's magnified during the pandemic. Roy has turned his heartbreak into his purpose. He's on the board at Sabino Recovery in Tucson, and he sat down with me to share his story.

Estil Wallace is the founder of Cornerstone Healing Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Estil is a recovered addict. He started drinking beer and smoking when he was about 8 years old. By the age of 16, he was drinking daily. He didn't even graduate from Arcadia High School because he was a blackout drinker at age 17.  How did he get his life on the right path? How did recovery lead him to life he never thought imaginable? This is a story of hope for those who are looking for ways to navigate out of their rock bottom. 

The pandemic is having a huge impact on people's mental health. Depression, anxiety, food, alcohol, and drugs. People are numbing themselves to cope. Last week the CDC reported more than 81,000 drug overdose deaths in the 12 months, making it the highest number ever recorded in a one-year period. So, what can we do to survive? How can we help those who are suffering right now? Dr. Wilson, Chief Medical Officer at Sabino Recovery In Tucson, delivers some powerful wisdom in these tough times. 

The opposite of addiction is connection. But how come we are seeing so much relapse? Shara Turner is the Clinical Director at one of the nation's premiere treatment centers - Sabino Recovery - where they believe in the advancements of science to help people who suffer from addiction. By treating the trauma, Sabino Recovery believes addicts can recover and stay sober. EMDR, Equine Therapy, Brain Mapping, and so much more. Shara shares some incredible wisdom when it comes to finding the right treatment center.

Tanya suffered repeated child sex abuse. Her mom was supposed to protect her, but she allowed men to prey on her daughter. Tanya lost everything. She even turned to gangs as her chosen family. But, she eventually got sober and now Tanya works at an incredible recovery center - Community Bridges - in Arizona. Tanya says her life's purpose is to help end the stigma and help addicts heal.