Podcast by Christopher White and Max Thomas
29 June 2025
In this gripping episode of Addicted to Recovery, Christopher and Max sit down with David — a man whose addiction story defies stereotypes. After decades of casual drug and alcohol use, David’s life was turned upside down at age 50 when he tried ketamine for the first time. What began as curiosity spiraled into daily dependency, health crises, isolation, and ultimately near-death.
David shares his brutally honest account of falling in love with the disconnection ketamine offered, the physical and mental toll it took, and the moment he finally surrendered. His story is a powerful reminder that addiction can strike at any age — but so can recovery.
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01:08:53
22 June 2025
In this powerful and candid episode, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas welcome their friend and fellow recovering addict, Dave — aka Lord David Hogg — to share his remarkable story of addiction and recovery.
Dave opens up about his upbringing in a loving but emotionally detached household, his early experiences with drugs, and how his high-octane lifestyle spiraled out of control. From a successful career in the City, rubbing shoulders with the elite and dating royalty, to living in his car while battling crack and heroin addiction, Dave’s story is both gripping and humbling.
Listeners will hear about the critical turning points in Dave’s life — including a failed suicide attempt, interventions from loved ones, and his eventual commitment to recovery through the 12-step program. He discusses the transformative power of getting a sponsor, working the steps, and finding real connection in the recovery community.
With humour, raw honesty, and heartfelt gratitude, Dave reflects on his 16 months clean and the daily practices that keep him grounded today. This episode is a testament to the miracles that can happen when we surrender and embrace recovery.
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01:01:09
15 June 2025
In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Addicted to Recovery, we sit down with Charlotte, a courageous woman from Clacton who shares her harrowing and inspiring journey through 23 years of addiction. From her early exposure to drugs at age 11, brushes with the law, and years of using crack and heroin, to experiencing the devastating effects of psychosis and repeated prison sentences—Charlotte opens up with raw honesty about the darkness that once consumed her life.
But this episode is about more than suffering—it's about transformation. Charlotte takes us through the moment she found hope through the 12-step program, the daily practices that keep her grounded, and how connection, community, and a higher power have helped her rebuild a life she once thought was beyond saving.
Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking inspiration, Charlotte’s story is a must-listen. It’s a testament to the human spirit and the life-saving power of recovery.
🎙️ Plus, hear how Zoom meetings, spiritual connection, and showing up every day helped Charlotte turn her pain into purpose.
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01:02:22
08 June 2025
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Chris and Max sit down with their friend Dan, who shares a raw and unflinching account of his journey through addiction and recovery.
Dan reflects on a difficult childhood marked by emotional discomfort, parental separation, and a persistent feeling of being on the outside looking in. Even from a young age, he felt fear, rejection, and a lack of belonging.
Introduced to ecstasy at just 12 years old while in care, Dan describes the initial relief it brought him — the silence of fear and anxiety — and how this instant escape became his "medication" of choice.
He candidly recounts being bounced through children’s homes, a secure unit, and juvenile prisons, gradually adopting a hardened persona that masked his internal pain. The story paints a sobering picture of how institutional settings shaped his identity.
Dan talks openly about committing robberies, bullying, manipulating loved ones, and living with overwhelming guilt and shame. One particularly harrowing moment includes self-inflicted injuries to deceive his family for drug money — a stark illustration of addiction’s depths.
A moment of clarity comes during a stint in solitary confinement, where Dan breaks down emotionally and begins to accept that he needs help. This turning point, sparked by the echo of a support group’s moment of silence, sets him on the path to recovery.
Dan’s journey through rehab, Narcotics Anonymous, and therapy helped him begin rebuilding his life. He shares what it’s like to come out of prison and into recovery, experiencing community, kindness, and eventually giving back through service.
Despite periods of clean time — even working in addiction services — Dan experienced multiple relapses, underscoring how fragile recovery can be without consistent effort. He reflects honestly on the mistakes that led him back to using and the lessons those experiences taught him.
Now five months clean at the time of recording, Dan emphasises the importance of staying connected, attending meetings, and practising the principles of recovery daily. His story is one of perseverance, self-awareness, and hope.
🔔 Special Announcement:
Chris and Max also introduce their new Patreon channel, offering bonus content, video episodes, live chats, and shout-outs for supporters. It’s a call to the community to help sustain the podcast and deepen the connection.
📍 Join us at: Patreon.com/AddictedToRecoveryPodcast
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01:04:47
01 June 2025
In this powerful and candid episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas are joined by Kaitlin, a mother and recovering addict, who shares her deeply personal journey to sobriety as she marks an incredible milestone: 1,000 days clean.
Kaitlin reflects on a childhood marked by instability, emotional neglect, and early signs of addictive behaviours such as escapism and secretive eating. As a teenager, she turned to alcohol and cannabis to self-soothe, which quickly led to heavier drug use and a progressive addiction that continued into adulthood. Despite becoming a mother, her dependency deepened, culminating in physical and emotional breakdowns, paranoia, and brushes with death. At one stage, she was even told she might never walk again.
Her turning point came in the form of a spiritual epiphany — a moment of clarity that led her to seek support through a 12-step fellowship. Kaitlin speaks openly about the initial difficulties of recovery, particularly detaching from cannabis, which she describes as her hardest substance to quit. She also reflects on the grief she experienced in letting go of her old lifestyle and the fear of losing her children, which had long kept her from seeking help.
Now 1,000 days sober, Kaitlin has found a sense of peace, stability, and renewed purpose. She is passionate about helping others, especially mothers who may be silently struggling with addiction. Through her social media channel, Sober as a Mother Focused, she shares honest insights, experiences, and support to challenge stigma and offer hope.
This episode is a moving reminder of the strength it takes to get clean, the importance of community and honesty in recovery, and the life-changing rewards of staying the course.
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01:01:26
25 May 2025
In this episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas speak with Sarah Jane Clark, who shares her powerful story of overcoming food addiction.
Sarah explains how ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive, using combinations of sugar, fat and salt to override the body's natural signals. She draws parallels between food addiction and drug or alcohol dependency—highlighting the shame, secrecy and emotional pain that often drives compulsive behaviours.
As a teenager, Sarah was caught in the cycle of dieting and bingeing, influenced by damaging messages from the diet industry. By 25, she weighed nearly 22 stone and was warned by her GP that she might not live to 40. That moment pushed her to make a change, starting with a walk in the dark to avoid being seen.
Rather than extreme diets, Sarah focused on sustainable habits—swapping sugary drinks for water, cooking at home, and walking daily. These small steps eventually led to a 12-stone weight loss, improved mental clarity and the return of her overall health.
Crucially, Sarah began working on her emotional wellbeing. Through books like You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, she learned to confront her past, build self-worth, and introduce healthy boundaries. She now helps others through her support group, Step by Step with Sarah Jane, offering guidance rooted in lived experience.
The hosts explore shared themes of addiction, stigma, and recovery. They discuss the limitations of NHS support and how social media and marketing create confusion around food and health. Sarah recommends practical tools like the Yucca app and the book Ultra-Processed People by Dr Chris van Tulleken to help people make more informed choices.
Sarah’s message is clear: change is possible with consistency, compassion and community. Her story is not just about weight loss, but healing—physically, mentally and emotionally.
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01:09:30