Addicted to Recovery

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Podcast by Christopher White and Max Thomas

Addicted to Recovery

Addicted to Recovery is a new podcast exploring the truth about addiction. Whether you had one too many drinks last night or have multiple years in recovery, join us for the honest conversation.

Latest episodes

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03 August 2025

Darren's 15 Years Clean – A Journey of Hope, Service, and Recovery

In this moving and powerful episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher and Max sit down with longtime friend and recurring guest Darren, who is celebrating an incredible milestone—15 years of continuous clean time.

The conversation kicks off with Darren reflecting on the deep emotional impact of reaching 15 years clean. He shares feelings of overwhelming gratitude, humility, and astonishment that he's come so far, especially when he once believed sobriety was impossible.

Throughout the episode, Darren recounts critical turning points in his recovery, including:

  • A moment of grace when a stranger gave his wife £10 to get him to a drug service—what he calls the “butterfly effect” that started his journey.
  • The internal battles he faced not in using, but in trying to stay clean and confront life without drugs.
  • The profound impact of losing his sponsor and later his mother—and how he stayed clean and present through grief by leaning into the fellowship and continuing to serve others.

A major theme of the episode is service. Darren is known for his relentless commitment to sponsoring others, often juggling up to 10 sponsees across the world. He shares his philosophy on working with relapsers, the importance of patience and presence, and why he never gives up on anyone.

The episode also dives into Darren’s daily recovery routine:

  • Morning prayer and meditation
  • Weekly Step 10 inventories
  • Continuous service and sponsorship
  • Seeking and offering support through lived experience

Darren and the hosts reflect on the power of connection, the importance of being visible in recovery, and how moments of vulnerability—like Darren sharing openly during his mother’s passing—can become beacons of hope for others.

The conversation is filled with warmth, wisdom, and reminders of why clean time, no matter the length, is sacred. Darren’s humility and heart shine as he says: “I’m only doing what was given to me.”

Whether you're new to recovery, supporting someone who is, or deep into your journey, this episode is a testament to the transformative power of recovery, fellowship, and love in action.

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01:02:15

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27 July 2025

Saved by Grace: Gavin’s Journey from Addiction to Faith

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down with Gavin, a leader in Believers in Recovery UK, to hear his extraordinary journey through addiction, recovery, and faith. Gavin opens up about his traumatic past—from life on the streets and multiple relapses, to surviving paralysis and spiritual despair. His turning point came not just from 12-step programs but through a life-changing encounter with faith.

Listeners will hear raw, unfiltered truths about addiction, the importance of spiritual growth in recovery, and why Gavin believes healing must happen on three levels: with God, yourself, and others. He shares how he went from IV drug use and homelessness to leading a national recovery movement and being asked to become a church leader.

This is an episode about hope, purpose, and the transformative power of recovery—wherever you are on your journey.

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01:12:39

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20 July 2025

Anthea: From Rock Bottom to Redemption

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down with their courageous friend Anthea to hear her incredible journey through addiction, loss, recovery, and resilience.

Anthea opens up about her early life, the emotional impact of fractured family dynamics, and how trauma shaped her path. She shares harrowing experiences from teenage years marked by substance abuse and unstable living conditions, including the devastating loss of her first child to cot death—a tragedy that became a turning point in her spiral into addiction.

With raw honesty and heartfelt emotion, Anthea talks about living on the streets, encounters with the criminal justice system, and ultimately, the moment she knew something had to change. She walks us through her transformative journey into recovery, the miracle of reconnecting with her children, and the strength she’s found through fellowship and support.

This episode is a testament to the power of recovery, the beauty of redemption, and the unbreakable human spirit. Whether you're in recovery, know someone who is, or are simply drawn to real stories of hope and transformation—this one will stay with you.

🔗 Support the Podcast:

Love the show? Access bonus content and support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/addictedtorecoverypodcast

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01:04:45

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13 July 2025

Stacey's Full Circle: From Silence to Service

In this deeply moving episode, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas are joined by special guest Stacey—a fellow recovering addict whose story comes full circle in a way that’s nothing short of inspiring.

What starts with a brave Instagram message to Christopher becomes a life-changing journey of healing, connection, and service. Stacey opens up with raw honesty about his early struggles, the traumatic experiences that shaped his addiction, and the moment he decided he could no longer run from the truth. From daily drug use and family heartbreak to 447 days clean, Stacey's story is a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of recovery.

The trio explores the emotional weight of childhood trauma, the misconceptions surrounding recovery meetings, and the crucial role of community and vulnerability in healing. With moments of laughter, insight, and real-talk about navigating life clean, this episode is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful.

If you or someone you know is struggling, this conversation may be the encouragement they need to reach out.

Join the community: patreon.com/addictedtorecoverypodcast

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01:02:07

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07 July 2025

Relationships in Recovery

In this powerful and emotionally charged episode, Chris and Max sit down—just the two of them—to explore one of the most personal and universal themes in addiction recovery: relationships. With no guests and no filters, the conversation dives deep into the damage caused by addiction to romantic partnerships, family bonds, and friendships, and the long, often painful journey of rebuilding those connections in sobriety.

Chris and Max open up with raw honesty. Max reflects on the pain he caused his wife and family during active addiction, and how his recovery journey helped him regain trust and deepen the love that had once been broken. Chris shares how his addiction led him to hurt those closest to him, and how shame, guilt, and the need for change pushed him to finally seek help and start rebuilding his life. They speak candidly about the realities of being absent fathers and broken sons, and how consistency, service, and spiritual growth have helped them become dependable, loving partners, parents, and friends.

This episode also explores the emotional toll of manipulation and dishonesty, the importance of walking away from unhealthy relationships, and the joy of forging meaningful connections within sober communities. Chris and Max reflect on the strength of their friendship and the unique bonds formed in recovery, underlining the importance of community, accountability, and mutual support.

It’s a moving and relatable conversation that reminds listeners that no relationship is beyond repair. With time, honest action, and a willingness to grow, healing is not only possible—it’s transformative.

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58:25

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29 June 2025

Ketamine Nearly Killed Me: David’s Story

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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