Podathon For Recovery: Karen’s Road to Recovery

Karen, a self-described “not-the-typical addict,” shares how a neck injury and prescribed opioids spiraled into secrecy, debt, and withdrawal—until she chose help, called her doctor, and walked into her first NA meeting. She explains how control, trauma, sponsors, and step work shaped 21 years pill-free, the detour into alcohol, and the moment she finally said out loud, “I’m an alcoholic.” It’s a candid, practical blueprint for anyone wondering what recovery programs actually do—and why they save lives. 

Sponsored by Rage Against Addiction 

Guest Bio:  

Karen is a longtime friend of the show and a recovery advocate. A former stay-at-home mom who became a Reiki Master and intuitive counselor, she’s 21 years pill-free, active in 12-step recovery, and helps clients release stored trauma to heal and move forward. 

Main Topics: 

·         Podathon for Recovery: 12 Days of Hope benefiting Rage Against Addiction

·         “Not the typical addict”: prescriptions, stigma, and secrecy

·         9/11, the D.C. sniper, anxiety, and the illusion of control

·         Doctor-shopping, online pill mills, and financial fallout

·         The turning point: calling the doctor to flag her chart, grief after surrender

·         First NA meeting, feeling “at home,” and what sponsors actually do

·         Step work vs. therapy; NA vs. AA and “higher power” (not one-size-fits-all)

·         Relapse with alcohol, daughter’s ultimatum, and returning to meetings

·         Resentments, gratitude lists, and practical tools that keep people clean

·         Trauma stored in the body; Reiki/energy work and emotional healing  

Resources mentioned: 

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Rage Against Addiction
Rage Against Addiction is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting addicts and their famili

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