Ep 48: Conquering Addiction and Overcoming Abuse with Payton Barthel

We are hitting on some heavy life topics today with our friend, Payton Barthel. Payton tells her story of abuse, drug addiction, treatment, relapse, and meeting the love of her life. 

You've already been introduced to Payton's family. In episode 28, we interviewed her mom, Jamie, about teen pregnancy, and her love for Sonic Chili Cheese Dogs. And in episode 2 we interviewed her sister, Jorie. 

Both interviews can be found here: https://www.lbthr.com/

But today, buckle up because Payton is going to take you on quite a ride. 

11:48 Smoking and drinking by age 11? 

12:47 Tried to kill herself with Benadryl

24:05 The story starts to plummet - Abusive relationship and rape. 

30:59 Emergency appendix surgery in England introduces opioid addiction. 

35:40 Cocaine comes into the picture. 

37:56 How she justified her drug use, and her college years. 

42:22 The professor noticed. 

51:08 The breaking point in college

1:02:33 Heading off to treatment

1:04:56 Post-treatment - Payton has a treatment boyfriend. The relapse begins. 

1:09:37 Paton overdoses again

1:15:09 She's either going to die or get clean

1:18:22 Back out to Colorado

1:29:07 Caleb enters the picture. Perfect timing. 

1:37:27 Clean and sober. Has she ever felt the desire to go back?

1:43:28 It's been a journey. But she's proud of herself. 

1:44:35 What to do if you think you're heading down Payton's path?

Catch up on past episodes of Life Behind the Highlight Real: https://www.lbthr.com/