A man stays sober 25 years, retires, picks up a drink—and four years later, he’s gone. We revisit the Big Book’s Businessman story as a warning: time alone doesn’t keep addiction at bay. This episode explores long-term sobriety, complacency, and the habits that truly protect recovery—daily action, community, and honest connection. Recovery is a verb, not a milestone. Act on it, and you’re safe for today. Share, subscribe, and leave a review—your story could save someone else. Helpful Links: L...
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A man stays sober 25 years, retires, picks up a drink—and four years later, he’s gone. We revisit the Big Book’s Businessman story as a warning: time alone doesn’t keep addiction at bay. This episode explores long-term sobriety, complacency, and the habits that truly protect recovery—daily action, community, and honest connection. Recovery is a verb, not a milestone. Act on it, and you’re safe for today. Share, subscribe, and leave a review—your story could save someone else. Helpful Links: L...
A man stays sober 25 years, retires, picks up a drink—and four years later, he’s gone. We revisit the Big Book’s Businessman story as a warning: time alone doesn’t keep addiction at bay. This episode explores long-term sobriety, complacency, and the habits that truly protect recovery—daily action, community, and honest connection. Recovery is a verb, not a milestone. Act on it, and you’re safe for today. Share, subscribe, and leave a review—your story could save someone else. Helpful Links: L...
The clearest path to sobriety is usually the simplest: do what works, every day. In this episode, we unpack the Don’t, Won’t, Can’t framework—three common traps that derail recovery by skipping action, avoiding discomfort, or believing “I can’t.” With real stories and straight talk, we discuss why a meeting a day isn’t overkill—it’s a lifeline. We cover how Zoom meetings keep you connected when life gets busy, and why long-term recovery still depends on the basics: a sponsor, the Twelve Steps...
What if showing up isn’t the same as wanting help? This episode dives into the gap between love and limits—why some people enter treatment in body but not in spirit, and how victim identity can block change. We break down the difference between box-checking and real willingness, and why relapse follows when accountability and humility are missing. For families who are exhausted, boundaries aren’t punishment—they’re protection. We share clear steps to stop enabling addiction: firm ultimatums, ...
"We must always enable the solution. We must never enable the disease." Steven T. Ginsburg cuts to the core of addiction recovery, highlighting what it truly takes to help someone struggling with substance use. Drawing from his own story of hitting bottom at 19, Steven shares how intervention and tough love saved his life—and why refusing help can be devastating. He warns that supporting someone actively using substances can be “loving them to death,” emphasizing the importance of boundaries ...
What does it take to turn addiction into freedom? In this conversation, we explore the “Two Ifs” of Alcoholics Anonymous—the simple conditions behind the Ninth Step Promises that unlock recovery’s greatest rewards. The formula is clear: if we commit fully to growth and if we keep working for it, transformation follows. Yet many struggle by neglecting the practices that first brought change or by listening to addiction’s lie that recovery isn’t necessary. The truth is stark—sobriety offers fre...
Shame is one of the most dangerous emotions in early recovery. It replays past mistakes, whispers that change is impossible, and often pushes people toward relapse. In this conversation, Steven T. Ginsburg explains how shame becomes “the toolbox of the enemy,” trapping people in cycles of unworthiness. He highlights the importance of confronting our “old stat sheets”—the mental records of past failures—and introduces the 10th step as a powerful “shame buster.” By taking responsibility and mak...
Marijuana isn’t just a harmless plant—it’s a mind-altering substance with real consequences. This episode cuts through the noise of mixed messages about cannabis, offering straightforward facts, personal testimony, and biblical wisdom. The hosts are direct about marijuana’s risks, especially for developing brains up to age 28. They explain how it can worsen anxiety and depression, act as a gateway to harder substances, and why it’s not simply a “gray area” but an issue requiring clear boundar...
Addiction is relentless, often pushing people toward devastating consequences. In this candid conversation, Steven T. Ginsburg shares the painful reality he’s seen this summer—an alarming rise in relapses and deaths. Quoting recovery literature, he notes, “The ultimate goal of any alcoholic is to drink like a gentleman. It never happens, and they will literally chase this goal into the gates of death.” Steven draws on his own recovery journey and his work at Restore Detox Centers to explain t...
Recovery doesn’t last when it feels like punishment. The turning point comes when sobriety shifts from something you “have to” do into something you truly want—when it stops being about restriction and starts being about freedom. Language plays a huge role in that shift. Saying “I don’t drink” instead of “I can’t drink” reframes recovery as empowerment, not deprivation. Over time—through meetings, step work, and community—what begins as obligation becomes desire. Addiction involves both physi...
“You can’t be a little bit pregnant”—Steven T. Ginsburg uses this phrase to capture the all-or-nothing reality of addiction. In this episode, he explores why some are more vulnerable than others, how trauma and genetics fuel dependency, and why willpower alone isn’t enough. Through real stories and personal experience, Ginsburg shows that lasting recovery requires spiritual growth, daily practice, and the support of community. Honest and compassionate, this conversation offers both hope and p...
Are weight loss medications changing addiction treatment? GLP-1 drugs and other medications are sparking a new conversation about their role in recovery. In this episode, Steven T. Ginsburg breaks down one of sobriety’s most debated topics: when medication supports—not hinders—the path to recovery. He explains the key difference between mind-altering substances and medications like GLP-1 products, Vivitrol, Suboxone, and Naltrexone, which target cravings without creating new dependencies. The...
The illusion of being “California sober” takes center stage in this candid conversation with Steven T. Ginsburg, founder of Restore Detox Centers. With nearly 21 years of sobriety, Steven challenges the idea of selective abstinence—where marijuana or psychedelics are still used while claiming recovery. “If it alters your mind in any way, it’s a mind-altering substance,” he states, underscoring why this distinction is life-or-death for those in recovery. Through powerful analogies—like Russian...
"Never take a pill that didn’t come from your family’s doctor." That one rule could save a life—and it’s the heart of an urgent message about the fentanyl crisis sweeping the country. Fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills are killing people of all ages—middle schoolers, college athletes, honor students, adults—after just one mistake. These pills often look identical to real medications, but even a single dose can be deadly. There’s no stereotype for who’s at risk. It could be anyone’s child, frie...
Recovery takes patience—and that’s something many of us find tough. In this episode, Steven T. Ginsburg breaks down the powerful meaning behind the phrase “don’t leave before the miracle,” and why it’s a game-changer for lasting sobriety. We dive into a common trap in recovery: self-sabotage during the good times. Steven explains how many people struggle with the idea that they deserve peace, success, or stability. “It’s okay for things to be okay,” he says—a simple truth that’s surprisingly ...
Can success in recovery lead to complacency? In this episode, we explore the critical "pre-lapse" stage that often precedes relapse. Sharing my own experience of relapsing after 12 years of sobriety, I highlight the importance of staying engaged in recovery practices and maintaining integrity. We discuss how small daily actions can reinforce long-term goals and how spirituality—rooted in a belief in a higher power, not tied to any deity—can support sobriety. We share insights on building a co...
Curious if your child's addiction reflects your parenting? In our latest episode, with Steven T. Ginsburg, founder of Restore Detox Centers, to tackle this tough question. Drawing from my own journey and my book, Filling the Void, we shift the focus from guilt and blame to proactive solutions. Together, we explore how support—not enabling—can foster recovery and transform your family’s healing process. We also discuss the challenges of setting boundaries with a loved one struggling with...
As we step into the New Year, the promise of a fresh start shines brightly, especially for those on the path to sobriety. Waking up clear-headed and hopeful on New Year's Day isn't just about celebrating; it's about embracing a new beginning and a renewed commitment to a sober lifestyle. Consider New Year's as a symbolic anniversary in sobriety, a chance to reflect, reassess, and push past the fears and myths that often hinder the journey to recovery. In this episode, we urge listeners to dis...
Have you ever wondered if sobriety could be your superpower? Join me, Steven T. Ginsburg, on the Addiction Recovery Podcast as we uncover how kicking addiction is the ultimate life hack. Imagine gaining clarity, presence, and a renewed sense of purpose by making this transformative choice. We'll explore powerful stories, like that of a disciplined athlete who used sobriety to outshine his more naturally gifted peers, proving that a sober lifestyle isn't just a change—it's an advantage. In th...
Imagine the heartbreak of seeing a loved one relapse after months or even years of sobriety. In this powerful episode, Steven and Steve share their personal experiences, highlighting the recent relapse of a team member at Restore. They discuss the relentless nature of addiction, the critical steps outlined in Alcoholics Anonymous, and the vital importance of continuous commitment, support groups, and a sponsor to maintain sobriety. Relapse affects not only the individual but also the entire c...
Have you ever wondered what it truly takes for someone to embrace sobriety? In today's powerful episode, we uncover the pivotal moments that indicate readiness for change. Through a heartfelt personal story of hitting rock bottom, we discuss "the gift of desperation" and how unmanageability across home, work, spirituality, and health serves as a clear sign of addiction. We delve into the importance of willingness and the crucial role of loved ones in supporting the journey toward recovery. B...
A man stays sober 25 years, retires, picks up a drink—and four years later, he’s gone. We revisit the Big Book’s Businessman story as a warning: time alone doesn’t keep addiction at bay. This episode explores long-term sobriety, complacency, and the habits that truly protect recovery—daily action, community, and honest connection. Recovery is a verb, not a milestone. Act on it, and you’re safe for today. Share, subscribe, and leave a review—your story could save someone else. Helpful Links: L...
