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Get a Grip Podcast

Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes

Get a Grip Podcast is hosted by Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes, both in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. In each episode, they share their unfiltered stories of overcoming addiction, time in prison, and struggles with mental health—mixing raw honesty with humor. The podcast gives a voice to the underdog, breaking down the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. Through candid conversations and real-life experiences, Louis and Aaron inspire others on their journey, showing that while recovery is challenging, it’s possible. Tune in for laughter, hope, and stories of transformation.

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  • 33 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 1 hr 18 min
  • English

Episodes 33

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  • S3 · E222
    Sunday · 1 hr 28 min

    I Found My Mother Passed Away… The First Thing I Did Was Steal Her Cancer Meds | Ep 222

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Andrew Z for a raw, emotional, and eye-opening conversation about prescription pill addiction, heroin, grief, family tragedy, relapse, and the devastating consequences of addiction. Andrew opens up about his childhood in Toledo, Ohio, how his parents' relationship shaped his early years, and how a series of unexpected life events eventually led him down a path he never imagined. Andrew describes growing up in Toledo and navigating his parents' separation when he was just 13 years old. After his father suffered a heart attack, his parents eventually reunited, but Andrew's life would continue to take unexpected turns. He shares his early experiences with drugs, including the first time he took LSD at a Phish concert, and how baseball became a major part of his life when he went on to play in college. Everything began to change when a baseball injury left Andrew with access to large amounts of OxyContin. What started as prescription pain management quickly spiraled into an addiction that would take over his life. Andrew explains how easily prescription opioids became a problem and how his addiction progressed as he struggled to cope with increasingly difficult circumstances. As if his own addiction wasn't enough, Andrew's mother was diagnosed with cancer, and he found himself taking on the role of her caretaker while also dealing with his dependence on Suboxone. Then came another devastating blow: his father was diagnosed with cancer and given just six months to live. Andrew opens up about the emotional weight of watching both parents face serious illnesses while he was battling addiction himself. One of the most heartbreaking moments of the conversation comes when Andrew recounts finding his mother dead. In the aftermath of that loss, he took 120 milligrams of Percocet 10s and stole the remainder of her medication. Andrew also shares the shocking decision to refill his deceased mother's pain prescriptions after her death and attempt to do it again. Eventually, the pharmacy caught on, and he found himself facing serious trouble for the first time. The conversation also turns to Columbus, Ohio, and its devastating relationship with fentanyl. Andrew discusses why the city became known for its severe fentanyl crisis and how the drug landscape has changed the realities of addiction and recovery. In one particularly revealing moment, Andrew is asked a difficult question: Would you take OxyContin again if there were absolutely no consequences? His answer opens the door to a deeper conversation about addiction, temptation, and the complicated relationship people in recovery can have with the substances that once controlled their lives. Andrew also discusses being prescribed benzodiazepines while in sobriety, raising important questions about medication, recovery, and the challenges of navigating treatment after addiction. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing

  • S3 · E221
    Friday · 1 hr 15 min

    How I Went From Heroin to a 3-Year Crack Bender & Street Walking | Ep 221

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nicole Pike for a raw, emotional, and unfiltered conversation about childhood abuse, prescription pills, heroin addiction, crack addiction, homelessness, losing custody of her children, and the long road back to recovery. Nicole opens up about growing up with an abusive grandmother and how the trauma she experienced as a child shaped many of the struggles she would face later in life. As she got older, Nicole began taking tramadol before progressing to Percocet and other prescription opioids. Her addiction quickly became more serious, leading her to steal her father's checks and eventually clear out his bank account to support her drug use. During her addiction to oxycodone, Nicole became pregnant with her daughter and ultimately made the difficult decision to give her up for adoption. She also shares the unbelievable story of how she met her son's father on the same night she gave birth to her daughter. Nicole's addiction continued to progress, eventually taking her from prescription opioids to heroin. She became involved with a boyfriend who was also a drug dealer, and the two were using heroin when Nicole became pregnant with her son. When she gave birth, CPS came to the hospital, beginning another painful chapter in her life. Nicole eventually entered serious recovery with her son and managed to stay clean for two years and ten months. But after that period of sobriety, she began drinking, opening the door to another devastating relapse. Her father eventually discovered that her son's father had died, and Nicole describes how that loss sent her spiraling back into alcohol and opioid addiction. After a serious car accident, Nicole's addiction took another drastic turn. She relapsed on prescription pills and crack cocaine and eventually found herself trapped in a three-year crack binge. During that period, she describes robbing cars and finding thousands of dollars, including one time when she discovered $13,000 and another when she found $6,000. Nicole also discusses experimenting with fentanyl and the desperate lengths she went to as her addiction continued. At one point, she went to ten different rehabs in a single year, searching for a way out of the cycle of addiction. Perhaps one of the most difficult parts of Nicole's story is the time she spent homeless during her three-year crack addiction. She shares what it was like spending her first night homeless on the west side of Columbus and the devastating circumstances that eventually led her to sell her body to get money for crack. This is a brutally honest conversation about addiction, trauma, heroin, crack cocaine, fentanyl, homelessness, prostitution, relapse, loss, motherhood, and recovery. Nicole's story shows just how far addiction can take someone—and that even after years of devastating consequences, a different life is still possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  • S2 · E220
    Wednesday · 1 hr 41 min

    How Marijuana & Bipolar Disorder Ruined My Life & Kept Landing Me in the Psych Ward | Ep 220

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Devon Fitzpatrick for a raw and eye-opening conversation about bipolar disorder, substance use, psychosis, cocaine, PCP, meth, and the devastating impact that mental health and addiction can have when they collide. Devon opens up about his childhood, including the unusual circumstances surrounding his birth—his mother was only 12 years old and pregnant with him. He also discusses growing up in a family where bipolar disorder affected multiple relatives and how those experiences shaped his understanding of mental health. Devon describes his first experience with marijuana and the intense manic episode that followed. What might have seemed like ordinary experimentation quickly became something much more serious. He explains how marijuana and bipolar disorder interacted in his life and how his experiences repeatedly led him back to psychiatric hospitals. During high school, Devon's partying escalated. He shares stories about partying with his aunt, who was actually two years younger than him, before describing one of the most frightening periods of his life. After stealing his grandfather's car, Devon entered a full-blown psychotic episode in which he believed he was Abraham Lincoln. The episode ultimately resulted in another trip to a psychiatric hospital. At just 17 years old, Devon discovered cocaine and describes how quickly he became obsessed with the drug. He talks about his plans after high school, another trip to a psychiatric ward, and eventually entering treatment as his mental health and substance use continued to spiral. Devon also explains what it was like combining marijuana with bipolar disorder and why he believes weed played such a significant role in his repeated psychiatric hospitalizations. His story offers a firsthand look at the complicated relationship between mental health, substance use, and psychosis. After entering college, Devon relapsed and eventually dropped out. During this period, he unknowingly encountered PCP and describes the terrifying experience of smoking it for the first time. The experience became extremely violent, and Devon recounts being beaten so severely that he was left almost unrecognizable. The conversation also explores the different classifications of bipolar disorder and Devon's first experience with methamphetamine. He describes what that first use felt like and how his drug use continued to evolve throughout his struggles with mental health. This is a powerful conversation about bipolar disorder, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, methamphetamine, psychosis, psychiatric hospitalization, and the complicated relationship between mental health and addiction. Devon's story shows just how quickly substance use can become dangerous when combined with untreated or unmanaged mental health struggles. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  • S3 · E220
    October 4 · 1 hr 47 min

    I Was Addicted to Oxy, Xanax, Lean & Cocaine… How I Got Sober | Ep 220

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Matthew Fishrupp for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about Xanax addiction, prescription drug abuse, partying, arrests, psychosis, rehab, and the long road to recovery. Matthew's story reveals how quickly recreational drug use can spiral into a life consumed by addiction, and how becoming a father ultimately changed everything. Matthew opens up about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him growing up. After being sent to Marine Military Academy, he eventually returned to high school, where pills and marijuana became part of his life. What started as experimentation would gradually develop into something much more dangerous. He discusses his first arrest and how his choices began leading him down a path of increasingly serious consequences. When Matthew went to college, partying became a major part of his lifestyle, but Xanax addiction soon began taking control. He shares stories about getting arrested in Texas for marijuana and the frightening experiences that came with driving while heavily under the influence of Xanax. He also describes the wide range of drugs he was using, including his experiences with promethazine and lean, and how substance use continued escalating as he chased the next high. As his addiction progressed, Matthew experienced psychosis and found himself desperately trying to get back into rehab. Even treatment wasn't a straightforward path. He discusses nearly getting kicked out of rehab, meeting his future wife while in treatment, and eventually finding ways to obtain research chemical benzodiazepines after leaving. His addiction continued to evolve, eventually involving crack and cocaine, along with a dangerous episode involving liquid benzodiazepines. Matthew also opens up about what happened after he initially got sober, including periods when he continued dabbling in addiction. He explains how difficult it was to completely leave drugs behind and how the cycle of substance use continued to affect his life. But everything began to change when he had his first child. Becoming a father gave him a new perspective, a new responsibility, and a reason to stop using everything and build a different future. One of the most sobering moments of the conversation comes when Matthew discusses learning that someone who had been sober for ten years died from an overdose. His story highlights the dangers of relapse, the unpredictable nature of addiction, and the importance of taking recovery seriously, even after years of sobriety. This is a powerful conversation about Xanax addiction, prescription drug abuse, polydrug use, psychosis, treatment, relapse, fatherhood, and the difficult process of rebuilding a life after addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible, and asking for help can be the first step toward a different life. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience

  • S3 · E219
    October 2 · 1 hr 52 min

    PTSD, Pills, & Ibogaine - The Drug That Can Cure Heroin Addiction In a Weekend? | Ep 219

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with PJ Wright for an intense and eye-opening conversation about childhood trauma, military service, PTSD, prescription medications, alternative treatments, and a profound spiritual awakening that changed the way he looks at life. PJ opens up about growing up with alcoholic parents and the challenges he experienced during his childhood. He shares how his early experiences shaped him and discusses some of the difficult family revelations he encountered along the way, including discovering disturbing information about what his cousin had done to his uncle. He also recounts being robbed while working as a gas station attendant during college, an experience that added another layer to an already complicated life. PJ eventually joined the military, beginning with the Army Reserves before entering the Air Force. His service took him to bases around the world before he ultimately found himself stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. During his military career, he became a helicopter pilot, taking on demanding training and missions that required intense focus, discipline, and courage. But life after those experiences brought a different kind of battle. PJ discusses being diagnosed with PTSD and being prescribed a variety of medications to manage his symptoms. He opens up about what that period of his life was like and how his search for relief eventually led him toward alternative treatment options and a deeper exploration of spirituality. PJ shares his experiences with PTSD treatment, intravenous ketamine infusions, and ibogaine treatment, explaining how these experiences influenced his perspective on trauma, healing, and consciousness. He also describes what he considers the most profound spiritual experience of his life and how it changed his understanding of himself and the world around him. This conversation explores the complicated journey of living with trauma, searching for answers when traditional approaches may not feel sufficient, and discovering new ways to understand personal suffering. PJ's story raises important questions about PTSD, mental health treatment, spirituality, and the different paths people pursue in their search for healing. If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma, addiction, or mental health challenges, you are not alone. There is hope, and support is available. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  • S3 · E218
    September 30 · 59 min

    I Was Shot Twice During a Meth Robbery, Survived Fentanyl & Lived in Bando’s for Years. | Ep 218

    <p>In this episode of <strong>Get a Grip Podcast</strong>, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with James Polley for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about growing up gay, meth addiction, homelessness, violence, overdose, and finding a path to recovery.</p> <p>James opens up about his childhood and the challenges he faced while growing up gay. As he got older, he was introduced to meth, setting off a chain of events that would dramatically change the course of his life.</p> <p>One of the most shocking moments in James's story involves a meth-related robbery that ended with him being shot. But even after recovering from his gunshot wound, James went right back to using drugs. His addiction continued to spiral, and he experienced another devastating moment when he found his friend dead in his apartment after a night of drug use.</p> <p>Eventually, James lost his apartment and began moving into abandoned houses, spending years living in what are known as bandos. He describes what life was like during that period, how much meth he was using every day, and the dangerous situations that became part of his routine.</p> <p>In another terrifying moment, James went to a casino believing he was using meth, only to discover the substance contained fentanyl. He overdosed and was given Narcan three times, coming dangerously close to being pronounced dead.</p> <p>As his addiction continued, James found himself facing felony charges and additional legal trouble after being caught with a gun and drugs. Those experiences became a turning point, forcing him to reconsider where his life was headed.</p> <p>James eventually began his recovery journey and shares how treatment helped change his direction. He also discusses how he went from struggling with addiction himself to working in the treatment field and helping others who are facing similar battles.</p> <p>This is a powerful conversation about meth addiction, homelessness, surviving violence and overdose, the consequences of addiction, and the possibility of turning your life around. James's story is a reminder that even after years of chaos and devastating setbacks, recovery and a new purpose are possible.</p> <p><strong>If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible.</strong></p> <p>🔔 <strong>Like, comment, and subscribe</strong> for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption.</p> <p><strong>Get a Grip Podcast Social Media:</strong><br> TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio &amp; more:</p> <p><a href="https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast">https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast</a></p> <p>📩 <strong>Collaboration &amp; Business Inquiries:</strong><br> <a href="mailto:getagrippodcast614@gmail.com">getagrippodcast614@gmail.com</a></p> <p>👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.</p> <p>#GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment</p>

  • S3 · E217
    September 27 · 43 min

    How Homelessness Led Me to Heroin, Fentanyl & Almost Losing My Life | Ep 217

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jasper for a raw and heartbreaking conversation about homelessness, opioid addiction, heroin, fentanyl, overdose, and the journey toward recovery. Jasper opens up about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him before addiction entered his life. One of the earliest turning points came when he experienced a friend overdosing, giving him a firsthand look at the dangers of addiction. Eventually, Jasper found himself homeless and struggling with opioid addiction. He shares what life was like on the streets and the circumstances that led to him using heroin for the first time while homeless. A work injury would introduce another chapter in his addiction when Jasper was prescribed OxyContin. What began as medication for an injury eventually became part of a much larger battle with opioids. His substance use continued to escalate as he found himself drinking as many as six bottles of liquor a week while also using heroin. Jasper eventually turned to fentanyl for the first time, leading to a terrifying overdose and another life-or-death moment in his addiction. But his story doesn't end there. Jasper opens up about the beginning of his recovery journey and what it has taken to start rebuilding his life after homelessness, heroin, fentanyl, and repeated exposure to the devastating consequences of addiction. This is an honest conversation about how quickly addiction can take hold, the realities of homelessness and opioid addiction, the dangers of fentanyl, and the possibility of finding a way forward. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  • S3 · E216
    September 25 · 57 min

    How Alcohol Slowly Took Everything From My Life | Ep 216

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jason Gardner for a wild, honest, and ultimately inspiring conversation about alcoholism, career struggles, reckless drinking, relationships, consequences, and finding a way into recovery. Jason opens up about his childhood and some embarrassing moments growing up before talking about his first experiences with alcohol. What started as teenage drinking quickly turned into a pattern that followed him into high school and college. He shares the story of wrecking his parents' car while drunk in high school and some of the unbelievable drinking shenanigans that followed during his college years. As Jason's career began to take off, so did his drinking. He explains how alcohol gradually became a bigger part of his life and eventually began affecting his career, finances, relationships, and decision-making. He also shares stories about getting into trouble with the IRS, spending money on college girls, and some unforgettable nights involving gentlemen's clubs and bartenders. One relationship would lead to one of the most chaotic periods of his drinking. After breaking up with his favorite bartender, Jason went on an eight-day bender that ended with him wrecking his car while drunk—and somehow still driving it home. Eventually, Jason's drinking reached a breaking point. After recording a .34 BAC, he was forced to detox and confront just how far his alcohol use had progressed. Today, Jason is sober and has a completely different perspective on his past. He talks about what life is like in recovery, the importance of sponsorship, and the lessons he's learned along the way. He also opens up about where he is today and what recovery has given him that alcohol never could. This is a raw and often hilarious conversation about alcoholism, the consequences of drinking, relationships, career struggles, and the process of rebuilding your life in recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  • S3 · E215
    September 23 · 1 hr 18 min

    How My 18-Month-Old Daughter Accidentally Took 16mg of Suboxone | Ep 215

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jordan Py for a raw, emotional, and at times unbelievable story about alcoholism, prescription drugs, cocaine, addiction, marriage, fatherhood, relapse, and the long road toward recovery. Jordan opens up about his childhood and his first experiences with alcohol before describing how drinking gradually progressed during college. What started as partying eventually became something much more serious. After landing a job as a police radio dispatcher, Jordan admits he was showing up to work extremely intoxicated. His drinking continued to escalate after he started working as a line cook, where cocaine entered the picture and vodka became a constant part of his life. A prescription for Vicodin would become a major turning point. Jordan describes how quickly his drug use progressed from Vicodin to Roxy 30s and eventually snorting pills. But in the middle of his addiction, Jordan met the woman who would become the love of his life. Even as he was building a relationship and planning a wedding, his addiction continued behind the scenes. Jordan shares the unbelievable story of receiving $10,000 for his wedding and going on his honeymoon with Norco pills taped to his leg—only for the pills to fall out during TSA. Eventually, his wife discovered the truth. Jordan went to treatment and was placed on Suboxone, but he was still drinking heavily. He opens up about just how much vodka he was consuming and the dangerous consequences that followed, including the terrifying moment when his 18-month-old daughter accidentally got hold of his Suboxone. After eventually getting off Suboxone, Jordan's alcohol use became even more intense during COVID. He describes the bizarre games he began playing with alcohol and how his drinking spiraled further out of control. One of the darkest moments came when his wife confronted him about his drinking. Jordan responded by drinking an entire bottle of Wild Turkey and attempting to burn down the house. He was kicked out and was finally forced to confront how far his addiction had taken him. Eventually, Jordan walked into an AA meeting and began taking a different path. But even years later, he explains that alcohol remained a struggle and shares the unusual deal he made with God about when he would allow himself to get drunk again. This is a powerful and unfiltered conversation about alcoholism, prescription drug addiction, cocaine, marriage, fatherhood, relapse, consequences, faith, and recovery. Jordan also reflects on the complicated relationship between the pain he experienced, the addiction that followed, and the possibility that he may never have met his wife without the path that prescription drugs put him on. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  • S3 · E214
    September 20 · 2 hr 44 min

    I Got Banned From Jerry Springer & Fenway Park... Then Got Addicted to Crack, Fentanyl & Nitrous | Ep 214

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Chris Cole for an intense and unbelievable story about addiction, partying, fatherhood, relapse, and recovery. Chris opens up about his childhood, early drinking, and how Adderall became his first real addiction. His substance use eventually escalated to cocaine, and by his senior year of high school, partying and cocaine had become a regular part of his life. Chris shares some wild stories from his years of partying, including getting banned from Jerry Springer and Fenway Park after a night fueled by cocaine and alcohol. He also talks about running onto the Fenway field and getting tackled, a moment that went viral on social media. Eventually, Chris found a passion for cutting hair and began getting his life somewhat under control. But after being introduced to Xanax, the addiction returned. Becoming a father, a breakup, and repeated relapses sent his substance use into a much darker place. Chris describes smoking crack, using Percocet, abusing nitrous oxide, developing a 7OH habit, experiencing seizures and withdrawal, and eventually shooting fentanyl. He also opens up about overdosing, hospitalizations, nerve damage from heavy nitrous use, and the events that finally led him to detox and treatment. Today, Chris is in recovery and reflects on everything he went through and what life looks like now. This is a raw story about addiction, relapse, fatherhood, overdose, and finding a way back. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  • S3 · E213
    September 18 · 1 hr 22 min

    How I Spent $40K on Crack in 5 Months & Still Held a Job | Ep 213

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jason Baer for a wild, emotional, and unbelievable story about family trauma, alcohol, cocaine, crack addiction, money, crime, international drug use, and ultimately finding his way into recovery. Jason opens up about growing up in a chaotic home and the mental health struggles and abuse surrounding his father. He shares disturbing memories from his childhood, including an incident where his mother hit his father with a 2x4. Those experiences would shape Jason in ways he didn't fully understand until later in life. As Jason got older, drinking gradually became an everyday part of his life. What started as drinking eventually became a daily routine, setting the stage for an addiction that would become increasingly difficult to control. When Jason's father died, he inherited $80,000. But instead of using the money to build a better future, Jason was already deep into cocaine use. He eventually discovered crack cocaine and describes how quickly it took over his life. Incredibly, Jason spent approximately $40,000 in less than five months on crack while continuing to show up for work and maintain the appearance that everything was normal. Jason also takes Louis and Aaron through his experiences hustling in the Hilltop, where his addiction and lifestyle continued to escalate. He shares stories about getting caught up in situations that could have resulted in serious legal consequences, including an unbelievable incident while abroad. The story gets even crazier when Jason talks about traveling and continuing to find crack, including getting drugs in Mexico and interacting with military personnel while using crack. His addiction didn't stop when he left home—it followed him wherever he went. Jason also opens up about receiving another $40,000 and what happened to that money, including a period where his addiction led him to steal valuable coins. These stories reveal just how far his addiction progressed and the lengths he was willing to go to continue feeding it. But eventually, something had to change. Jason discusses the point when he finally began moving toward recovery and started confronting the addiction that had consumed so much of his life. His story is a powerful reminder that addiction can affect anyone, regardless of whether they are still working, making money, traveling, or appearing successful from the outside. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction

  • S3 · E212
    September 16 · 40 min

    How Heroin at 14 Led to 4 Mini-Strokes and Brain Surgery | Ep 212

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Cory Baton for a raw and deeply personal conversation about childhood abuse, addiction, relapse, serious health complications, and the fight to finally build a life in recovery. Cory opens up about a difficult childhood and the abuse he experienced growing up. By just 14 years old, Cory was already caught in the grip of addiction, using crack cocaine and eventually shooting heroin intravenously. What began at an incredibly young age would turn into years of substance use and consequences that would affect nearly every part of his life. Cory talks about starting to shoot drugs at 14 and being introduced to OxyContin at 15. His story offers a disturbing look at how early exposure to drugs can quickly escalate and how difficult it can be to break free once addiction takes hold. After periods of trying to get his life back on track, Cory experienced relapse and found himself facing another devastating chapter. He suffered a stroke and ultimately needed brain surgery, adding an unimaginable medical crisis to an already difficult battle with addiction. One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Cory describes being on Sullivant Avenue with a walker, physically struggling after everything he had been through, while still trying to find drugs. It's a striking example of just how powerful addiction can become—and how far someone can fall while still chasing the next high. But Cory's story doesn't end there. He explains what is different about his sobriety this time and what has changed in his mindset after years of addiction, relapse, and consequences. Cory also shares advice for anyone currently struggling with substance use or trying to find their way back into recovery. This is an intense and emotional conversation about childhood trauma, crack cocaine, IV heroin use, OxyContin, relapse, stroke, brain surgery, homelessness, and the difficult road toward recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  • S3 · E211
    September 13 · 48 min

    How I Started Smoking PCP at 12, Became a Heroin Addict, and Lost Everything | Ep 211

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Dave Marcus for an intense and unbelievable conversation about growing up with drug-addicted parents, being exposed to drugs from an early age, dealing drugs, heroin addiction, homelessness, psychosis, jail, and ultimately finding a reason to change his life. Dave opens up about growing up in a household surrounded by addiction. His father was an amphetamine chemist, meaning drugs were a part of Dave's environment from a very young age. By just 12 years old, Dave was smoking PCP, and his substance use would continue to escalate as he got older. After being expelled from multiple schools, Dave was introduced to Percocet and OxyContin. Before long, he found himself learning the street economy—dealing drugs on corners and even driving prostitutes around to make money and support his lifestyle. Eventually, Dave became hooked on heroin. His addiction would cost him almost everything. Dave talks about losing his daughter's mother and his daughter, eventually finding himself living out of his car and struggling to survive. Dave also shares one of the darkest and most chaotic periods of his addiction, including a terrifying episode of psychosis while shooting speedballs and experimenting with dangerous ways of using drugs. His behavior became increasingly unpredictable as his addiction spiraled further out of control. Even family became involved in the chaos. Dave describes participating in grocery store scams with his mother and aunt, eventually watching his mother get arrested as a result of one of those schemes. He also opens up about his experiences in jail and what those moments taught him. Eventually, Dave began taking steps toward a different life. He went through detox, started attending meetings, and began looking for something beyond the cycle of drugs and survival. Today, Dave is working on developing a book and a game while reflecting on the experiences that shaped him. He explains the moment his perspective began to change and what ultimately helped him see that there could be something more waiting for him on the other side of addiction. This is a raw and unfiltered story about childhood trauma, addiction, heroin, homelessness, family, crime, psychosis, incarceration, recovery, and the power of changing your perspective. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible.

  • S3 · E210
    September 11 · 59 min

    I Drank Vodka Every Day for 30 Years, Found Crack, Got 8 DUI's, and Somehow Survived | Ep 210

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Tom McDonald for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about alcoholism, addiction, DUIs, family, prison, recovery, and what it takes to rebuild your life after decades of drinking. Tom describes growing up with a good childhood before discovering vodka and eventually spending 10 years working as a bartender. His relationship with alcohol continued to grow until he found a job working for a liquor distributor—putting him even closer to the substance that would eventually consume his life. Tom opens up about getting two DUIs on the same day, getting married, and becoming a father to his daughter while still struggling with alcoholism. After eventually making his way into a halfway house and getting a year of sobriety, Tom found himself replacing alcohol with another addiction: crack cocaine. For a period of time, Tom was smoking crack but wasn't drinking. He talks about the vodka he drank, how every single dime he made seemed to go toward alcohol, and just how completely his addiction took control of his life. After years of drinking, Tom's addiction eventually led to his eighth DUI. But this time, something happened that changed everything. His 10-year-old daughter wrote him a letter, forcing him to confront the impact his drinking was having on the people he loved most. That letter became one of the biggest turning points in Tom's life. After his eighth DUI, Tom was sentenced to three years in prison and required to attend 2,000 AA meetings. He finally began the process of getting sober after nearly 30 years of drinking. But sobriety wasn't just about putting down the vodka. Tom had to rebuild his relationship with his daughter, learn how to live differently, and eventually discover a new purpose by helping other people struggling with addiction. Today, Tom works in recovery and helps people battling all kinds of substance use issues. He shares what he's learned from decades of addiction and recovery, including some of the challenges people face with Medicaid and accessing treatment. Tom also offers his first piece of advice to someone who is on Day One of sobriety—a simple message that could make all the difference for someone trying to change their life. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment

  • S3 · E210
    September 9 · 1 hr 11 min

    I Got High on My Grandma’s Fentanyl Patches | Ep 210

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Ronnie Schaffer for a raw and deeply personal conversation about growing up with an alcoholic and abusive father, getting into the party scene at a young age, working in his dad’s bar, opioid addiction, fentanyl, loss, and ultimately finding a path toward recovery. Ronnie opens up about his childhood and the impact his father's alcoholism and abuse had on him. He shares some unbelievable stories from growing up before talking about his teenage years, including dealing weed and throwing a massive high school party that would become one of many turning points in his life. After getting kicked out, Ronnie found himself living at the top of a bar before eventually becoming a bartender at his dad's establishment. What initially seemed like a way to make a living quickly became a lifestyle centered around the bar. Ronnie talks about his daily routine, drinking, and eventually starting to pop Percocet. Things began to spiral after Ronnie was kicked out of working at his dad's bar. His opioid use intensified, eventually leading him to get high using his grandmother's fentanyl patches. Then Ronnie's world was hit with another devastating loss when his dad developed throat cancer and passed away. Ronnie also opens up about one of the darkest moments of his addiction, including an incident involving a nail gun, before explaining how he eventually found his way toward medication-assisted treatment. Today, Ronnie is taking 18mg of Suboxone a day and talks openly about what life in recovery on MAT looks like for him. He shares his perspective on Suboxone, what has helped him stay on track, and the advice he would give to anyone struggling with opioid addiction. This is a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, grief, and finding a way to survive—and ultimately rebuild your life. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment

  • S2 · E209
    September 6 · 1 hr 9 min

    How I Wenat From Crack in High School to a Full-Blown Heroin & Meth Addict | Ep 209

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Natalie France for a raw and deeply emotional conversation about addiction, motherhood, abusive relationships, homelessness, heroin, meth, incarceration, pregnancy, and finding recovery after years of chaos. Natalie opens up about her childhood and her first experiences with alcohol before getting introduced to cocaine at just 16 years old. What started with cocaine quickly progressed into crack during high school, sending her down a path that would eventually lead to a full-blown addiction. Hoping to escape her addiction and start over, Natalie moved to California looking for a geographical cure. But changing locations couldn't change what was happening inside. She found herself in abusive relationships before meeting her first husband, and eventually discovering OxyContin. Back in Ohio, Natalie was using OxyContin and meth while raising a newborn. Before long, she found heroin, and her addiction escalated even further. She talks about what it was like trying to work and parent while living as an active addict—and how she managed to keep going despite the chaos surrounding her. Natalie eventually moved to Georgia, where she spent years taking methadone, gabapentin, and Xanax. She also found herself repeatedly dealing with the legal system over petty crimes committed to support her addiction. One of the most unbelievable moments of her story happens when Natalie is stopped by an undercover officer after leaving a trap house. In an attempt to avoid getting caught, she swallowed a large amount of meth and ultimately ended up in jail. But that wasn't her lowest point. Natalie eventually dropped her kids off, became homeless, and spent approximately a year and a half shooting heroin. Then, at 38 years old, she discovered something that would completely change her life: she was five months pregnant. At the same time, Natalie was overdosing every day. Her addiction had reached an unimaginable level. But just when it seemed like there was no way out, her cousin stepped back into her life, took her to rehab, and helped give her another chance. Natalie talks openly about what her rock bottom really looked like, what finally pushed her into recovery, and what getting sober actually meant after years of addiction. She also shares what happened with her child and how recovery began changing her life. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment #Professor #NotreDame #UCBerkeley

  • S2 · E208
    September 4 · 2 hr 55 min

    My Mom Introduced Me to Cocaine… Then I Got Hooked on Perc 30s | Ep 208

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Gage Bobo for an emotional and brutally honest conversation about growing up around addiction, a father spending years in prison, cocaine, Xanax, Percocet 30s, homelessness, crime, relapse, and ultimately finding a reason to change. Gage opens up about his childhood and what it was like having his dad spend six years in prison. He talks about his mom's cocaine use and the moment she introduced him to cocaine while he was still in middle school. What started as something he was exposed to at home would eventually become a major part of his own life. After suffering an injury playing football, Gage's life began taking an increasingly difficult turn. He shares a deeply troubling moment when he attempted to take his own life but doesn't even remember doing it. By high school, his cocaine use was off and running. Gage eventually left Ohio to work on an oil rig, but returning home brought him right back into the environment and behaviors he had been trying to escape. He talks about a night on Xanax, his first experience with Percocet 30s, and how the combination of Perc 30s and cocaine pushed his addiction to another level. As his addiction progressed, Gage reached his rock bottom. He talks about the things he did to get money, manipulating relationships, stealing, and even robbing someone. His story takes some very dark turns before he finally begins to realize that something has to change. But getting clean didn't immediately mean everything was fixed. Gage talks about entering recovery but eventually selling fentanyl to people inside a recovery house. He describes making progress in sobriety while still struggling with relationships and becoming addicted to women. A relationship ultimately contributed to another relapse, and before long, the consequences caught up with him again when the police came looking for him. Then came a life-changing discovery: Gage found out that the woman he had been involved with was pregnant. From childhood trauma and addiction to crime, relapse, recovery, and becoming a father, Gage's story shows just how complicated the road to sobriety can be—and how sometimes the biggest reason to change comes when you realize your actions affect more than just yourself. This is another raw, unfiltered conversation about addiction, consequences, recovery, and finding a way forward. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media:TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries:getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment #Professor #NotreDame #UCBerkeley

  • S2 · E207
    September 2 · 1 hr 15 min

    I Was Prescribed Xanax at 14… Then Fentanyl & Xylazine Destroyed My Life | Ep 207

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Zach Henry for an intense and deeply honest conversation about addiction, trauma, fentanyl, xylazine, family, and the devastating consequences of losing control. Zach grew up with alcoholic parents and was exposed to substance abuse and chaos at an early age. At just 14 years old, he was prescribed Xanax by a doctor, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to selling cocaine, abusing opioids, and eventually using fentanyl. Zach opens up about the early days of his addiction, including how his opiate use began, the ways his addiction quickly escalated, and how much money he and others were stealing from their parents to fuel their habits. He talks about fentanyl being cut with "Rizzi," his transition into xylazine, and just how dangerous the drug supply became. As his addiction progressed, Zach's life began to completely unravel. His girlfriend and children left, and he describes how he essentially burned his life to the ground. He talks about going to Florida, how badly he was using, getting a DUI in someone else's car, and the havoc his addiction created. Zach also gets brutally honest about the first time he injected fentanyl and the devastating lows that followed. He discusses the emergence of xylazine, the different ways it was being used, "butt dope" and "chicken dope," and eventually being arrested after repeatedly passing out. Things continued to spiral as Zach progressed to smoking fentanyl and using methamphetamine. Eventually, his addiction reached a point where something had to change. But this story doesn't end there. Zach talks about where he is today, how he and his family are making things work, and the things he does every day to maintain his sobriety. He also discusses the growing dangers of "tranq"—xylazine—and the brutal withdrawal that can come with it. This is a raw look at how quickly addiction can take everything from someone—and what it takes to start putting the pieces back together. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media:TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries:getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment #Professor #NotreDame #UCBerkeley

  • S3 · E206
    August 30 · 1 hr 51 min

    I Was a Notre Dame Professor Smoking $800 of Crack Every Day | Ep 206

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Ted Beauchaine for one of the most unbelievable addiction and recovery stories we've ever heard. Ted takes us back to a childhood spent moving around the country, attending nine different schools before reaching high school, and eventually discovering alcohol. His first experience with drinking quickly spiraled when he consumed half a fifth of 151-proof alcohol—and the consequences that followed were only the beginning. Despite maintaining good grades and building an impressive academic career, Ted's drinking continued to escalate. Cocaine eventually entered the picture, followed by his first experience freebasing cocaine, blackouts, and a serious car accident in Oregon. After his first treatment experience, Ted managed to stay clean for 14 years. But eventually, the underlying issues he hadn't fully understood began catching up with him. Ted discusses living with bipolar disorder without realizing it, the events that led to his relapse, and how cocaine and crack eventually took over his life. Ted describes interviewing at UC Berkeley, getting high afterward, buying crack from a homeless person in San Francisco's Tenderloin, and ending up in Section 8 housing. He received a job offer from Berkeley—but before he could start, his family staged an intervention. He later accepted a position in Long Island and drove for four days while drunk, scoring crack along the way. He experienced severe alcohol withdrawal, including hallucinations, and eventually ended up in a psychiatric ward. Ted continued moving around the country, eventually landing in Ohio, where his crack addiction became even worse. At one point, despite earning $180,000 a year, he found himself broke and living in a one-bedroom apartment. Ted received a job offer from Notre Dame, but his addiction followed him. He describes spending enormous amounts of money on crack, smoking throughout his workday, and even using between classes. His addiction ultimately consumed his career, his finances, and nearly every part of his life. He also opens up about trying to start a family while struggling with addiction, caring for a premature baby while still using crack, and the devastating moment when his career finally came to an end. Today, Ted works in the treatment and recovery field, using his experiences to help others while reflecting on why he can no longer return to his former career as a professor. This is an extraordinary story about addiction, academia, mental health, relapse, success, failure, and ultimately finding a new purpose. Timestamps 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, and more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: 📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily

  • S3 · E205
    August 28 · 2 hr 4 min

    How Hiding My Sexuality Kept Me Shooting Oxy and Heroin Until I Finally Came Out | Ep 205

    In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nick Newman for an incredibly raw and personal conversation about addiction, IV drug use, sexuality, relapse, recovery, and the moment he finally stopped hiding who he was. Nick starts by taking us back to his childhood and high school years, eventually discovering his parents' stash of opiates. What began with partying and prescription pills eventually turned into daily drug use, taking him from college and a career in real estate to full-blown addiction. Nick opens up about transitioning to IV drug use and what it was like shooting Dilaudid, mixing Percocet 30s with Dilaudid, and the dangerous trades and decisions that came with his addiction. Multiple attempts at treatment and even a "grand escape plan" to move away couldn't keep him from finding drugs. He shares the unbelievable story of driving into a canal while trying to get pills, attending a Scientology treatment center, relapsing, and eventually progressing to shooting heroin and cocaine. But there was another battle happening underneath the addiction. Nick reveals how struggling with his sexuality and keeping that part of himself hidden became intertwined with his drug use. He talks about relationships, being told to "pray the gay away", secretly dating a man, and eventually admitting to his girlfriend—and then everyone else—that he was gay.For Nick, coming out wasn't simply about sexuality. It became part of finally confronting the truth about himself and understanding some of the reasons he had continued running back to drugs. His addiction continued to evolve, including benzodiazepines, fentanyl, kratom, and another terrifying incident at the Cleveland Clinic. Nick describes using heroin and fentanyl at the hospital, overdosing during detox, and experiencing what he describes as the worst Narcan experience of his life. Even after reaching two years sober, Nick experienced another devastating relapse following a breakup and eventually turned to methadone. He shares what finally made his last relapse different, how therapy helped him begin addressing the underlying issues, and what recovery looks like for him today.This is a brutally honest conversation about addiction, identity, shame, relapse, and the freedom that can come from finally telling the truth. 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcastFor Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: 📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily

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