In this episode, we sit down with Joe O, a resilient individual originally from Patterson, NJ. Joe's early life was marked by instability, moving frequently due to his family's struggles. His father, an alcoholic, separated from Joe's mother early on, leading Joe to live with his father. Seeking comfort, Joe began using substances at the tender age of 8 and was regularly smoking weed by 11.

Joe's journey took a darker turn when he dropped out of high school as a junior and started working for a company that encouraged his substance abuse. It was here that Joe discovered harder drugs like cocaine and crack. Despite getting married and having two children, Joe's addiction strained his marriage, leading to multiple stints in rehab and an eventual divorce.

The turning point came when Joe finally surrendered to his disease and found hope in a 12-step program. Embracing open-mindedness and taking suggestions for the first time, Joe's life began to transform. He returned to school, earning a Master's degree, and met a woman in recovery who is now his happily married partner.

Today, Joe celebrates 22 years of being clean and sober. He remains an active member of his recovery program, sponsoring other addicts and carrying the message that changed his life.

In this episode of The Recovery Circle, we welcome Samantha D, who shares her powerful story of resilience and hope. Born and raised in Keansburg, NJ, Samantha's early life was marked by an unhappy home environment and her mother's addiction. At the age of 9, Samantha and her sister were taken away and raised by their father.

Samantha began partying at the young age of 12, despite her involvement in sports and her desire not to disappoint her father. At 17, she had a baby and was forced to grow up quickly. Although she and her boyfriend seemed to be on a promising path, his injury led to the introduction of opiates into their lives. Determined not to follow in her mother's footsteps, Samantha moved out but found herself in a bad relationship and experimenting with harder substances.

After experiencing a mental break from partying and staying up for days, Samantha struggled with addiction and was hospitalized several times. She sought help from Narcotics Anonymous and, despite some setbacks, eventually gained a new perspective and committed to her recovery. Now, Samantha is married and living happily, guided by the God of her understanding.

Join us as we discuss coincidences vs. God moments and how being of service to others has helped Samantha become a better person to herself. Samantha's story is one of inspiration for those who are still struggling.

In this episode of The Recovery Circle, Russell R. sits with us to tell his story. Hailing from Carteret, NJ. as a child, he felt well-provided for, excelled in school and showed promise in baseball. However, his life took a drastic turn at 13 when he started using cocaine. The discovery at 18 that his father wasn't his biological father sent him into a downward spiral, leading to harder drug use and repeated incarcerations.

After serving a total of 15 years in jail, Russell sought help through a 12-step program. Despite several relapses, he eventually surrendered to the process and has since maintained his recovery. Now a recovery coach, Russell dedicates his life to helping others discover what works for them in their recovery journeys. His story is a testament to hope and redemption.