Addiction and Recovery
Addiction and Recovery
Chris West-Russell
Chris has and is producing podcasts on addiction from an addict's perspective. Living with the disease of addiction for most of his life, 8 years active addiction and 40 years in remission (sobriety), Chris and his guests will talk about understanding the disease of addiction. Their experience, strength and hope will give those struggling with the grip of addiction, from the active and recovering, family and friends of an addict an understanding about addiction told by people who have been there, an understanding that can and will save lives. Join Chris and guests and let's help each other
41 years sobriety birthday share - Experience Strength and Hope
Chris is an addict in remission of the incurable chronic mental health disease known as "addiction". On the 08th November 1982, he took his last drug, and day by day, one day at a time, 14956 days later he was invited to share his experience, strength and hope at the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Paarl. He has accepted his condition of addiction and by doing so has learnt to love himself as well. The journey continues.
Dec 5, 2023
44 min
eNCA - Addiction Awareness Week -“The fight against drug abuse”
Chris West-Russell was interviewed on eNCA - Addiction Awareness Week -“The fight against drug abuse” 
Nov 20, 2022
10 min
eNCA - Mental Health Awareness Week
Chris West-Russell was interviewed on eNCA regarding Mental Health Week in regard to chronic mental health disease Addiction.
Nov 20, 2022
8 min
Testimony Series S 4, E 1 - Vape to heroin
East Coast Radio presenter Jane Linley-Thomas. In an exclusive interview with Jane, a mother from the Upper Highway area has candidly spoken up about how her son got addicted to heroin unknowingly, and how he went from being someone she loved to someone completely different. He was a 15-year-old boy from an ordinary home in the Upper Highway area. He was home-schooled, obsessed with animals, and mountain bike riding. Now he's sitting in a rehab facility after being addicted to heroin - an addiction he was unaware of.
Nov 2, 2022
36 min
"Understanding Addiction " Episode 1
This is the first episode of six "Understanding Addiction". Chris is a recovering addict who is in remission of the disease of addiction and is now an addiction counsellor. He has been in remission for multiple years and through his own experience during active addiction and recovery,  he has recorded his perception and understanding of the disease of addiction that was never explained to him. Chris hopes that giving his own story, will give this important information to those caught in addiction, the families of addicts, and those who are yet to active their addiction disease.
Jul 15, 2022
35 min
“The Sleeping Tiger” Episode 2
An insight into the life of recovering addicts. What is an addictive personality? What is addiction? “The sleeping tiger within us”. Do we all have some sort of addictive personality? Amy, a recovering addict, shares her story of being in recovery with her husband who is still an active addict.
Jul 15, 2022
28 min
“The Hole in your soul”. Episode 3
What is “the hole in your soul”? What is the insanity of active addiction? Is the disease of addiction just drugs and alcohol? What is a High Power, can it be anything?
Jul 15, 2022
31 min
“The Addiction Behaviour”. Episode 4
“Addiction Behaviour” or life and living in the grip of the Tiger. How addicts' behaviour changes to feed their addiction. Why addicts cannot just have or do one. “One is too many and a thousand is never enough”. Where to start the road to recovery, and how to begin. Two stories of experience, strength, and hope.
Jul 15, 2022
32 min
“Rock Bottom”. Episode 5.
Rock Bottom is a concept that means something different to each and every addict. Generally, rock bottom refers to a time or an event in life that causes an addict to reach the lowest possible point in the disease. It is a time when the person feels like things cannot get worse for them. Their life has been damaged so badly that it seems like there is nothing good left to destroy. This is my personal story of my rock bottom.
Jul 15, 2022
39 min
“Hunger for Healing”. Episode 6.
“Hunger for Healing”. When reaching Rock Bottom and you have had enough, where to from here? In this episode, Chris talks about the decision that needs to be made. The choices are: to end up in jail, an institution, death, or life. If you chose a life free from active addiction, Chris will show the road map to start your recovery from Addiction. “If you want what we have, and are prepared to make the effort to get it, then you are well on your way to get it”. Taken from the preamble of Addicts Anonymous fellowship. Just listen for the similarities and not the differences.
Jul 15, 2022
52 min
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