Show notes
In episode 35 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Josh, who opens up about his journey from decades of jail, prison, and active heroin addiction to now celebrating 15 years sober. Josh keeps it real about what life was like in and out of institutions, what finally pushed him to change, and how he’s managed to stay grounded in recovery ever since. It’s an honest, no-fluff conversation about the reality of addiction, rebuilding your life, and what long-term sobriety really looks like.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Intro & Podcast Purpose00:32 Breaking the Stigma: Why We Share00:59 Growing Up: Childhood & Family Dynamics02:51 Moving, Family Background & School Years05:59 Adolescence, Rebellion & Early Exposure09:12 First Experiences with Substances11:00 Getting Drawn into Drug Culture13:00 Dropping Out & Life on the Road17:18 Grateful Dead Tour & Teenage Drug Community23:04 Psychedelics: Influence & Reflections27:10 The Progression to Harder Drugs30:29 Addiction Escalates: Heroin & Real Consequences36:42 Legal Trouble: Jail, Homelessness & Hitting Bottom43:08 Rock Bottom Moments & Missed Opportunities51:00 Seeking Help: Jail, Treatment & Getting Sober54:01 Entering Recovery: New Life Challenges01:00:03 Life Skills, Fear & Growing Up in Sobriety01:03:22 Mindset in Active Addiction vs Recovery01:06:08 Personal Growth & Lifelong Recovery01:09:00 Service, Self-Discovery & Staying Grateful01:10:02 Closing & Final ReflectionsFuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness
