RRP Episode 50 - Breaking Radio Silence: Lacy T’s Journey of Sobriety, Loss, and Strength2/15/2025 Finding Hope in the Static: Lacy T’s Journey from Addiction to Recovery
For decades, radio was Lacy T’s world. Behind the microphone, she had the voice of a confident broadcaster, but beyond the airwaves, she was struggling with an addiction that dictated her life. In RRP Episode 50, we sit down with Lacy as she opens up about the challenges of early sobriety, the impact of family history on addiction, and the heartbreak of losing a loved one to alcoholism. Her story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of community in breaking the silence around addiction.
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From the Airwaves to Recovery: Lacy’s Story
Lacy's journey through addiction started in a home where alcohol was a normal part of daily life. She grew up surrounded by drinking culture—cocktail parties, celebratory toasts, and the generational patterns that normalized excessive drinking. As a teenager, she began experimenting, first sneaking sips from her parents’ liquor cabinet and later engaging in reckless behavior. Her drinking escalated in college and into her career, where the fast-paced world of radio only fueled her dependency.
“I always wanted more. Whether it was alcohol, attention, or success, I never felt satisfied,” Lacy recalls.
Her addiction took her through multiple geographic relocations, or "geographics," where she hoped a fresh start would solve her problems. But no matter where she went, she always brought herself—and her drinking—with her.
“There is absolutely nothing that you cannot get through sober. No matter how bad it is, you never have to do anything damaging to yourself again.” —Lacy T
A Moment of Clarity
Despite multiple close calls, including a car accident on a treacherous road known as “Dead Man’s Curve,” Lacy didn’t immediately stop drinking. It wasn’t until a life-altering moment—driving under the influence with her young stepdaughter asleep in the backseat—that she realized how dangerous her addiction had become.
“I looked at the road, and the lines were blurry. And in that moment, I knew. This is a wall. You can’t do this anymore,” Lacy shares.
Even after this terrifying realization, quitting wasn’t easy. She attempted to moderate her drinking, convinced she could find a way to control it. It wasn’t until she truly surrendered and sought out Alcoholics Anonymous that she began to understand the depth of her addiction and what it would take to recover.
Loss, Grief, and the Reality of Alcoholism
One of the most painful aspects of Lacy’s journey has been witnessing the devastating impact of addiction on loved ones. Her younger brother struggled with alcoholism, cycling through treatment programs but never quite making it to sustained recovery. In 2021, he passed away from alcohol-related complications.
Lacy describes watching his decline with heartbreak, knowing all too well the battle he was fighting.
“I tried to reach him, to get him to see that there was another way. But I also know, no one can force someone into recovery. They have to want it,” she says.
Her experience with her brother has shaped how she approaches recovery today. She emphasizes the importance of staying connected, of recognizing that addiction is a terminal disease, and of reaching out even when it feels like nothing will change.
Breaking the Silence
Lacy’s journey reflects the essence of Real Recovery Podcast: raw, real, and rooted in the power of storytelling. Whether you’re newly sober, struggling with grief, or trying to support a loved one through addiction, her message is clear—community and honesty are lifelines.
Her story serves as a reminder that addiction thrives in silence, but recovery flourishes when we share, connect, and break that silence together.
#RealRecoveryPodcast #BreakingRadioSilence #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyStories #HopeAndHealing #RecoveryCommunity #AA #Resilience #Healing #PeerSupport
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Breaking the Cycle of Addiction and Finding Hope in Recovery
In RRP Episode 49, we welcome Megan S., a mother who has experienced firsthand the devastating effects of addiction and the incredible power of recovery. Growing up in a family where substance use was normalized, Megan found herself trapped in the same cycle. But through mental health support, peer recovery programs, and education-focused recovery services, she not only reclaimed her life but also helped her daughter do the same.
Megan’s story is a profound reminder that breaking generational addiction is possible when support systems, resilience, and recovery-oriented education come together. In this episode, she shares her journey, from her childhood experiences with addiction to her role as an advocate in the recovery community.
A Childhood Marked by Addiction
Megan’s exposure to addiction started early. Raised in an environment where substance use was commonplace, she recalls mimicking adult behaviors as a child—rolling pretend joints out of paper and cutting lines of sugar. These early experiences shaped her understanding of normalcy and kept her silent about the struggles she endured at home.
As she grew older, substance use became a coping mechanism. By her teenage years, she was using drugs, following in the footsteps of her family. But even in the depths of addiction, a small part of her believed there had to be more to life.
Losing Everything—and Fighting to Get It Back
Like many who battle addiction, Megan faced devastating losses. She lost custody of her children, struggled with opioid addiction following medical procedures, and found herself in an endless cycle of self-destruction. But her turning point came when she recognized the need for both mental health support and substance use recovery.
Helping the Next Generation Find Recovery
One of Megan’s biggest challenges was watching her daughter struggle with addiction. While she feared her past would define her child’s future, she took a different approach--support without judgment. She encouraged her daughter to find recovery in her own way, leading her to Harmony Academy, a high school designed specifically for students in recovery.
Through peer mentorship and structured support, her daughter not only embraced sobriety but also became an advocate for other teens in recovery. Megan emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they are, a philosophy that helped her navigate her daughter’s recovery while continuing her own journey.
Links to Websites Discussed
The Power of Peer Support and Community
Megan now works in mental health advocacy, focusing on bridging the gap between mental health services and addiction recovery. She highlights the significance of 4D Recovery and how organizations like Harmony Academy provide young people with a safe, supportive environment where recovery is not only possible but also celebrated.
Her advocacy extends beyond her personal story—she is now working on a YouTube platform aimed at helping families recover together, providing resources and support for parents navigating addiction alongside their children.
Megan’s story is a testament to the strength of family bonds, resilience, and the transformative power of recovery. She reminds us that shame has no place in healing and that everyone deserves a chance to break the cycle of addiction.
Her journey from a childhood of addiction to becoming a mental health and recovery advocate is an inspiring example of what’s possible when support systems, education, and community come together.
#RealRecoveryPodcast #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #FamilyHealing #RecoveryJourney #4DRecovery #HarmonyAcademy #Resilience #ParentingInRecovery
Fighting for Change: How Recovery Advocacy is Shaping Policy in Oregon
In this Real Recovery Podcast Extra, we take you inside Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day in Salem, a crucial event bringing together recovery advocates, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers to push for legislative change.
Julie and Peter sit down with Bo Brinson (Oregon Recovers), Robert Sanders (4D Recovery), Izzy Alvarado (Go The Distance), and Amanda Ireland Esquivel (True Colors Recovery) to discuss the importance of advocacy, funding, and peer support in the fight for better access to addiction recovery services.
Bo Brinson (Oregon Recovers), Izzy Alvarado (Go The Distance), Robert Sanders (4D Recovery), Julie (RRP), Amanda Ireland Esquivel (True Colors Recovery), & Peter (RRP)
From discussing the need for alcohol tax reform to ensuring treatment and recovery support are accessible to all, this episode highlights how community-driven efforts can drive real policy changes that save lives.
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Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day: A Movement for Change
The Purpose of Advocacy Day
Oregon Recovers Advocacy Day is more than just a gathering—it’s a call to action. Leaders and community members meet with legislators to share their experiences and highlight the urgent need for better recovery services.
Bo Brinson, Executive Director of Oregon Recovers (listen to Bo’s episode here), explains how this event connects constituents with lawmakers, ensuring that recovery voices are heard at the policy level.
How Peer Support and Community Programs Make an Impact
Advocacy isn’t just about policy—it’s about real people making a difference. Robert Sanders, Director of Adolescent Services at 4D Recovery (listen to Robert’s episode here), discusses how early intervention and prevention efforts are key to stopping addiction before it starts.
Izzy Alvarado, Founder of Go The Distance (listen to Izzy’s episode here), emphasizes how physical movement and community support play a critical role in sustaining recovery after treatment.
Pushing for Change: Why Legislative Support Matters
This year, a major focus of Oregon Recovers is pushing for an alcohol tax increase, which could generate millions in funding for recovery services.
The Power of Showing Up
The biggest takeaway from this episode? Advocacy works when people show up. Whether you’re in recovery, a supporter, or just someone who cares about community health, attending events like Oregon Recovers Advocacy Day can make a real impact.
If you want to get involved:
Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day takes place on March 5th, 2025, at the State Capitol in Salem, OR. If you're passionate about recovery, advocacy, and real policy change, this is your chance to show up and make a difference.
#RealRecoveryPodcast #AdvocacyMatters #OregonRecovers #PortlandAdvocacyDay #AddictionRecovery #PeerSupport #PolicyChange #RecoveryCommunity
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