RRP Episode 55: Breaking the Chains of Criminal Addiction – How Crimanon Co-Founders Bear & Zane Built a Path to Recovery

​Overcoming Crime, Addiction, and Loss to Build a Movement for Change

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​In this powerful episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, we sit down with Bear and Zane, the co-founders of Crimanon, a fellowship that addresses an often-overlooked addiction--criminal addiction. While most recovery spaces focus on substance abuse, Crimanon takes a different approach, recognizing that for many, the high of crime itself is just as addictive as drugs or alcohol.

​Bear and Zane share their personal journeys of incarceration, loss, and redemption, revealing how their pasts led them to create a movement that is changing lives. From founding the first Crimanon meetings inside Columbia River Correctional Facility to expanding the program into the community, they discuss the challenges of breaking free from crime, the struggles of re-entry, and the critical role of mentorship and structure in long-term recovery.

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Their stories are not just about their pasts—they’re about a future they’re building for others trapped in the cycle of criminal addiction.

Zane’s Story: A Lifetime of Crime, Loss, and Redemption

Zane's past reads like something out of a crime novel--57 felonies, 187 arrests, and years spent in and out of the prison system. But his story isn't about glorifying crime—it’s about what led him there and how he found his way out.

Growing up, Zane was drawn into a lifestyle where crime wasn’t just survival—it was a rush. Like many who struggle with criminal addiction, the adrenaline of getting away with something, the power, and the chaos became a drug in itself. He wasn't just addicted to substances—he was addicted to the life.

"Losing my son to SIDS while I was locked up was the moment I realized I had to change. I couldn’t let my life end in a cage. I had to fight for something bigger than myself." – Zane

His turning point came in the most tragic way imaginable—the loss of his son. His son died while Zane was incarcerated, and he never got to say goodbye. This devastating moment forced him to reflect on his life, his choices, and the legacy he was leaving behind. He realized that if he didn’t change, he would die in prison, just another statistic.

Through Crimanon, Zane found purpose. He now dedicates his life to helping others trapped in the same cycle, showing them that change is possible—even after decades of crime.

Bear’s Journey: Finding Purpose in Recovery​

Bear’s path to Crimanon started behind bars, where he began to recognize criminal addiction as a real, diagnosable issue. He saw that many people weren’t just addicted to drugs or alcohol—they were addicted to the thrill, the power, and the identity that crime gave them.

​"When I was inside, I saw men come back again and again—not because they wanted to, but because they didn’t know how to live differently. That’s why we built Crimanon—to give people the tools to truly break free." – Bear

With a group of incarcerated individuals, Bear began developing a new kind of recovery program, focused not on substances, but on breaking the mental, emotional, and behavioral patterns that keep people stuck in criminal lifestyles. What started as a prison think tank turned into a full-fledged recovery movement.

Now on the outside, Bear is working tirelessly to expand Crimanon, fighting to get criminal addiction recognized in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and to provide more resources for those looking to break free from crime.

What Is Criminal Addiction?

Most people understand substance addiction, but criminal addiction is a concept that isn’t widely discussed. Bear and Zane describe it as:

• The adrenaline rush of crime becoming just as addictive as drugs or alcohol.
• A deep-seated identity built around being in the criminal world.
• The belief that a normal life isn’t possible, leading to self-sabotage and repeated offenses.
• The lack of alternatives and support systems for those trying to change.

Crimanon is working to fill this gap in the recovery world, providing structured 12-step meetings, mentorship, and a community of people who truly understand.

The Challenges of Re-Entry

One of the biggest barriers to change is re-entering society after prison. Bear and Zane discuss how difficult it is to:

• Find stable housing when landlords refuse to rent to people with records.
• Get a job when most employers won’t give them a second chance.
• Break out of the cycle when all their past connections are still involved in crime.
• Deal with trauma, guilt, and loss, often without access to therapy or support.

These challenges push many back into crime, not because they want to return, but because they feel like they have no other option.

Links to Websites Discussed

• Crimanon Website: https://crimanon.org/
• Exclusive Interview with Bear (Co-founder of Crimanon): Watch Here
• Harmony Academy: https://www.harmonyacademyrhs.org/
• Another Chance Recovery: https://anotherchancerehab.com/
• Oregon Recovers: https://www.oregonrecovers.org/
• Fora Health: https://forahealth.org/
• NARA (Native American Rehabilitation Association): https://www.naranorthwest.org/

​Crimanon’s Mission & Future Goals

Crimanon is more than just a support group—it’s a movement. Bear and Zane have big goals for the future, including:

• Expanding meetings across the country to provide more access to those in need.
• Returning to prisons to help people start their recovery before they get out.
• Getting criminal addiction recognized in the DSM so that treatment options can become available.
• Providing more resources for re-entry, including employment and housing support.

Their message is clear--recovery is possible, but the system needs to change to support it.

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This episode is a must-listen for anyone in recovery, anyone who has been impacted by the criminal justice system, or anyone who believes in the power of second chances.

Bear and Zane’s stories prove that no matter how deep you are in the cycle of crime, addiction, and incarceration, change is possible. Through Crimanon, they are giving others the tools, the support, and the hope to break free and build a new life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with criminal addiction, Crimanon is here to help.

• Listen to This Episode: https://mdcr1.com/55
• Read the Blog: https://mdcr1.com/55b

​#RealRecoveryPodcast #CriminalRecovery #Crimanon #SecondChances #AddictionRecovery #BreakingTheCycle #RecoveryJourney #CriminalAddiction

Show Notes:

RRP Episode 55: Breaking the Chains of Criminal Addiction – How Crimanon Co-Founders Bear & Zane Built a Path to RecoveryPresenters: Julie and Peter
Length: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Links to Websites Discussed:

• Crimanon Website: https://crimanon.org/
• Exclusive Interview with Bear (Co-founder of Crimanon): Watch Here
• Harmony Academy: https://www.harmonyacademyrhs.org/
• Another Chance Recovery: https://anotherchancerehab.com/
• Oregon Recovers: https://www.oregonrecovers.org/
• Fora Health: https://forahealth.org/
• NARA (Native American Rehabilitation Association): https://www.naranorthwest.org/

Key Points with Time Stamps:

• [00:01:00] – Introduction to Bear and Zane, co-founders of Crimanon, and their mission to address criminal addiction.
• [00:04:30] – Bear’s personal story—his realization of criminal addiction and the early seeds of Crimanon while incarcerated.
• [00:07:45] – Zane’s journey: 57 felonies, 187 arrests, and the turning point that led him to recovery.
• [00:12:30] – The formation of Crimanon’s think tank inside Columbia River Correctional Facility.
• [00:17:15] – The connection between criminal behavior and addiction—why some get a bigger high from crime than substances.
• [00:22:50] – How Crimanon meetings work, the 12-step model, and the importance of community support.
• [00:28:30] – The role of trauma in criminal addiction—childhood experiences, ACEs scores, and the path to healing.
• [00:33:10] – The challenges of re-entering society: barriers to employment, housing, and rebuilding trust.
• [00:39:25] – Expanding Crimanon: the first meetings outside of prison and the struggle to find space.
• [00:44:10] – Success stories: how Crimanon has helped individuals transform their lives.
• [00:49:30] – Plans for the future: returning to prisons, expanding meetings, and advocating for criminal addiction to be recognized in the DSM.
• [00:54:20] – The importance of criminal addiction recovery in breaking cycles of recidivism.
• [01:02:10] – Crimanon’s impact in Portland, Oregon, and its growing influence in recovery communities.
• [01:10:30] – How incarceration can perpetuate criminal addiction and why true rehabilitation requires addressing deeper behavioral patterns.
• [01:17:45] – The power of peer-driven recovery and the role of lived experience in mentoring others.
• [01:24:00] – Closing thoughts: second chances, community support, and the vision for Crimanon’s future.

Summary:In this powerful episode, we sit down with Bear and Zane, the co-founders of Crimanon, a fellowship focused on helping individuals recover from criminal addiction. They share their raw and eye-opening stories—how years of crime, incarceration, and relapse led them to recognize the deep-seated attachment to criminal behavior itself.
From the formation of Crimanon’s first meetings in prison to the expansion into community spaces, this episode explores the psychology of criminal addiction, the role of trauma, and the steps necessary to break free from the cycle. Bear and Zane discuss the challenges of re-entry, barriers to employment, and the stigma that still exists for those with criminal records.
With powerful insights and real-life experiences, this episode shines a light on a missing piece in the recovery world—how criminal addiction must be addressed alongside substance use.
Conclusion:Recovery is possible, no matter how many times you've been incarcerated. Crimanon is proof that community, mentorship, and accountability can change lives. Whether you’ve been impacted by the criminal justice system or know someone who has, this episode is an essential listen.
Hashtags & Mentions:#RealRecoveryPodcast #CriminalRecovery #Crimanon #SecondChances #AddictionRecovery #CommunitySupport #BreakingTheCycle #RecoveryJourney