RRP Episode 56 – Doyal Smith: The Voice That Changed Everything, from a Park Bench to DDA

In episode 56 of the Real Recovery Podcast, we sit down with Doyal Smith, Executive Director of Dual Diagnosis Anonymous of Oregon, for one of the most raw and powerful conversations we've had to date. Doyal shares the pivotal moment that turned his life around—sitting alone on a park bench, ready to give up, when a voice offered him a lifeline: “If you help people, I’ll help you.”

​That moment launched Doyal on a path of healing and service. In this episode, he opens up about his journey through childhood trauma, addiction, incarceration, and ultimately into leadership within the recovery community. Through DDA’s unique approach to addressing co-occurring disorders, Doyal has helped thousands of people find hope in their darkest moments.

Doyal’s Early Struggles and Turning Point Growing up in North Portland in a home filled with addiction, violence, and instability, Doyal never had a chance to feel safe. Like many in the recovery community, his early trauma laid the groundwork for a long battle with substance use. Incarcerated multiple times, caught in cycles of despair, and disconnected from support, he found himself at the edge. ​Then, sitting on that now-famous park bench, something shifted. That moment became the foundation for the work he would go on to do—most notably with Dual Diagnosis Anonymous of Oregon (DDA), a program that combines traditional 12-step recovery with five additional steps that address mental health challenges. What Makes DDA Different Founded by Corbett Monica in 1996, DDA is built on the understanding that many individuals in recovery also live with mental health conditions. Doyal explains how the “12 Steps Plus Five” model creates space for healing that’s inclusive of both substance use and mental health—offering a more holistic approach to recovery. Under Doyal’s leadership, DDA has expanded access to online meetings, correctional facilities, and communities that previously had no support for dual diagnosis individuals. Their meeting directory and resources continue to grow, supporting people throughout Oregon and beyond. Connecting Through Community Throughout the episode, Doyal and Julie connect over shared experiences with trauma, mental health, and recovery. Both emphasize the importance of peer-driven support, authenticity, and showing up for others even when it’s hard. DDA’s approach resonates deeply with those who have felt like they didn’t fit in elsewhere—offering a place where mental health is not a side note but a core part of the healing journey. ​For those looking for additional support beyond traditional programs, Doyal also highlights resources like Lunch Bunch and Extended Family AA and culturally specific healing circles like the Wellbriety Circle Meetings, which center Indigenous traditions and spirituality in recovery. Today, Doyal continues to lead DDA with humility, compassion, and a deep understanding of what it means to walk the hard road. He shares openly about the importance of therapy, community, and not letting shame win. His message is clear: “You can be exactly who you are, and still recover.” Links to Websites Discussed Dual Diagnosis Anonymous of Oregon Real Recovery Podcast Lunch Bunch and Extended Family AA Wellbriety Circle Meetings Hands Across the Bridge function setupElement989984440636913438() { var requireFunc = window.platformElementRequire || window.require; // Relies on a global require, specific to platform elements requireFunc([ 'w-global', 'underscore', 'jquery', 'backbone', 'util/platform/elements/PlatformElement', 'util/platform/elements/PlatformElementSettings' ], function( _W, _, $, Backbone, PlatformElement, PlatformElementSettings ) { var dependencies = null || []; var platform_element_id = "698263678581730663-1.1.0"; if (typeof _W.loadedPlatformDependencies === 'undefined') { _W.loadedPlatformDependencies = []; } if (typeof _W.platformElements === 'undefined') { _W.platformElements = []; } if (typeof _W.platformElements[platform_element_id] === 'undefined') { _W.platformElements[platform_element_id] = {}; 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Listen to the full episode and hear Doyal’s remarkable journey in his own words. Listen now: https://mdcr1.com/56 Read more episodes: https://mdcr1.com/56b #RealRecoveryPodcast #DualDiagnosis #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #PeerSupport #HopeAndHealing #RealStoriesRealRecovery @DDAnonymous @ForaHealth @4DRecovery Show Notes: ​RRP Episode 56 – Doyal Smith: The Voice That Changed Everything, from a Park Bench to DDA Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 36 minutes SummaryIn this heartfelt and transformative episode, Julie and Peter welcome Doyal Smith, Executive Director of Dual Diagnosis Anonymous of Oregon (DDA). Doyal recounts a deeply personal story of trauma, addiction, and the turning point that changed his life forever—sitting alone on a park bench, ready to give up, when he heard a voice say, “If you help people, I’ll help you.” From that moment forward, Doyal committed his life to service. He shares his experiences navigating incarceration, multiple treatment programs, and ultimately finding his calling in the recovery community. Doyal also reflects on the work of DDA founder Corbett Monica and explains how the organization’s unique “12 Steps Plus Five” model addresses the needs of individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The episode dives into the importance of peer support, trauma-informed care, and building inclusive communities. Julie and Doyal connect over their shared experiences with dual diagnosis, making this an episode filled with honesty, insight, and the enduring power of hope. Key Points with Time Stamps 00:00:00 – Introduction and welcome to Doyal Smith 00:07:00 – The park bench moment that changed Doyal’s life 00:13:00 – Early childhood trauma and growing up in North Portland 00:17:00 – First treatment experience and recognizing the grip of addiction 00:28:00 – The story of DDA’s creation and the influence of Corbett Monica 00:33:00 – Breaking down the “12 Steps Plus Five” and how it supports dual recovery 00:38:00 – Peer support, medication-assisted treatment, and the power of community 00:46:00 – DDA’s expansion across Oregon and online outreach 01:14:00 – Julie shares her journey with dual diagnosis and mental health support 01:21:00 – Doyal discusses the magic of rapport and recovery connection 01:29:00 – Final thoughts on legacy, leadership, and the future of DDA Quote from the Guest"The voice said, ‘If you help people, I’ll help you.’ And I’ve been helping people ever since." — Doyal Smith Links to Websites and Resources Discussed Dual Diagnosis Anonymous of Oregon (DDA) Real Recovery Podcast Lunch Bunch and Extended Family AA Meeting Info Wellbriety Circle Meetings Hands Across the Bridge Listen to the Episodehttps://mdcr1.com/56 Read the Blog Posthttps://mdcr1.com/56b Hashtags and Mentions#RealRecoveryPodcast #DualDiagnosis #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #PeerSupport #HopeAndHealing #DDA #RealStoriesRealRecovery @DDAnonymous @ForaHealth @4DRecovery