In this special edition of the Forest Fires, Addiction Recovery & Redemption Podcast we take a moment to observe National and International Overdose Awareness Day. Join me as we honor those we have lost, support the friends, families, loved ones and communities of those affected and discuss the urgency and importance of combating substance use disorders, as well as the stigma that continues to surround them.

We have all heard that being a part of a recovery community is a good thing, but we may not always know why. In this week's episode we move past the slogans and sayings and get to the evolutionary and practical reasons why being a part of a community isn't just a good suggestion for those of us in recovery, but an essential need of all human beings.

In active addiction and throughout recovery, our thoughts can feel like an enemy out to get us, and our brains like a labyrinth of confusion and self-deception.

In this episode of Forest Fires, Addiction Recovery & Redemption we'll discuss how overthinking, and our rationalizations can sabotage even our best recovery attempts.

We'll also discuss strategies to break free from this mental maze and empower us to reclaim and protect our recovery.

How can society simultaneously glamorize the use of alcohol and drugs while stigmatizing those who struggle with substance use disorders and seek recovery? Join me in this episode of Forest Fires, Addiction Recovery and Redemption, as we try and answer this question and discuss the complicated relationship that American society has with substances, addiction and recovery.

What is sobriety? what does it mean to be sober? Is sobriety the total abstinence from all substances? Can I truly be sober if I'm taking mental health medications, or if I smoke or if I vape? While these may seem to be easy to answer questions, they lead to a great deal of frustration and confusion for many members of the recovery community, especially for those just getting started. In this episode of Forest Fires, Addiction Recovery and Redemption, we take a deep dive into what it means to be sober.