Relapse Prevention Failed: And How WE Can Solve this Crisis Together | Adam Gunton | TEDxBillings

Summary

The speaker recounts his journey from addiction to recovery, marked by a tragic phone call and a near-death experience. He emphasizes the power of personal stories in aiding recovery, highlighting the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous and the importance of community support. The narrative showcases the impact of sharing experiences through modern technology, like social media and books, to inspire hope and change in others facing similar struggles. The speaker urges everyone to embrace their stories as a means to help others overcome their battles.

Takeaways

• 📅 The speaker's journey with addiction began during his freshman year at college, marked by a tragic phone call on September 28th, 2008.
• 🔫 The speaker's best friend, Chuck, committed suicide after a late-night phone call, which deeply affected the speaker.
• 🍻 The speaker's substance abuse escalated, turning from a means of socializing into a coping mechanism for life's challenges.
• 🚨 On November 6th, 2015, the speaker had a near-death experience with a drug overdose, captured on police bodycam footage.
• 🏥 Despite numerous attempts at traditional recovery methods, the speaker continued to struggle with addiction and faced potential imprisonment.
• 🌟 A series of spiritual experiences and the influence of others' recovery stories led to the speaker's own recovery on November 6th, 2017.
• 📚 The speaker published a book about his journey, 'From Chains to Saved,' which has reached thousands and inspired others in recovery.
• 🗣️ The power of sharing personal stories and experiences was emphasized as a crucial element in overcoming addiction.
• 🤝 The speaker advocates for the recovery community to use all available tools, including technology, to spread hope and support to those struggling with addiction.
• 🌐 Social media and digital platforms can significantly amplify the reach of personal recovery stories, potentially impacting millions.
• 💪 The speaker encourages everyone to embrace their past, transform shame into a superpower, and use their stories to help others overcome similar challenges.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on September 28th, 2008 in the speaker's life?

The speaker received a late-night call from his best friend, Chucker, and after hanging up on him, Chucker committed suicide.

How did the speaker's relationship with drugs and alcohol evolve over time?

Initially, drugs and alcohol were a means of partying and fun, but they eventually became a coping mechanism for the speaker's life, leading to a severe addiction.

What was the turning point for the speaker that led to his near-death experience?

The turning point was on November 6th, 2015, when the speaker used a new street drug called 'China White' and overdosed, resulting in a lifeless body found by the police.

What traditional relapse prevention methods did the speaker try without success?

The speaker attended cognitive behavioral therapy classes, outpatient groups, 12-step meetings, church services, and a Bible study, but none of these were effective in helping him stop using drugs.

How did the speaker eventually find recovery?

The speaker found recovery through a series of spiritual experiences, hearing another person's recovery story on YouTube, and with the support of close friends, which led to his sobriety starting on November 6th, 2017.

What is the significance of the speaker's book 'From Chains to Saved'?

The book 'From Chains to Saved' is the speaker's personal journey through addiction and his path to recovery, which has been shared with over 10,000 people worldwide and has helped others find hope and healing.

What impact did the speaker's story have on a man named Israel?

Israel, who was struggling with addiction, was deeply impacted by the speaker's book, which helped him achieve sobriety and continue on a path of positive change.

What is the speaker's approach to helping others in recovery through social media?

The speaker uses social media to share content about addiction and recovery, hosts live video podcasts, personally messages individuals who reach out for help, and provides community support and resources.

How has the speaker's content strategy contributed to helping over 1,000 addicts find recovery?

By sharing his story, personally messaging those who reach out, and providing community support and resources across all 50 states, the speaker has been able to help over 1,000 addicts find recovery.

What is the speaker's perspective on the role of the recovery community in solving the addiction crisis?

The speaker believes that the recovery community needs to reignite its passion, use all available tools, and reach out to those suffering to solve the addiction crisis together.

How does the speaker encourage individuals to embrace their stories and turn shame into a superpower?

The speaker encourages individuals to share their personal stories of struggle and recovery, using those experiences to connect with and help others, thus transforming shame into a source of strength and inspiration.