Todd Mulligan’s story is a blunt look at how fast opioid addiction can take over—and what it actually takes to come back. In this episode of Breaking Down Addiction, hosts Jonny Phillip and Chad Elkin sit down with Todd to trace the arc from prescription pain pills after multiple accidents, to an 11-year spiral that included street pills, Suboxone misuse, benzodiazepines, and daily meth use.

Todd shares what it was like realizing withdrawal for the first time, the delusions and chaos of late-stage addiction, and the surreal moment he discovered he was on Intervention. He also explains why being “sent to Tennessee” for treatment at Cumberland Heights ended up changing everything—especially through the structure and accountability of Stillwaters.

Today, Todd works in the recovery space helping families navigate admissions and find quality care. This conversation is practical, unfiltered, and full of hope—without pretending recovery is easy.

You’ll Hear:
• Why pills felt like “the answer” because they removed anxiety immediately
• How fast “medical use” turned into everyday dependence—and why it went out of control immediately
• What withdrawal felt like the first time (“I thought I had the flu”)
• What it’s like to be deep in addiction while being filmed for Intervention
• Why boundaries—not rescuing—are the turning point for many families
• The moment craving finally lifted, and what “surrender” looked like for Todd
• Why purpose and service became the long-term fuel for staying sober

Why Listen:
• To understand the link between pain, anxiety, and opioid misuse
• To hear the reality of relapse risk, treatment resistance, and what finally breaks through
• To learn how structure, accountability, and community can rebuild a life
• To get practical guidance for families on boundaries and family programming
• To be reminded that as long as someone is breathing, there is still a chance

If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available.

Learn more about National Addiction Specialists and the Breaking Down Addiction podcast. https://www.nationaladdictionspecialists.com/

The video of this episode is available:

https://youtu.be/mFCH5b_QmPE