In this first episode of The Clean Slate Podcast, host Cheryl shares her personal story for the first time—from growing up in a family where substance use and crime were prevalent, to becoming a mother trying to “do everything right,” and eventually descending into active addiction.

What began as unaddressed trauma and learned survival patterns slowly evolved into heroin use, intravenous drug use, and homelessness. This episode is not about shock value or glorifying addiction—it’s about honesty, context, and breaking the silence around how addiction really begins.

This episode lays the foundation for the podcast: real conversations about recovery, accountability, shame, healing, and the possibility of starting over.

• Growing up in a household shaped by substance use and crime

• How early environments normalize chaos and survival behaviors

• The disconnect between outward success and internal pain

• The progression from “functioning” to active addiction

• Heroin use and homelessness

• Why addiction is not a moral failure—but a response to unresolved pain

• What “clean slate” truly means in recovery

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If this episode resonates with you, subscribe, rate, and review The Clean Slate Podcast to help others find these conversations. New episodes release regularly featuring personal stories, recovery insights, and honest discussions about starting over.

Content / Trigger Warning:

This episode contains discussion of:

• Substance use

• Intravenous drug use

• Addiction and homelessness

• Family dysfunction

Listener discretion is advised.

Who This Episode Is For:

People in recovery or considering recovery

Loved ones of someone struggling with addiction

Anyone who has asked, “How did my life get here?”

Listeners who value honesty over perfection

About The Clean Slate Podcast:

The Clean Slate Podcast is a recovery-centered space for real conversations about addiction, healing, accountability, and rebuilding life—without shame and without pretending it’s easy.

Audi0 editing provided by: The Spokane Show podcast

The Clean Slate Podcast shares real, first-person stories of addiction, substance use, and recovery. These conversations are honest and unfiltered, and some episodes may include discussion of topics that could be distressing or triggering for certain listeners.

Content may include, but is not limited to:

• Drug and alcohol use
• Relapse and overdose
• Trauma, abuse, or neglect
• Homelessness or incarceration
• Mental health struggles
• Loss, grief, or death
• Descriptions of addictive behaviors and consequences

While the intent of this podcast is to reduce stigma and empower recovery, we recognize that everyone's lived experience is different.

Listener Discretion Advised

Please take care of yourself while listening. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, we encourage you to pause, step away, or skip an episode entirely. Choosing not to listen is an act of self-care, not weakness.

This podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or addiction treatment. The experiences shared reflect personal journeys and may not represent what recovery looks like for everyone.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use or mental health challenges, help is available:

• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• In an emergency, please call 911

Recovery looks different for everyone. We're grateful you're here, and we honor the courage it takes to listen, heal, and begin again.

-Clean Slate Podcast

"Recovery Empowered"