This gripping story follows Audey, a man raised on a hardscrabble farm in Vermilion County—slaughtering livestock, no running water or electricity at first—and where his parents and grandparents constantly partied. He saw alcohol as a normal part of life from an early age, drinking the remnants of the beer left over from their parties.

A straight-A, honor-roll kid, he moved to Danville, toughened up amid racial tensions, started carrying a knife, dropped out of school to party full-time, and progressed from marijuana to acid, speed, crack, meth, and heroin. He was a hard worker and made good money as a pipe fitter and iron worker, but prioritized drugs over his family needs.

Audey entered treatment multiple times, mostly court-ordered, before finally achieving sobriety through NA meetings. Eventually he drifted away from the accountability, and relapsed spectacularly, thinking “one more” would fix things. He blew through a large amount of money he had saved for a house, and then began to get back into the criminal behaviors he'd been involved in before.

On May 3, 1991, he chose to attend an NA meeting instead of helping his friends with a big job. They went to prison, and he’s been clean ever since.
Now decades sober, he credits working the steps, serving others, and living out recovery in his home, work, and in the community. His story is a powerful testament that no matter how far down you go, recovery is possible, miracles happen, and life sober is worth fighting for.

A raw, no-holds-barred account from a woman who grew up in a outwardly “good” family—mayor dad, vacations, Disney World—but never heard the words “I love you.” Hyperactive with undiagnosed ADHD, she felt like the family misfit while her sisters became a doctor and psychologist.

She started drinking at 15, moved to weed, then crack at 26, saying “I wish I’d never tried it”. She lost three houses, two cars, her children (taken by the state), and hit rock bottom: homelessness, selling everything to the dealer, family cutting her off, and a suicide attempt that left her in a coma. Doctors didn’t expect her to survive.

Desperate, she googled “safe house” and found her way to a women’s support house in Danville IL. She retrained her brain, battling her bipolar disorder, PTSD, and racing thoughts, and discovered sober joy: dancing, car shows, and peace.

Today she’s free, ashamed of who she was but proud of who she’s becoming.

Kimberly shares a powerful story of addiction that began at age 50 after her 27-year marriage ended. Childhood wounds from her mom's divorce - feeling unloved, family alcoholism, and poverty - resurfaced and manifested as deep pain and emptiness.

Never having touched drugs before, she started experimenting with marijuana and cocaine, then crack cocaine introduced by a partner, chasing escape more than the high itself. It spiraled fast: weight loss, bad crowds, near-fatal overdose, and finally hallucinations of her grandkids waving goodbye.

After hitting rock bottom and fearing she’d die young like her mom, who passed at 56, Kimberly entered a dual-diagnosis facility for substance use and mental health. There, she processed her trauma, found closure, and began rebuilding who she truly wants to be.

This story stands as a raw reminder that addiction can strike later in life, pain doesn’t disappear with age, but recovery is possible, and you can like the person who you are becoming.

In this deeply personal episode 9 of "Roads to Recovery," host Jim Russell introduces the courageous journey of Kat, a woman who has struggled with substance use disorder, but ultimately found hope and renewal on her path to sobriety.

Kat recounts her early years, growing up in a loving home yet struggling with ADHD, learning disabilities, and persistent bullying that eroded her self-esteem. Seeking escape and validation, she spiraled into substance use in her teens—first marijuana, then prescription drugs, alcohol, and eventually cocaine. Kat reveals the painful realities of substance use disorder: abusive relationships, the loss of control, legal troubles, and the heartbreak of stealing from loved ones to feed her habit.

A turning point for Kat was discovering she was pregnant. Determined to change for her child, she experienced her longest period of sobriety, only to then relapse and realize she'd never be able to be a "functioning alcoholic." Kat's story is one of repeated struggle, denial, and ultimately, acceptance—realizing that she was not in control of her substance use and that true recovery required honesty and commitment.

As Kat shares her triumphs and setbacks, she highlights the importance of structure, mental health support, and the unwavering love of family. She speaks candidly about the daily challenges of recovery, her hopes for the future, and the relief of finally feeling happy in her own skin—free from substances and self-doubt.

Join us for this inspiring episode of "Roads to Recovery" as we explore resilience, vulnerability, and the enduring possibility of healing.

In this 8th episode of the "Roads to Recovery" podcast, host Jim Russell shares the compelling story of Chris, whose life was profoundly affected by substance use disorder and brushes with the law. Chris opens up about his difficult upbringing, early exposure to drugs and alcohol, and the absence of a father figure, all factors that contributed to his struggles. He describes his descent into substance use disorder, the chaotic years that followed, and the pivotal moment when court intervention and distance from his family motivated him to seek help.

Listeners will follow Chris’s journey from skepticism and reluctance at mandated support groups to genuine engagement with Celebrate Recovery, where the support of others and a renewed sense of purpose helped him reclaim his life. The episode features honest reflections on relapse, tough love from those closest to him, and the ongoing challenges of building a stable, sober life as a welder, partner, and father. Insights from group leaders and friends highlight the importance of community, personal motivation, and the reality that every recovery journey is unique.

Chris’s story is a testament to resilience, vulnerability, and that recovery is possible for anyone. This episode is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration, understanding, or encouragement on the path to healing.

In this eye-opening episode 7 of "Roads to Recovery," host Jim Russell sits down with Vaya, a clinical director from New Directions, to share her story of substance use disorder, loss, and hard-won transformation. For the first time publicly, Vaya recounts a lifelong battle with substance use, beginning in childhood amidst a family history of substance use disorder and instability. Listeners are taken on a raw journey through the depths of alcoholism, brushes with the law, and the profound impact substance use disorder had not only on her own life but also on her relationships with family and friends.

She reveals her cycles of pain and desperation, including struggles with mental health and a suicide attempt, and the pivotal moments that sparked her commitment to change, including the birth of her daughter and the realization that her actions affect far more than just herself. The episode explores the difficult process of rebuilding trust, seeking treatment, and finding stability through community, faith, and a dedication to helping others in recovery.

If you or a loved one needs support, reach out to a local mental health provider and know that a different life is within reach. Tune in for an episode that is as inspiring as it is real, offering empathy, encouragement, and the assurance that it’s never too late to choose a new direction for yourself and your loved ones.

In this 6th episode of "Roads to Recovery," host Jim Russell sits down with Rueben, who shares a raw and deeply personal account of his journey through substance use disorder. The episode delves beneath the surface of substance use, exploring how trying to fit in, portray a certain image, and cope with underlying emotional struggles which led Rueben down a path of self-destruction.

Rueben's feelings of isolation, emotional disregulation, and undiagnosed attention deficit disorder early in life steered him towards risky behaviors and a social circle that reinforced his desire to belong. Rueben recounts the thrill and false sense of importance that came with acting out, leading to his first arrest at 13 and a cycle of escalating substance abuse and legal troubles.

Addiction for Rueben became more than just a chemical dependency, it became a means of masking pain, seeking community, and escaping from self-doubt. Rueben describes the impact of substance use on his relationships, including losing his marriage, alienating his children, and facing financial ruin. He candidly addresses the codependency issues that complicated his recovery and how hitting rock bottom, including a near-fatal car accident and suicidal ideation, became a turning point.

The conversation underscores the importance of dual diagnosis treatment and community support. Rueben explains how programs like Narcotics Anonymous and Codependents Anonymous, along with professional help, have been instrumental in his ongoing healing. He emphasizes that recovery is an ongoing process of learning, making amends, and building healthier connections.

The episode reminds listeners that recovery is possible, support is available, and no one has to walk the road to recovery alone.

In this intense episode of "Roads to Recovery," host Jim Russell sits down with Deborah to explore her deeply moving and transformative journey through substance use disorder, adversity, and ultimately, hope. The episode opens with Jim's reflection on how family situations can both contribute to substance use and provide the turning point for change, a theme that resonates throughout Deborah's story.

Deborah recounts her childhood living with a father battling schizophrenia and the resulting instability and trauma that followed. She candidly shares how a lack of supervision and family support led her into substance use at an early age, setting her on a path of substance use disorder and unhealthy relationships that lasted decades. Facing abuse, brushes with the law, and life-threatening situations, Deborah's narrative is both harrowing and deeply human.

A turning point arrives with her involvement in treatment programs, a brush with legal consequences, and an encounter that forces her to confront the real costs of addiction. Yet, the journey is not linear—Deborah describes relapses and the struggle to maintain sobriety even as her circumstances change.

The heart of her story emerges when she adopts a child born exposed to meth and facing uncertain odds. This act of love becomes a catalyst for Deborah's ultimate transformation, motivating her to stay sober and work tirelessly to provide a better life for her new daughter. Despite immense challenges, ranging from health issues to natural disasters, Deborah's resilience shines as she rebuilds her life, pursues education, and becomes a counselor, helping others navigate their own roads to recovery.

This episode is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of community, hope, and second chances. Remember that help is available, and recovery is always possible.