Mark believes that entering a rehabilitation program could lead to positive new opportunities for Rebecca.

“I think a world of opportunities would open up to you if you did this.”

Louis Ruggiero views the 12-step recovery model, which includes complete abstinence and accountability, as a necessary process for managing compulsive gambling.

“I'm very active in my 12step meeting. I'm very active um in my message and I have my own podcast and um I focus on gambling”

Teddy Tarantino asserts that participating in 12-step meetings and maintaining a recovery-focused life is essential for him to remain clean and sharp.

“When you go to meetings and you have a sponsor and you do the steps and you're reading the just for today in the morning and you're talking to other addicts and your whole life consists of recovery, it's almost impossible to use. You're not going to use. And then there's so much support and the cama”

He believes that quitting drinking entirely is superior to attempting to navigate a gray area of moderate consumption.

“I'm always just kind of been more like I almost would rather just be a drunk and then you got to quit and then you don't even have to even ever evaluate it anymore.”

Individuals struggling with addiction require a spiritual program and active service to others to maintain sobriety and find lasting healing.

“It's all about finding a a higher power and living a spiritual life.”

The speaker believes sharing personal recovery stories can help reduce judgment and benefit others.

“I think that there's a group of a big group of people that think it's easier and better to hide your flaws and then there's the group that realizes by being open and sharing them not only can help you but help so many other people”

The speaker believes that replacing a substance addiction with the goal-oriented and positive activity of running has been central to her successful, sustained recovery.

“do you feel like the passion you have for running is really just a a replacement for the addiction of course yeah you know people say oh you're substituting an addiction but you know it's a positive thing like it's it's not you know drugs affected me differently”

Connection and a sense of belonging are the most critical factors in helping individuals successfully recover from substance use.

“I definitely believe that and you know in in my current work I've had opportunities to to do work with people from Portugal and and just the way that they approach the issue is just so much more compassionate than we approach it here.”

She believes sobriety allows for better connections with people and provides genuine joy.

“I get to wake up and remember it and like have more fun and feel great the next day.”

Recovery requires letting go of the false pretense of perfection and acknowledging that internal struggles often exist alongside outward success.

“with my personal experience with my recovery and my addiction you know i was active in my addiction i had a great career everything was wonderful and it was you're leading this double life physically and but i think was worse was emotionally”