Addicted to Recovery

In this powerful episode of Addicted to Recovery, Chris and Max are joined by Binz, who shares his remarkable journey from childhood trauma, alcoholism and addiction to celebrating 19 years of sobriety.Growing up in a chaotic household affected by alcoholism and mental health struggles, Binz spent much of his life searching for acceptance, love and a way to escape his feelings. What started as teenage drinking eventually spiralled into addiction, broken relationships, financial difficulties and a battle with his own mental health.But on 20 September 2007, everything began to change.Binz opens up about the moment he finally accepted he needed help, the life-changing impact of Alcoholics Anonymous, sponsorship and the 12 Steps, and how recovery helped him find forgiveness for his father and break the cycle of addiction in his own family.Now 19 years sober, Binz dedicates much of his life to helping others through recovery, coaching and sharing his experience.An honest, emotional and inspiring conversation about trauma, forgiveness, family, hope and the incredible power of recovery.🎧 Whether you're struggling with addiction, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for hope, this episode is well worth a listen.Addicted to Recovery – The Truth About Addiction.

We’re back.After nearly four months away, we’re finally back behind the microphones — and there’s a lot to catch up on.In this episode, we talk honestly about what’s been happening in both of our lives over the summer and why taking a break from the podcast was something we both needed.A big part of the conversation is Chris opening up about his relapse after almost five years clean. We talk through what led up to it, the warning signs that are much easier to see looking back, how his recovery programme had slowly slipped, and the dangerous thinking that followed when using again didn’t immediately send his life into chaos.We also talk about Max’s experience over the last few months. Life on the outside is good — family, work and plenty to be grateful for — but internally, that familiar feeling of discomfort had started creeping back in. We discuss our shared tendency to look for external things to change how we feel internally, and what happens when we stop doing the things that keep us grounded.It leads us into a really honest conversation about ego, complacency, perfection, family, sponsorship, meetings, Step 10, connection and the importance of continuing to work a programme even when life is going well.We also share what’s been happening in our lives away from recovery — weddings, family, work, new opportunities and everything else that’s happened during our time away.Finally, we explain what the future looks like for Addicted to Recovery. We’re changing things up, taking the pressure off and returning once a month, allowing us to focus on the conversations and guests that made us fall in love with doing the podcast in the first place.It feels good to be back.Max & ChrisAddicted to Recovery

In this powerful episode of Addicted to Recovery, Max and Chris sit down with Gab — a former talent manager whose gambling addiction spiralled into a devastating double life involving secret debts, celebrity clients, court cases, and eventually prison.Gab opens up about the hidden reality of compulsive gambling, from the early warning signs as a child to chasing losses through the night, gambling away hundreds of thousands of pounds, and living in complete mental torment while trying to maintain the appearance of success. He shares how addiction became his escape, his comfort, and ultimately the thing that nearly destroyed everything.The conversation dives deep into:The similarities between gambling addiction and substance addictionLiving with secrecy, shame, and obsessionThe emotional toll of chasing lossesHow recovery began through honesty and therapyThe reality of prison after addiction-fuelled fraud chargesWhy addiction is so often misunderstood by societyAlongside Gab’s story, the hosts also announce an important new chapter for the podcast as Addicted to Recovery moves into a seasonal format to prioritise balance, recovery, and sustainability moving forward.A raw, honest, and deeply insightful episode about addiction, consequences, recovery, and hop

In this honest and deeply relatable episode of Addicted to Recovery, the boys sit down with returning guest Chris to explore what recovery really looks like beyond the meetings.Two years on, Chris opens up about life with a growing family, the daily challenge of applying recovery principles at home, and the constant tug-of-war between selflessness and self-centered thinking. From isolation and intrusive thoughts to relationships, parenting, and the struggle for presence, this conversation gets real about the messy middle of recovery.Together, they unpack:Why family often gets a “different version” of us than the outside worldThe role of fear, control, and emotional sensitivity in addictionIntrusive thoughts, escapism, and the addict’s tendency to catastrophizeThe importance of service, presence, and small daily actionsHow recovery evolves over time through experience, not perfectionWith humour, vulnerability, and brutal honesty, this episode shines a light on the internal battles that don’t disappear when the substances do—and the tools that help navigate them.If you’ve ever struggled with being present, battled your own thoughts, or wondered why you react the way you do, this one will hit home.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

In this powerful episode of Addicted To Recovery, the hosts sit down with Greg, a close friend and recovering addict, to explore his journey through addiction, trauma, and long-term recovery.Greg shares how a devastating accident—shattering his heel after a fall—became a turning point in his life. With over a dozen surgeries, chronic pain, and uncertainty about his future, he was forced to slow down and fully commit to recovery. What could have been a breaking point instead became a foundation for growth, resilience, and spiritual connection.The conversation dives deep into:Navigating recovery through physical pain and injuryThe mental battle of uncertainty and fearManaging prescribed medication in recoveryBuilding integrity, trust, and self-awarenessThe realities of long-term sobriety (not perfection, but progress)Finding purpose, peace, and connection in everyday lifeGreg also reflects on major life milestones in recovery, including marriage, fatherhood, and rebuilding relationships—proving that transformation is possible with commitment and support.This episode is an honest, raw, and inspiring look at what it truly means to stay clean, face life head-on, and grow into a better version of yourself.

In this powerful episode of Addicted to Recovery, the hosts sit down with John, who returns two years after his first appearance to share what’s changed—and it’s nothing short of remarkable.Now nearly four years clean, John opens up about rebuilding his life from the ground up: becoming a full-time father, working in drug and alcohol services, and even being invited to Buckingham Palace for his contributions to the recovery community.The conversation dives deep into:Life in recovery and the reality of “life on life’s terms”Overcoming grief after losing his son and finally finding acceptanceThe challenges of parenting, relationships, and responsibility in sobrietyLetting go of old behaviours like ego, anger, and prideThe power of the 12-step program, service, and spiritualityJohn’s story is raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful—a testament to what’s possible when someone fully surrenders and commits to change.“From crack house to Buckingham Palace in four years.”If you’re struggling, in recovery, or supporting someone who is—this episode is a must-listen.

In this powerful episode of Addicted to Recovery, Chris and Max welcome back returning guest Kent—nearly 10 years clean and sober—for an honest and deeply moving conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it really means to rebuild a life.Kent shares his journey from high-flying success—playing elite rugby, studying at Oxford, and earning millions in the finance world—to hitting rock bottom in rehab, feeling completely empty despite “having it all.” He opens up about the hidden struggles of high achievers, the dangers of chasing external success, and how addiction can thrive behind wealth, status, and ambition.Now working as a counselor and mentor, Kent helps clients around the world navigate addiction, imposter syndrome, trauma, and the pressures of success. Together, the hosts explore:Why success doesn’t equal happinessThe link between high performance and addictionThe reality of recovery and long-term consequencesHow helping others becomes the greatest rewardMisconceptions about addiction and the stigma surrounding itThe power of fellowship, connection, and staying teachableThis episode is a raw reminder that recovery isn’t just about getting clean—it’s about finding purpose, connection, and meaning beyond the chaos.If you’ve ever felt like external success wasn’t enough—or you’re on your own recovery journey—this conversation will resonate deeply.

In this episode of Addicted to Recovery, Jack shares his powerful journey from early addiction to nearly two years clean. Growing up with a lack of emotional support, he spent much of his life searching for validation in external things—first through food and obsessions, and later through drugs and alcohol. What began as experimentation quickly escalated into dangerous and destructive behaviour, driven by a desire to escape his own thoughts and feelings. After reaching a breaking point in his relationship, Jack found hope in recovery meetings and made the decision to change. Now a father, he reflects on how connection, honesty, and community helped him rebuild his life and find a new way to live.

This episode of Addicted to Recovery focuses on a major milestone, as Max celebrates seven years of sobriety. The conversation reflects on how life has changed since active addiction, highlighting the contrast between past behaviors and the present sense of freedom, gratitude, and connection. The hosts begin by discussing a recent stag weekend, showing that it’s possible to fully enjoy social events without alcohol or drugs. Despite late nights and high-energy environments, they describe feeling genuinely present, free, and even euphoric while sober. This stands in stark contrast to their past, where substance use often led to insecurity, paranoia, and a lack of real enjoyment. A key theme throughout the episode is the idea of an internal “void.” During addiction, both hosts tried to fill this emptiness with material success, money, and status, believing these things would bring lasting happiness. However, they explain that the more they chased these external rewards, the more empty they felt. Even in wealthy, image-driven environments, feelings of comparison and inadequacy can still surface, reinforcing the idea that external validation doesn’t solve internal struggles. Instead, recovery has taught them that true fulfillment comes from connection. Building relationships, being honest about struggles, helping others, and engaging in recovery communities have become essential tools. These practices replace substances as coping mechanisms and provide a deeper, more sustainable sense of purpose and wellbeing. The episode also explores how recovery has transformed their relationships, particularly with family. Where addiction once caused distance, selfishness, and instability, sobriety has allowed them to be present, caring, and emotionally available. Both hosts reflect on how close they came to losing their families, and how that fear became a turning point that pushed them to fully commit to change. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes that real freedom doesn’t come from substances, money, or status, but from living authentically and being connected to others. Max describes feeling “rich inside,” highlighting a shift from external success to internal peace and gratitude. The conversation reinforces that recovery is not just about stopping harmful behaviors, but about building a meaningful and fulfilling life.

In this episode of Addicted to Recovery, we sit down with Martin, who shares an honest and powerful account of his journey through addiction, relapse, and long-term recovery.Growing up in a loving home, Martin always felt like he didn’t quite belong. That underlying feeling followed him into his teenage years, where alcohol quickly became the solution — giving him confidence, connection, and a sense of ease he’d never experienced before. From there, things escalated. What started as partying turned into years of drug and alcohol use, eventually becoming a daily necessity.Despite building a successful career in the city and maintaining the appearance of a normal life, addiction was always at the centre of everything. Behind the scenes, Martin was living a double life — lying, hiding, and constantly chasing the next escape.It wasn’t until his mid-40s, when the consequences began to catch up with him, that things started to unravel. Relationships broke down, work suffered, and he found himself back at square one — forced to confront the reality of his situation.Martin talks openly about hitting rock bottom, returning to recovery, and what finally changed this time around. From daily routines like prayer and meditation to the importance of consistency, connection, and humility, he shares what it really takes to stay sober long term.This conversation dives deep into the mindset of addiction — the self-centred thinking, the denial, and the illusion of control — as well as the growth that comes with recovery.Today, Martin is nearly seven years clean. He’s rebuilt relationships with his family, found peace in his daily life, and now helps others on their own journey through sponsorship and service.This episode is a reminder that no matter how far things go, change is always possible — but it requires honesty, willingness, and action.