Inside a Xanax & Alcohol Addict's Brutal Blackouts | I Was "The Devil"

Chris was a high school football coach on top of the world—winning state championships, raising two kids, and leading one of Georgia’s most promising teams. But behind the success was a man silently battling addiction. After a devastating DUI, Chris lost everything—his job, his reputation, and his sense of self.In this raw and emotional interview, Chris opens up about childhood trauma, pressure to prove himself, spiraling into daily drinking, and the powerful moment of surrender that saved his life. Now sober and rebuilding, he’s using his pain to help others—including coaches, athletes, and anyone silently struggling. Chris's website: Www.movethechains.squarespace.com #AddictionRecovery #CoachingLife #SobrietyJourney #RockBottom #FootballCoach #DUIRecovery #StateChampion #MentalHealthAwareness #HighSchoolFootball #AlcoholAddiction #RedemptionStory #RiseAbovePodcast #MoveTheChain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I knew the moment I did it, this will ruin my life—and I’m going to keep doing it." In this raw and unfiltered episode of Rise Above, Kevin Lanning sits down with Alyx Gold for a follow-up to her viral interview. Alyx takes us deeper into the "underworld" of her addiction—a journey that started with shooting heroin and meth at just 15 years old. Alyx reveals the terrifying details of being held hostage for over a week by a biker gang president, the moment she was stabbed and nearly killed in an abandoned alleyway, and the miraculous stranger who saved her life. But this isn't just a story of darkness. Today, Alyx is over 8 years sober, a dedicated single mother, and is in the process of opening the Gold Center for Recovery to help others escape the same trenches she once lived in. In this episode, we discuss: The reality of being a 15-year-old IV drug user. The harrowing escape from a biker gang "trap house." Surviving a brutal assault and the "angel" who intervened. How Alyx changed her entire belief system to stay sober for 8 years. The launch of the Gold Center for Recovery. Connect with Alyx Gold: Instagram: @_alyxgold TikTok: @in_my_everything_era If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out to Compassion Behavioral Health: 844-443-5669 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march #RiseAbove #Recovery #Addiction #HeroinAddict #Sobriety #AlyxGold #KevinLanning #BikerGang #TraumaHealing #RedemptionStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Rise Above, I sit down with Anthony Wilson, a top 1% real estate agent whose journey to the top started at the absolute bottom. Born addicted to methadone and raised in the chaos of a "trap house" family environment, Anthony’s life was a cycle of high-stakes sales and low-bottom addiction. Anthony gets brutally honest about: The "Eddie Haskell" Charm: How he used his innate personality to manipulate dealers out of thousands of dollars. The Breaking Point: Finding out his father was smoking crack in the next room while Anthony was trying to build a career. The Real Estate Secret: Why being "hand-delivered" by God to a broker who understood his struggle changed everything. The 1% Mindset: How sobriety gave him the "ice in his veins" to close million-dollar deals without breaking a sweat. This isn’t just a story about real estate; it’s a masterclass in internal change, spiritual surrender, and what happens when you stop chasing and start attracting. Connect with Anthony Wilson: [Insert Social Media Links/Website] If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health because they offer true individualized care, from detox to virtual support. They are in-network with major providers and available 24/7. 📞 Call or Text: 844-443-5669 🌐 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march 🙏 A Message from Our Sponsor #RealEstate #AddictionRecovery #SuccessStory #Sobriety #Entrepreneurship #MillionDollarListing #RiseAbove #Inspiration #MentalHealthMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur Favors joins the podcast for an unfiltered look at the cost of success. From selling peanut brittle in the 8th grade to generating $1.2 million in sneaker sales, Arthur has always had the "hustler" spirit. But behind the scenes of his successful Atlanta storefront, a deadly addiction to Lean, Percocet, and Xanax was spiraling out of control.In this episode, Arthur opens up about:The "backdoor" sneaker world and how he flipped his way to the top.Living a double life: Managing a retail empire while fueled by opioids.The terrifying moment he was robbed at gunpoint with his daughter in the car.Why he chose to close his successful store to save his mental health and his family.His journey to 2 years of sobriety and finding peace through yoga and fatherhood.Recovery isn't just about stopping the substance; it’s about healing what’s underneath. If you or a loved one is struggling, reach out to Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care, from detox to virtual support, and are in-network with major insurance providers. Call or Text 24/7: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march #ArthurFavors #SneakerReseller #SobrietyJourney #AtlantaHustle #RecoveryIsPossible #SneakerHead #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #AddictionRecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Boyer had the "Hallmark" childhood: two loving parents, a stable home, and a dream career as a sports broadcaster. But behind the scenes, a secret OxyContin habit spiraled into a daily heroin addiction that turned him into a "slave" to the substance while he was traveling with sports teams and working for the State Capitol. In this raw and revealing interview, Mike discusses: The "Twin Intuition": How his addiction fractured the bond with his twin sister. The Broadcaster's Secret: Balancing an on-air career while battling the constant fear of withdrawal. The Breaking Point: The day he stole from his boss at the State Capitol and the police intervention that saved his life. 12 Years of Sobriety: How he moved from "chaos and crisis" to building a beautiful life as a father and husband. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, there is a way out. Our sponsor, Compassion Behavioral Health, focuses on the "why" behind the addiction, offering individualized care and innovative treatments like TMS and EMDR. Start your journey here: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march Call or Text 24/7: 844-443-5669 #Addiction #RecoveryStory #HeroinAddict #Sobriety #Broadcaster #MentalHealth #RiseAbove #MikeBoyer #DrugAddiction #RecoveryIsPossible #Documentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Getting through the day without a substance was enough to make you feel decent, but it wasn't enough to live a life." Today, Anthony Scamardella joins the show to share his incredible story of overcoming a massive Adderall addiction. From his roots as a perfectionist student in New Jersey to managing high-stakes healthcare audits while secretly maintaining multiple prescriptions, Anthony reveals the moment his "secret" began eating him alive. He discusses the reality of the 4-year "flat" period after quitting, how he re-sensitized his dopamine receptors, and why he’s more optimistic now than ever before. Key Topics: The 9/11 trauma that shifted his childhood. Taking 200mg of Adderall daily and the physical toll. The letter from the "Substance Abuse Division" that changed everything. How skating and structure replaced the "jolt" of pills. If you’re struggling with addiction or mental health, contact our sponsor Compassion Behavioral Health at 844-443-5669 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march #Recovery #Addiction #Adderall #SobrietyStory #Fitness #MentalHealthAwareness #ADHD #NewYorkCity #Skating Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Paula to discuss the hidden reality of "mummy wine culture" and the terrifying moment she realized her drinking was costing her a relationship with her children. From being a scholarship athlete and a successful professional in the liquor industry to finding her true purpose as a recovery coach, Paula shares the raw truth about emotional sobriety. Connect with Paula:Instagram: @happiest_hour_af If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health (CBH) because they offer a full continuum of care—from detox and residential treatment to neurofeedback and EMDR. They are in-network with major providers and available 24/7. Call or text: 844-443-5669 or visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march #Sobriety #RecoveryStory #MotherhoodUnplugged #AlcoholFree #SoberCurious #EmotionalSobriety #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #WineMomCulture #SoberParenting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Rise Above, we sit down with Glynis Franz, whose story sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie—except she lived it. From growing up in a chaotic household in New England to becoming a high-end escort, smuggling people across the border in her trunk, and eventually landing in federal prison, Glynis’s life was defined by the "brutal lifestyle" of addiction and meth psychosis. Now 6.5 years sober, Glynis has completely transformed her life. She is now a business owner, a podcast host, and the founder of Peak Path Health, helping others find the same freedom she discovered after hitting the ultimate rock bottom. [Sponsor Message] If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health (CBH) because they offer a full continuum of care—from detox and residential treatment to neurofeedback and EMDR. They are in-network with major providers and available 24/7. Call or text: 844-443-5669 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march to start your journey today. #AddictionRecovery #HumanSmuggling #RiseAbove #SobrietyStory #FentanylCrisis #FederalPrison #RecoveryIsPossible #GlynisFranz #CompassionBehavioralHealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this raw and unfiltered interview, Rachel Sereni pulls back the curtain on a seven-year descent into Xanax and alcohol-fueled blackouts. Rachel doesn't hold back, taking full accountability for the "Ratchet Rachel" alter ego that emerged—a persona defined by physical and mental abuse toward her loved ones and the terrifying reality of drinking and driving with her young son in the car. Rachel reveals the "brutal" lifestyle of mixing Xanax, Molly, and 99 Bananas, and the haunting trauma of finding her mother after a fatal overdose at just 16 years old. This is a story of total surrender—from collapsing in a Taco Bell field to losing 80 lbs and finding a new life in sobriety. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, there is a structured, stigma-free place to start. Today’s episode is sponsored by Compassion Behavioral Health. Recovery isn't just about removing a substance; it’s about addressing the anxiety, trauma, and depression underneath. Compassion Behavioral Health focuses on the mental health side of recovery with individualized care—from detox and outpatient support to innovative treatments like EMDR and neuro feedback. Call or Text 24/7: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march In-network with major insurance providers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Rise Above, Ali Zansberg shares one of the most intense addiction stories we’ve ever featured on the podcast. After surviving stage-four liver failure as a teenager, Ali was prescribed opioids — which quickly spiraled into doctor shopping, oxy addiction, meth use, psychosis, and repeated overdoses. At her lowest point, she overdosed nine times in a single month, experienced severe drug-induced psychosis, and found herself in and out of jail. Her addiction escalated from prescription opioids to meth and eventually kratom, where she became trapped in brutal withdrawals and a cycle she couldn’t escape. Ali opens up about surviving overdoses, being revived multiple times with Narcan, doctor shopping prescriptions, battling addiction across multiple states, and the moment she finally surrendered and asked for help. Today Ali is over a year sober, sponsors other women in recovery, and is helping others find a way out of addiction. If you’ve been listening to Rise Above for a while, you know I don’t believe in shame, stigma, or one-size-fits-all treatment. That’s why I partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health. Compassion is intentionally boutique sized so clients receive real individualized care. Whether someone needs detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, IOP, or even virtual support, they offer a full continuum of care built around evidence-based therapy along with innovative options like TMS, neurofeedback, and EMDR when appropriate. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, mental health, or both and you don’t know where to start, this is a compassionate place to begin. Call or text 844-443-5669 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march #addictionrecovery #opioidcrisis #sobrietyjourney #overdose #riseabovepodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices