Ryan Leone's Wild Ride: From Addiction to Redemption on Dopey
I want to pay the karmic debt, sure, sure, to repair some of the bad shit that I put in the universe.
Imagine starting life with a prescription for Ritalin at just five years old, only to find yourself deep in the throes of addiction by your teens. This is the beginning of Ryan Leone's jaw-dropping journey, which he shared on the Dopey Podcast. Hosts Dave and Chris, who are no strangers to the chaos of addiction themselves, sit down with Ryan to unravel his incredible story of struggle, survival, and transformation. Ryan’s tale is nothing short of a rollercoaster.
He recounts his early years when Adderall and weed were just the warm-up acts for the hardcore substances like crack and heroin that followed. His addiction spiraled into high-stakes drug dealing, landing him in prison where he faced brutal conditions. Ryan's candidness about his time behind bars, including being handcuffed in solitary confinement, paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities addicts can face. But Ryan's story isn't just about the lows. It's also about the climb back up.
Despite nearly losing his life to an overdose and grieving the loss of his friend Chris to drugs, Ryan found a way to turn his life around. Writing became his lifeline, helping him channel his experiences into creativity and purpose. He didn't stop there; Ryan also launched a YouTube channel to advocate for harm reduction and drug education. This episode of Dopey is a raw and unfiltered look at addiction, but it’s also a testament to the power of redemption.
Ryan’s journey shows that no matter how deep you’ve fallen, there's always a way back up. If you're looking for a story that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful, this episode is a must-listen.