Episode 63 | The #RecoveryFirst Podcast with Mike Todd | “Let’s Support The 'DOERS' In The Recovery Community”Episode 63 | The #RecoveryFirst Podcast with Mike Todd | “Let’s Support The 'DOERS' In The Recovery Community”
The Recovery First Addiction Recovery Podcast by Freedom Recovery Services of Greenville
Mike Todd speaks candidly about imperfection, relapse, and criticism in the recovery community, urging people to support those doing the hard work. He highlights recovery housing, harm reduction, and naloxone efforts in South Carolina while calling for unity and compassion for both helpers and those seeking help.
12:31•4 Feb 2022
Backing the Doers: Mike Todd Calls for Unity in Recovery
Episode Overview
- People in recovery are imperfect and may have reoccurrences, regardless of their role or status.
- Criticising and shaming those who relapse helps no one; the focus should stay on how each person is actively helping.
- Recovery housing operators and peer supporters carry a heavy load, often for little money, and deserve strong backing.
- Harm reduction efforts, including naloxone distribution and clean syringes, treat people with dignity and save lives.
- The South Carolina Recovery Housing Association works to support operators, including getting naloxone into all recovery houses and training residents in its use.
“"Exactly what are you doing? Stalking somebody on a Facebook page, talking crap about people that are in the recovery community that are having reoccurrences. Shame on you."”
Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of people who keep showing up for others, even when it costs them sleep, money, and peace of mind. This Recovery First episode centres on one clear message from Mike Todd: support the “doers” in the recovery community instead of tearing them down from the sidelines. Mike talks straight about the messy reality of recovery.
but I will continue to strive to be a better person than I was yesterday." Rather than criticise those who slip, he challenges critics with a blunt question: "Exactly what are you doing?"—especially if all they’re doing is “stalking somebody on a Facebook page, talking crap.” You’ll hear heartfelt shout-outs to real people doing hard work on the ground: peer supporters meeting people where they’re at, harm reduction teams like Chris Stepp and Mark Burrows with Challenges Inc handing out naloxone and clean syringes, and advocates like Miss Shanita treating people with dignity.
He reminds everyone that people in recovery are still human: they make mistakes, have reoccurrences, and sometimes take three steps backwards. As he puts it, "None of us are perfect... Mike highlights the heavy load carried by recovery housing operators such as Linda Valentine and organisations supported through the South Carolina Recovery Housing Association. The episode also touches on how recovery housing has grown from friends sharing a roof and accountability to a full-blown industry with serious responsibilities and risks.
Mike explains how efforts like getting naloxone into every recovery house in South Carolina are becoming basic standards of care. This is a candid call for unity, grace, and practical support for those on the front lines of addiction recovery. So where do you see yourself – in the crowd of critics, or standing alongside the doers?
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