From Gang President to Addiction Recovery Mentor | The Power of Recovery CoachingFrom Gang President to Addiction Recovery Mentor | The Power of Recovery Coaching
Recovery Matters! Podcast
Jose shares his compelling journey from a troubled childhood in Puerto Rico and chaotic life in Bridgeport, CT, to a life led by addiction, criminal activity, and multiple incarcerations. He candidly discusses the trials of his youth, becoming a drug dealer, battling with heroin and crack addiction, and the impact it had on his family and personal life. The turning point came when he encountered recovery coaches from CCAR. With their support, Jose transformed his life, found purpose, reconnected with his family, and now dedicates himself to helping others in similar situations, illustrating the power and possibility of recovery. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:40 Jose's Early Life in Puerto Rico 00:54 Transition to the United States 01:22 First Encounters with Drugs 02:29 Descent into Addiction 02:50 Life on the Streets 08:20 First Incarceration and Aftermath 12:50 Struggles with Recovery 18:32 A Turning Point 21:41 Facing the Judge: A Heartfelt Plea 23:31 A Turning Point: The Power of Recovery Coaching 24:37 A New Beginning: Becoming a Volunteer 26:06 Learning and Growing: Embracing Recovery 33:59 Reconnecting with Family: Actions Speak Louder 37:56 The Power of Community: Finding Purpose 41:47 A New Addiction: Living and Loving Life 42:14 Final Thoughts: The Journey of Recovery
44:19•9 Jul 2024
From Gang President to Recovery Mentor: Jose Rivera's Journey
Episode Overview
- Jose's journey from addiction to recovery mentor.
- The role of CCAR recovery coaches in his transformation.
- Challenges faced during his recovery process.
- The importance of community and support in recovery.
- Finding purpose through helping others.
“Recovery is a process of change and you're not alone in that process.”
In this powerful episode of the Recovery Matters! Podcast, Jose Rivera takes us on a gripping journey from his troubled childhood in Puerto Rico to becoming a recovery mentor. Growing up in a chaotic environment in Bridgeport, CT, Jose was surrounded by drug dealers and addicts, which led him down a path of addiction and criminal activity. By age 12, he was selling drugs to support his family, eventually becoming deeply entangled in heroin and crack addiction.
His story is one of multiple incarcerations and the heavy toll his lifestyle took on his family and personal life. The turning point for Jose came when he encountered recovery coaches from CCAR. Their support helped him transform his life, reconnect with his family, and find a new purpose. Now, as a recovery coach himself, Jose dedicates his life to helping others navigate their own journeys to sobriety.
He shares candidly about the challenges he faced, including the stigma around medication-assisted treatment and the difficulty of finding stable footing after prison. Jose's story highlights the importance of community and support in recovery. He talks about the sense of purpose he found at a recovery community centre and how it played a crucial role in his healing process.
His journey is a testament to the power of recovery coaching and the possibility of change, no matter how deep one has fallen. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking hope and inspiration in their own recovery journey. Jose's raw honesty and resilience will leave you feeling motivated to take the next step towards a better life. Don't miss out on this incredible story of transformation and the enduring power of human connection.
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