Other‑Centered Recovery with Alex Larson | Episode 515

Other‑Centered Recovery with Alex Larson | Episode 515

How do people find hope in the darkest times? This conversation with Alex Larson gives a raw look at addiction, relapse, and building a new life that’s centred on helping others. Alex, a treatment director and person in long‑term recovery, talks through going from a high‑achieving teen to methamphetamine use, homelessness, and sleeping on trains and in parks.

He describes that first drink at 15 as an “awakening” and remembers thinking substances were the cheat code for living in his own skin. After his first treatment at 19, he stayed sober for 15 years – then, with almost no meetings and lots of untreated restlessness, he picked up again and lost everything in a matter of days.

What makes this episode stand out for people in or near recovery is how clearly Alex separates abstinence from actual recovery work. He explains that years of being dry but spiritually unwell left him chasing outside fixes – relationships, moves, jobs, hobbies – instead of dealing with the inner turmoil.

His turning point this time came when he walked for hours to ask for help, went back into treatment, and threw himself into meetings, sponsorship, and connection with a higher power. Now working in treatment, Alex is honest about the dangers of confusing his job with his personal programme: “My recovery doesn’t happen for me at work; I get paid to be there.” He stresses service, accountability, and the idea that selfishness sits at the root of his problems.

For anyone juggling work in the field, family life, or long‑term sobriety, you’ll hear practical, lived experience on how to keep your own recovery first while showing up for others. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to rebuild after a major relapse – and to turn addiction into a life of purpose and service – this conversation might be exactly what you need today.