The #RecoveryFirst Podcast with Mike Todd "Why I Advocate & Why You Should Too."The #RecoveryFirst Podcast with Mike Todd "Why I Advocate & Why You Should Too."
The Recovery First Addiction Recovery Podcast by Freedom Recovery Services of Greenville
Mike Todd shares how his journey from quiet 12-step meetings to public advocacy shaped his belief that recovery should be visible, supported, and well-funded. He explains the role of community, recovery housing, and simple grassroots actions that anyone can take to support people living with substance use disorder.
18:16•20 Sept 2021
Why Mike Todd Speaks Up for Recovery—and Why You Might Too
Episode Overview
- Advocacy in recovery is about using your voice to push for treatment, respect and support instead of punishment for people with substance use disorder.
- Recovery culture has shifted from small, quiet 12-step circles to wider public conversation, making it more acceptable to “recover out loud.”
- There is a strong call for dedicated funding streams for recovery services such as housing, recovery community organisations and peer support, not just treatment and prevention.
- Different pathways to recovery are valid, and peer supporters can meet people where they are—even if they are not yet ready to stop using.
- Anyone can contribute to recovery advocacy by volunteering, learning about naloxone, supporting recovery housing, or simply asking local agencies how they can help.
“"You can do something. You don’t have to be an expert. All you have to do is care about people that are struggling with substance use disorder and mental illness."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of The Recovery First Addiction Recovery Podcast puts the spotlight on advocacy, with host Mike Todd sharing why he speaks up for people living with substance use disorder – and why he thinks you’ll want to as well. Speaking straight from the heart, Mike explains how he went from quietly attending 12-step meetings in the late 80s to what he calls “recovering out loud”.
Back then, recovery in his area meant a tiny group, a lot of stigma, and feeling like you couldn’t talk about addiction outside the meeting room. Now he’s part of national efforts like Mobilize Recovery and the Recovery Advocacy Project, pushing for change on everything from harm reduction to legislation. Mike talks about the power of community, remembering how informal “unofficial recovery houses” of friends living together evolved into today’s recovery housing and recovery community organisations.
He stresses the need for dedicated funding for recovery services, pointing out that treatment and prevention get support, but the long-term recovery work that “literally saved my life” often doesn’t. You’ll hear him describe the impact of peer support, from a sponsor who stopped him in a car park at a suicidal moment, to certified peer specialists who “meet folks where they are” even if they’re not ready to quit.
He reminds everyone that “your recovery doesn’t have to look like my recovery,” and that different pathways are valid.
The episode finishes with a practical rallying cry: write letters, carry a bullhorn, hand out naloxone, support recovery housing, or simply ask local agencies, “What are the needs?” As Mike puts it, “You can do something… all you have to do is care.” If you’ve ever wondered whether your voice matters in recovery, this conversation might be the nudge you’ve been waiting for. So what small step could you take today to stand alongside people in recovery?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.