Addicts Have a Savior and It Isn't You | An Interview with Emily and Danny Deaton

Danny and Emily Deaton are the founders of Living Proof Recovery Services, a company dedicated to supporting individuals and families who are navigating addiction with a loved one. They carry degrees from rival schools, the University of Utah and Brigham Young University but found common ground in their love for Jesus and the Utah Jazz. They have built a life they love together in Alpine, Utah. They love being parents to three awesome children and have served as Stake Young Single Adult leaders and Emily as a Relief Society president. Danny and Emily host the “Your Living Proof Podcast” and love speaking and sharing their message of faith in action, hope, and their love for Jesus Christ. Links YourLivingProof.com Your Living Proof Podcast and YouTube Free masterclass Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Emily and Danny talk about the growing issues of addiction, highlighting the importance of being prepared to address these challenges and the need for resources and education. Danny recounts his experience with opioid addiction, detailing how it progressed from a seemingly manageable issue to a life-altering crisis that culminated in a near-fatal incident. He reflects on the pivotal moment when his father intervened, demonstrating the power of love and family support in the recovery process. Emily adds her perspective, emphasizing the time required for true healing and the transformative power of the Atonement in their lives. The couple discusses the importance of understanding addiction as a family disease, where the entire family unit must engage in the recovery process. They stress that addiction often manifests as a secretive struggle, and families typically wait too long—averaging seven years—before seeking professional help. The Deatons advocate for the role of interventionists and the necessity of establishing boundaries to support loved ones in their recovery journey. They also highlight the importance of church leaders in recognizing the signs of addiction and guiding families toward appropriate resources, such as support groups and professional help. Danny and Emily challenge the misconception that individuals must want to recover on their own before intervention can occur, arguing instead that families must take proactive steps to facilitate recovery. They discuss the need for families to learn about addiction, set boundaries, and seek help themselves, creating a supportive environment for their loved ones. Church leaders and families can utilize available resources and to understand that addiction is a complex issue that requires a collective effort for healing and recovery. 02:00 – Danny and Emily Deaton’s Background 03:00 – Danny’s Journey Through Addiction 06:00 – The Low Point of Addiction 08:00 – The Role of Family in Recovery 09:00 – The Power of the Atonement 10:00 – Transitioning to Recovery Services 12:00 – Understanding the Role of an Interventionist 13:00 – The Impact of COVID on Recovery Services 14:00 – Developing a Comprehensive Recovery Program 16:00 – The Importance of Family Support 18:00 – Recognizing the Signs of Addiction 19:00 – The Illusion of Control in Addiction 20:00 – The Need for Professional Help 22:00 – The Role of Agency in Addiction 24:00 – The Importance of Boundaries 26:00 – The Challenge of Helping Loved Ones 28:00 – The Statistics of Addiction 29:00 – The Underlying Issues of Addiction 30:00 – The Role of Church Leaders in Recovery 32:00 – The Disconnect Between Spiritual Guidance and Addiction 34:00 – The Need for Professional Intervention 36:00 – The Importance of Family Healing 37:00 – God’s Example of Boundaries 39:00 – The Role of Church Leaders in Addiction Recovery 41:00 – The Importance of Family Support Systems 42:00 – Resources Available for Families in Need The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.