Bogie Bowles on Early Sobriety, Music, and Why “It’s Just Weed” Isn’t True

In this episode of Finding New Waters, B Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with Bogie Bowles, Clinical Director at Ascend Recovery in Utah, with deep North Carolina connections and a story rooted in early sobriety.Bogie shares what it was like getting sober at 18 as a freshman at Carolina, navigating recovery while still living a musician’s life, and building a career in the field. The conversation also gets real about what has changed in treatment and culture since the 90s.They take a hard look at today’s high-potency THC landscape, the false sense of safety around “it’s just weed,” and the unregulated Delta and THCA products that are showing up everywhere. If you have a teen, work in the field, or have ever minimized cannabis because of what it used to be, this episode will shift your perspective.Subscribe for more recovery conversations from Finding New Waters.Like the video, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share this episode with someone who needs hope.Timestamps[01:00:00] Welcome back + Bogie Bowles intro (Ascend Recovery, Utah)[01:01:00] North Carolina connections + music background (Knockdown Smilin)[01:02:26] Getting sober at 18 as a freshman at Carolina[01:11:12] “One and done from treatment” and trying to stop but not being able to stop[01:11:44] Treatment then vs now (two-week model, 35 years ago)[01:22:01] Music, recovery, and professional life now[01:24:16] Staying close to recovery while traveling as a musician[01:31:42] How “weed” changed from the 90s to now[01:33:47] Delta / THCA products and the unregulated chemical problem[01:34:26] The “blueberry muffin” analogy and what families are missing[01:37:32] Reefer madness, cultural backlash, and why the warning signs got ignored[01:38:41] “Desperate Lives” and the scary stuff that is not a joke anymore[01:39:03] Wrap-up + how to find Ascend RecoveryBogie Bowles, LCSWClinical DirectorBogie graduated in 2015 from the University of North Carolina with a Masters of Social Work. A former professional musician, Bogie expanded his perspective of the connection between mental health and addiction while working at the psychiatric unit at Duke Hospital. Following his time at Duke, he then worked with a large addiction treatment facility using his unique musical background to co-create a program specifically designed to treat music industry professionals. Bogie is the newest on our team and is seeking to further his experience in treating co-occurring disorders, and to continue pursuing his passion for music and service. Additionally, he co-wrote a curriculum for an Extended Care Program focusing on the challenges of recovery in everyday life. Bogie has been with Ascend since 2018.Bogie entered his own recovery from addiction at the age of eighteen. He has toured and recorded with various artist for over twenty years. In his personal life, he continues to play and record music, enjoys being in nature, engages in the recovery community, and practices meditation.Guest and Organization LinksAscend Recovery: https://ascendrecovery.com/Ascend Recovery Team: https://ascendrecovery.com/inpatient-drug-rehab-staff/Ascend Recovery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascendrecovery/🎙️ Watch & ListenWebsite: www.findingnewwaters.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5GjwApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXwYouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn