Chaos, Consequences & Starting Over at 56 – Dean McDermott

Actor and addiction counselor Dean McDermott joins Forrest to talk alcohol, substance abuse, relapse cycles, emotional regulation, childhood trauma, and the moment he finally surrendered after 41 years of using. They get into numbing out with drugs, chasing dopamine, losing relationships, rebuilding life from scratch, and what it really means to get out of your own way. It's raw, funny, and packed with real stories about spiraling, self-destruction, recovery, relapse, shame, surrender, and learning how to actually live without running from your feelings. 🎧 If you've burned your life down a few times, can't stop getting in your own way, or are trying to rebuild after addiction, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 0:00 – Forrest's intro, free air rage & theme-song chaos4:48 – The moment Dean knew addiction had him8:42 – Eating cocaine out of a Kleenex: how far it goes11:07 – Forrest's $20k gambling spiral & chasing dopamine14:17 – Why addicts "know better" but keep going anyway18:30 – "I thought people liked me more when I used"20:58 – Meeting in Maui & addiction ego stories22:27 – Jealousy of "normal drinkers" & the Paris relapse24:43 – The surrender moment at 5626:39 – Breathwork, trauma, and forgiving his father31:15 – Dogs, presence, and the secret to one-day-at-a-time33:00 – Explaining addiction as a disease without the debate39:06 – Genetics, trauma, and losing his mom at 1647:03 – Why gambling, weed, and all addictions share the same trap1:01:00 – Dean's message to anyone struggling right now 🎙️ Find Dean McDermott: 📸 Instagram: ttps://www.instagram.com/imdeanmcdermott/?hl=en