From Addiction to Grace: A Bridge Back to the Church (The Drew Mariani Show)

Scott Weeman’s story begins in small-town Wisconsin and spirals into the nightlife of downtown Manhattan. What started as a teenage drink at 17 quickly escalated. “Loved the effect of alcohol,” he admits. By his early 20s, he had two DUIs, strained family relationships, and a bad habit that had quickly gone from recreational to dangerous. But the breaking point wasn’t legal trouble. It was heartbreak. After moving to San Diego for a relationship he had turned into an idol, Scott found himself alone when it ended. “I was sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he said. In what he calls a “very brief moment of grace,” he walked into a 12-step meeting on October 10, 2011. He expected judgment. Instead, he found mercy. At the same time, Scott began making his way back to the Catholic Church. Through a vibrant young adult community and a steady rhythm of meetings, sponsorship, and prayer, he discovered that recovery and faith were powerful allies. “I can’t take any credit for it. It was by the grace of God and the fellowship of others,” he said. That insight became the foundation for Catholic in Recovery, a ministry that bridges 12-step recovery and the Sacraments. Scott is clear: it’s not a substitute for traditional recovery groups, but a supplement, helping Catholics integrate their faith with healing. He even sees a parallel between the steps and the Sacraments, especially the connection between moral inventory and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many who attend Catholic in Recovery return to Confession for the first time in decades. Scott’s message is simple: identity is not found in addiction, but in our acceptance of the Father's love. In Christ, no fall is final. Grace can rebuild what seemed lost. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.